Thursday, August 16, 2007

Schmoozing with His Majesty, King Elvis... 30 Years Later

Today is the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll... the swooner, crooner and living legend who sings with angels now.

If there was anything you ever wanted to know about the king, you'll find it here. Thanks to them for the photo, too.


After you read that and learn everything about him, you can take an Elvis quiz here.

Elvis always makes me smile. He one upped me once, posthumously of course.
I was chatting with a little girl in the second grade who said she was a bit behind in her studies at school. She had a couple of chapter books to read before she was all caught up.

I looked at her seriously and said, "You have to read those and catch up! Reading is very important, it makes you smarter."

Without missing a beat, she looked at me and replied, "I know, Scarlett, you read all the time and you're the second smartest person in the world."


Everything in my head came to a grinding halt. Back handed compliment. "Uh... thanks, but who do you think the smartest person in the world is then, if it's not me?" the sting was smarting a bit.

She looked at me as though I'd just falled off of the turnip truck. "Well duh! Elvis!"

I was now dumbfounded. "Whahuh?"

She hopped off my lap and walked around me, saying with casual indifference... "He's dead and he makes $40,000,000 a year."

I just sat there. She had a point. How can you argue with a second grader about that? I'm not going to be making 40 million a year when I'm dead. Probably. How did she know that? Dang! She's right!
But... I'm still the second smartest person in the world.

So that's something.


I'm also a schmoozer... apparently. Absolute Vanilla has awarded me the Schmoozer award!
Thank you Vanilla!

It goes like this:

"Schmoozing is the natural ability 'to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection'. Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.”


And so it is with a bit of smiling, winking and elbow rubbing that I pass this along to some other schmoozers who really get around in a great way! I know... it's supposed to be 5. I'm a rule bender by nature though, and these are some serious schmoozers. I didn't name everyone on my blogroll this time... though, so it's closer to the guidelines. Who wrote those guidelines anyway?

Rel at Under The Microscope
Seamus at Shameless Words
Diana at Piffle
Christina at Single City Chick
Chesca at Exskindiver
Ally at Crazy Dust In My Coffee
Jelly Jules at Thinking About...





Keep on schmoozin' y'all.


Rebel Scarlett & Viaggiatore (V! Why are you covering your eyes with both paws? What are you shaking your head for? V! Was that a groan?)

15 comments:

The (Mis)Adventures of a Single City Chick said...

Ahhhhh, I always new I was a schmoozer (in the best way possible, of course), so it's nice to be acknowledged for my social butterflyness. ;-)

As for Elvis, I still remember watching one of his last concerts on t.v. (it was held in Hawaii) during the 70s when I was a little kid. Granted, those were his "puffier" years, but haven't we all had years like that? LOL!

Christina

J said...

Thanks for the compliment! Your Elvis story is pretty cool, and heck, you could claim, "I'm the smartest person alive!" :)

Diana said...

Aw, gee, thanks Scarlet!

You know, I've been working to add an area of professional expertise so that I'm ready to take over the duties of a colleague. The main stipulation I put in my conditions to do this was that I wouldn't have to schmooze the corporate powers-that-be as I am such crap at such things.

Better make sure my boss never gets wind of this or I'll be delegated to a life of pressing the flesh and golfing and sitting through chamber of commerce meetings.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Are you a teacher? I'm pretty sure you're not a second grader.

The kid is right. Elvis makes more money dead than most of us will make in our lifetimes.

Anonymous said...

I'm pleased to know you, Ms. Second Smartest Person In The World, and am honored with the award. I shall do my best to continue schnoozing and can only hope that someday I'll be half as smart-- and rich-- as you.

Vesper said...

Yesterday, I heard Elvis on the radio, with a live version of "Are you lonesome tonight". The story is that, during that show, he's seen a man whose hair piece had come off and Elvis just fell about laughing. I laughed myself to tears listening to Elvis laugh uncontrollably and still trying to sing this beautiful song with his superb voice... It was a great recording, a quite moving moment!

Congratulations for your award. You deserve it!

Anonymous said...

congratulations to you...
and thank you for mine!
really scarl.
i wanted to get this in before reading more about mr.swivel hips.
i will be back.
~chesca

Jon M said...

Gosh! Thirty years...and I can remember where I was when I found out..

Pawlie Kokonuts said...

Count me as weird, but I don't get the Elvis thing. Early Elvis? Yes, without a doubt. Raw and exciting. But later? Dull, dull, dull. That's why, to me, the whole English Invasion was a breath of fresh musical air.

rel said...

Scarlett,
Thanks for the honor. Coming from such a #1 schmoozer as yourself I'm flattered and humbled.
I was 12 when Elvis sang "Love Me Tender" just in time for me to sing it to my first real girl-friend. Yes, she was suitably impressed. The best thing about that relationship was that neither of us had hormones yet, so it was marvelous fun pretending to be grown up without any of the angst!
P.S. You're number one all around in my book. ;-)

Anonymous said...

40 mil a year after death, not a bad haul for a backwards little guy from the country.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Christina!

I think you're a great social butterfly! You're the one who was promoting buying drinks for people online! Can't get more social than that!
It's all you lady!


Jules,

You've pointed out a rather obvious aspect that I somehow missed.
I think you're the next smartest person in the world.
Thank you!


Diana,

We'll keep it quiet. Mum's the word. You are a fabulous schmoozer though, dahlin...


Hearts,

We're all teachers in one way or another, but it is not my profession. It was just an unusual circumstance. That particular kid is right a lot.


Ally,

You are the schmooziest person in the world, that is for certain! Woo! Don't wish for half of what I am, aim much higher than that my friend. Reach for the stars!


Vesper,

I've heard that one, it's so funny! That's one of my favorite songs that he does; it was my grandparents 'song'. Just not sad while he's cracking up though... thanks for reminding me of the sweet memory!


Chesca,

I've installed a swinging/swiveling door for you so that you may come and go as you please.
Have fun, see you soon!


Jon!

Yay! You are back, and not a moment too soon! We need new things what are good.
And so you drop a line like that... you knew where you were... and don't tell us? What's the scoop? Where were you? What happened?


PK,

Admittedly, I do like the Beatles more than Elvis.
Guess I should post on the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Peppers...


Rel,

You made me blush. Sakes.
So you've been a schmoozer for a while now huh? Good, you definitely have it down to an art! We are the lucky ones!


Kat,

I know! Don't quite know how I'm going to do even half of that.... but you know, as long as I leave the world a better place than it was when I got here, then there will have been some benefit to my existence.
It won't be monetary, probably, but that's ok.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Unknown said...

I think you're the nicest schmoozer in all blogosphere, so the award is well-deserved! :-)

As for that little girl - that is one smart and sassy kid - I suspect she may be after your place as second smartest person in the world! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Last week there were lots of 13 Thursday posts about Elvis. I only now just figured it out.

My older sister used to look like Elvis. My dad did too but then he got heavy and looked like Jackie Gleason.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Vanilla,

Thank you so much! You know, that kid isn't the only one after my position. I've gotta be on the lookout!


Colleen,

Your SISTER looked like Elvis? I'm surprised; don't quite know what to say about that. Hmm.

Thursday 13 Elvis' huh? Wonder how many look alikes there are. 13,000? Hee hee...


Scarlett & Viaggiatore