Without music life would be a mistake.
~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
Poor poor Michael Jackson.
My friend called me yesterday to tell me he had died. And you know what the first thing that popped in my head was? "He was born a poor black child, and died an ugly white woman." It is. Honest to goodness, that's the truth. You can slap my face now, if you want.
But, my heart feels a little sad because in spite of all his weirdness, his musical genius has yet to be rivaled. I love Michael, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Mock me if you must, because I hold my head high and yell with pride "I am a Michael Jackson fan. So Beat it!"
As I sat here, listening to my vast collection of MJ music, I couldn't help but travel down memory lane. Practically every song of his is punctuated with a memory from my life.
I remember seeing the Man in the Mirror music video in seminary when I was a senior.
I remember Thriller giving me nightmares when I was 12 and watching my kids learn how to do the Thriller dance is a highlight memory.
I remember dancing at JR high dances to Beat it.
I remember roller Skating at Classic skating to P.Y.T and That Girl is Mine.
I remember trying to learn how to do the moon walk, and wanting to wear 1 sparkly glove.
His music makes me move in ways I haven't moved in years and he will be missed. This weeks Random 10 music is dedicated to the passing of our Pop Icon, the King of Pop himself: Michael Jackson.
*****
There is a pretty awesome discussion going on over on the MMB in the comment section, oddly enough about comments. You should go check it out. It is something I have been wanting to talk about, but just have never taken the time to formulate my thoughts. MomBabe did a great job.
I would just add that when you are leaving a comment on someones post, please for the love of all that's holy, make it relevant (And funny). Add to the discussion! Don't just leave a generic "look at me, I left a comment, now come and read my blog!" kind of a comment. Those are irritating and nauseating. All at the same time.
It may not be obvious to you, but a writer can tell when you haven't taken the time to read what they have written. Especially when the comment is: "♥ ur blog! Have a great week!" (and then the exact same comment is plastered in everyone else's comments) Can you say Barf-a-rama and obnoxious?
Lastly, please remember that a person's blog is like their home, and you are a guest. If you would not say to a person, in their real life home that the way they are living their life, or talking, or parenting is the worlds biggest atrocity, then never, ever say it to a person in their comments or via email.
The Internet makes people loose their manners. Unless we are very familiar, IN PERSON, with a person, you must refrain refrain refrain. Nasty comments/emails will never change a persons thought process or actions. Especially when all you have is a superficial Internet relationship.
Blog = home. Remember that.
(I can see that I have a lot to say about this. I think an etiquette post is now percolating up there amongst the cobwebs)
*****
Pop culture is an interesting study. The headlines on all the news wires are all about Pop Culture, rather than important issues. Like the soldiers in Iraq. Or the psycho's in Iran. No. Pop culture dictates what we hear and follow and its irritating.
Michael Jackson's Dead. (so sad)
Farrah is dead. (sad too)
The Governor of South Carolina took a "Don't Cry for me, Argentina" trip. (meh. who cares?)
John & Kate + 8 are getting a divorce and its going to be John + 8 or Kate + 8. Depending on who shows up for filming that day. Oh. And the media is what totally ruined their life. Riiigght! Did they forget that the 0pening line was about "their life may be crazy, but its their life?" They signed up for the show... and everything that came along with it.
I'm tired of John & Kate. I tried to watch that show, but I found it totally irritating. Kate bugs me. She's a raunchy-raunch and John is a pansy and let her. Now they have a mess, and everyone is fascinated in watching a family fall apart.
If you don't think we are close to "The Hunger Games" then I think you should re-evaluate our Reality TV. We are inching closer people. Ever closer! (fantastic book, btw!)
*****
We have been getting ready to go on a Pioneer Trek over here in Crazyland. Well. Not me, because I am morally opposed to those (not really). Thing 1 is. She is less than thrilled with the idea of traipsing around the mountainside in a pioneer dress pulling a handcart. I told her that some must push and some must pull... so buck up little camper, cause she was going. Like it or not.
