Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas 2014





This week we put up two Christmas trees for Michael at Forest Lawn.  One is outside in the area the fans have claimed as Michael’s for flowers, cards, etc.   The other one was placed inside Holly Terrace as close to him as possible.

Both trees are very special and hold so much love for Michael.  All the love that was put in to decorating the trees, physically and spiritually combined to make them magic!  The trees were decorated by ornaments from fans from all over the world.

Over the past 5+ years that Michael has been gone, there is a small group of us that visit weekly and we have come to know some of the visitors that come to visit their own loved ones who are buried in Holly Terrace. 

From the beginning, as we do with all who come to visit their loved ones, we say hello.  All will respond back, some warmer than others. There is one particular couple who come every week to visit their child.  They are older and the husband has always been more receptive to us than his wife.  The husband will make small talk but the wife rarely if ever says anything.  She is not as standoffish as she originally was.  This past Sunday as we were finishing up the outside tree and putting up the star, the couple came out from Holly Terrace.  Another fan and I were talking and she was attempting to put up the star but it was too high up. They slowed down to see what we were doing and the wife looks at the situation and she walks right over to the tree and pulls it close to Mone, who was standing on the bench with the star in her hand, looking at the tree  and holds it so she can place the star.  Her husband and I just stood there and smiled.  We thanked them both and wished them a good day.





This year is the first time in the 3 years that we have been doing a Christmas tree for Michael that we were allowed to decorate the tree ourselves.   Rhonda and I worked the whole entire day decorating that tree.  The day was perfect. The weather was perfect.  We worked on the terrace area of the tree.  Not many visitors were going in to Holly Terrace this Christmas Eve.  A few in particular stood out to me.  All of them were older, probably in their 70’s or more. 

The first one was an elderly man who had a little trouble getting up the stairs.  As he approached, I said “hello”.   I could see he struggled a bit and I held my hand out for him to assist him up and he smiled.   I watched him as he walked to the second set of steps and was close by to see if he needed my hand again, but he was okay.   He went inside and when he came out I was walking to get more ornaments.    He said to me, “that’s a lot of work”,  I smiled at him, and said “Yes, these trees and ornaments are from his fans from all over the world”.  He continued to walk and said, “that’s a good thing that you are doing and it’s important”.  I agreed with him and we wished each other a good day and a happy holiday.

Shortly after an elderly couple came up holding hands and went inside.  When they came out the wife said to me , “Everything looks beautiful, Michael would love it!”   That also put a smile on my face as I thanked her and wished them a happy holiday.





Michael’s love continues to grow and spread among and around us.  I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and A Happy Holiday.

Peace

Thursday, November 20, 2014

30 year anniversary of Michael's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame






To so many of us, Michael's star, at 6927 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, California, means so much.  It is quite possibly the only "memorial" we have here in California.  It has his name on it, which is HUGE, we can leave flowers, candles, gifts and letters, and we can get as close as humanly possible to it.  Michael was at this exact spot and he felt the love of his fans all those years ago when this star was dedicated to him. 









For me, it is one of the places I feel closest to Michael.  I personally, go to the star quite often and many times after I touch the star, I will stand back and just watch the people come and go.  Fans wait patiently to have their picture taken with it. Depending on the time of year, some fans hold a vigil at the star and stay for awhile.  Still 5 years after he left us, the pull is still there.  The love and respect in people's voices when they see it and say "Oh, Michael Jackson!" never ceases to bring a smile to my face and warm my heart.  To see all the different ages, both male and female,  who crouch down to get as close as possible in their picture with the star is wonderful. 



30 years ago today, November 20, 1984, Michael Jackson received his 2nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the 1st celebrity to have 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The first to have more than one in the same category. The first star,  with the Jacksons was dedicated September 3, 1980.  The Jacksons star is located at 1500 Vine St.











Michael was presented with star #1793 by mayor, Johnny Grant and Bill Welsh, president of the local chamber of commerce in Hollywood. 6,000 fans came out to see Michael receive his star.  The largest crowd in the history of the event. 

People as far as you can see, cramming in to every inch of available space
















Jermaine, Tito and his boys, Mrs. Jackson join Michael at the podium.






Joseph looks like a proud father as he should be. 





 To this day, Michael's star is one of the most frequently visited on the walk of fame.




Another day, another milestone in the life of Michael Jackson.  As I sit here and write about this date in HIStory, I am in awe, once again, of who Michael was and is. 


Michael was so ahead of his time in everything he did.  A natural leader. Leading with love, an amazing heart and a generous spirit. Proud to be a soldier in his Army of LOVE

 

xxoo

Peace


Thursday, November 13, 2014

'There was a Little Girl' by Brooke Shields ~ New book available Nov. 18



 Brooke Shields has written a new book about her life and loves.  The book, There Was a Little Girl, will be available on November 18.  Included in the book is her friendship with Michael.

 I like Brooke and I will read this book.  I think she has been honest in detailing her relationship with Michael.   When she spoke at his service, she was the  first one who made me cry and then came Paris...




Shields's first major "not at all romantic" relationship was with Jackson. "We loved each other," she says, but only platonically. "We just felt safe with each other."

They met when Brooke was 13 and he was 19. "I didn't want anything from him. We watched movies and ate candy and laughed at the craziness around us… he was like a little kid who asked questions about dating," she recalls. "Nobody was nurturing him through that stuff. He was terrified."

