Demoralising news break out every day, headlines catching your attention at the newstand as you walk to the bus interchange. From the US stock markets failing, bad economy, Iran Presidential Election scandal (as claimed by the oppositions and their supporters) to rising cases of Influenza A H1N1 cases worldwide, most noticeably and of concern, those in Singapore (reaching a high of 95 cases in a day, defining the final number at 315, this morning). Each day, new news make it worse, even the sun has stopped shining as brightly ... Oh, that's something to rejoice, my apologies =D.
Today, the world takes a new hit. If you haven't already known, the greatest performer, entertainer, singer and dancer (at least to me) has passed away.
The man?
Michael Jackson.
Certainly those who live through 1958 to 2009, old enough to understand pop music, would have at least heard of his name. I believe even those that are yet to see the world will come to know of him some day, as he has, which seemed so easy, got his name written in the history book of ShowBiz.
Throughout his career, he was defamed not once, not twice, but a few times. I do not know all of them, but of them all, the most infamous being his sex-inclined paedophilic fantasy for young boys. When people talk about paedophiles (for example, Barney the Purple Dinosaur), Michael's name will often appear in their minds, and more often being spoken than not.
Humans like us are always too ready to judge, pointing fingers at one another. We have no absolute clue on whether or not he's guilty, yet a single smudge to his name seems to have it highlighted fully with black ink. What seemed a clean piece of paper was damaged by a single dot on it which people focused on, claiming it 'dirty' and 'cannot be used anymore'.
For a period of time, I myself was disgusted by that fact. After a while, when I heard, by chance, his song 'You Are Not Alone', I was reminded of how I used to watch his Music Video clips, admiring his moves, vocals and charisma. In my mind then, without doubt, I have decided to love him as an entertainer, rather than labelling as the man as the media had.
At 50, he had touched many souls, led the pop culture into a new era and given budding artistes a role model to follow in order to succeed in entertainment. Even at 50, his 'to-be' concerts in Europe are sold out, though fans will have no chance of watching him perform again. He left many with fond memories, vivid images of him performing on his stage and songs that people will never forget ... And they will never forget to pass it on too.
To our dearest Michael Jackson:
Your contribution to the music scene was unmatched, for you alone had made it a thriller. No matter you being black or white, a dangerous or bad person, you've been the smoothest criminal in stealing our hearts and souls. You beat it at the right moment, so invincible, especially when you did those moves to Billie Jean - white gloves, fendora, classy jacket, hips-flipping behind the big white screen and slick moon-walking - we fans never get tired of those. Now that you're gone, watching you 'live' is impossible, yet the memories you've left behind will be deeply etched in our hearts. You've rocked our world bad, but we will never get enough of you. Although physically you've left, do remember that you're not alone, as we will continue your legacy to the next generation, and the next and the next =D.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Listening Ears & Sincere Advices
The past few days have been a whole lot of frustration, anger, upset and misunderstanding. I know my continuation of this entry might add fuel to an already fierce fire, but I do need a place where I can express my thoughts, though I have now also a superb companion who will sit and listen to all the words I've got to say, without even saying a word, yet the silence is comforting enough.
Briefly, I was caught up in a written war on MSN and taken aback by words from a friend. I had been harsh then, and I won't deny the fact that I have been a complete bastard in dealing with the situation, saying and doing the wrong things, at coincidental wrong times. Being obstinate, I still do feel there are some areas which I have been right, and I will continue to stand by those; I admit too, that I have dealt with certain issues badly, and being not able to view things from other angles before making comments has just seen me lost the trust and respect, if any, that people have for me.
The mix of emotions, both anger and misery, was at its best. For so long, never have I felt so strongly over something. Looking at my reflection at the end of the day, what I saw was someone selfish, not as understanding as I thought I was, and a man so disgusted with himself that he decided to stare into the black spaces that will never give a tinge of his own reflection.
This, though, is not the gist of this entry. After what had happened, I turned to 3 important people in my life, and all gave me support and advices that made me realise how much more I have to learn in life, and how much room I have for improvement and growth.
Mum. Perhaps someone who will keep you by her side, stand by you all the time, support you through and through, when the only time she threw you out was the time she gave birth to you. Perhaps it's her religion, but whenever she sees fit, she'll share buddhist teachings with me, which are valuable to how you react in life. The wonder of it all is, all these times the words she says, are all different. It only makes me feel so small as a person, that it'll take me more than a lifetime to fully comprehend what life is about. Still, despite her being neutral, she still supports me all the time, and I'm thankful to have a mum like her.
