Michael Jackson

It's always a big deal when an icon of American culture passes away, and I suppose there were few still living with the power and musical influence that Michael Jackson had, and obviously still has.

I feel sorry for him. I think a lot of people do. He had a horrible childhood, and yet he seemed to rise above it for a time, but those things will always catch up with you if they aren't dealt with properly. I don't think he's been in the news this much since the trial.

I remember that - the media circus. At least he isn't around to experience it all over again. And there are always opinions going around about whether he did it or not. I know you want to hear mine. Not. Well, this is my blog, so that's what it's for I suppose. I don't think he did "it", but at the same time, he did have some wacked out ideas, and plenty of issues of his own as we all know. But was he on trial for those?

My opinion about this really doesn't matter one bit, nor does anyone else's. I wasn't at the trial, I didn't read the testimony, I didn't study the facts. If people who were involved in the investigation don't even know the truth, then the rest of us sure as heck don't.

But that's what our media-crazed society encourages us to do - form opinions based on headlines, images, short articles and out-of-context quotes. Not only to form opinions, but to pass judgment and make sweeping generalizations from these jumbled pieces. I do it too, and I'm not proud of it.

I'm just saying that yeah, there are horrible people out there who commit horrible crimes, but there are also gold-diggers who will latch onto anyone they believe they can extract money from. There are also situations that kinda fall in the middle.

So ultimately, I feel bad for Michael Jackson, and appreciate the changes and enthusiasm he brought to music. He seems like an average shy, quiet sort of person with immense talent, who was just pushed to do more than a human being could reasonably be expected to carry, emotionally, physically, etc. I especially feel bad for his kids right now, being caught in this bloodsucking tug-of-war. I just hope they can end up with someone who cares more about them than money.

Currently Rough Cradle By Betsy Sholl see related

I've often felt that, as an introvert, I would enjoy living alone. While it's true that I need 'alone time' and my own space, I'm definitely coming to find that, in the long run, I'd rather not live alone.

I mean, I have a cat, but it's nice to have human company too. One roommate has gone home for the summer, and another has moved out completely, leaving me to pay 1/2 the rent instead of 1/3, and making lists of all the things I now have to buy to replace what my roommate took with her.

Bowls...more tupperware...a desk/table (which I can get from my parents)...a TV table...a DVD player. And other stuff I can't remember. Some are more wants than needs, but hopefully I'll have this place looking 'lived-in' again soon.

I do enjoy certain things about being the sole boss of the apartment for the summer - I decide where things go, when to rearrange furniture, how things will be organized, etc. And I especially enjoy being in charge of the kitchen. I will generally have at least 3 nights per week (minus Sundays) dedicated to some kind of social endeavors, so at least I shall have some human contact besides work.

In the meantime.... bills, bills, bills. It's annoying, and yet I'm gradually getting out of debt as I pay off student loans, and more importantly, not accumulating any more in the process. Frugality is a dying art.

Haha, speaking of which, I just took a vintage bike out of my parents' basement to see if I can use it. And by "vintage," I mean "old." I'm trying to find a cheap bike lock for it, but wal-mart only had the expensive ones...and there's no point having a bike lock that's worth more than the bike. Oh well. I'll take it out for a spin this week if it ever stops raining.

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I should update.
Not only because I should, but because I want to. Of course that would lead me to then haggle over a topic, but one just hit me as the imdb.com page was loading. Bea Arthur has died. Quite sad - I mean, sad that anyone dies, but every so often I'll see a celebrity death that actually means something to me. I've watched a lot of the Golden Girls, and I really loved the humor. It's one of the few "girly shows" that I can not only tolerate, but enjoy.

The character of Dorothy is probably my favorite, because she has such a quick wit and a way with sarcasm, but at the same time she's a loving, caring friend. I think it's important to have a balance there, even moreso in real life. Having a sense of humor is almost vital, and knowing how to use it correctly can be very difficult. We all need someone to remind us not to be too serious, but to also be there as a comfort after the sarcasm wears off. It seems we live in very cynical age when we'd rather just use humor to deflect problems than actually deal with them.

So RIP Bea Arthur. You'll always be Dorothy to me.

In other news, nothing is happening. Well, that's not true. I'm learning a lot about following, and trust, and not leaning on my own understanding. And that it's okay to take baby steps... sometimes it feels like that's all I'm doing, but it's better than sitting around making excuses for not taking steps at all, I suppose, although I still do too much of that.

I want to walk a lot this summer. To find trails I never knew existed, and photograph as much of the rocky coast as I can. I want to climb mountains and bike roads I used to drive by too quickly to ever really see. I don't want to be important, I want to experience importance in things that don't always display it. Here's hoping.

Currently Emma (Modern Library Classics) By Jane Austen see related

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