Cozy in gowns on the way to the "Cozy Corner".

Last Saturday late afternoon while walking around my village I spotted interesting looking group of people-all women were dressed alike in raspberry strapless gowns, silver hi heels sandals and matching little fabric purses-quite the outfit..Men wore white shirts with vest suit and tie.
They were running around 2ND avenue buying alcohol and ice (the whole block could hear their conversations).
Picturesque crowd came by the bus, which was parked alongside 2ND avenue - apparently it was a wedding-i didn't have a chance to see the bride, so maybe they were on their way to the wedding ceremony, or after, or INSTEAD of the ceremony???
The dresses weren't that comfortable...the ladies had constantly to pull them up and the sound of heels on asphalt reminded me of the horse ride...As I passed them by, for a moment i was sucked in their energy cloud of heavy perfume, loud talk and cigarette smoke, i felt strange excitement running through my body.
So I grabbed my camera and took this photo...As I observed it later-I noticed that the name of the store they're going to is "Cozy Corner".
I caught myself thinking that wish I had that raspberry strapless gown on too, that I wouldn't even mind to twitch it every second to keep it in place and wear pair of terribly sounded sandals -a cigarette stuck to the corner of my mouse... That then I will stop feeling completely OUT of place and lost...And maybe, just maybe I would feel cozy again.

Tribute to Michael Jackson.

Today, July 7 2009-is Michael Jackson memorial.

What was supposed to be the beginning of the greatest comeback of spectacular degree became a day of sorrow- the day of mourning-the day of burial-AND the day of manifestation of global love to somebody who’s undeniably, was not only one of the biggest music stars , but one of the most recognizable people in the world.

People of all generations, races, nationalities, languages and point of views were united by his music genius….

Michael Jackson was truly UNIQUE…

I am remembering my first encounter with Michael Jackson's music…Back in U.S.S.R: where people were not supposed to know, or even wanted to know what kind of music was played in the USA, or in any other capitalist country…I was brought up in secluded society, behind the iron curtain, constantly tried to be brainwashed since I was a little baby…seeing Lenin portraits everywhere since I remember myself.

Watching news from Moscow , every 9 pm (the only legal source of news available, besides local news, which were always optimistically presented:" our way is the only right way of living")…being told EVERY DAY how lucky I was to be born in Soviet Union…seeing newspaper’s headlines about crises in capitalist world, which sure would end up in collapse soon with triumph of worldwide communist revolution…,being in a state of confusion overhearing different stories (dissident conversations-harshly critical) from my dad and his friends talking in the kitchen …late at night…

AND craving for western culture, music, fashion, anything I can get my grasp on….

Friend of a friend was lucky to be chosen to represent U.S.S.R in basketball tournament abroad, and among few things he managed to bring back - was Michael Jackson's album “the Thriller”.

It was mind blowing to listen to that album!!!

Little that I knew at the time, that this album’s destined to become the most successful one in the music history!!!!

I was swept of my feet…I was transformed on the spot…everything started to make sense and on top of that: I was in love…in love with the music…in love with the lyrics and the feelings attached to it….the emotions were overwhelming me…all that and MORE!!!- Because of Michael Jackson!!!

To this very day I can name Michael Jackson singlehandedly responsible for transforming a confused soviet soul into the open minded –English speaking-world traveled person I became…

Salute, Michael!!

Thank you, Michael, for being yourself and bringing joy and love to people around the Earth!

GOD REST YOUR SOUL!

P.S. On the pictures : me and mother, my father in soviet navy uniform (circa before me being born); myself at the beach (dreaming of different life while thinking of Michael' music) - my pictures dated around the time I first heard “The Thriller”.