Getting Ready: The "Happy Birthday Baby" Video

I am getting ready for a fabulous "Happy Birthday Baby" video. Did you know that across the globe over 20 million people celebrate their birthdays every day of the year? Not until I did a web search did I realize how many people there are on earth. Then I did the math.

I have given great thought to video creation for the song. Once I did the web search, I decided to create a video with an International Theme. Having collected costumes from around the world during my travels, I found myself uniquely prepared for the challenge. The video will feature me in fifteen different traditional outfits from around the world, then wearing the "Happy Birthday Baby" tank top, hat and jeans as the music fades.

The countries/areas that are featured through costume are: China, Germany, Guatemala, Hawaii, Holland, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, 

Middle East, Pakistan, USA, Vietnam, and Spain.

I was surprised when I removed the carefully wrapped, grass skirt I had purchased in Hawaii years ago to find that it totally fell apart. Sometimes authentic is not possible! I ordered a synthetic one online.

Special thanks go out to my daughter, Jocelyn, who brought back a flamenco dress for me years ago when she was in Spain. At the time she asked what size to get -- and I said, "See what size fits you, then add two sizes." 

I also appreciate my sister, Nancy, who travels to Guatemala several times a year, bringing back traditional garb for me on one of her trips years ago. She couldn't understand why I wanted it -- and I wasn't quite sure at the time, either, but I was sure I would have a use! 

Also, I wanted to wear my wooden "Dutch Girl" shoes but had no clothing for the ensemble. After making a number of calls, I spoke with the Holland Area Visitors Bureau in Holland, Michigan. The bureau has a bevy of costumes that are used for business purposes -- and I was told I could come in, try some on, and borrow the one I choose for the shoot on Thursday!

There is a story behind every outfit. ;)

A good friend, Janet Schinco, came over several days ago and helped me try on all the outfits to see what accessories made sense and make sure we would be good to go on Thursday for the initial videotaping. We made a list of a few odds and ends that needed to be gathered.

So now I just have to go out and buy some knee socks to go with the Lederhosen I bought in Germany when I was 18 years old. Can you believe it? They still fit!