My Love Affair with Pop Culture

by Chiron O'Keefe.

Being asked to join the Pop Culture Divas is such a thrill for me. Books, movies, television and music are definitely the finer things in life! Like chocolate, I crave frequent tastes to keep my appetite satisfied.

My foray into pop culture began when I was still a child. At age 11 my mom gifted me with the entire series of Oz books by L. Frank Baum. I still remember that tingle of pleasure, staring at the open box stuffed full of stories just waiting to be read. My mom was a gypsy at heart, which meant we packed up and moved frequently. My first real home was nestled deep within the Land of Oz, where I shared adventures with Dorothy and the Wizard, Toto and Dorothy's pink kitty, Eureka.


The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Oz became real to me, so much so that I would concentrate with all the might an eleven-year old can muster up, believing firmly that Glinda the Good would read of me in her magic book and whisk me away to the home of my dreams.

I went on to delight in all the Beverly Cleary books, Edward Eager's tales of magic, the adventures of Trixie Belden, and of course, Nancy Drew, along with pretty much everything else I could grab. *grin* I also gobbled up any and all books checked out by my mom at the most amazing of places: The Library.

One vivid memory is when I tried to check out a stack of books, many of which were oriented for readers many years older than me. The librarian balked, only to be set upon by my furious mother. Within short order the restrictions were lifted. Not only could I check out any books I desired, the usual 'three books only' rule had been erased. Heaven!!

Movies became my next passion in life. When I first saw In Like Flint, starring James Coburn, my youthful heart went pitter-pat. I decided then and there to find my own brilliant, super-spy love. *laughs* Our family television ran classic movies late at night, and my eyes would feast on the brilliance of actors like Cary Grant, and the scintillating wit couched in movies like The Philadelphia Story.

Years later, I would discover this wonderful flick was actually based on Katherine Hepburn's own family! Truly an astonishing thought.

Music is a continuing obsession with me. *grin* I play a mean rhythm guitar and sing everything from classic rock and Motown to current hits like "There's An End" by Holly Golightly.

Yet for me it all started with a silly movie by a pop sensation, The Beatles. The scene where 'the boys' record "You're Going to Lose That Girl" took my breath away.



What would I do without television? *laughs* Quirky shows like 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory along with crime dramas like Life. Who can resist a Zen detective?

Every Monday, I post a motivational essay on my own blog: The Write Soul.

Thanks to all the divas for inviting me into their fold. I look forward to sharing my faves and raves, and getting to know all fans of Pop Culture!

Now, tell me what some of your early favorites were. Any movies, books, songs or shows that inspired you? How about current faves?

Smiles to you all,

Chiron O'Keefe

As a toddler, Chiron O’Keefe knew exactly who she wanted to be—Casper the Friendly Ghost. Finding out such an option wasn't available to the living, she focused instead on creating a life filled with giggles and all things otherworldly. Her books reflect her passion for both the light and the dark. Whimsical stories with a touch of romance and shadowy tales that explore the hidden realms of the psyche.

Her inspiration springs from a diverse background as a professional astrologer, singer-songwriter and comedy improvisational performer. Avoiding the glare of the spotlight, she now dances on an inner stage, where dreams come to life. In addition to her novels, Chiron also pens motivational essays for writers, posted weekly on her blog, The Write Soul.. When asked about her unusual name, she responded, “The name stems from Greek mythology, and very few people pronounce it correctly the first time. Phonetically, it’s Ky-ron. Don’t worry if you stumble, even my “Chiro-practor” gets it wrong!”