My Articles
I write articles for UHFC, one of the biggest Hanson newsletters on the net
today, and I thought it would be neat to post the on my web page! Once they get
the new web page up for the newsletter, I'll add the link to it!
Here are the first two articles I wrote, hope you enjoy! Feel free to send
me feedback on them ok? Thanx! -Marikit
Published Thanksgiving Day, 1998
Imagine a world without Hanson as we know them. A world without "MMMBop",
"Where's The Love", "Weird", and "I Will Come To You". A place where these songs
and so many more exist only in the minds of Hanson, maybe written down on paper,
but a thing only family and friends knew about.
There would still be an Isaac, a Taylor, a Zachary, all their younger
siblings, their past would still be the same. Dad would have had the same job,
same transfers, same payroll, same houses, everything they had known all their
lives.
But what if they never got that big break they always dreamed about, or
maybe it wasn't as important to them. Sure, they loved their music, they enjoyed
writing, performing, maybe even dabbling in some recording. But what if they
never hit it big. They were just three brothers leading a normal life in Tulsa,
Oklahoma.
A terrifying thought? At least a provoking one in my mind. The music we know
and love, never released out into world. No "MMMBop" to find yourself singing
anywhere and everywhere. No "Where's The Love" to hum as you do your homework.
No "I Will Come To You" when you need it most. No "Weird" to explain how you're
feeling. No "Lucy" or "Madeline" to be jealous of. No "Thinking Of You" to pop
into your head when you think of your better half. No "Yearbook" to make you
think of all your friends. No "With You In Your Dreams" to listen to during a
difficult time. No "A Minute Without You" to stick in your head when your crush
of three years sits by you. No "Speechless" to describe the hurt. No "Look At
You" to decipher what it feels like to be shy. So many others that I haven't the
room to name, each hold within their lyrics and melodies a special meaning to
each of us.
The songs I named could hold different meanings to you, but the ending is
the same. They wouldn't be here. Who would your walls be covered with? What
would you do with all the money you'd have? What would you want for presents?
What would be your biggest dream? Your inspiration? To some, your life.
If I was going to end the article right here, what would you of gotten out
of it? Something I hope. If you read this as just another article, then maybe
you should go back and read it again. If there's anything I'm trying to convey,
it would be these two things.
One: Do not get too wrapped up in Hanson. I'm all for loving them, watching
them, adoring them, but when they consume your whole life, that's where I have
to draw the line. What would -your- life be like without Hanson? Totally
different? Kinda different? Think about it. It could have been. A chilling
picture to me, because they've helped me out so much.
Two: For the life of me, do not take them for granted! I know people who did,
and as soon as another good thing came along, Hanson was ditched on the side of
the road for a passing fad. Who knows how long Hanson will be around. A week? A
month? Five years? We don't know. If we just assume that every morning when we
wake up, they'll still be around, we need to rethink some things. They know fame
can go as fast as it came, I know it, you know it, so let's not forget it.
I hope you liked my first column ever, not quite the typical Hanson writing,
but then again, I'm not very typical. I'm looking forward to bringing you
another column soon, but until then...
Peace, Taybears, and Bulletproof Marshmallows,
A fellow Hanson freak,
Marikit
Published December 12, 1998
'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'...and so starts the
classic book, "A Tale Of Two Cities" (Ah, watching "Wishbone" really does pay
off in the long run). My article would start off a little more like 'It was the
best of me, it was the worst of me'. Allow me to explain this rather odd comment
to you so that you'll have an understanding of what I'm trying to say.
I love Hanson, I know people who love Hanson, and I know people who used to
love Hanson. I've seen the best sides of people, and the worst sides of people,
be brought out by Hanson. Not exactly by Hanson themselves, but by the loyalty,
or hatred, that was directed towards them. I'm going to illustrate these very
same points with two real life stories.
