Heartwrenching
I don't care what you thought or how you felt about Michael Jackson, this moment at the end of his memorial service should have been like a kick to the stomach.
We only saw and knew a very, very small part of Michael, but we have to remember that there are 3 children who are going through an emotional nighmare right now. Losing a parent is heartbreaking at any age, but to have it happen so young--and under this kind of media attention--is unfathomable. I don't know what's to become of these three children, but I predict we'll see a lot more of them. Much as William and Harry carried on their mother's legacy, I think Michael ingrained something into his kids that they will carry with them, and share, for the rest of their lives.
So to those 3 children, especially this brave little girl who stood in front of a worldwide audience of who knows how many million, to share her love for her father: you have many thoughts and prayers with you. And know that you made, and will continue to make, your father very proud.
(Yeah, I know, I don't usually get so serious and sappy on here. But this moment truly touched me, and I wanted to talk about it.)
Showing posts with label celebrities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrities. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
That's just WEIRD
So by now, we know that we lost Michael Jackson today. However, I have a slightly different view, if you will, on the days' events.
Liz and I were down at the hotel bar this evening, having a glass of wine (shocking, I know). We were talking about Farrah Fawcett, and since Ed McMahon also died this week, I mentioned to her that my mom often says that celebrity deaths happen in threes (many people say "bad things happen in threes," but for Mom, it's just celebrities). "So watch," I said at about 5 pm today. "Someone else relatively famous is going to die in the next couple of days."
"Oh, that's ridiculous," Liz said. "And anyway, it depends on your definition of 'celebrity.' I'm sure if you look hard enough, then SURE, you'll be able to find someone that SOMEONE has heard of who dies in the near fiuture."
TEN MINUTES LATER, on the flat screen TV directly in front of us: Michael Jackson has been taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest.
We just looked at each other.
I opened my mouth.
"Shut up," she said. "First of all, it's cardiac arrest. He's not dead YET. And second, that's just an incredibly weird coincidence."
Thirty minutes later: The King of Pop is pronounced dead.
"Okay," she said. "That's pretty f*ckin' weird, I give you that."
And you know what, HE was pretty f*ckin' weird, especially in the last part of his life. But he was also a true iconic legend. And watching it on the news was just SURREAL. Michael Jackson, dead? And out of nowhere like that?
That glass of wine, by the way, turned into several. The bar was packed, but it was silent. Everyone was just glued to the TV. For me, it's like Princess Di or the Challenger disaster: I'll always remember where I was when I heard the news.
And for once, I don't even have a smartass comment to make.
(Well, except: at least we don't have to hear about Jon and f*cking Kate anymore.)
So by now, we know that we lost Michael Jackson today. However, I have a slightly different view, if you will, on the days' events.
Liz and I were down at the hotel bar this evening, having a glass of wine (shocking, I know). We were talking about Farrah Fawcett, and since Ed McMahon also died this week, I mentioned to her that my mom often says that celebrity deaths happen in threes (many people say "bad things happen in threes," but for Mom, it's just celebrities). "So watch," I said at about 5 pm today. "Someone else relatively famous is going to die in the next couple of days."
"Oh, that's ridiculous," Liz said. "And anyway, it depends on your definition of 'celebrity.' I'm sure if you look hard enough, then SURE, you'll be able to find someone that SOMEONE has heard of who dies in the near fiuture."
TEN MINUTES LATER, on the flat screen TV directly in front of us: Michael Jackson has been taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest.
We just looked at each other.
I opened my mouth.
"Shut up," she said. "First of all, it's cardiac arrest. He's not dead YET. And second, that's just an incredibly weird coincidence."
Thirty minutes later: The King of Pop is pronounced dead.
"Okay," she said. "That's pretty f*ckin' weird, I give you that."
And you know what, HE was pretty f*ckin' weird, especially in the last part of his life. But he was also a true iconic legend. And watching it on the news was just SURREAL. Michael Jackson, dead? And out of nowhere like that?
That glass of wine, by the way, turned into several. The bar was packed, but it was silent. Everyone was just glued to the TV. For me, it's like Princess Di or the Challenger disaster: I'll always remember where I was when I heard the news.
