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Patience, Perseverance & Birthday CakeLOCATION: Living Room , Jackson, MIYEAR: 1984TAGS: birthday, MTVPUBLISHED: April 16, 2008When Michael Jackson's album Thriller came out in 1983 it was a hit with everyone. The songs caught everyones attention and the videos were unlike anything anyone had ever seen. That fact was never more apparent than with the release of the video for the title song. Life was different in 1983. The internet didn't exist and that meant you couldn't google "Thriller" and watch the video on Youtube whenever you felt the need. As far as I knew the only way to catch it after the world premiere was to tune into MTV and watch. Endlessly. Or at least as long as your parents would allow. In April of 1984 I celebrated my 12th birthday and was lucky enough to have a slumber party with about 6 of my closest friends. At that point the Thriller video had been out about 4 months and it was still as popular as ever. My friends and I all had posters of Michael Jackson in our rooms and some of our guy friends had even finagled the "jacket" from their parents, but the video, was the most attainable. That evening we made our beds on our living room floor, lined up our Cabbage Patch Kids, and turned on MTV. We waited and prayed that the video would come on. Eventually it did. Being me, I had wanted to write a letter to MTV begging and pleading for them to play it that night. I'm not sure why I didn't, or maybe I did but it never found it's way to the mail. But after hours of being pre-teen girls and making someone watch the TV at all times we were rewarded. I don't remember if it was part of a countdown or just random, but excitement spilled over that night at my house. As a group of 11 and 12 year olds, the Thriller video allowed us to do what we did best. Scream. "It's so scary!" "Did you see his eyes?!" "The Zombies are dancing!!!" "That laugh is so scary!!! AHHHHH!!!" I have many memories associated with my 12th birthday party. We had a lip synching contest (ala Puttin' on the Hits) and stayed up late. But Michael Jackson's Thriller and it's video will always remind me of that slumber party and that with patience and perseverance in the 80's, you would eventually see the video you wanted to see on MTV.
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(9)
Appelman said: We are so wrapped up in the constant communication thing that I freak when I can't talk to my friends be it phone or internet. (4/16/2008)
mjlhowell said: Slumber parties are some of my best memories too, and my childhood pre-dates the internet as well. Thanks for taking us back to a less "connected" time. eSmiles. (4/16/2008)
Jherara said: I love this memory! It details exactly what life was like in the 80s *L* and reveals well how the Internet has changed our lives and how this video, album, and song made such an impact. (4/16/2008)
Inthemidstofeverything said: It's too bad MTV doesn't play music videos anymore haha. Good stuff! (4/16/2008)
Stacylinn said: Thanks for all the great comments. I too can not imagine having the internet to satisfy my every whim! (4/16/2008)
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