I Was Just Thinking...

I saw this picture of Paris Jackson today and it got me to thinking about Michael Jackson's kids and where they are now. You know how a picture or a story gets you thinking about people that really aren't in your realm of life, yet you can't stop wondering what happened to them?

A quick internet check on Paris finds the 17 year-old beauty seemingly happy and attending a private boarding school in Utah. She certainly has turned out to be a beautiful young lady, and social media pictures show her to be dating.

Her 18 year-old boyfriend, Chester Castellaw, is a soccer player for the Real So Cal youth soccer club. When not away at school she resides with her grandmother, Katherine Jackson and cousin Tito in California and her two brothers. She seems to be doing much better since her reported suicide attempt when she was 15.

Her brother Prince Michael also seems to be faring well.

The Loyola Marymount student, 18, is focusing his studies on a career in film and television. Reportedly a great student, Prince is said to be committed to his studies and focused on receiving a degree. Good thing because as the heir of his father's vast estate, he will need a good head on his shoulders to navigate all that entails. Talk about pressure. Let's keep our fingers crossed he stays the course. I think it would be a great testament to his late father.

Last, is their brother, Prince Michael II, "Blanket" who is 13.

Reportedly bullied for his name "Blanket", he changed his name to Bigi Jackson. Blanket, as he was known by his family, is said to be quiet, funny, respectful and helpful to others. Here's hoping he can live a somewhat normal teen aged life.

After reading and reporting all of that, I am left to wonder why I care? But strangely I do care-Michael Jackson's children were the young and  innocents caught in the madness that was his life. I could be wrong, but it looks like his mother is doing a good job raising his children. And as I said before, it would be nice if despite it all, the 3 kids turned out to be decent, happy and successful adults. As a parent, that's the best you can hope for.

THIS IS what IT is

He wasn't the punchline of jokes, that he had become.
He wasn't creepy and freaky, wearing masks and funny costumes.
He was not at all frail and demure; he was awe inspiring.
And most of all, he was not gone; he was ever so present.
He was the Michael Jackson I remembered I had loved so much; the performer.

Regardless of what you may think about Michael Jackson and the choices he made, this documentary, chronicling the final rehearsals for his sold out London tour, leave the remaining piece of the crazy puzzle that has been his life. And in true to concert form, we were shown what would have been his final show. Nothing more.

That is what made this movie so great. I didn't need more. I saw exactly what I wanted, which was all Michael, all the time. Dancing, singing and doing his thing the way only Michael could. I forgot about the monkey, and I forgot about the Elephant man, and for a brief moment I remembered the magic. He was scary skinny, and his face was at times grotesquely absurd, but in those moments he was the pop music giant he used to be; in control and commanding with his undeniable talent.

And if This Is It, then it's ok by me. I felt like I experienced his final vision last night and it was as if I went to his concert with my friends. It was pure Michael without the gossip and the drama and it was music to my ears. We toe tapped, bee bopped, jammed and sung along with him, right there in the theatre; and so did everyone else who was there. You couldn't help it. The music was in you. Just before his tragic death, he was seen as somewhat of a joke, a freak and an enigma. There were those who wondered if this final tour was a desparate move by a desparate man on the brink of financial ruin. He even took the tour overseas; unsure if his homeland would pay one more time to see the King Of Pop. Sad, that it took his death for us to remember we used to love him. Really love him, his music, and the way he made us feel.

Kudos to Kenny Ortega for making it simple.
There wasn't much that needed to be done.
Michael stood all on his own.

And if you loved him for his song, then you will simply love This Is It.

Michael Has Left The Building

Michael Jackson has left the building for good.

In what would seem to be a very sad ending for a supremely sad man, Michael Jackson will entertain no more.

Regardless of your opinion of him as a human being, you cannot deny The King of Pop's influence on the music of the eighties. When I think about Michael Jackson and his music I can literally map out my adolescence using his music as the soundtrack. Today I will remember the Michael I loved, the Man in the Mirror.

I was 13 years old and at my friends house after school when we saw "the moonwalk". Taped at the Apollo theatre for the Anniversary of Motown, Michael shocked the world when it appeared he could defy gravity. It was exciting. It was special, and when you watched Michael perform this never before seen dance move, you knew you were witnessing greatness.

I was a sophomore in high school, a kid of the MTV video generation, and my brother and I watched in awe as the greatest ever, Thriller music video played out on out living room TV. It was a rare bonding moment for my brother and I, and I still have my red leather jacket, just like Michael's.

Beat It, and the choreography from the video dominated my dance classes. For a brief time, a young girl dreamed of becoming a dancer in Hollywood or a Michael Jackson video. While Michael was King, the possibilities for a career as a dancer were real.

Off The Wall, which I consider to be one of his greatest albums ever, has countless hits that trigger memories of parties I attended and boys I danced with or kissed. Michael Rocked with us All Night.

The Jackson 5's A B C made a little girl Shake Her Body Down To The Ground and feel the joy of their special, soulful sound. It was then that I realized I had the music in me.

There were countless times when I loved Michael Jackson. There were countless times that I hated Michael Jackson. There were times that I was embarassed by him, yet intrigued by his bizarre life. I was never NOT interested with him and today I am sad that he has been taken so soon.

I will always remember him, and when I hear his music, I will dance. And I Won't Stop Until I Get Enough.