I have a journal from fifth grade, 1999-2000 (pre 9/11)

There is an entry where I was only happy about Savage Garden performing at the 2000 Olympic Closing Ceremonies. My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Bagley, wrote a note in the margins of my journal: “you sneak”

@darrenhayes

The journal entry made it clear that I stayed up much past bed time, and used my battery-powered TV to watch! @TiVo was barely a thing!

This was the year @RulonGardner (from my home town!) defeated Aleksandr Karelin in Greco-Roman Wrestling. A huge year for Star Valley Wyoming! Shortly thereafter, I read Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, which changed me forever.

Anyway, listen to Savage Garden and read Stargirl. (or watch Stargirl as a movie… it is a movie on Disney+ now)

Stargirl showed me, at a vulnerable age, that it is okay to be me. So did the music of Savage Garden.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is available on digital platforms. Or, it’s available in print: hardback or softcover. What a year. Basically my last drop of innocence before 9/11.

The music of Savage Garden is available anywhere good music exists. Enjoy!

Much later, Jerry Spinelli wrote a sequel to Stargirl called “Love, Stargirl”

I bought a copy and wrote a note in the cover and mailed it to Mrs. Bagley when I was in college. Mrs Bagley replied. I may have lost the letter.

2000 was amazing. Savage Garden. Stargirl. @RulonGardner! A fun slice of history before 9/11.

I am listening to Savage Garden and reading Stargirl now, which is why I am compelled to write this. Art moves us. During this Coronavirus scare, I hope that art calms us and gives us hope. Never doubt the power of art. Some art can hang with you, even decades later.

Read Stargirl. Listen to Savage Garden. I’m gonna go dig around for that letter from Mrs. Bagley.

/ end of thread, I promise.