Your comments are welcome and encouraged :) 


https://celebrity.yahoo.com/blogs/celeb-news/brooke-shields-opens-up-about-famous-loves-in-new-book-184520664.html

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

"Childhood" recording leaked

I am not sure how many attended one of Brad Sundberg's In The Studio With MJ this past summer  As I am sure many of you heard, one of the highlights was a video of Michael recording "Childhood" with the Philharmonic.  It was amazing.  The expressions on Michael's face, body movements, and his voice!!! 

Someone recorded  the audio and leaked it on youtube.   The Estate asked Brad not to show the video clip anymore in his seminars.  That clip alone was worth the price of admission.  I could have watched it over and over and over again.  It's really sad that someone did actually tape it and release it on youtube.  Such dishonesty. It is disappointing.

As disappointing as Brad not being able to show the clip anymore.  These clips are what I want to see.  The pure, uncut, untouched Michael.  I am not quite sure why we, the fans,  are being denied these things.  Just like that documentary of the last photo shoot.  Why can't we see it?  It is very frustrating on so many levels.  Hard to understand the reasoning behind it at all.




   Below is Brad's response to finding out that it was leaked.


"A quick word about the leaks, trust and perspective. Thanks to everyone for their concern about someone sneaking a recording device of some sort into my seminar. We do our best to screen all guests, but clearly something snuck through. My request would be that whoever did this would respect my seminar for what it is - a complete package of venue, truth, memories, integrity, hard work, quality electronics, music, laughter, pain, friendship, gathering with fellow fans, etc. A low-quality clip on laptop speakers is a very poor representation of my what seminar offers the guests, particularly in my quest to "introduce" them to the Michael that I knew. I am a very trusting person, and I hope to never lose that trust in people, but this was a bit of sting today. That said, do you want know something "funny" - for lack of a better word? I was visiting Dachau Concentration Camp outside of Munich when my phone started blowing up from friends letting me know about the Childhood leak. Can you imagine the irony of how un-important something like that is in the scope of where I was standing? Life is too short to participate in or stress over something as pointless as a stolen clip from a seminar. I think Andy, Chris, Jay and most MJ fans would identify with that. Thanks again for your concern, friendship and support. The four Europe seminars were an amazing success, and I made so many new friends along the way. I look forward announcing our plans for 2015, and can't wait to see many of you again soon. Have a great night - Brad"Your comments are always welcome.

Peace

Sunday, November 2, 2014

The passing of "D.S"

This morning as I was on my walk, I was thinking about the news of the passing of Tom Sneddon.  I read the obit and the bulk of it was about Michael.  Is that supposed to be all that this person accomplished in life?   The failure to convict an innocent man?  The biggest case of his career and he failed miserably.

  I asked a few of my friends if they knew who he was and none of them had ever heard of him.  Obviously I wasn't asking any Michael Jackson fans.   I was curious to hear the response and it was as I expected.  They had never heard his name before. 

I cannot and will not put out negative energy for this person. It is a fact of life that we all will die and truthfully the only reason his name is in any other papers beyond Santa Barbara is because he is linked with Michael. In one or two days no one will even be commenting on his death nor his life. However 5+ years later, people both fans and non-fans are still commenting on Michael.



That being said, I don't want to waste too much thought, time or energy on this person beyond commenting that he passed and the words to this song in my head.

"He out shock in every single way
He'll stop at nothing just to get his political say
He think he bad cause he's BSTA
I bet he never had a social life anyway
You think he brother with the KKK?
I know his mother never taught him right anyway
He want your vote just to remain TA.
He don't do half what he say"


PEACE



  http://youtu.be/0B7s_jxHXKg?list=RD0B7s_jxHXKg

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Michael's Generosity



With Herb Ritts


"You've been so generous, it makes me want to cry,"
Elizabeth told  Michael Jackson. "I'll never forget it as long as I live."
Michael was not only generous to people in need but also to his friends.  He truly seemed to take great pleasure in doing for others.  


The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation has released never before seen pictures of Elizabeth's wedding to Larry Fortensky.  Elizabeth is gorgeous as ever as is Michael.  The pictures were taken by Herb Ritts who also shot the short film, "In The Closet" as well as the stills.  Enjoy!



It was the eighth – and final – trip Elizabeth would ever make down the aisle.

And now, for the first time, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation has released photos of Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky's lavish 1991 wedding at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch exclusively to PEOPLE.

This inside look commemorates PEOPLE's Oct. 21, 1991, cover story on the biggest and most media-saturated wedding in Hollywood history.

The pictures show Elizabeth dressed in a pale yellow $25,000 Valentino gown  which was a gift from the designer. She is  also seen with her groom, Larry,  and with her close friend,  Michael Jackson, who hosted the wedding for 160 high profile guests on his 2,700-acre Santa Ynez Valley, California, estate.   Elizabeth was  escorted down the aisle  by Jackson and her eldest son, Michael Wilding Jr. and Larry's  best man was Elizabeth's hairdresser, José Eber. 




For the complete story and more pics visit
http://www.people.com/article/elizabeth-taylor-wedding-photos-michael-jackson?xid=socialflow_facebook_peoplemag