The first one starts off during the summer of '97, with two people I know
from my church. I'll just call them 'Lucy' and 'Madeline' for all practical
purposes -grin-. Both of them adored Hanson, but Madeline got so sick of hearing
nothing but Hanson from Lucy, that she decided to not like them anymore. Easily
swayed by current trends perhaps? Upon deciding that, she took her copy of
Middle Of Nowhere, bent it, stepped on it, broke it in half, then proceeded to
go downstairs, and throw it on the tile in front of Lucy as hard as she could. I
was there to watch it shatter into hundreds of little orange and silver shards.
Not a pleasent feeling may I add. A week went by before she decided she still
liked Hanson, but to this day their friendship is strained at best. Lucy no
longer likes Hanson, she can't even remember the opening lines to MMMBop. Talk
about a passing fan fare.
The second story deals with the very same person who broke that fateful cd.
I am now good friends with her...which is amazing considering that before Hanson
hit the big time, we wouldn't even look in each others direction. Hanson gave us
the middle ground that we needed in order to get to know each other better. Over
some period of time admittedly. It gave us something we could talk about, wonder
about, debate over, laugh over, and sometimes, almost cry over (Think: "With You
In Your Dreams"). Hanson helped us to get past our many differences, and to find
out what we have in common. I never would of found the friendship I have with
her, if it hadn't been for three teens sharing what they love with the world.
The best thing I've seen come out of someone's love and respect for Hanson,
is when they are inspired to do something that they normally wouldn't do. I mean
like, take myself as an example. I love to write...but I never had a topic that
could hold my complete interest for a decent sized story. Once Hanson came
around, I had my topic. I was so fascinated with everything about them, not just
their music, but they way they handled life. I never saw them back down from
what they believed in, never saw them be afraid to express their opinion, or to
do something that no one else was doing. That's what makes them different, makes
them special, what encourages me when I see it in them.
When someone can take something they love, and use it in such a fashion as
to improve themselves, I'm all for it. Without them, I wouldn't be at this point
in my life.
So what would the moral of this article be? Don't let your devotion to
Hanson bring out the worst in you. It happens to all of us at one point in time
or another, myself included. Come on...would they really want us fighting about
them? Defending them is one thing, but fighting with someone else who likes
Hanson is a tad on the pointless side wouldn't you say? I don't think fighting
is the best way to show your appreciation. Instead think of what Hanson
themselves have to say.
"Let's face it, we're going to be old for longer than we're going to be
young, so we may as well make the most of it"
Another moral, don't let Hanson's efforts go to waste. Let them know (in a
manner of speaking) that you find their music uplifting, encouraging, wonderful,
amazing, superb, one of a kind, and on top of all that, original and fun. Do
something with the talents you have...work on drawing, create a sculpture, make
a collage, write, whatever you do best, work on being better. For the love of
Hanson, do something about it!
Well there ya go, my "I only had a grand total of less than half a day to
write and rewrite this whole thing" article has come to a close. I hope my
efforts were worth it, lemme know what you think. If something doesn't make any
sense...e-mail me and I'll be happy to clear it up for you. As always...have a
day, what kind is up to you, spread a lil Hanson, and don't forget to rock on!
Peace, Taybears, and BulletProof Marshmallows,
A very sleepy Hanson fan,
Marikit
January 9, 1999
As '98 comes to a close and '99 is beginning, many people take this time to
reflect on what happened in the past year. I'm looking forward, planning what I
want, setting goals, making plans, deciding on new ways to overcome obstacles,
how I can improve myself and my friendships.
What do Ike, Tay, and Zac have planned for the new year? What goals do you
think they set for themselves? They may be one of the most popular groups
around today, but when you get down to it, they're just as human as me and you.
How often have you set goals, then stopped when it got hard? I've done it
more times than I care to recount. Where did it get me? Absolutely nowhere. How
did I learn that goals count? That reaching them matters? By examples I saw in
friends. But I won't count out or trivialize the major role Hanson played.
