@TCManiacs Blogs: 04/10/11

Sunday, April 10, 2011

In Memorium | Elizabeth Taylor February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011

Cropped screenshot of Elizabeth Taylor from th...

Though its impossible to appropriately eulogize Elizabeth Taylor in a blog post, I will take the time just to express my sincere love for my favorite movie star. From as early as I can remember she was the my ideal woman. I rated her beauty, talent and personality above every other actress in black-in-white or technicolor, as a child star up til her the last days of her golden years. Not to mention my admiration for her life long AIDS philanthropy and respect for her preserverance through life long health problems and chronic pain. Perhaps because she and I shared the same zodiac sign, the same birthday in February,and same favorite color of purple that I always felt a special connection for this sensitive fellow Piscean. She was the only actress that I practiced idolatry for.

Screenshot of Elizabeth Taylor from the traile...

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedi

Image via Wikipedia

Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra was my favorite fantasy movie role

As I grew into womanhood I tried to capture some of her Cleopatran regality by dyeing my hair blue black. During my career as a make up artist, I plastered my lids with color, defined my eyes with black kohl liner, arched and penciled my naturally thick black brows to match hers.

During the eighties I added her frosty streaks, duplicated her layered haircut and teased my lacquered tresses into Elizabethan spikes. I imitated her bejeweled flashy fashion. I perfumed with her "Passion" fragrance. She also became my role model for business as her "White Diamonds" was always the top selling fragrance during my career in department store cosmetics. At her death Taylor left an estate estimated at $600 million to $1 billion; beyond the $150 million in jewelry, she owned $130 million in real estate. Taylor was a pioneer in marketing a celebrity merchandise brand, and despite her years as an actress, most of Taylor's wealth came from her business ventures.

Image via WikipediaAs my age caught up with hers and I developed my own chronic pain conditions, I came to respect her life long struggle with health problems. Like everyone else she had imperfections. She made mistakes. She sinned. What makes her admirable is how she well she lived despite her pain, tragedy, problems and mistakes. She didn't let the negatives stop her. She kept on working, and giving and living life to the fullest. Right til the very end! Like Elizabeth, I hope I my epitaph will be a life well lived and well loved.

Who is the mysterious TCManiac?

First, I'll tell you who I am not. I am not affiliated with TCM. I am not some superbot created by software developers. I am not being paid by TCM or anyone else to dedicate my time to tweeting. I am a real flesh and blood human being. I am a real maniac for TCM. I really do keep my TV tuned to TCM 24-7. I created the TCManiacs twitter as a result of my sincere passion for watching Turner Classic Movies.

How I got started?

Well, I've been a fan of TCM since its inception. As I lay flat on my back recovering from a disabling health crisis unable to do little more than watch TV and surf the internet, I found refuge watching TCM round the clock. I soon developed an obsessive habit of keeping a browser tab open for the TCM schedule and beating Robert Osbourne's introductions to finding out facts for upcoming movies. My entire day and night became defined by the TCM line-up. At the beginning of 2009 I decided to check out twitter and lucked up on some fellow TCM fans to friend. During the 31 days Oscar I decided to dedicate a twitter just to share my TCM obsession by tweeting about every movie every day of February. I was totally overwhelmed by the number of fellow TCM maniacs that became my following. Its been a WIN WIN in everyway for me. I have had the opportunity to share fun stuff with some incredible fellow classic movie lovers and bloggers. With so many followers I became committed to maintaining the twitter schedule and finding fun stuff for upcoming TCM movies.

How may followers show appreciation?

As I mentioned before, I am not employed by anyone nor being paid for my time maintaining tweets and blog. However, you may express your appreciation for my labor of love by dropping a token of your appreciation in the hat. Simply click the Donate button below. Any amount your heart moves you to give no matter how small will be graciously accepted.

What you mean to me?

Even if you decide to skip tipping the hat, please take the time to comment or send a message with your thoughts and suggestions. Send ideas on more fun stuff you would like featured. Send me links to your own classic movie websites. I just want to hear from you! Let me know what sharing my little obsession is worth to you. Every follower is priceless to me!