I've got a patio. Dudes tore the hell out of my yard to get to it, though. Not sure how I'll fix that up. My bad for not just doing this when the house was built. But once the concrete dries and it's useful, that'll be a good thing. Cookouts! Tiki torches! Chairs!
Michael Jackson died, apparently. Adding his name to the list of people who have died over the past couple of days (people say bad things happen in threes...I say that's just when they stop counting) about which I really don't care in the least. I mean, death. Yeah, it's sad. I feel bad for the people close to them (although, to be honest, I've always felt bad for the people close to Michael Jackson). I'm saddened he won't get the chance for his comeback, because as much as I really didn't at all like Michael Jackson's music, I'm pleased when people who are shit upon by the press are able to redeem themselves. In the battle of celebrity vs. media, I almost always side with celebrity.
But I do find the outpouring of emotion a bit unsettling, considering the molestation charges and the fact that he named his kid Blanket. So, at these times, people are remembering Michael for what he accomplished and how his music made them feel (although I was never a fan, even at 12 years old I wasn't blind to the level of excitement he brought to the music industry). That all makes sense, but I can't help but be reminded of the emotional outpouring over Richard Nixon's death.
A topic for a future blog? The celebrity deaths that impacted me most are Owen Hart and Robert Palmer. Until then...
Life's pushing for field goal range, but the receiver catches the ball out of bounds.
Life's ball: 2nd and 10 on its own 36.
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I don't think the outpouring has remotely gotten started.
ReplyDeleteI might not have a thought that goes much beyond this, but Elvis is a pretty good parallel. When Elvis died he wasn't Elvis anymore; he was a national punchline, all jumpsuits and sideburns and sandwiches. His immediate circumstance mattered more than his life in context. When he died, he got to be young Elvis again (actually, he got to not be a person at all, more like Santa Claus)
Michael Jackson's been more freak than icon since 1993 - but as the years pass, he'll get to have 1970-1992 back, he'll transcend his current cultural circumstance. It will be more comeback than any crappy concert tour. He'll get to be a myth.
I'll be writing this same thing in my place when I get time. The football game gets a preview.
Just a few seconds left in the first half, the front bumper to my car is cracked, I'm gonna take it to the shop Tuesday, probably the repair price will dictate the end of half scoring. For now, Life hits a quick sideline pass to stop the clock. Second and 4 from my 9.
Elvis is still a punchline, though. Hell, we've used him as a punchline. We've used Michael Jackson as a punchline, and will continue to do so. I'm not pulling the Neverland joke from Spoons.
ReplyDeleteThe difference is Elvis isn't just a punchline.
ReplyDeleteElvis is a punchline to us, but the people who go to Graceland every year don't see him like that.
You ask people who the King of Rock and Roll is, they say Elvis. And not ironically.
My take on the Graceland folk is that they don't see Elvis as young Elvis, though...they see him as the King, and that it doesn't matter what Elvis you're talking about. Leather and thin, jumpsuits and fat, doesn't matter. He's the King.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to see if the M.J. followers do the same. Total acceptance, because he's the King of Pop, instead of just ignoring all the baby dangling.
Yes. Eventually, yes. Priscilla moved in with Elvis when she was 14. Elvis fucked everyone, took every drug, and was totally irrelevant on every level when he died.
ReplyDeleteDeath gave him back to his fans. Same thing will happen here.