Before I started this blog I poked around on search engines and read some others on Barry. There was a lot of catching up to do, I didn't know where to start, and I didn't want to jump in and look like a knob or fall into the same trap I did years ago. Of course I found Manilow.com and the BarryNet and that got my feet wet. But there's a difference between "official" and "unofficial". Unofficial always has a very different take.
One of the first fan-run blogs I found was Scooter Talk. There's something about a fan in the audience capturing their own moments on their own camera. There's always a memory associated with it that is as individual as the photographer. That same sense just doesn't come across in press photos.
Scooter had an archive that could keep any fan busy for months, if not years. Photos that she and her husband took, transcripts from interviews - TV or print - and assorted anecdotes. Once I got through as much as I was able to in the past couple of months, I felt immersed and comfortable. So much so, I started my own blog, even though I didn't think I had anything to share.
I'm not alone - Scooter Talk (and its companion, Unofficial Manilow Newz) must be raking in thousands of hits a week so lots of someone else's are being uplifted as I am. Every morning at about 10 AM ET there were 2 or 3 new little tidbits to justify avoiding real work for a few moments. I could almost set my watch by it. When sitting in my office I'd check the clock to see if it was time to check on Scooter's archive again for something new.
The only time I didn't enjoy what I saw was a couple of days ago when Scooter announced that both of her blog sites were coming down. That screaming sob was me. Her mind is made up, I tried to change it - no dice. She has her reasons and that is that.
You've got until May 18 to enjoy the fruits of her labors and then it's bye-bye. And while you're visiting, take 2 seconds out of your life, hit the "Email" or "Comment" link and say THANK YOU. Scooter didn't have to go to so much effort to share her collection with the rest of us. I'll bet a little gratitude goes a very long way and it shouldn't be too much trouble for anyone to contribute that little boost.
Let's give her a nice send off - she's got a million thanx from me!
Scooter Talk scootertalk.blogspot.com
Unofficial Manilow Newz unofficialmanilownewz.blogspot.com
What a shame...but what a blessing she has been. Hopefully people will express their appreciation. I will miss her Manilow memorabilia but I know her blog will always be interesting.
ReplyDeleteLove the heading of this blog BTW!