Christmas with the other king

Actually it was Christmas Eve with the other king - the King of Rock. At left is Christine (aka Santa) kissing the King at a souvenir shop near Graceland. We were hoping for a couple pair of the gold pants Elvis is wearing in toddler sizes for some little ones we know. Alas, even Graceland isn't that kitschy.
We went to Graceland on Christmas Eve. It was fun, though I can't really understand why it costs $30 to enter.
I have a new view of Elvis as a humble, charitable family man. Of course, the Graceland version of Elvis is very sanitized and one-sided, omitting the dark side of the Colonel (actually almost omitting the Colonel altogether) and the whole controversial racial aspect to Elvis' music.
Even so, Graceland is definitely worth the trip - if only to see his private jet, his costumes and to actually see a visual representation of his 150 gold, platinum or multiplatinum records.
Of course, there are several copies of each of these records, representing his mega-sales in every country of the world.
Below is one of the first gold records - from 1956, and one of his suits from the same era. There is also a huge converted squash court with roughly 20-foot ceilings that houses hundreds more gold records, awards and other honors.
Elvis and his parents are also buried at Graceland, a small graveyard that should be a solemn site of reverence, but I couldn't help thinking of "This is Spinal Tap," and the scene where they sing an off-key, off-tune "barbershop raga" version of "Heartbreak Hotel."
I tried to maintain a respectful composure, but was certainly laughing on the inside.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMmdzLHkXjA