GoElvis.com,

I had to go and open my big mouth.

Just yesterday, having come off a weekend full of unbearable heat and endless trips down Elvis Presley Blvd. – attempting to put a cap on summer and jump start the new school year – I blurted it out to my co-workers at the CA: “I was surprised; everything (around Graceland) was pretty much calm. There wasn’t a whole lot going on. I was able to get around just fine.” Aside from the busload of EAP knock-offs stopped at the light beside our car on Saturday (much to my kids’ delight and my amazement), all seemed clear.

Ha! You see, I happen to be one of those residents — nestled in the cozy nook of broad trees and quiet streets  in the area south of Winchester and east of Elvis Presley Blvd. –for whom the bell tolls whenever Anything Elvis kicks off. Oh, it’s his birthday? Better take the back route home. The Graceland holiday lights are being turned on? Well, so much for running out for a bite to eat. He lost his first tooth on this day? Well, I guess I don’t need to go to the grocery store after all …

My neighbors and I have just gotten used to life surrounding one of the most sacred sites representing musical history. It is Graceland, afer all. You just make due.

But if yesterday is any indication of what is to come as we quickly approach the 30th anniversary — Thursday, Aug. 16 — of The King’s death, then we might be in for more than we bargained for.

“Look, mama! There’s Elvis right there … at the bus stop!”

My 5-year-old has always been suspicious of the fact that a house that huge, well-maintained and constantly accepting company could belong to a dead man. “I told you he wasn’t dead!”

On our way home, as we snailed it along the stretch of activity bordered on the right by a huge revival-style tent (brimming with grinning tourists) on one side and a streaming row of porta-pottys on the other, something clicked for the kid. Over there, on the lawn, was another Elvis. Walking hand-in-hand with a woman along the walk — although in plain clothes — was another. From Walgreens to Wal-Mart, you’d be hard pressed not to run into at least one.

My boy said it best: “This place is filled of Elvises.”

And that was just on Monday …