And for once, I don't even have a smartass comment to make.
(Well, except: at least we don't have to hear about Jon and f*cking Kate anymore.)
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
For the record
I love me some Britney Spears. I always have. And I remember, when she first started acting weird (shaving her head and stuff), I turned to my mom and announced, with absolute certainty, "She's bipolar." This was after I had finally sucked it up and started treatmnet but before she was officially diagnosed, mind you--and sure enough, a few months after that, the news of her diagnosis hit the press.
Now, she has a documentary out called "For the Record" that's been playing on MTV. I have to tell you, I know that a lot of people might think it's cheesy, but watching it makes me cry. I can absolutely relate to her. You see the Britney when she's genuinely happy; the Britney when she just puts on a "happy face" so that people won't see how badly she's struggling and drowning and feeling alone but God forbid you let people actually SEE it; and the Britney when she finally gives up pretending because she's SO far down and she can't keep up the facade anymore and it feels like looking up from the bottom of a pit and the light is so distant that it seems like you'll never see it again.
And even though some people may watch this and roll their eyes and write her off as another spoiled, rich celebrity, I have to tell you that it was actually hard for me to watch this documentary. Because even though the word "bipolar" never comes up, she does talk about "going from one extreme to the next," and that "the cool part is SO cool, and even though the heaven part is like HEAVEN, I've been to both places." To which I say: Amen, my crazy sista! And while I do think that yes, as it becomes more socially acceptable, the "bipolar" label is going to become overused, much as the "ADD" label has been slapped on every kid in schools today who doesn't want to sit still and listen. As I often say--and I saw this on a tshirt once--"I was bipolar before it was cool." Because even though those closest to me accepted the diagnosis--hell, WELCOMED it--and loved me anyway, there was (is) still a definite stigma out there about BP.
And that's the thing: pretty soon, you'll be able to announce that you're bipolar and people will look at you like, "Yeah, who isn't?" without even batting an eyelash. But it isn't going to take people like me coming out of the BP closet to change the status quo. It's going to take those in the public eye to step up and admit to the diagnosis for it to become more mainstream and accepted.
So....yeah. It bothers me that even now, in this documentary, she doesn't come out and use the dreaded "b" word. But there's a select group of us out there who truly understand what she's talking about when she says that these days, she no longer feels like her life is out of control. In fact, she says, "it's too IN control. There's no passion anymore, there's no excitement." Roll your eyes all you want to, but if that doesn't express how it feels to go from a hypermanic state to being on the very medication that is supposed to "fix" you and, instead, takes so much of the joy and creativity and happiness OUT of your life, then I don't know what does.
I can go through this entire documentary and point out each and every line that is a veiled reference to bipolar disorder. Am I reading too much into it? Am I looking for shit that isn't really there? Is she, when it comes down to it, just another spoiled, messed-up celeb? Sure, there are people out there--maybe even some of you--who think so.
But then again, being bipolar is something that you can't possibly understand from the outside looking in.
I love me some Britney Spears. I always have. And I remember, when she first started acting weird (shaving her head and stuff), I turned to my mom and announced, with absolute certainty, "She's bipolar." This was after I had finally sucked it up and started treatmnet but before she was officially diagnosed, mind you--and sure enough, a few months after that, the news of her diagnosis hit the press.
Now, she has a documentary out called "For the Record" that's been playing on MTV. I have to tell you, I know that a lot of people might think it's cheesy, but watching it makes me cry. I can absolutely relate to her. You see the Britney when she's genuinely happy; the Britney when she just puts on a "happy face" so that people won't see how badly she's struggling and drowning and feeling alone but God forbid you let people actually SEE it; and the Britney when she finally gives up pretending because she's SO far down and she can't keep up the facade anymore and it feels like looking up from the bottom of a pit and the light is so distant that it seems like you'll never see it again.