I have mixed emotions. Man, I'm glad I'm not going. But, dang! I wish I were going. I would love to just follow along, and watch and see how this goes. It will be a good experience, and she will gain a great appreciation for her ancestors.
We had to find a story about our ancestors so she could tell it around the camp fire. We chose Jedidiah M. Grant. One of his wives and children died on the way to the valley. She desperately wanted to be buried in the SLC valley. So, Jedidiah buried the child, and then rode ahead of the wagon train and buried his wife. When he came back to get the child, the wolves had dug her up... Could you imagine? I couldn't.
We have no idea what these people gave for us. They were a generation that were required to give it all. We are a generation that is required to give nothing. But our time. It's hard to remember and keep things in perspective.
This will be a good, hard thing she is doing next week. And strangely? I'm a little jealous.
*****
We survived the bubonic plague (read: swine flu) over here in Crazyland. It was horrid. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. OK. Not really. I would. I was just trying to be nice.
It is a nasty, nasty bug, but we successfully navigated it. We quarantined the sickie and she had to eat in her room, sleep a lot and watch lots and lots of movies on the lap top. It sounds sort of dreamy to me. Minus the walking through the valley of the shadow of death thing.
*****
My friend called me yesterday to tell me he had died. And you know what the first thing that popped in my head was? "He was born a poor black child, and died an ugly white woman." It is. Honest to goodness, that's the truth. You can slap my face now, if you want.
But, my heart feels a little sad because in spite of all his weirdness, his musical genius has yet to be rivaled. I love Michael, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Mock me if you must, because I hold my head high and yell with pride "I am a Michael Jackson fan. So Beat it!"
As I sat here, listening to my vast collection of MJ music, I couldn't help but travel down memory lane. Practically every song of his is punctuated with a memory from my life.
I remember seeing the Man in the Mirror music video in seminary when I was a senior.
I remember Thriller giving me nightmares when I was 12 and watching my kids learn how to do the Thriller dance is a highlight memory.
I remember dancing at JR high dances to Beat it.
I remember roller Skating at Classic skating to P.Y.T and That Girl is Mine.
I remember trying to learn how to do the moon walk, and wanting to wear 1 sparkly glove.
His music makes me move in ways I haven't moved in years and he will be missed. This weeks Random 10 music is dedicated to the passing of our Pop Icon, the King of Pop himself: Michael Jackson.
(Do you have a memory to share?)
*****
There is a pretty awesome discussion going on over on the MMB in the comment section, oddly enough about comments. You should go check it out. It is something I have been wanting to talk about, but just have never taken the time to formulate my thoughts. MomBabe did a great job.
I would just add that when you are leaving a comment on someones post, please for the love of all that's holy, make it relevant (And funny). Add to the discussion! Don't just leave a generic "look at me, I left a comment, now come and read my blog!" kind of a comment. Those are irritating and nauseating. All at the same time.
It may not be obvious to you, but a writer can tell when you haven't taken the time to read what they have written. Especially when the comment is: "♥ ur blog! Have a great week!" (and then the exact same comment is plastered in everyone else's comments) Can you say Barf-a-rama and obnoxious?
Lastly, please remember that a person's blog is like their home, and you are a guest. If you would not say to a person, in their real life home that the way they are living their life, or talking, or parenting is the worlds biggest atrocity, then never, ever say it to a person in their comments or via email.
The Internet makes people loose their manners. Unless we are very familiar, IN PERSON, with a person, you must refrain refrain refrain. Nasty comments/emails will never change a persons thought process or actions. Especially when all you have is a superficial Internet relationship.
Blog = home. Remember that.
(I can see that I have a lot to say about this. I think an etiquette post is now percolating up there amongst the cobwebs)
*****
Pop culture is an interesting study. The headlines on all the news wires are all about Pop Culture, rather than important issues. Like the soldiers in Iraq. Or the psycho's in Iran. No. Pop culture dictates what we hear and follow and its irritating.
Michael Jackson's Dead. (so sad)
Farrah is dead. (sad too)
The Governor of South Carolina took a "Don't Cry for me, Argentina" trip. (meh. who cares?)
