Michael Jackson (sheesh)

OK-first, let's ignore the fact that I haven't posted in weeks. I will briefly say that I've been going through this self discovery period in my life, and it has been wonderful, and I have learned much about myself and the way I interact with the world. I will be much better for it. However, it was mostly introspective stuff, not things I care to post for the world...so, let's just be content with skipping the blog coverage in the last few weeks of my life. A lot has happened, but I want to talk about Michael Jackson.


Don't get me wrong. Thriller (album, not just song) is perfection. Really, it gives me goosebumps, every time I hear it, though out my whole life. And it came out when I was 1, so believe me when I say 'though out my whole life'. Simply put, the world was given lots of beautiful music by this man.

But...to say that Bad was his last good album would be pretty right on. And that came out in 1987. My sister, who is of legal drinking age, was born in 1987. So what has he been up to since then?

Well, In 1993, when I was 12, allegations of child molestation began to surface. Also, reports from his own camp that he bleached his skin in some silly contraption. Oh-and he married Lisa Marie Presley. That was weird, right? Then Debbie Rowe, a plain jane nurse? Just to have a couple of kids through some convoluted process that everyone was confused about, then he divorced her. And do you remember when he dangled his baby over the balcony? And kept his kids faces covered at all times? And had at least 12 surgeries so that his face looked more alien than human? And then the second round of child molestation...and the shocking verdict of "Not Guilty"? And how about his very public running out of money? Come on...the man who owns the Beatles songs, plus royalties to all of his own? Remember when he said that his only spending money came from the sale of llamas from his ranch. And geez-he spent millions on a ranch, turned it into an amusement park, and named it Neverland! And do remember on that documentary when he said that he should be able to share his bed with little boys? Jesus Juice, anyone? Did we all forget what a nut job this guy was?

In this weeks Time, there is a photo timeline, and you can actually see his face melting and warping as the years go on.

For the last 2 weeks, there has been the stupidest media storm about this man. After 2 weeks, I still can't go more than 3 channels on the TV without seeing his alien face. And even with all this going through my head...even with my dominating thoughts about him my whole life being simply that he is a nut job...I find myself stopping on those channels, and listening to "Billie Jean" one more time.

But believe me when I say I am disgusted by this. Mark Sanford is a lucky, lucky man. Perfect timing for an affair, if you know what I mean.

But, I was able to swallow it all, and accept it. I figured it wouldn't hurt anything if we are all left with a favorable impression of the man. That's so clearly what this is all about...a huge media blitz so we only remember the music, and not the crazy. And then Al Franken had to open his big, stupid mouth.

"I am here because of the disgraceful and the despicable way some elements of the media have tried to destroy the legacy and image of Michael Jackson."

"You have had other entertainers that have had issues in their life. But you [the media] did not degrade and denigrate them...Show the same respect for Michael and Michael's family that you showed Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley."

"I don't think the media understand who Michael was. I don't think they have any cultural significance."

He's upset because the media didn't kiss Michael's behind enough? Are you kidding me? Has he not been watching TV? There hasn't been this kind of media frenzy since Princess Diana died. That man is infuriating, infantile, and out of touch with reality.

Now, you're probably all "Come on, Carmen, the man made 'Thriller'." I know. I covered that early. I love that album. Now, you're all "But he had a hard life...no childhood...child abuse." I know. But happiness is an inside job. We are responsible for making our lives livable, and for grasping happiness. This man had limitless resources to help himself. And instead of seeking therapy, or finding some good way to channel his pain, he publicly went insane. Then stayed that way for years. I do not have it in myself to mourn for him. You do not take your pain, and then turn it into pain for others...for countless little boys...and assume that is alright. You do not get to do that.

And that memorial service was disgusting. Oh boy-I wish I could have won tickets! Isn't that weird, people, to "win" tickets to a funeral?

Vomit, vomit, vomit. I wish this brainwashing of the public to remember him some certain way would end. I will remember that he was a crazy, child molesting, alien faced musical genius. I hope you will join me in this memory.

On the other hand...this is probably exactly what the man would have wanted. He always wanted people to talk to him, and he didn't seem to care if it was good talk or bad talk. So, here I am, feeding right into that. I'll stop now.

On other topics...life is swell, people. I've made a conscious decision to spend at least 95% of my time being happy. It's already had a great effect on my life. At some point, I think I forgot that we could pick our thoughts, and that thoughts are what make us feel certain ways. Once I remembered, I just started picking good thoughts. I like it.