SoapBoxBlog

Everyone and their mom is posting about the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I may as well throw another one into the mix. It can't hurt.

Farrah, in my mind, will always be part of Charlie's Angels. And Charlie's Angels will always be a part of my youth. 1975 was the year before I started high school and it was the year Charlie's Angels debuted it's pilot episode. I was just realizing and understanding my sexual self and that realization was that I didn't like boys. But I sure as hell liked those three Angels.

I kept a few mini posters of Kate, Farrah and Jaclyn hidden in the bottom drawer of my dresser, from where I'd pull them out and stare longingly. I just wanted to ride with Kate in her sport scar, trading witty conversation and rockin' the bell bottoms.

Cheryl Ladd was great, but Farrah was the original. I was proud of Farrah and the strong, determined person she'd become. It broke my heart to see her suffer. I have her TV special saved on my DVR. I recorded it but we still haven't had the guts to watch it. I'll keep it saved for now. She fought her cancer bravely. I can only hope her son and her partner, Ryan, are able to be as brave as she now that she's gone.

Michael Jackson was an integral part of my growing up. He was only four years older than me. It was fun watching him grow as an artist and an entertainer. It was also weird, awkward at times and almost like watching a train wreck.

I can't ever put on a pair of roller skates without thinking about "I'll be There". I can't ever look at pictures of high school and dances without thinking about "Rock With You". I can't ever remember the 80s and MTV without thinking about "Thriller". After that, well, it was the start of the weird, awkward, train wreck period. [We actually had a huge "Thriller" party on the night MTV unveiled the "Thriller" music video -- it was a drunken mess, but we had the greatest time!]

He was a tortured boy trapped in a man's body with a face that he kept trying to change. What or who was it he wanted to become? Who knows.

I hope that both of them are in a better place, at peace, free of pain and judgment. Thank you both for some really great times.