Elvis vs Johnny vs Elvis

Before the end of the world, there was music. Elvis and Johnny roamed the earth, and when they were gone, you could catch a glimpse of them on the bus, in the library, at the bowling alley. The same way we see dogs on the periphery of our vision, we see Elvis and Johnny. Not ghosts or apparitions, but actual. Reports confirm our suspicion that heroes never die, and Elvis is somewhere out there. Now, we have photographic proof. Sonny, in boxer’s stance, just like forty years ago in those newspaper clippings. The Man in Black. The King. The Dapper Dolls who asked if they looked cute. Eddie, who made it all happen.

These family gatherings, cancelled by COVID, are happening again. Just as we emerge from these years of lockdowns and mandates, we wake up to the realization of danger lurking, of despots on the move. Halfway around the world, and living next door. We laugh and dance and sing, we clutch our wives and ask ourselves if we have what it takes to defeat a stealthy enemy. Tyranny creeps. Fighting back seems silly sometimes. Don’t let the bastards steal your joy. Kill them with kindness. Smother them with ridicule. And remember what life was like before the end of the world. There’s a new world coming. It’s up to us to choose whether it’s a world of fear or fearlessness. I plan to arm myself with happiness and socially distance myself from fear. I plan to “don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters.”

I’m going to celebrate every possible moment and get up close and personal with those beautiful, perfect strangers we meet every day. I’m going to get out of my comfort zone and unmask my true self. Chase dreams and pots of gold. Eat big, fat, juicy steaks and ice cream, along with at least an apple a day to keep dumbass doctors away.

You can follow the leader if you want to. You can follow the science and the fashion. You can follow the path of least resistance, travel the road paved with good intentions. As for me, I’m going to follow the music.