MJ Regains His Throne Through A Sold-Out World Of Endless Headlines.

By Chrystal Dorsey



Since the sudden death of Michael Jackson on Thursday 25, June 2009, there has been an endless procession of headlines to note the global mourning and universal tribute to the infamous icon. And the blogs are endless.



Immediately following his death, there was little mention of young boys or any other Wacko-Jacko stabs at Michael; just endless playing of his music and talk of how timeless his works are. – Just how many fans were created with his death? Quite a lot I can image.



The same people in the media who were addressing him as a freak and tried to tear him apart, just to get a story are now praising him and proclaiming an undying respect for him. I and others like me question the sincerity of many individuals’ displayed sorrow.



However, Michael Jackson was a very popular topic on Tweeter. Immediately following the confirmation of his death, somewhere between 600,000 and 2 million people Tweeted about MJ – & of that number I’m certain that a large percentage have either told or laughed at a crude joke about Mike.



I was very much opposed to his behavior towards children. However, I’m not saying that we should condemn instead of mourn. But to those who weren’t actually grief-stricken by his death, there’s no need to pretend that you are.

Here are just a few of the latest headlines:

• TIME Mag Rushes Out Jackson Issue by TMZ Staff. You can get a look tmz.com at the cover of the Michael Jackson commemorative issue – being rushed to the newsstands Monday morning.



Mind you, the last time, TIME magazine published a special edition in between weekly issues was in the days following 9/11.



• Michael Jackson's philanthropically "We are the World" project still helps Africans.

• Filipino prisoners honor Jackson with 'Thriller' show.

• Michael Jackson, the greatest.

• The death of Peter Pan.

• House (of Reps.) holds moment of silence for Michael Jackson.

I suspect had “the moment of silence” been for Elvis there would be no uproar.



It seems hypocrisy plays a large role with regards to celebrities and their relationship with the Media and their fans. Frankly, if you or I (or any non-celebrity) had consumed as many drugs as: Marilyn, Elvis, Anne Nicole, & perhaps Michael Jackson – we’d be referred to as pill-popping low-life Junkies; but they are generally regarded as some sort of Messiah.



There’s nothing wrong with appreciating his music for what it is without glorifying him. And on that note;

I found a disturbing post on WordPress, letter to legend to which the writer not only alluded to but actually professed her undying and unhealthy love for Michael Jackson.



I felt incline to render the following response: “You would have to have had an on-coming personal relationship with this individual to even come close to feeling what you proclaim. And even then, it would be unhealthy. But to feel this way about any human-being, especially one you don't even know is not just sick, it’s eerie.”



Oddly, I’ve read a number of articles & blogs in which writers were grasping a straws not to give MJ his props, some going so far as to claim Michael Jackson was not as popular or as talented as a foreign 60’s boy band – known as the Beatles. Just take a look at the stats and you’ll know that to be false. That said, I am incline to post an abbreviated version a NY Times article, ‘After Jackson, Fame May Never Be the Same’ By DAVID SEGAL Published: June 27, 2009:

“…Fame on the level that Mr. Jackson achieved is all but impossible for pop culture heroes today, and quite likely it will never be possible again.

On the most basic level, this is a matter of business and math. Michael Jackson has sold an estimated 100 million copies worldwide of the 1982 album “Thriller,” which spent more than 31 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts.

It’s one of those high-water marks that nobody will touch, because record stores are vanishing, and along with them, megahit albums are vanishing, too.

…Likewise, Michael Jackson had MTV, which was the place for music videos, and as close to an Ed Sullivan platform as he needed. Of course, it’s been a long time since MTV played hour after hour of prime-time videos. Today, you watch music videos on YouTube, but because there are no programmers to curate what you see, every artist has to compete with thousands of others. And now that anyone with a computer has a miniature studio, and anyone with a Internet connection can post a song, there are more genres, subgenres and artists than ever.

That’s why even Michael Jackson would have a hard time becoming Michael Jackson these days.”



To the naysayers, just as in life (in death) no matter how hard you/they tried you/they will not be able to deny or take his talent away from him.



I trust based on my posts, that I am not deemed to be one of the hypocrites. Again, although I was opposed to (what I learned through the media) his behavior toward children - I was and still am a fan of his work; and I felt no need to tear him down in his death.

Farewell to Neverland’s King of Pop

Michael Jackson: 1958 - 2009, has died at age 50.

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation and the biggest celebrity in the world.

Michael, went into cardiac arrest at his Holmby Hills home in L.A. Thursday (a 911 call was placed shortly before 12:30 p.m. PT), according to TMZ, which first reported the news. Paramedics were unable to revive the singer (who had no pulse upon their arrival), the site reports. He was then rushed to UCLA Medical Center while in a deep coma before passing away,

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

The seventh of nine children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Ind., on Aug. 29, 1958, and began his career performing with his brothers. His professional debut with the Jackson 5 came at age 11.

Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s premier all-around performer.

Michael changed how the world would look at music videos by providing mini-music-movies.

His 1982 album “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide. The video for Thriller all but defined the music video genre and helped send the album to the top of the charts for 37 weeks. (All told, it remained on the list 80 weeks.) It was also nominated for 12 Grammys and won eight.

On March 25, 1983, Jackson performed his single "Billie Jean" live on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special, where he debuted the moonwalk that was to become his signature move.

One of my favorite MJ videos is “Smooth Criminal.”

Jackson was set to headline 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena beginning in July, billed "This Is It" -- his final London performances.

It’s impossible to include a complete report on MJ – I suggest you check the websites that have devoted endless coverage about Michael’s life and death. You will find numerous photos, videos, and endless text on the life and career of Michael Jackson – a musical mastermind, phenomenon, an icon.

