The Backwards

Thomas Wolfe wrote a book titled You Can’t Go Back Home Again. Well, I’m here to say that Thomas was very wrong about that. I did go back home, to Goldsboro, last night and had the time of my life! I’m very fortunate to have reconnected with some childhood and high school friends recently. Robert, one of my new “old” friends is the American representative for a Beatles cover band from the Czech Republic – The Backwards. When he first told me about this band several months ago, I will admit to being slightly skeptical. But after watching their DVD, I was convinced! Last night was a trip back in time – in many respects. Watching and listening to The Backwards took me back to my elementary school days at Edgewood School. Everything about their act is authentic – from the costumes to the musical composition. These boys from the Czech and Slovak Republics even sing and speak with a Liverpool accent. Last night, they featured music from the early years – the Ed Sullivan days. Ah, to be that young again! At the concert, I was overjoyed to see some friends from my youth who I haven’t had contact with for several decades. I wish we had been able to spend more time catching up, but we were too busy screaming, clapping and dancing. Truly, it was one of the most fun nights I’ve had recently.

Here are a few pictures of The Backwards.

It was great being with some of my high school buds. We all had a blast – I think Bart more than anyone. I had never met Bart, but now I count him as a friend, too. He married one of my best high school friends, Peggy. It was fun just watching him watch The Backwards.

As the night progressed, the audience loosened up and hit the dance floor. Even Robert’s mom got out on the dance floor twisting and shouting! And, to see the children whose grandparents were Beatles fans rocking and rolling was amazing.

To learn more about The Backwards, check out their website at www.thebackwards.com. And if you ever have the chance to see them live – go. You’ll love it. I can hardly wait until next year to see them again!

Graduation – My 28th

Coastal Carolina Community College celebrated its 47th graduation today – while I celebrated my 28th. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. It was cool for mid-May, there was a wonderful breeze, the sky was a brilliant blue, and there were smiles as far as the eyes could see. Everyone is happy on graduation day. Graduates, families, friends, faculty and staff are all joyous – all for different reasons, I’m quite certain. And Coastal really knows how to throw a graduation! The ceremony is over in about an hour and then graduates along with their friends and family are invited to the cafeteria for an old-fashioned barbeque lunch. It’s incredibly hard for me to believe that I will only celebrate two more graduations at Coastal. Coastal Carolina Community College is more than my workplace – it’s like a 2nd home filled with friends and family. And my students are consistently the best – EVER!

There are a LOT of other pictures to edit, but I don’t have room to post them all here. If you would like to see other pictures from graduation, visit my website (in a few days) at www.elisebeall.com and scroll to the bottom of the home page. Enter the user name coastal and the password graduation. If you would like to purchase any of the pictures you see, you may use the online shopping cart. To receive a 50% discount, use the coupon code 050. All proceeds from the sale of pictures will go to the Coastal Carolina Community College Foundation to fund student scholarships. Payment must be received before orders are fulfilled.

What The Duck

What The Duck is an internet cartoon featuring a photographer who is a . . . duck. I love the humor in this cartoon mostly because it hits so close to home. I spend a LOT of time on the computer, so this WTD could truly be about me. Enjoy!

Deja Vu

My husband, Rusty, is a bit accident prone. Well, more than a bit actually – but that’s another post. Fifty years ago this month Rusty had an accident on the playground at Mt. Olive Elementary School resulting in a very black eye. Charles Kraft, a friend of the family and Master Photographer, saw Rusty and decided he would be a wonderful model. He had Rusty stop by the studio daily until the eye was perfect for photographing. One of the pictures he took won a national award.

Fast forward five decades and Rusty has another black eye. This one had to do with a wrench and a valve wheel, but if you ask Rusty he’ll come up with a much more entertaining story. Here’s a picture of Rusty now – holding the picture of his famous black eye from a half century ago. And, another of just Rusty.