Sister. A person who is always frank with me. She helps me look at things differently and also allows me to express myself freely before she gives advices. Academically, I used to be the one assisting her; Emotionally, she's now teaching me how to handle. Her frankness makes me realise just how selfish and stubborn a person I can be. Honestly speaking, without her, I might still be on fire after that incident. Thanks for your straightforwardness, yet so subtly presented. As an elder brother of yours, you've made me feel doubly blessed to have you and mum all these time. Maybe they should have a World's Sister's Day =D.
Finally, you. I know you are not a person who knows how to comfort people with words, but do you know that what you do have made comfort to me, and the best part is when you don't even say anything at all =D. At times like that when all I need was a channel for me to rant and say what I have to say, you would quietly sit and listen until I finished. Your special trip down just to meet me for lunch was so unexpected and that alone lifted the gloom that shadowed my day before you came. I know from that point on, someone else, other than my family members, really cares. Your presence brings me not only comfort, but also assurance. Assurance that you will be by my side through thick and thin no matter what happens. For that, I feel myself loving you more as the day passes. All I have got to say is, thank you for loving me for who I am. I may not have been the best partner, but I promise to love you with all I've got because you're worth it.
This is as far as my vocabulary can bring me. As for the matter, I wish someday the misunderstanding will clear and we are back to normal self again.
And that's all I've got to say.
Briefly, I was caught up in a written war on MSN and taken aback by words from a friend. I had been harsh then, and I won't deny the fact that I have been a complete bastard in dealing with the situation, saying and doing the wrong things, at coincidental wrong times. Being obstinate, I still do feel there are some areas which I have been right, and I will continue to stand by those; I admit too, that I have dealt with certain issues badly, and being not able to view things from other angles before making comments has just seen me lost the trust and respect, if any, that people have for me.
The mix of emotions, both anger and misery, was at its best. For so long, never have I felt so strongly over something. Looking at my reflection at the end of the day, what I saw was someone selfish, not as understanding as I thought I was, and a man so disgusted with himself that he decided to stare into the black spaces that will never give a tinge of his own reflection.
This, though, is not the gist of this entry. After what had happened, I turned to 3 important people in my life, and all gave me support and advices that made me realise how much more I have to learn in life, and how much room I have for improvement and growth.
Mum. Perhaps someone who will keep you by her side, stand by you all the time, support you through and through, when the only time she threw you out was the time she gave birth to you. Perhaps it's her religion, but whenever she sees fit, she'll share buddhist teachings with me, which are valuable to how you react in life. The wonder of it all is, all these times the words she says, are all different. It only makes me feel so small as a person, that it'll take me more than a lifetime to fully comprehend what life is about. Still, despite her being neutral, she still supports me all the time, and I'm thankful to have a mum like her.
Sister. A person who is always frank with me. She helps me look at things differently and also allows me to express myself freely before she gives advices. Academically, I used to be the one assisting her; Emotionally, she's now teaching me how to handle. Her frankness makes me realise just how selfish and stubborn a person I can be. Honestly speaking, without her, I might still be on fire after that incident. Thanks for your straightforwardness, yet so subtly presented. As an elder brother of yours, you've made me feel doubly blessed to have you and mum all these time. Maybe they should have a World's Sister's Day =D.
Finally, you. I know you are not a person who knows how to comfort people with words, but do you know that what you do have made comfort to me, and the best part is when you don't even say anything at all =D. At times like that when all I need was a channel for me to rant and say what I have to say, you would quietly sit and listen until I finished. Your special trip down just to meet me for lunch was so unexpected and that alone lifted the gloom that shadowed my day before you came. I know from that point on, someone else, other than my family members, really cares. Your presence brings me not only comfort, but also assurance. Assurance that you will be by my side through thick and thin no matter what happens. For that, I feel myself loving you more as the day passes. All I have got to say is, thank you for loving me for who I am. I may not have been the best partner, but I promise to love you with all I've got because you're worth it.
This is as far as my vocabulary can bring me. As for the matter, I wish someday the misunderstanding will clear and we are back to normal self again.
And that's all I've got to say.
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