John & Kate + 8 are getting a divorce and its going to be John + 8 or Kate + 8. Depending on who shows up for filming that day. Oh. And the media is what totally ruined their life. Riiigght! Did they forget that the 0pening line was about "their life may be crazy, but its their life?" They signed up for the show... and everything that came along with it.
I'm tired of John & Kate. I tried to watch that show, but I found it totally irritating. Kate bugs me. She's a raunchy-raunch and John is a pansy and let her. Now they have a mess, and everyone is fascinated in watching a family fall apart.
If you don't think we are close to "The Hunger Games" then I think you should re-evaluate our Reality TV. We are inching closer people. Ever closer! (fantastic book, btw!)
*****
We have been getting ready to go on a Pioneer Trek over here in Crazyland. Well. Not me, because I am morally opposed to those (not really). Thing 1 is. She is less than thrilled with the idea of traipsing around the mountainside in a pioneer dress pulling a handcart. I told her that some must push and some must pull... so buck up little camper, cause she was going. Like it or not.I have mixed emotions. Man, I'm glad I'm not going. But, dang! I wish I were going. I would love to just follow along, and watch and see how this goes. It will be a good experience, and she will gain a great appreciation for her ancestors.
We had to find a story about our ancestors so she could tell it around the camp fire. We chose Jedidiah M. Grant. One of his wives and children died on the way to the valley. She desperately wanted to be buried in the SLC valley. So, Jedidiah buried the child, and then rode ahead of the wagon train and buried his wife. When he came back to get the child, the wolves had dug her up... Could you imagine? I couldn't.
We have no idea what these people gave for us. They were a generation that were required to give it all. We are a generation that is required to give nothing. But our time. It's hard to remember and keep things in perspective.
This will be a good, hard thing she is doing next week. And strangely? I'm a little jealous.
*****
We survived the bubonic plague (read: swine flu) over here in Crazyland. It was horrid. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. OK. Not really. I would. I was just trying to be nice.
It is a nasty, nasty bug, but we successfully navigated it. We quarantined the sickie and she had to eat in her room, sleep a lot and watch lots and lots of movies on the lap top. It sounds sort of dreamy to me. Minus the walking through the valley of the shadow of death thing.
*****
Catch ya on the flip side!
1. Don't Stop Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
2. Rock With You - Michael Jackson
3. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
4. Beat It - Michael Jackson
5. Thriller - Michael Jackson
6. I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Michael Jackson
7. Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
8. Black or White - Michael Jackson
9. P.Y.T (pretty young thing) - Michael Jackson
10. Bad - Michael Jackson
Bonus: Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
2. Rock With You - Michael Jackson
3. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
4. Beat It - Michael Jackson
5. Thriller - Michael Jackson
6. I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Michael Jackson
7. Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
8. Black or White - Michael Jackson
9. P.Y.T (pretty young thing) - Michael Jackson
10. Bad - Michael Jackson
Bonus: Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
Don't forget to sign the Mr Linky if you're playing along!
28 monkeys jumping on the bed:
My favorite memory is when Michael Jackson wrote "PYT" about me.
And that time when I used a picture of his lips as a lipliner tutorial.
L♥ve your blog!
Thriller was the first album (an actual LP) I bought with my own money.
My 4th grader this year had some classmates who mixed up Michael Jordan with Michael Jackson. I was horrified and had to give her a cultural literacy lesson. We sat by the computer, and I showed her MJ music videos for a long time.
As I type this, she's showing a friend of hers Thriller on YouTube, trying to explain who this guy was who died--and why he was cool 20 years ago, because kids her age just see the funky weird pictures from now.
I feel like I've done a little good in passing on some cultural literacy. :)
Totally remember my MJ obsession, especially with the break dancing. And coreographing a dance to "Beat it." He was definitely a huge part of my childhood/adolescence.
Thanks so much for your comments on commenting. That is my hugest blogging pet peeve. Getting the ♥ comments or the ones that just say "Cute!" or whatever. I don't blog for comments, so maybe I'm bugged more than the average blogger? Who knows. But I heartily agree with you!
