Sanjaya is Love - A Longish Rambling Essay
Exhausted
I’m physically exhausted. Taking a morning flight and a red-eye in a span of 24-hours is not as easy as I imagined. I thought I could sleep on the plane, but it is impossible to sleep upright on a plane seat even with the widest legroom. The whole discomfort, coupled with allergies and evil sinus congestion made me ill through most of the day. I think the next time I travel to the west coast, I will stick to my old ways of staying awake and reading my backlog of comic books.
Federal Way Hosts Sanjaya
When I heard that Sanjaya was appearing in Federal Way, after being out of the limelight for a bit, I was excited. This was his first appearance since the biggest media blitz in American Idol history and for some reason I wanted to hop on a plane to show my support. But after mulling it over, and when the price of the plane ticket went up, I shelved it. I was sure that somebody would post something eventually. And they have. There are pictures and news here, here and here.
Vote for the Worst
However, over the weekend, I read a feature on CNN/Money about VTFW being an “innovator” for making Sanjaya Malakar and whoever they touch a success. It's an interesting story, but it's not true, and I was livid. The media doesn’t get the mechanics of American Idol, and these hangers-on are just reaping the fruits of the labors of the true fans. Why do those who promote negativity in our society always get celebrated by the media? If CNN had done their research right, they would have uncovered that VFTW’s original bets this year, Antonella Barba and Sundance Head never got out of the starting gate, and their subsequent bets after Sanjaya, Phil Stacey and LaKisha Jones were soundly eliminated even with so-called VFTW voting support. They may have made the most noise this year, but like every year, they are incapable of shaping the show’s actual outcome. The Fanjayas are on the losing end of the perception-war and media-coverage, and I felt that it was time to do something, anything, about it. Why not go to Federal Way after all? Maybe its time to show what fans would do for Sanjaya.
Deal Me Advice
Of course it was not an easy decision. First of all, I may look like a total stalker if not already, and I’m not exactly a rich person. Also, what if actually doesn’t go as I imagined it to be? What if I get snubbed by the Teen Pop Sensation? And do I really need to do this specially since so many things are going on in my life right now?
I asked the advice of Deal, since she’s done something like this before, and Richie, who always gives excellent ideas. They were both pretty supportive, and Deal explained that she didn’t exactly go on a blind mission to meet Ace for his birthday. Go for it they said, but be clear with what you want to achieve, and be prepared if things don’t go as you have planned. I think after those e-mails, it became less about Sanjaya, and more about me. It made the decision a bit easier. I bought the ticket that evening.
One friend however thought I had just gone insane and have broken down to the stresses of life without meds -– he’s just your flavor of the month South Asian boy, what are you doing? she protested. Look at what happened Anthony! (Hey, I still like Anthony!) But I tried to lighten the mood by telling her that after leaving multiple messages on her phone all day to call me and “stop me” from making this foolish decision, she completely ignored me, which made the choice easy. LOL She did call a few minutes after I had pressed the final purchase button, so timing is everything. I had to give her the news. See? Look what you made me do? I said. I called her the moment I arrived in Seattle, and she was still convinced of the insanity.
Jet Blues
And so Wednesday morning, and like most of my trips out of JFK, I almost didn’t make it. I was the last person to board the plane after running like crazy through all the security checks –- thank god for online check-in! And so I tried to sleep, and you know that didn’t work, but I did arrive in Seattle as a functioning person for the most part. I took a taxi to the mall at 12:30 PM.
At the Mall
The Commons in Federal Way is your typical generic mall, much like a ghost town really. There was a stage in front of Macy’s when I arrived with some chairs and cord dividers. I feared that Sanjaya may not be able to fill this place up – since it was a sleepy town. But at about 2:30, I noticed that a line was already forming.
The crowd consisted of old people and young kids – mostly girls – which made me very happy since this was supposed to be Sanjaya’s target audience and it’s nice to see them out in full support. By the time 3:30 PM rolled in there was already a sizeable, excitable crowd waiting for the Teen Pop Sensation. They were shouting "San-ja-ya!" and "We want Sanjaya!" Very cute. (I hope the Fanjayas also come out in full force this Saturday and Sunday in Seattle. Sanjaya-mania in Seattle!) The media was quite frantic.
Expectations
I felt quite shy in line. I tried talking to the guys in front of me a little, mostly about the size of the line. Our tickets, etc. But I wasn't ready to blurt out the miles I just traveled to get there. I was really thinking about what I would do when I see Sanjaya. Doing my expect the worst-thing, I contented myself that getting his picture and talking for a few moments would be enough. I know that the blog readers will love it. So I tried to lay low, since no one recognized me here so far.
Since I was kinda early, I was in the front divider and every once in a while I would look back to see the crowd. To my surprise, someone recognized me -- and I think that's when Deal's voice (actually e-mail) kicked in -- "you can't be a shrinking violet!" And so I walked up to her and talked for a bit. She told me that after Sanjaya was eliminated, rickey.org was the only source of stuff about Sanjaya, and that I completely "got it". Very nice to know, and I thanked her. She said she didn't comment on the blog, but comes by to visit.
I went back to my place and now the reporters were interviewing the fans. It was a bit scary, but again Deal's wisdom kicked in -- "make opportunities happen!" A reporter was interviewing the girl in front of me -- why she was a fan, where from, etc. and then when he was finished he walked passed me to someone else. I called out to him, I think you want to interview me.
---Why is that?
---I flew all the way from New York this morning to be here, I said.
I gave him all my info, RICKEY.ORG with an E -- and when he asked about Sanjaya, I said he was original and fearless (haha). He also asked how much the plane ticket was. Unfortunately, I think he may have thought I was pulling his leg because I was not mentioned in his article today. Probably the thought of a 30-something Sanjaya fan did not make good copy.
