Where'd Barbara go?

Subject: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Barbara
Date: 11 May 99 - 04:47 PM

My dear friends,
I sure have been missing you all. I've barely had time to check in and read the occasional thread.
Things are incredibly hairy here right now. We've gone from being quiet farm people, to (momentarily) media celebrities. All because that was my husband's grandfather that they found on Everest. (George Mallory, the climber).
It is no big deal locally, but worldwide people are fascinated with the fate of the first man to attempt Everest (1920, and again in 1924 where he died).
This week while I am trying to finish costumes, we get calls and emails from press, relatives and curious people all over the world.
The expedition asked our permission before releasing a photo of the body, but somehow the pictures showed up in the Sunday tabloids in Oz first. And the family there is furious (understandibly).
So. I would love a good song, some comfort, and a moment with you all, my friends.
Also, if any of you know anything about handling this kind of publicity, HEELLPP!
Blessings,
Barbara
who sang Anne Lister's Icarus to honor Mallory.

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 11 May 99 - 04:57 PM

Barbara

I've no idea how you should deal with the publicity - but wish you luck over the nine days of wonder. The story is inspiring and will last - the fuss won't.

Regards

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: SeanM
Date: 11 May 99 - 05:10 PM

It would depend on how you want to deal with the publicity. I personally recommend a fleet of vicious, media-hating pit bulls, but if this is something that looks like it won't go away for a while, you might consider consulting with a pr specialist... they'd have advice based on what your options are...

M

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 May 99 - 05:11 PM

I read a newspaper article about the search for Mallory and it quoted from a Grandson in Oregon or Washington- was that your Husband? Small world, indeed! Keep smiling, Barbara.

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 May 99 - 05:12 PM

Mudcateers never cease to amaze me with their connections etc. That is exciting; I read the articles about it with great interest.

Do you want to deal with the media etc.?

If not, try turning off the phone and let an answering service or machine field the calls; or hire a media consultant temporarily; or have one family spokesperson who is willing to represent you all and instruct the media. Of course whether the media will respect that or not is another story!

A good media person could issue a statement for the family and require that everyone go through them. If you don't want to spend that kind of money, a fmaily member who is strong and able to be careful about what they say and how they respond might work out.

Martin is probably right, though, the fuss won't last, so if you don't mind talking, then I guess the ebst thing to do would be try to set limits as to when you'll take calls, etc. I hope I am not being too simplistic. Good luck,

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Alice
Date: 11 May 99 - 05:27 PM

Barbara,
Have you considered setting up a contact page just for this on the internet (Max could help you) and referring all media contact to it? Let them email to an address you use for that purpose only, then you don't have to talk directly to them, and respond to the ones you think are worthwhile.
There are many free sites for webpages and email, so it would not have to cost any more than your time. Let us know if you do this.

This is very exciting! I have a friend who is intrigued by the news accounts, and has been following it. I noticed that the camera that was with them is like an old bellows camera I have in my collection.

take care... alice

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Mo
Date: 11 May 99 - 07:11 PM

If possible, try not to get too het up about the journo's - they've got a job to do, same as you. It's just their job is what other people would call nosiness, coupled with the fact that they are trying to get the most interesting story quicker, and preferably exclusively, than their rivals. If they want to ask you questions, think how you would respond to someone doing the same who was a "nodding acquaintance" and know town gossip in your home town. Knowing you (from your postings!) you would be polite, answer their questions as much as you'd want a relative stranger to know, and leave it at that. If they persisted in wanting to know more, I'm sure you'd be able to make it courteously clear that that was it. If they still didn't get the hint you would be justified in becoming as rude as they are back (wouldn't you?). And if they still persisted - you'd call the police and do them for harrassment!

It's no different with journalists - they ARE human beings, treat them with courtesy as you would wish to be treated yourself, and if they don't respond in kind - show them the alternative! I'd also be inclined to refer them to the expedition people, they've got people who are experts in dealing with the press.

Best of luck Barbara, and it really won't last long. As for your song (your gonna hate me for this) - just think of the Mother Superior in The Sound of Music and (ahem!) "Climb Every Mountain" !!!

Mo

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 11 May 99 - 09:06 PM

Dear Blessings Barbara,

I got all excited when I saw this thread name, thinking that someone noticed I had disappeared and missed me. I've actually been occasionally lurking, especially watching with dread the catspaw threads, because my father died this past April 25 of a ruptured aortic aneurysm, and it was just too painful to post.

Anyway, I'm delighted and thankful about catspaw's progress, and glad to be (almost) back. As for your problem with the media, the telephone answering machine and caller I.D. are good tools to screen calls. Good luck!