I think Kristina spent extra time in the "funny" line in heaven. She surely must have gotten my portion.
I'm not quite sure I know how you feel about Jon & Kate. Will you please make it a bit more explicit?
♥ love your blog (hugs)
My next door neighbor had a Michael Jackson (what would you call it?) Barbie Doll. I was TOTALLY jealous. However, it has been sad over the years to watch him get stranger and stranger.
I am also thinking that Hunger Games would be a good book for book group. I can only imagine the discussions on a book like that. I wonder if the others would go for it?
As far and the commenting etiquette, should you leave a comment EVERY time you read someones blog, or only if you have something good to say? That's something I have wondered.
Had to do it. Glad to hear about the swineflu update. My gosh that was a scare. I had been waiting patiently for some feed back hint.
Well I did read the MMB, about the comments. I have my share of hate emails that is for sure. I finally shut off my anonymous. I make people angry with my views. Probably Mombabes it sounds like :)
But there is something to say about owning your own voice and your own space. It used to bother me more when the shots were made at me, but I know that we all have differences in opinions. And in the lds world, we have to except that even more.
Michael Jackson had a sad life to me. I wonder if any of us could be normal with all the fame and junk that goes on with it. He had amazing moves and beat. But as Mattie's friend Emma just told me, he wasn't the best role model. I thought that was cute.
Happy Trekking. Oh maybe not...
i'm in line to get slapped, too. i love Michael Jackson!
and
yes!!!
so many of his songs bring back so many memories...
i remember that song & video of "it's black, it's white" {or whatever the name of that song is} anyway...
i was over at a friends' house and her dog kepy humping my leg... her GIRL dog. I ABOUT THREW UP ABOUT 12 TIMES. anyway... strange huh?
and
i am going to check out that MMB conversation about COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!!
I KNOW I WILL LOVE IT!!!!!!!
OH YEAH... and i had a light blue t-shirt that had the Glittery Glove on the front!
I wouldn't slap you I agree with you Motherboard. And like you I don't think that makes me less of a fan. I enjoy his work. I grow up dancing to his beats and belting out his lyrics. Anf I loved the sweetness of "you are not alone".
I too am such a fan of Michael Jacksons music.I wanted to marry him back when he was a black man.
I so am with you about the skating at Classic. I had kind of a whole PTSD flashback thing when I read that.I remember getting my groove on to PYT.
Love your blog! Have a great week:)
JK
I'm kinda glad that I've never gone on a pioneer trek. They sound like a great idea...but I feel like I would not love it.
And Beat It used to be my favorite Michael Jackson song...but these days I'm liking PYT.
I hope Thing 1 has a good time on the trek. I dragged my feet about going too until I heard my "Pa" was a cute older guy in my ward. MMM yummy.
Interesting about Hunger Games. I had to be convinced to read it because the premise really threw me. Glad I read it though.
Glad to hear your little survived the plague. I always ask my hubby if I can have a sick day, minus the sick. It does sound dreamy.
ONE: I also have MJ memories. In fact, one of my very first memories of my life is dancing to Billie Jean in my bedroom. And I have "moonwalked" across my various kitchen floors no less than a thousand times over the course of my life.
TWO: I totally admit to leaving "shallow" comments. I'm pretty sure you the one who told me you hate 'em, but the thing is -a lot of times there will be people who constantly leave comments for me, but when I go to their blog and read their posts, I really have nothing to say -but I THINK just knowing that they are being read validates them, so I say something like "Good post. I really liked this." Not so others can come read me, but so they know that I do take the time to read them. I don't comment on anything I don't read.
THREE: The pioneer trek I went on in high school literally changed my life.
My MJ memories consist of the poster of him in a yellow sweater hanging on my best friends wall and listening to his music. And the cheerleaders in our senior year doing a rockin' dance to Smooth criminal. I LOVE that song.
I really try not to leave comments that aren't relevant. In fact I'm ashamed to say I haven't been leaving comments at all for a while now. But I am still reading.
