Memories of Michael

To be quite honest, I thought it could easily be a publicity stunt - Michael Jackson dying of cardiac arrest. Yeah, right. Thinking that he would die of a heart attack, just before a major tour, seemed so convenient. But, to my surprise, he is in fact gone. Wow.

He was, and goes without saying, a true icon. Most icons are dead before recognized as icons, but Michael was one through the majority of his life. Now that he's gone, he will still be remembered as an important figure in the music and entertainment world.

MJ's Thriller was my first album/cassette tape. I think my second was Janet Jackson ironically. I remember in first grade Barry Danks, a fellow classmate, did a Michael Jackson break dance performance. I was always too shy to perform in front of others but remember practicing break dancing at home alone in my room - ha! And I can't forget how excited my childhood friend Derek and I got when he'd performed on the Grammy's (see video), with his shiny silver glove and socks. My parents had a video tape of the music video and the making of Thriller, and we were obsessed with it, watching it over and over, getting scared (yes, we were scared, but young enough to be scared) every time he'd turn around from being MJ into a zombie.

In retrospect, he was always strange, even before all his plastic surgery and child molestation accusations. After all, what was with all that grunting, squeaking, and grabbing of the crotch? Seems he had a lot of issues being in the limelight all his life. The Barbara Walters interview where he talks about how the paparazzi should recognize that he too has a heart seemed to illustrate how aggravated he was just being who he was, and being in general. I guess I can't blame him for being as strange as he was. I can't say I'd be 'normal' either if I was globally recognized like MJ.

Every generation or several years there seem to be a few people that really innovate and become recognized for being so good at what they do. Michael Jackson was one of them. There's no denying he was talented. I don't know of any person that didn't appreciate something about Michael Jackson's entertainment or songs. He will be missed by many.

Sexy McDonald's

I've never been so horny for hamburgers...

Does sex really sell - even when it comes to hamburgers??

Must See Food Inc.!

A couple weeks ago, before it's official release, Jeff and I went to see the premiere of the new film Food, Inc. This also meant that we were fortunate to have Eric Schlosser, writer of Fast Food Nation, and the director Robert Kenner there for Q & A afterwards.

I cannot encourage you enough to go see this film! Food, Inc. does a wonderful job of hitting on some of the essential topics about food in the modern world. I've seen several food documentaries, and Food, Inc. seems to wrap all of the major elements hit in the other films into a nice little package. I'm so excited that the topic of the food industry is hitting a mainstream audience. I think it's really important for people to know where our food comes from, how it is produced, sold, and how it effects so many things from our health to our pocket books, to animals, to the everyday farmer, and to the environment.

On a side note, I'd like to suggest some other films and books that touch on food (click on the titles for trailers or more info)...

The Future of Food (film)- It was the first film I saw about food and it really opened my eyes.

Fast Food Nation (film & book)- Eric Schlosser wrote the book and a film was made about it.

The Omnivore's Dilemma (book)- So, I admit I haven't read this, but Jeff has told me all about it. The author Michael Pollen also debuts in Food, Inc.

King Corn (film)- Speaks about the effects of the corn industry. It's taking over the world! :)

Supersize Me (film)- This film is a little over the top, but it's fun and touches on the obvious fact that fast food is not healthy.

Obama, My Hero - JibJab

This is great! Love JibJab.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Lustre Pearl

A couple weeks ago, some friends and I met up for a happy hour at this great new place called Lustre Pearl. It's a little house turned bar, located just behind the IHOP downtown near the west side of the I-35 frontage road. While we were visiting outside in the 'backyard' of Lustre Pearl a man stood outside the gate and drew us. Joseph was kind enough to buy the sketch, and then scan it to share with the rest of us. The artist did a great job! Clockwise starting at the left, you can see myself, Sandy, Joseph and Paula. Kara joined us later, but unfortunately wasn't there in time to be in the drawing.

Accessories I'd Love to Have!

I just found some really cute stuff online. I found this adorable knit purse and necklace from the Knit Knit shop on etsy. And check out this necklace from Minimosaic where the tile image inside is interchangeable! So cute that I had to share!