Regardless of his personal drama – Michael Jackson was and will always be a music pioneer who provided the world with a talent they’d not seen and one that will never be matched. He was and always be “The King of Pop.” and he will truly be missed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31553183/ns/entertainment-music

Farewell to Neverland’s King of Pop

Michael Jackson: 1958 - 2009, has died at age 50.

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation and the biggest celebrity in the world.

Michael, went into cardiac arrest at his Holmby Hills home in L.A. Thursday (a 911 call was placed shortly before 12:30 p.m. PT), according to TMZ, which first reported the news. Paramedics were unable to revive the singer (who had no pulse upon their arrival), the site reports. He was then rushed to UCLA Medical Center while in a deep coma before passing away,

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

The seventh of nine children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Ind., on Aug. 29, 1958, and began his career performing with his brothers. His professional debut with the Jackson 5 came at age 11.

Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s premier all-around performer.

Michael changed how the world would look at music videos by providing mini-music-movies.

His 1982 album “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide. The video for Thriller all but defined the music video genre and helped send the album to the top of the charts for 37 weeks. (All told, it remained on the list 80 weeks.) It was also nominated for 12 Grammys and won eight.

On March 25, 1983, Jackson performed his single "Billie Jean" live on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special, where he debuted the moonwalk that was to become his signature move.

One of my favorite MJ videos is “Smooth Criminal.”

Jackson was set to headline 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena beginning in July, billed "This Is It" -- his final London performances.

It’s impossible to include a complete report on MJ – I suggest you check the websites that have devoted endless coverage about Michael’s life and death. You will find numerous photos, videos, and endless text on the life and career of Michael Jackson – a musical mastermind, phenomenon, an icon.

Regardless of his personal drama – Michael Jackson was and will always be a music pioneer who provided the world with a talent they’d not seen and one that will never be matched. He was and always be “The King of Pop.” and he will truly be missed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31553183/ns/entertainment-music

Captive In 3D Avatar World

A few short months ago, I was a willing captive in the 3-D avatar chat and instant messenger world. I don’t know when it happened but I had gotten hooked and each time I tried to escape, they just kept pulling me back in. Honestly, at some point I didn’t know how or even if I really wanted to escape. To make matters worst, I didn’t just reside in one avatar world, I resided in two.

On Zwinky.com I made over 50 friends nationwide in a relatively short period of time, and what is there to do in this world? Well, you can chat, chat, &chat about this and that. Quite a bit of the conversations on this site are relatively for the younger crowd, but if you select your buddies wisely you are able to chat with avatars in your age range.

One of the things that kept me coming back was the wardrobe and furnishings you’re able to obtain from the credits you earn. Although you are able to purchase Zbucks, as they’re called, I preferred to earn mine by visiting different areas on the site such as the park, which is always crowded or by playing games ‘mall dash’ was one of my favorites.

On the other hand, on IMVU.com the 3-D avatar world is quite a different playing field. Within the first couple of days I managed to acquire seven buddies from all around the world, including Trinidad and Brazil. Compared to Zwinky, the avatars in IMVU world are much more animated, and unlike Zwinky the IMVU avatars are able to sit, swim, jump, kick, dance, hug, etc. and are able to interact with other avatars in varies 3-D scenes and realistic looking rooms while they chat. And of course there are rooms for adults only (must verify you’re 21 or over), but I found that some of the interactions in certain areas were a bit brazen to say the least; therefore I opted not to visit those areas.

IMVU 3-D avatar world of chat can also become a very addictive dress up game with so many outfits to choose from, not to mention you have the opportunity to showcase your own creative designs. You can play music during your chats from tracks you select to include in your mix. In your inventory you have hair, make-up, eyes, eyebrows, clothes, pets, actions, and more to choose from. Although my avatar came equipped with a fully furnished modern penthouse, I choose to purchase (using credits) a huge villa, once I furnished it, I invited guests over to show it off, and they loved my newly acquired showplace.

If you’re ever in need of something to do and somewhere (virtually) to go, check out IMVU.com or any one of the many available virtual-world websites. You may find yourself captive in/at a TV studio, cruise club, bowling, police department, airline, etc. There are so many rooms to explore and approximately 50,000 people online at any given time to hang out and have fun with. Be forewarned, the avatar world can become addictive.

Just prior to this post I learned of another virtual world called second life where there’s a community called ‘story mountain center’ it’s a place for Writers. I’ll be certain to check this website out, after all, it may turn out to be a great Writer’s tool. (Wink, wink)

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY – TO THE UNCELEBRATED PARENT

Father’s Day is a time to observe and have a good time with the father in your life. And to remember those fathers that are no longer with us. Father’s Day has never gotten the fan-fare that Mother’s Day has been afforded, nor have some fathers been shown the appreciation they may rightly deserve; perhaps that’s partly due to the misunderstanding of the Father and his role.

Fathers take on the role of protector and work hard to provide for their children and families. Some fathers have to work harder and longer than they’d like, which often results in less time spent with their children. This is difficult to explain to children – just another reason not to celebrate Dad.

Fathers are usually the flexible parent, at least in my household; when Mom said “this is the way it is.” That’s the way it was – no negotiation. Fathers are also likely to love with impulsiveness and surprises. They love having fun with their children and are generally the parent that pushes the children physically in an effort to toughen them up – while mothers are all for having spirited children, the father wants his children to be brave, aggressive, and fearless.

Then there is the optimistic nurturing side of a father, trying to be in tune with his children. Hoping his children will find out who they really are and become independent – if for no other reason than to stay out of his pocket; but seriously, fathers help serve to wing the child from the nest to become self-sufficient productive members of society.

Although my father didn’t die until I was grown with children and grandchildren of my own - I still truly miss my Dad. So for as long as you have breathe in your body and are able to do so, make an effort to celebrate, appreciate, and be glad to have that father figure in your life.