Whatever Works&#153

This should really be more of a tweet than anything else, but considering what the wu next entails, it seemed more appropriate to blogpost about it.

Earlier I had said to ignore my previous post because it was a test run of the newly purchased app Blogpress; the blogging application that runs on various platforms. It was the apps I deemed necessary and at 2.99 I thought it was a fair price.

A couple days later the update produced a .99 cent sale. I can't be too upset though, after all, I did benefit from such a price drop before with the original iPhone and then again with the flight simulation game F.A.S.T.

I probably should just be happy that I have the application and show it by dedicating my thoughts into blogposts again. God only knows how low my already subdued audience has shunk.

Twitter killed everything.

Yulster.
Limited time sale!!!

-- Post From My iPhone

Being that Michael Jackson is the greatest pop culture icon ever, I felt compelled to write more than a few short phrases and make this a bit more personal:

The first time I knew of Michael Jackson was when I was in first grade (1993). At the time I did not know of his popularity, but simply who he was, sorta like how a kid recognized Big Bird. His picture was displayed at my school library (William Penn Elementary) with other celebrities and one of my classmates had told me he was in jail. Not the best first impression I would say, and later learned that it was not true, though the allegations of his first child molestation where prominent at the time. As I further acclimated into pop culture I, as the rest of the world had already known, was flooded with the entertainment that Michael Jackson had produced. In second grade I had been so obsessed with his music that it became the soundtrack that I would listen to before Tae Kwon Do class and would even sit on the stairs of my Singapore home just writing his lyrics down and give them to my teacher.

While living in Singapore, and the preexistence of YouTube or Napster, all of his works I owned were attained by legal means. My Mom had all his solo albums, we bought video tapes and even were fortunate enough to attend his Singapore concert in 1997. Throughout the mid-90's I delved and ate up everything Michael Jackson. My naval base friends and I would stay up watching televised shows and rewind the tapes just to watch it over and over again. I remember in fourth grade the world premiere of Ghost (the short film preceeding Blood on the Dance Floor) was shown as my best friend Ryan at the time and I would hide under sheets in case anything was actually spooky.

For those who may remember me from Singapore throughout middle school will undoubtedly reminisce and validate how synonymous I was with Michael's dancing; That was what I was remembered for. Not being King Ape, not student counsel - but dance. I spend countless hours in front of windows, mirrors or any other reflective surface mastering the moonwalk. I'm happy to say that I was good at it for a number of years. Good enough to get acclaim for my solo performances at the dance recitals. This story is all too common with a number of people across the globe because we share something in common: We wanted to be like Mike.

As the years went on my dancing (and singing, for that matter) began to diminish as I started getting involved in more 'grown-up' things, but the interest and fanaticism, love and adoration was never subdued.

Needless to say, he was very influential to the entertainment industry. For all his achievements, none of them compare to his ability to touch millions upon millions of people. Only he can create such pandemonium that spans all generations. That is his legacy. For all his eccentric ways, he was compassionate and humble, quite and loving. He cared so much children that it really is a shame how the media ballooned everything. Forget the trials, the lawsuits, the financial hardship, or the surgeries. Remember Ben, Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous. The same man who had lived such a controversial life also wrote "Heal the World", "Earth Song", and "We are the World" among the overwhelming number of chart topping classics. His contributions to music and pop culture at large is unparalleled. It is likely that we will never see another like Michael Jackson again. Lets be clear, Michael was indeed larger than life. There is no wonder why the news of his death is received with so much shock and attention. And as much as death is certain for all of us, his is one that the world definitely did not expect and obviously none wanted to believe. He is the definition of icon. He is the foundation of all the young talent out there today. He is the guilty pleasure that so many are ashamed to admit (I'm proud to say I was never ashamed). Like JFK and John Lennon before him, his superstardom has encompassed all societies thus will all remember his legend.

I want to say more, but I don't know how to translate my thoughts into statements. So I'll leave this with some of his words.

"In our darkest hour, in my deepest despair, will you still care? Will you be there? In my trials and my tribulations, through our doubts and frustrations, in my violence, in my turbulence, through my fear and my confessions, in my anguish and my pain, through my joy and my sorrow, in the promise of another tomorrow I will never let you part - for you're always in my heart." - Will You Be There

"Before you judge me, try hard to love me, look within yourself then ask 'Have you seen my childhood?'" - Childhood

You got school teachers who don't wanna teach. You got grown people who can't write or read. You got strange diseases (ha) but there's no cure. You don't many doctors that aren't so sure so tell me why you wanna trip on me" - Why You Wanna Trip on Me

"Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight. In one day... gone one night." Gone Too Soon.

I love you, Michael. I will never forget the "Hee Hee's", the glittery glove, the eccentric dress, the crotch grabbing, but most importantly the enjoyment you've created in my life. Just like the tagline of the 25th Motown Anniversary - you will always be a legend of the world - Yesterday, Today, Forever. Thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his family, and most importantly his children.