And even though some people may watch this and roll their eyes and write her off as another spoiled, rich celebrity, I have to tell you that it was actually hard for me to watch this documentary. Because even though the word "bipolar" never comes up, she does talk about "going from one extreme to the next," and that "the cool part is SO cool, and even though the heaven part is like HEAVEN, I've been to both places." To which I say: Amen, my crazy sista! And while I do think that yes, as it becomes more socially acceptable, the "bipolar" label is going to become overused, much as the "ADD" label has been slapped on every kid in schools today who doesn't want to sit still and listen. As I often say--and I saw this on a tshirt once--"I was bipolar before it was cool." Because even though those closest to me accepted the diagnosis--hell, WELCOMED it--and loved me anyway, there was (is) still a definite stigma out there about BP.
And that's the thing: pretty soon, you'll be able to announce that you're bipolar and people will look at you like, "Yeah, who isn't?" without even batting an eyelash. But it isn't going to take people like me coming out of the BP closet to change the status quo. It's going to take those in the public eye to step up and admit to the diagnosis for it to become more mainstream and accepted.
So....yeah. It bothers me that even now, in this documentary, she doesn't come out and use the dreaded "b" word. But there's a select group of us out there who truly understand what she's talking about when she says that these days, she no longer feels like her life is out of control. In fact, she says, "it's too IN control. There's no passion anymore, there's no excitement." Roll your eyes all you want to, but if that doesn't express how it feels to go from a hypermanic state to being on the very medication that is supposed to "fix" you and, instead, takes so much of the joy and creativity and happiness OUT of your life, then I don't know what does.
I can go through this entire documentary and point out each and every line that is a veiled reference to bipolar disorder. Am I reading too much into it? Am I looking for shit that isn't really there? Is she, when it comes down to it, just another spoiled, messed-up celeb? Sure, there are people out there--maybe even some of you--who think so.
But then again, being bipolar is something that you can't possibly understand from the outside looking in.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Jennifer Hudson
I've been following (as I'm sure a lot of you have), horrified, the tragedy that has struck her family. It was bad enough when I read that her mom had been murdered. Then when news broke that the "male" victim who had been discovered along with her mother was actually her BROTHER, the horror deepened. Along with all of that, we found out that her nephew was missing--which is enough of a blow by itself. But then, when his body was found yesterday....I don't even have the words.
Can you imagine losing a parent, sibling AND nephew all in one fell swoop, especially to those causes? I mean, a car accident, for example, would have been a nightmare, to be sure. But to have that many family members MURDERED--and a child to boot--good God. It's incomprehensible.
I just read this today in one of the news articles:
"Hudson said, "Yes, that's him," when she was shown the face of Julian King on a wall-mounted video screen. She entered the room with her head bowed but "remained strong for her family," said the spokesman. "It was very clear that she was the leader. She held hands with her family. It was obviously a very emotional moment." "
Jesus. After everything she'd already gone through...I can only speculate that at that point, she was simply numb, beaten down. At a certain point, I think, your mind and your heart just kind of shut down, if only to spare you that additional pain. I wouldn't be surprised if she were to get through the funerals and grieving with very little outside emotion--only to break down in the weeks and months to come, as it slowly begins to sink in. The enormity of it, I don't think, can even be grasped. It's like a nightmare from which you never wake up. How can one person even take in that kind of suffering all at once?
If this isn't an example of "money doesn't buy you happiness," then I don't know what is. It's also a glaring reminder that tragedy can strike anyone, at any time. So be grateful for every day, and appreciate those around you.
I've been following (as I'm sure a lot of you have), horrified, the tragedy that has struck her family. It was bad enough when I read that her mom had been murdered. Then when news broke that the "male" victim who had been discovered along with her mother was actually her BROTHER, the horror deepened. Along with all of that, we found out that her nephew was missing--which is enough of a blow by itself. But then, when his body was found yesterday....I don't even have the words.
Can you imagine losing a parent, sibling AND nephew all in one fell swoop, especially to those causes? I mean, a car accident, for example, would have been a nightmare, to be sure. But to have that many family members MURDERED--and a child to boot--good God. It's incomprehensible.