A few minutes later, the TV reporter from Fox Q13 started interviewing me as I held my video camera. And then I just started blurting all my crap. I wonder if they used the interview. I read somewhere that they saw me on TV.
---You must be Sanjaya's biggest fan here, she asked.
---I don't think so.
---Will you be on every stop that he goes to?
---Probably not. But I will try to go if he is in the Northeast.
Anyway, that was my media exposure, and the next problem: what do you say to Sanjaya when I see him?
Sanjaya Malakar
Sanjaya was met with a lot of cheering and he was quite energetic. He has this wild-man thing he does which gets the crowd excited. Shyamali and (Jill) Momjaya are also called on stage. The mayor of Federal Way gives Sanjaya a dinky certificate of appreciation signed with the official Federal Way pen. Woopeedoo. He also called Sanjaya, Sanjaya Malakars which was a bit annoying. And then the mall guy, declares Sanjaya an "honorary shopper" of the mall, and hands him a gift card. Woopeedoo. I guess this is what a mall tour is like... I wonder how it was during Constatine's time... "We're going to rock this thing!" "Here's your gift card Constantine!" LOL Anyway... enough of the corporate crap and off to the signing!
What pissed me off was that the employees of the mall were first to get pictures and autographs. The employees before the fans. I knew right then it was going to be a long afternoon.
While watching the mayhem unfold on my video camera, Shyamali all of a sudden pointed at me! I waved back and then we kinda had an awkward moment after, since I began to doubt if she was looking at me at the first place -- and the lady beside me pointed to herself which probably threw Shyamali off. Haha. Anyway, that got me nervous.
By this time I was already so tired, I just practiced my lines in my head, and would be happy if they ignored me and then just have a picture. Sanjaya took a hand break for 15 minutes, and then my group was next.
So it was my turn to go up to the table. I placed my signing thing in front of Sanjaya and said, My name is Rickey. And then Momjaya says: Is that the Rickey from the blog?
---Yes.
---Oh then you better write something nice Sanjaya. (He wrote Rock On.)
Momjaya took my camera and took my picture with the Teen Pop Sensation.
And then I channeled Deal once again: So can I hang around for bit?
---Sure! said Momjaya. She then led me to the side and told the guard. This guy's a special fan so he'll stay here for a bit, she said.
Haha, that was funny. She called me a special fan.
Anyway, a couple of minutes later Shyamali stood up and approached me. She shook my hand. Hi I'm Shyamali, she said. And then she thanked me for all the positive stuff I said about Sanjaya and how the blog comes up in search engines. Yay!
While waiting, I took the opportunity to call my friend who thought I was insane. I talked to them and they knew me! I said.
Wow, that's affirmation, she replied.
Sanjaya is a great character. He would pose with the people while on the table with his legs in the air and all kinds of goofy stuff. Although, on hindsight, he actually did not talk much. Just a lot of Sanjaya smiling which is more than enough for everybody.
They took their second break -- they went in to an office, and I waited for them outside along with the last batch of autograph seekers. At this point, too fatigued I didn't really know what to do. Although I knew that I wanted to interview Sanjaya or something. When they went out again, I handed Momjaya a note and then she approached me. She said that basically, Sanjaya is still under the umbrella of American Idol from the Finals and up to the end of the tour. So stuff like blogs are a no-no. (Hmmm, how about Sligh?) She basically confirmed that all those "Sanjaya" MySpace sites are FAKE. Sanjaya is not on the Internet people, so all those "Sanjayas" who say they are Sanjaya are frauds. We then talked more about our feelings about the show, and that she's just doing the mom-thing right now, and there have been no offers set in stone, but he will have an album since they are already choosing the songs. I gave her my contact info so I hope they approach me in the future!
At the end of the signing (4 hours later), I asked if I could get a picture again. It was originally supposed to be a family picture but Shyamali was off hugging some fans so just Sanjaya and Momjaya. I gave Sanjaya a hug and wished him luck and to do well. I never did talk to him. He was too busy moving on to the next fan. Perhaps he can use that factoid one day in his interviews that a fan traveled all the way from New York to an obscure mall in an obscure town just to get his autograph. A quick hug to Shyamali and then I left the mall.
Strangers
I waited on a bench outside for a taxi. It was quite cold. The lady waiting with me said she had sold one of her 3 places in line for $50. That was neat. We then talked about Idol stuff and my crazy trip. You must be the biggest fan here, she said. Nah, I replied. But you made 50 bucks and got three autographs!
After 45 long minutes, the taxi arrives. I asked why he wasn't working for Microsoft. He then told me that there are a lot of layoffs now in Microsoft and that new employees are contract workers so they don't earn much. Do you know Sanjaya? I asked.
---Who?
---From American Idol.
---Ah yes. In America, you can accomplish anything.
When he dropped me off at the airport, I gave him my blog address. Maybe he visited my blog today.
There and Back Again
I was really exhausted and hungry when I got to Sea-Tac airport. I was also worried that most of the eateries were closed, and I had to wait two more hours for my red-eye flight. The allergies and fever were also setting in from the stress of a long day. Gobbled down some clam chowder and half a chicken sandwich.
And then I made some calls.
To my brother in Long Beach.
---So how did it go? he asked.
---I don't think he's gay.
---Hahaha. Really? Why?
---My gaydar detected nothing. Not that its been working in the first place, but zilch.
---Hahaha.
And then to my doubting friend in Portland.
---I'm going home in two hours, and I'm so tired, I said.
---Well, you made a convert out of me.
---Really?
---I originally thought it was insanity but you saw the possibilities. You transformed it into something good! The lengths you would go for you fanhood.
---Hahaha, yeah.
---And you know what else?
---What?
---Rickey is love.
So it was well worth it after all.
