Since June 25, 2009; the world has been in shock from the horrific news of Michael Jackson's sudden passing. Yours truly was the ultimate Michael fanatic. When I heard the news, not only did Michael die; but apart of my life and childhood did as well. Tears fell from my eyes as I flipped thru the many channels that had the breaking story. I went back in my head to when I was a todd watching his videos from the many vhs's my grandmother would buy me. I could see myself dancing along with them, and taking my grandmother's bandage tape (she was a nurse) and taping my fingers jus like he did in the "Smooth Criminal" and "Black or White" videos (just to name a few). That news was very hard to take in, leaving me in denial for more than a week until the Jackson family had his memorial in L.A. at the Staples Center. The way they handle the situation with the online lottery thing pissed me off, but the sincerity, love, and memories shared at the ceremony in a sense made up for it.
Well, the hometown of the Jacksons' couldnt be left out of the spot light, so they decided to have a memorial as well. Of course I went, I even stood in line for about 4 hours waiting to get in order to beat the crowd. It was raining on and off for a long time, and after the sun came out it got extremely hot. They had us waiting even after the time they said they would open the gates. While waiting I met some of the most down to earth MJ fans (the Jacksons probably have the most friendliest, down to earth fans ever). When we entered, the organizers gave us white gloves, and told us to put them on our right hands (I accidentally got two, ^_^). and after finding really good seats (that ended up being behind the media area blocking the view of the stage) the prominent started to come. The Rev. Jesse Jackson came in right in front of my area, and I shook his hand. About an hour after that, the Rev. was presented on stage to present Joe, Michael's father. He caused pandemonium in the stands that he walked thru flagged with security officers, police, and his own entourage. While walking to the stage, the media that was standing in front of decided to join the chaos and followed Mr. Jackson asking him questions that he didnt answer. After he was brought up on stage, he mumbled some giberish we couldnt understand and than left, and so did everybody else. So I left the night basically feeling that the memorial couldve been alot better. But I guess thats better than nothing. And I was also not pleased with how people were capitolizing off of this mans death. They had every nic nac you could think of. I cant stress how unsatisfied I was with that, due ot the fact that those selling the merch were more than likely hippocrates of MJ, selling everything you could think of including a bootleg of his L.A. memorial service. But like I previously stated, its better than nothing.
R.I.P Michael Jackson - You meant more to me than you'll ever know....
