Friday, June 25, 2010

My Favorite Michael Jackson Memories...


Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the death of Pop's #1 and probably greatest performer of all time, Michael Jackson.

I remember sitting here at the laptop when ICE-T of all people, who is a twitter friend of mine, tweeted that CNN had just announced that Michael Jackson had died. I immediately went online, turned on the tv to CNN and waited. First they reported that he was merely in a coma due to possible "complications." Then finally after about an hour and a half, they confirmed at 2:26 p.m. that the King of "Pop" had passed. I remember trippin' at first and not really believing it because let's face it, a lot of us grew up on The Jackson Five and Michael Jackson. I started making all kinds of phone calls. It truly felt weird. Like a little piece of my childhood died if that makes any sense.


I immediately started watching all my favorite videos, recorded the tributes they did on my dvr, and awaited his funeral. When that day came, I saw the outpouring of people and the emotions that accompanied them. I never quite understood the impact that someone whom you never met before could honestly affect your life, your emotions as if they were your close family friend. I couldn't fathom how a true emotion would come through someone for a person they may not have ever met yet somehow knew through and through. For some, that hurt came with the death of our beloved (and my favorite) President John F. Kennedy; for others it was the passing of The "King" of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley; for my generation it is the sudden and tragic death of Michael Jackson.


As I tuned into CNN on the day of his televised funeral, I found myself in true devastation, crying and wondering why. I was seriously confused because in my life, I have never had an "iconic" person die that actually affected me, yet I found myself with tears strolling down my face and asking myself, "why."

I even once knew someone who worked at Neverland Ranch and would and tell me stories, the things he saw, and the feeling he got walking and actually working in his home. He was there to install EVERYTHING a kid would want in the electronics side of things. He told me of the room where he installed speakers, PlayStation's, screens, stereos, etc. He also told me how he had access to the popcorn, hot dogs, candies, cotton candy, sodas, etc. He said that even though he never actually had people in front of him literally watching him, he always felt like he was being watched. Michael wasn't present at the time he was on the property for the week he was there. Can you imagine being at MJ's house for a week? I would wait for him to tell me the ongoings he saw and heard while he visited the ranch.

Finally, on the last day, he "heard" MJ was on site and wondered relentlessly to see if he would catch a glimpse. He never did. He excused himself to the bathroom and told me that he was both bewildered and confused all at the same time. He said the mirrors reflected an image of a little boy in one and a little girl in the other. Yet you could still see yourself at the same time. Crazy right? So then he figured he'd take a souvenir from there for DUH the OBVIOUS! So the only thing he could grab was some soaps that were on the sink. The soap was white with a tissue paper over it and a sticker of a little boy on it. He put it in his work bag and walked out. Once he was leaving, he had to go through a security check and he said he was sweating it thinking that they would stop him and have him arrested for removing property. They didn't. LOL. The guys merely let him go. He gave me one of the soaps and I tripped out! I kept in my drawer for years. The soap was jacked and I do not have it anymore. SUCKS, I know but atleast I have those stories.

We ALL have a great memory thanks to Mike who had people document his preparation for his comeback European tour in the documentary, "This Is It." I tried and tried to get tix for the first showing at the Staples Center for myself and my baby brother who LOVES Michael. No luck. So we waited, and finally I bought him the dvd upon its release. AWESOME movie. I truly think it showcased the genius that was Michael Jackson. Thank you MJ, I know you did that for us, even if at the time you had no idea how much those moments would impact your fans today!

Crazy. Pointless. Sad. Misunderstood. Gifted. Legend.

As we celebrate his life and the GREAT music he gave us today, and as I sit here and type while listening to my Best of MJ playlist, I want to share with you a few of my favorite MJ songs, videos, memories, and pictures.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson ****May you forever "moonwalk" on the clouds.****

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MY MJ FAVORITES

FAVORITE CARTOON WHEN I WAS A KID: HONESTLY IT WAS THE JACKSON 5


FAVORITE MJ MEMORY: PLAYING THE "THRILLER" ENDING ON REPEAT SO THAT VINCENT PRICE LAUGHING WOULD SCARE THE BEJESUS OUT OF MY YOUNGER BROTHER JOE. LOL


FAVORITE VIDEO: "BILLIE JEAN" BY FAR IS THE BEST! CLOSE SECOND IS "SMOOTH CRIMINAL" WHICH IS SICK!



FAVORITE MJ MOMENT THAT MADE ME SAY HUH?
IT WAS WHEN I SAW HIM IN THE THE "BAD" VIDEO. SOMETHING ABOUT MJ SAYING, "WHO'S BAD?" AND PLAYING A LOOSELY BASED GANGSTA'..CRACKS ME UP EVERYTIME.


FAVORITE MJ LOOK: DEFINITELY LITTLE MICHAEL WITH THE AFRO AND THE FLY CLOTHES!


FAVORITE MJ GAME: YES, THERE WERE GAMES AND I HAD THIS MAGNETIC DOLL WHERE YOU COULD SWITCH HIS CLOTHES AND GIVE HIM DIFFERENT PROPS. IT WAS COOL AND THE PIC BELOW IS THE PIC YOU DRESSED! THIS PIC WAS ALSO ON MY WALL.



I hope you've enjoyed this journey with me and my MJ experiences and memories. I never had the opportunity to see him in concert but I did catch Janet's tour and if it THAT was her tour, I KNOW Michael's would have been the ish!
I LOVE you MJ even though I may have fallen out a bit!

Enjoy these last photos that I like.
Thanks for reading!

Em*





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Have you seen my childhood?
I'm searching for that world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...

People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate, for the childhood
I've never known...

Have you seen my childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates and adventurous dreams,
Or conquest and kings on the throne

Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my childhood?

People say I'm strange that way
'Cause I love such elementary things
It's been my fate to compensate for the childhood, I've never known...

Have you seen my childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...

Before you judge me, try hard to love me
The painful youth I've had

Have you seen my childhood...


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