I just read this today in one of the news articles:
"Hudson said, "Yes, that's him," when she was shown the face of Julian King on a wall-mounted video screen. She entered the room with her head bowed but "remained strong for her family," said the spokesman. "It was very clear that she was the leader. She held hands with her family. It was obviously a very emotional moment." "
Jesus. After everything she'd already gone through...I can only speculate that at that point, she was simply numb, beaten down. At a certain point, I think, your mind and your heart just kind of shut down, if only to spare you that additional pain. I wouldn't be surprised if she were to get through the funerals and grieving with very little outside emotion--only to break down in the weeks and months to come, as it slowly begins to sink in. The enormity of it, I don't think, can even be grasped. It's like a nightmare from which you never wake up. How can one person even take in that kind of suffering all at once?
If this isn't an example of "money doesn't buy you happiness," then I don't know what is. It's also a glaring reminder that tragedy can strike anyone, at any time. So be grateful for every day, and appreciate those around you.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Celebrity baby names
Amy Poehler from SNL had her baby yesterday.
She named it (him) ARCHIE.
That's it. Celebrities are officially no longer allowed to name their own kids.* I mean, you expect weird shit out of certain celebs (Gwenyth Paltrow, anyone?), but when someone like Amy Poehler suddenly loses her damn mind, drastic action needs to be taken.
* (No offense to the many Archies out there who undoubtedly read this blog.)
Amy Poehler from SNL had her baby yesterday.
She named it (him) ARCHIE.
That's it. Celebrities are officially no longer allowed to name their own kids.* I mean, you expect weird shit out of certain celebs (Gwenyth Paltrow, anyone?), but when someone like Amy Poehler suddenly loses her damn mind, drastic action needs to be taken.
* (No offense to the many Archies out there who undoubtedly read this blog.)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Shocking entertainment news
Sigfried and Roy have publicly announced that they're gay, per the National Enquirer.
I'm sorry. Did those two REALLY think that they've been in the proverbial closet this whole time? They're so flamboyantly gay, I thought they WERE out. I mean, come on--was there really ever any question?
This is a story that even the ENQUIRER can't get wrong. What's next: "Magic Johnson admits he's slept around"? Or "Lohan: 'Yes, I'm a crack head.' " Or even "Britney acknowledges 'some bad parenting choices' ".
(I could keep going all night, really.)
Sigfried and Roy have publicly announced that they're gay, per the National Enquirer.
I'm sorry. Did those two REALLY think that they've been in the proverbial closet this whole time? They're so flamboyantly gay, I thought they WERE out. I mean, come on--was there really ever any question?
This is a story that even the ENQUIRER can't get wrong. What's next: "Magic Johnson admits he's slept around"? Or "Lohan: 'Yes, I'm a crack head.' " Or even "Britney acknowledges 'some bad parenting choices' ".
(I could keep going all night, really.)
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Doing much better
Well, I'm over the worst of my heartbreak blues. Many conversations with those wiser than me have helped me to see that I'm truly better off. I may not be easy to be with sometimes (and the award for Understatement of the Year goes to...ME!!!), but there IS someone out there who will stand by me and who will love me BECAUSE of my flaws, not in spite of them. As much as I loved Dave, he was never really great or even dependable during the hard times (although the good times were REALLY good), and I'm looking for someone that I can lean on during all of it, good AND bad.
On an unrelated note: Star Jones is now admitting that she had gastric bypass. First of all--no SHIT. How else is someone going to lose like 300 lbs in a week? Secondly--does anyone really care? Seriously? Seems like *someone* can't handle being out of the spotlight for too long.
Well, I'm over the worst of my heartbreak blues. Many conversations with those wiser than me have helped me to see that I'm truly better off. I may not be easy to be with sometimes (and the award for Understatement of the Year goes to...ME!!!), but there IS someone out there who will stand by me and who will love me BECAUSE of my flaws, not in spite of them. As much as I loved Dave, he was never really great or even dependable during the hard times (although the good times were REALLY good), and I'm looking for someone that I can lean on during all of it, good AND bad.
On an unrelated note: Star Jones is now admitting that she had gastric bypass. First of all--no SHIT. How else is someone going to lose like 300 lbs in a week? Secondly--does anyone really care? Seriously? Seems like *someone* can't handle being out of the spotlight for too long.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)