I mean, look at them. They were turned down many times before they were
signed. They kept performing for anyone who'd listen and doing gigs at places
they couldn't even enter. Did that stop them? Nope. They kept going, releasing
two records, learning how to play their instruments, and doing more performances.
It didn't become a career until they reached their goals. Did they stop
there? Once again, no. They set new goals. A tv special, a tour, writing new
songs, reworking old songs, and in the mix of things, still made time for what
really counts. God, family, and friends.
Now that they reached those goals, think they'll stop? Not a chance. New cd,
plans for a bigger tour, being more involved in the production, and more behind
the scene things we can't fathom. I doubt they're setting only career goals. God
and family have always come before music.
So as this year ends, think of everything that happened. Reflect on it, and
decide how to change it. Set goals you intend to keep. Pick one thing you've
been meaning to do, and do it. I wish you all luck. Please keep me in mind too.
I have many challenges, known and unknown. I'm sure you do too. Even Hanson has
to face the music sometime. If you feel discouraged, think of what Hanson has
done. Drop me a line and I'll talk with you. For e-mail, Kai Yuria on AIM,
Tayluv15 on Yahoo! Pager.
God bless you this year, may He watch over us, and may we stay strong in
our faith. In Him, ourselves, family, friends, and of course, Hanson. I know
I'll believe in them as long as I believe in myself. If their faith ever wavers
I hope we'll let them know we stand behind them. Have a Rockin' New Year, I hope
it brings everything you hope, and much more.
Peace, Taybears, and BulletProof Marshmallows,
Head over heels for Hanson in the new year,
Marikit T. Schwartz
February 11, 1999
Time again for another article. I don't have a ton of time, because my
family insists on using the comp! Ok…so it's their comp too, but my
family is actually what this article is about.
It all started with my mom, she's the one who picks me up from church
activities, so she saw the way the rest of the girls acted, and she
heard my complain about them all the time. Then she was in London at the
same time as Hanson, talk about bragging rights. She tolerated me going
off about Hanson, and she didn't give me grief when I decided I liked
them. She's helped me, edit stories, and fix my mistakes.
My younger sister is weird, we share a room and I don't think she was
all that happy when I redecorated the walls with Hanson. But, she was
pretty good about it. She became my sounding board for stories, poems,
and decorating tips. She points out flaws on my webpage, she
proof-reads, checks my grammar, and calls everything I write sap.
My brother doesn't like Hanson, but yet my cd's have disappeared when
he took them to work. He knows they have talent, but their style isn't
for him. He found this cool Hanson site and bookmarked it for me.
Without realizing, he gave me an idea for my webpage, Solar System
Hanson. I told him I loved it, he just brushed it off, but hey, he is an
older brother.
My dad lives in D.C. because of his job, but yet he's called me long
distance, twice in the same day, once at eleven at night his time, to
let me know they were going to be on tv. He agrees they have talents, he
would know, he's been in radio a long time. For once, I can buy stuff
without my dad examining it. Maybe he likes Hanson, I don't really know.
See? Without my bizarre family behind me, I don't think I'd be quite
the fan I am today. The experiences I've had with them over Hanson and
so many more weird things, has made me grateful to have a family who
tolerates the things I hold dear.
So take a look at who you live with, what have they done, or haven't
done, for you. Maybe you have a brother who doesn't bug you about them,
or mom who drives you to the store when they release something. A sister
who took you to Jack Frost even though she said it looked dumb, or maybe
a dad who helps with your web page.
So the next time you get asked to do something you don't want to do,
think of how much they've done for you, no matter how little it seems.
You always hear how much Ike, Tay, and Zac depend on their family, and
how much they love them, so take a cue from the three blondes in your
life.
And that is my bizarre little article on one more way my life has
been affected by Hanson. I hope you got something out of this, and I
promise next time I'll put a little more thought into it, but admit it,
you've never seen an article like this before!
Peace, Doc Martins, and BP Marshmallows,
Small On Time, Big On Hanson
Marikit T Schwartz
Back To The Main Terminal
Email: kai_yuria@hotmail.com