I've been on two treks. The youth in our Stake are going on one over the 24th of July and I desperately want to go but can't. Our girls camp is the week after and the GC director is going on the trek. I am the assistant and have to stay behind to get things set and ready for camp. *sigh*
Yay! You mentioned Hunger Games, which is such an amazing book. Wow.
If anyone's considering reading it, here's a word of warning...don't start unless you have a couple of days to just read. Because that's what will happen, whether you can afford the time or not.
http://damselindisdress.wordpress.com
Loved your words about comments. Especially since I got chastized about my post publicly, but sadly by a BFF in real life.
That being said, I will refrain from commenting on MJ,
instead I will say Trek was the BEST experience EVER! Did it 4 years ago and going again next year. LOVED it, there is nothing like it, and Thing 1 will never be the same. In a great way!
I really love some of MJ's music. And I think his later life is just sad.
Love the convo going on at MMB, it needed saying!
I am borrowing Hunger Games from Amber, since it is still just hardbound and I don't pay that much for books.
Slap me too! My first thought...The children of the world are just a bit safer! Bad I know! My favorite song and memory is "Heal the World" and this is the memory (I think we were both in the mission field for this one) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqMSnigL0aA
I thought the same thing about MJ. Poor black boy to a rich white woman. Only in America. (that's probably a bit too irreverent, but whatever.)
Superman calls me about once a day and has some random pop culture headline to share with me. "Did you hear that Spiedi....?" and he just gets so mad. "North Korea is threatening to blast us to smitherines and Yahoo! is telling me that Obama bought a hamburger!" Drives him crazy.
Glad you're over the swine flu. A few weeks ago we had a ward party and AFTER it was over I found out someone there had it. But the person who told me didn't give a name. I was kidna freaked out for a bout a week after that. But we're all okay, so I guess we didn't get it.
I'd love to go on a trek. I mean, I might die, but I'd LOVE to do it.
See, THIS is my problem with comments. I just can't stop. I have an unstoppable impulse to respond to every single sentence the poster wrote.
But I'm done now. ♥ UR BLOG!!!Ü♥
I wondered if it was the swine flu you were battling. Glad she's doing better. And that no one else got it.
I have mixed feelings about the trek too. Pioneer stories like that always make my heart break a little. I'm so appreciative of what they went through, but I also think we are facing some huge trials in our lifetime, and while they may not compare, I think they can be just as hard.
I was just thinking last night that blogs are like homes. And sometimes I just want to lock the door and not let some people in.
Letting you know there is an award on my blog with your name on it if you wish to accept.
MJ definitely left his mark... Thanks for reminding me about the moonwalk :)
I just want to say that after you have publicly admitted to being a an MJ fan--a fan, not just a person who thinks he had some talent--you have no standing to mock me for my Lawrence Welk nostalgia!
Wow, reading your post was a major trip down memory lane. The moonwalk, the thriller nightmares after watching it on Friday Night videos (before MTV, remember that?) at a sleepover, roller skating-- Man, that brings back memories. I'm so glad I am a child of the 80s!
You make a very interesting point about the Hunger Games Jon and Kate parallel. There is something pretty ghoulish about watching a real live family break up and discussing it like it's not a big deal.
Glad you are all feeling better!
Looks like you sparked a lot of "comments" on your post. What I was thinking when you wrote about MJ is "what?" am I THAT old?! You were only 12 and I was in college when Thriller came out! Oi! Okay, now that I'm over my old age shock, I loved MJ's music. He did lead a sad life, but boy was he incredibly talented!
And about the comments etiquette? I agree. I posted a heart-felt post once about my sorrows of a child. It started upbeat, but I noticed a reader didn't read it through because of the too upbeat comment that was totally irrelevant. It hurt. Luckily I haven't received any hate comments. Knock on wood.
Glad to hear you guys are over the sickness and on the upswing. Whew!
I love "triller" and hey... I too l♥ve your blog :) ♥ HUGS ♥
Oh and glad you are better. I had strep and got this HUGE fever blister on my nose and it still hurts BAD! Thanks for lighting up the blog world :)
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