What's Up With Justin Bieber?

I am not a fan of Justin Bieber. I am a couple of generations too late for Bieber fan-dom (or is that beliebers?). Now, that said, young Will is a big fan. Whenever Justin Bieber's song "Baby" comes on the TV or the radio or even over the loud speaker system at the mall, he drops everything he is doing and starts bopping away. Is bopping away what almost two-year-olds do?

Anyways, I have noticed that young Mr. Bieber's dance moves have taken on that Michael Jackson-esque crotch-grabbing routine. The photographic evidence would seem to prove that he has a rather frequent need to check that the goods are still there, his boxers are not sitting right, or he has a nasty little "itch" that needs some pretty frequent scratching.

The sad part is that Bieber is still a boy and a role-model of sorts. I am not sure how much of a role model he is to Will, but judging by the number of fans he has, and assuming that they are not all young girls, then there are a few young boys out there that are fans too. So, is the constant crotch-grabbing an image that he needs to promote?

On a slightly different tack. The Justin Bieber story is a real lesson on how to cultivate world-wide appeal and stardom by taking a most unorthodox, at least in my view, through the use of modern technology and social networking. In that sense it is all kudos to the young man and his team of handlers.

I wonder if the crotch-grabbing thing is that Miley Cyrus / Taylor Momsen thing of being a child and trying to cultivate a more adult contemporary image?

Ho hum...

Moonwalking in Wal-Mart...

The video is a mere 9 seconds long and is over before you know it. You will have to, and want to, replay it a number of times.

Very cool! I wish some one had moonwalked in front of me in Woolworths earlier this evening, it would have put a smile on my dial for sure. Feel free to share it round.

Michael Jackson and an Egyptian Statue...

This is kind of cool.

When you first look at the statue after you know what you are looking for, then you find yourself doing a double take and going, "yeah, it does a bit, doesn't it?"

The statue is on display at the Field Museum in Chicago. It has been on display since 1988. The statue depicts an unidentified woman and dates to about 1500 BC. Perhaps this is a sign that Michael Jackson has been reincarnated. After all he did make a music video with a very definite Egyptian theme.

The statue's nose looks like it could do with some work.

The Jackson Three?

The Jackson Three to follow the Jackson Five?

Joe Jackson who had a really poor relationship with his own son, the recently departed King of Pop (aka Michael), has been on television suggesting that Michael Jackson's three children: Prince Michael, Paris, and Prince Michael II (aka Blanket) are already showbiz material with the potential to carry on their father's legacy.

This is troubling to me. These kids were never going to have normal childhoods anyway, but these kind of ramblings by Joe Jackson on Good Morning America are exactly the reason these kids need to be looked after by someone else. This someone has to be someone that has the childrens' best interests at heart rather than some grand plan of their own to exploit these youngsters for all they are worth.

It seems that Paris, at least according to Joe, is already ready to do something in showbiz. It is said that Blanket can dance. And, that Prince Michael is already lining up a virtual duet with his dad in the Natalie Cole / Nat King Cole way.

This is not the only rumour doing the rounds. It is thought that the children are going to do a special birthday concert to honour their dad on what would have been his 51st birthday.

I just hope that someone sees the light. These kids need to be given every opportunity to have a life that is as normal as can be. I hope that they are not robbed of their childhoods like their father was.

Michael Jackson -- No Rest in Peace, Yet...

How messy is the carve up of the legacy of Michael Jackson going to be?

News starting to circulate includes a leaked autopsy report that suggests Jackson was nothing more than a skeleton whose stomach contents contained nothing more than pills. The rest of the autopsy report suggests that Jackson was bald, his body was riddled with needle marks from painkilling injections, and that his body bore the scars of at least 13 cosmetic operations.

The past few days have also seen Jackson's former wife, Deborah Rowe, and at one time mother of his children, Prince and Paris, come out with a statement that the children are not even his. The story being that she was artificially inseminated by an unknown donor.

You have to feel for the kids.

This is undoubtedly just the tip of the iceberg.

Manohara Odelia Pinot -- Part XI --The Kelantan Palace Comments

The Kelantan Palace has finally issued an official comment to Bernama that the marriage problems and legal issues surrounding the marriage of Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry and Manohara Odelia Pinot (photo) are personal matters.

This is indeed true. Nevertheless, the are also public matters. The physical abuse of a spouse is not a personal matter, but a criminal one. It is also fair to say that there is little doubt that there are some ramifications for the palace if there is an investigation going forward because the prince is not the only one named in the criminal complaint.

This case has certainly faded from the public consciousness, I guess the death of Michael Jackson will do that, however the issues still remain unresolved.

Oh well, life goes on for the rest of us.

Michael Jackson -- A Music and Cultural Icon

There is little doubt, at least in my mind, that Michael Jackson was a musical genius. His eccentricities must not detract from this genius. There might always be question marks about some of his personal decisions and the manner in which he lived his life, but talent is talent and that deserves to be recognized.

I attach a video of the Michael Jackson singing one of his signature songs, The Man in the Mirror. If there was any need to see why there has been such an outpouring of grief the world over, then this is it. Just sitting back and watching the behaviour and reactions of the fans that attended his concerts sometimes beggars belief.

I liked the music. It was something that I grew up with and something that will be part of me forever. I think we all have songs that we claim ownership over in the sense that this one particular song coincides with a defining or important moment in making us who we are or pushes us in a particular direction, something that touches our innermost soul and being.

The Man in the Mirror is a song that does this for me.

Enjoy.

Michael Jackson RIP

This is a story of talent, triumph, tragedy, and potential.

The death of Michael Jackson at 50 is tragic. It brings to end an unbelievable music career. The man was not without his detractors and not without controversy. However, he has created a legacy that will endure long after his untimely death.

May you find a peace in death that you never seemed to truly find in life.

Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009) Rest in Peace.

Prejudice is Ignorance

I am not sure whether this is an original Michael Jackson quote. However, after Googling it, it seems that it is generally attributed to him.

A title such as this lends itself to a good rant and vent against the ills afflicting this world. It also lends itself to some introspection and reflection on what we have been, what we are, and what we hope to be.

Whether I am remembered at the end of time is immaterial and unimportant to me in the big scheme of things. If I can exit stage left at the end of my life time knowing that I have made a difference in some one's life then I depart this world a success.

I guess this is why I enjoy teaching. Teachers shape the future. Teaching is probably the most influential job in the world after being a parent, as teachers will shape the young minds of the next generation. I reckon that everyone when they think about it can name a teacher that has impacted on their lives in a significant way.

However, this is a post about reflecting on one's self (and perhaps about Michael Jackson) and making changes. Thanks to You Tube I have been able to spend a considerable amount of time watching and listening to Michael Jackson videos. One of my favourite songs is "Man in the Mirror" as it challenges us to understand that changes must first happen with us before we can hope to see change in others.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change