Makeda

A poignant piece on Michael by Andrew Sullivan

This made me weep so hard for Michael - for who he was as a child, when he had no choice.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/thinking-about-michael.html

Crosspost: Hotter than Hell (In Memoriam): Michael Jackson

Hotter than Hell (In Memoriam): Michael Jackson

 

There is no way in the world that I could pick anybody else this week.

Silly as it sounds, Michael Jackson was the first man outside my family that I ever loved.  Every milestone that I can think of in my life is punctuated with Michael's music and his presence.  The first bedroom that I remember was yellow and white to match that poster.  I had that poster in my room - my brother scrawled on it with green crayon and I almost died.  That room was wallpapered in Michael Jackson pictures from magazines and newspapers and posters my family brought me from any and everywhere.

The first piece of mail I ever got with my name on it (I was 6 years old), was a Michael Jackson postcard that my Aunt Pat sent me from London.

 

I can remember when he bust out the moonwalk, man.  He glided across that stage like he had no bones.  When "Thriller" debuted, my dad videotaped it and "The Making of Thriller" so that I could have it for posterity.

 

My husband and I danced to "Lady in My Life" at our wedding reception.  It was the first song I ever sang to my daughter.

 

I always felt that, one day in my life, I would be able to see Michael live on stage.  I thought I would get the chance to see this genius live.  But it was not to be.  I am so sad for myself today.  So sad that I never got to experience this icon.

 

Say or think what you want about him, but the fact is that there are so, so many whose careers would not exist without him.  Omarion, Usher, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Justin Timberlake ... none of them are fit to fill his pennyloafers.  They have spent their lives trying to be him.  Hell, his sister has spent her life trying to be him.

I just don't know what to say, what to do, what to think.  I feel like every shred of my childhood died with him.  I have been crying off and on for hours.  We lost the musical icon of my life ... of our lives. 

 

Michael, you have ruined me for all other men.  None will ever be you, though many have tried and failed.  You rocked my world, you know you did.

 

I have forever and will always be a fan.

 

There is no way in the world that I could pick anybody else this week.

Silly as it sounds, Michael Jackson was the first man outside my family that I ever loved.  Every milestone that I can think of in my life is punctuated with Michael's music and his presence.  The first bedroom that I remember was yellow and white to match that poster.  I had that poster in my room - my brother scrawled on it with green crayon and I almost died.  That room was wallpapered in Michael Jackson pictures from magazines and newspapers and posters my family brought me from any and everywhere.

The first piece of mail I ever got with my name on it (I was 6 years old), was a Michael Jackson postcard that my Aunt Pat sent me from London.

 

I can remember when he bust out the moonwalk, man.  He glided across that stage like he had no bones.  When "Thriller" debuted, my dad videotaped it and "The Making of Thriller" so that I could have it for posterity.

 

My husband and I danced to "Lady in My Life" at our wedding reception.  It was the first song I ever sang to my daughter.

 

I always felt that, one day in my life, I would be able to see Michael live on stage.  I thought I would get the chance to see this genius live.  But it was not to be.  I am so sad for myself today.  So sad that I never got to experience this icon.

 

Say or think what you want about him, but the fact is that there are so, so many whose careers would not exist without him.  Omarion, Usher, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Justin Timberlake ... none of them are fit to fill his pennyloafers.  They have spent their lives trying to be him.  Hell, his sister has spent her life trying to be him.

I just don't know what to say, what to do, what to think.  I feel like every shred of my childhood died with him.  I have been crying off and on for hours.  We lost the musical icon of my life ... of our lives. 

 

Michael, you have ruined me for all other men.  None will ever be you, though many have tried and failed.  You rocked my world, you know you did.

 

I have forever and will always be a fan.

Happy Juneteenth!

 

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine and DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie M. Rollins issued the following statement commemorating Juneteenth:

"On this day in 1865, emancipation finally made it west, freeing the last slaves in Texas.  So tdoay, we commemorate the end of slavery in America and honor all those throughout our history who have fought for freedom, equality and justice by celebrating Juneteenth.

As we take time to honor this occasion, we also stop to consider the remarkable path African Americans have forged, from slavery to the White House.  With teh first African American President of the United States, we usher in an era of endless opportunity.  A new generation of Americans will be raised with no limits to their dreams - something their predecessors, who fought for equality as slaves in the fields of Texas and Freedom Riders in the streets of Alabama, may have never been able to imagine.

But while we have come a long way, we still have further to go.  We at the DNC join President Obama and the African American community in the fight to ensure equality in education, employment, and health care for all Americans."

I got it!

 

The Rolling Stone featuring the article with ADAM.  It will be devoured with my lunch!

One of the most fun dance experiences of my life! (And an early "Happy Birthday to me!")

So, y'all, now that American Idol is off the air, I will be posting more and more dance-oriented stuff (as well as all the other assorted foolishness that floats through my noggin).  Get used to seeing more stuff about bellydance and my relation to it and please feel free to chime in - whether you dance or not!

To wit: This past Sunday, there was a show called "ReOrient", put on by three local dancers.  The show was designed to give professional dancers an opportunity to find a piece of artwork that inspired them and then choreograph a dance surrounding it.  Such a great premise and a thoroughly enjoyable show - well, at least the second half was - I didn't get to see the first half, as we were in it, but I'm assuming the first half was great, too!

Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?

I swear he says this stuff just to mess with me:

"I wouldn't ever give myself the label bisexual, but bi-ciurous, yeah. I've been known to make out with girls from time to time. Couple drinks involved, you know, it's fun. And who knows, maybe it'll go further someday, I dunno. Who's the lucky woman..." - Adam Lambert

Will T.I. pose nude for PETA?

On my other blog, I named T.I. as my "Hotter than Hell" pick a few weeks ago.  Now I hear PETA has asked him to drop trou for their "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" initiative.  Will he do it?  And, if so, please know that I WILL be purchasing sundry magazines featuring the ad.

ADAM on the new issue of Rolling Stone!

This picture is the business!

"So You Think You Can Dance" reminds me why I love dance

Did y'all watch So You Think You Can Dance last night?  Really, most of the auditions were horrible - God, why does that "Sex" guy even exist - but there were a couple moments in there that brought tears to my eyes, particularly the segment with Adam Shankman and the lindy hopper.  Okay, she wasn't a professional level dancer and so not right for the competition, but I thought it was lovely that the judges recognized how much this woman loves dance and how fun and infectious her personality was onstage.  And when Adam got up onstage and danced with her?  Well, I was all verklempt and also grinning like a fool.  That's what dance is all about, people.  Yes, it's a serious art that should be taken seriously.  But it's also a leisure time pursuit, something done for fun and enjoyment, a celebration.  The joy radiating from that lady's face as she was whipped around and dipped was so marvelous to see.  It reminded me why I love dance so much.  I will never be a "bellydance superstar", but I feel so right in a dance class or onstage.  I love to share what I've found in dance with my audience.  I love that when I dance I feel empowered and free and graceful.  And damnit, it's just so much FUN, even when I'm being all "serious bellydance artist".  That's what dance is about for me.  I'd much rather watch a dancer who shines with joy but might not be the best technician than a dancer with excellent technique who dances as if she's bored to tears.

Wow, a dance-related post! What do you shimmy drill to?

When you feel like getting yourself in the dancing mood, what do you dance to?  What do you use for a shimmy drill?

If I just need to put myself into the mood for dancing, I play "Tahtil Shibbak."  But for shimmy drills?  "Walk It Out (Remix)".  You?