I shouldn't be surprised, given he was not enjoying the most spectacular of health, but Meatloaf's death has really saddened me. If you wanted a consummate showman with stage presence and an absolute belter of a voice: it was him. I know the Bat out of Hell album is sometimes considered a bit kitschy and naff, but there's a reason about twenty-five per cent of Australia's population has a copy of this album, be it on vinyl and stacked with other records in a milk crate, or on CD, or maybe on Apple iTunes playlist. Yes, I am in that twenty-five per cent.
I will never forget being blown away the first time I heard the titular track, and I still love to crank it up now. I also have a memory of my school dance where You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth was given a spin, and who won't admit to doing the double clap at the end? You know how it goes; come on, do it with me: "You took the words right out of my mouth! (Clap-clap!). Oooh, it must have been while you were kissing me...(Clap-clap!)". I associate this memory with a beige ruffle-neck cap-sleeved top, a brown drawstring skirt, and JC sandals (it was the late Seventies, okay?).
In 1993, Mr Bingells and I were fortunate enough to see him at the State Theatre in Sydney. What a great night. I didn't recognise him straight away when he took to the stage as the opening strains of I Would Do Anything for Love played because he'd slimmed down a little bit, but the voice gave it away. He conducted the show, handled an obnoxious heckler, and entertained the audience with humour, a magnificent stage presence, and of course that glorious voice.
Since news of his death broke, I have read many snarky comments about the 2011 AFL Grand Final debacle. I'm not an expert, but I understand there were technical issues with the earpiece and he wasn't well at the time. To the people who've been cracking distasteful jokes, whilst I recognise your right to do so on your own timeline, I will say this: fuck you. Anybody can have a bad moment, no matter how good they are at their work. This was ONE crap moment out of how many amazing performances the man gave?
RIP, Meatloaf. Thanks for the great memories.
Speaking of not doing one's best in one's special 'line', I received back marks on one of my university assessments, and I'm disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I passed. Just. What's got me nonplussed is the subject was related to my specialty and my superpower. I know I'm good at the subject, which was about resources and justifications in teaching lower secondary school English, but I honestly thought my marks were going to be better. Clearly, I must not have grasped something, so will have to take on board the assessor's feedback for my next assessment. Pride goeth before a fall, as the old adage goes. I was talking to a friend today (another author), and she reminded me that 'P's get degrees'. This is true, and whilst I am RELIEVED to receive a passing grade, being proud about that particular grade for what I am trying to achieve is like the head chef at Doyle's Seafood Restaurant taking pride in heating a tray of frozen generic-brand fish fingers.
And speaking of assessments, there is one in another subject to which I must attend. After I have done some work, I will drink a toast to Meatloaf and crank up Bat out of Hell.