One of the other Barbaras

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Mudjack
Date: 12 May 99 - 01:00 AM

Barbara, Nonsense, you and your family are already media famous. Our meeting on the Mudcat and coming out to the farm by Mudcat invitation to a week end of music gives you pominence in our community. I have to admit that having a grandfather of world renown just makes you all a whole lot more important.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Barbara
Date: 12 May 99 - 02:14 AM

Shoot, Barbara Shaw, ya just gotta start your own thread, like I did. I'm glad this reached you, just the same. Be happy to share the name along with the recognition, since I've already got plenty.
I'm sure that catspaws trauma was also your trauma.
Welcome home.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 12 May 99 - 02:53 AM

Amazing Barbara. That's a great story. You're the one who should do a book.

Here's an interesting bit of a story from my past.

An interviewer, who was NOT into American traditional music at all, once asked me during a slow time in the folk revival, "Art, why do you sing folksongs?" My answer was a paraphrase of your inspiring relative's renowned answer to another question long ago: "Because it isn't there!"

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 12 May 99 - 03:09 AM

Barbara, the fame is going to your head. You're referring to yourself in the third person, just like all those dumb jocks. ;) --seed

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Barbara
Date: 12 May 99 - 09:58 AM

That famous quote, "Because it's there!", was said at the end of a long fundraising lecture Mallory gave about climbing Everest, and was said in exasperated response to a little old lady in the back of the room.
Interesting how that part of the story never makes the history books.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Sheye
Date: 12 May 99 - 10:03 AM

Hey Barbara~~

I think it's great that the media is picking up and tracking a positive story about an inspiring adventurer. Some good news!

Having dealt with the media only in work-related situations, I have no skills there whatsoever. My temper gets in the way. If you learn any tricks, please share them...

Girlfriend, you're important here just for you!

see ya, Sheye

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Peter T.
Date: 12 May 99 - 10:15 AM

Barbara, was it your husband who made the eminently wise remark that it wasn't whether Mallory made it to the top that was important, that it was surviving getting down afterwards that was the point! That seemed to me to be the kind of sane remark a Mallory would make. I think that handling the media in a 1920's British style is by far the best approach because it resonates with the story, and reminds people of a long-dead cultural environment. You can get away with it, because even media people want you to be able to get away with it because it makes better copy: a report from the ridiculous past when people believed in duty, and manners, and sheer amateur professionalism.
Yours, Peter T.

Subject: Lyr Add: KEEP RIGHT ON TO THE END OF THE...(Lauder
From: Bert
Date: 12 May 99 - 11:27 AM

Barbara,

Well, I'm one of the general public that the media is pandering to.

I was very interested to see the report on TV and I'm hoping that they prove that he made it to the summit.

So you can blame me for some of the fuss at least. As for how to handle it, personally I would enjoy it. It's not negative publicity, it's about a very brave man who was following his dream.

Here's a song by Harry Lauder...

KEEP RIGHT ON TO THE END OF THE ROAD

Ev'ry road thro' life is a long, long road,
Fill'd with joys and sorrows too,
As you journey on how your heart will yearn
For the things most dear to you.
With wealth and love 'tis so,
But onward we must go.

Chorus:

Keep right on to the end of the road,
Keep right on to the end,
Tho' the way be long, let your heart be strong,
Keep right on round the bend.
Tho' you're tired and weary still journey on,
Till you come to your happy abode,
Where all the love you've been dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.

With a big stout heart to a long steep hill,
We may get there with a smile,
With a good kind thought and an end in view,
We may cut short many a mile.
So let courage ev'ry day
Be your guiding star alway.

Love and lots of hugs, Bert.

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: Barbara
Date: 13 May 99 - 02:07 AM

It was my husband who said that, yes.
Course the wire story when I saw it had a lead something like "Mark Millikan didn't know they were looking for his grandfather's body, and doesn't care whether they find out if he made it to the top."
The publicity would be entertaining if I weren't trying to finish the costumes for opening night tomorrow...
and if there weren't the problem of the body photos getting sold to the tabloids. People(relatives and press) seem to think we authorized that, and boy, I hope they're wrong...if we did , then we were tricked.

Lovely song, Bert, can I pander to you personally?

Lots of good suggestions, catters, and if any of you want to send me your clippings I'd be curious to see how this looks to the rest of the world.

And I'm saying my prayers for 'spaw.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Where'd Barbara go?
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 May 99 - 03:07 AM

Hi, Barbara, good luck with the costumes. What are they for?

I don't have the clipping anymore, but did find a couple of Internet sites, one of which I think the cliping I had probably came from. Here they are. I am wondering if the family is being included in the National Geographic book mentioned in one of these links?

Take a deeep breathe and let it out slowly:-) kat

click here

or

here