Even in death Michael united the planet. That proves who the Baddest is and will ever be. He shared 40 years of his life with us. He defined icon. His brand ranks next to Jesus as a globally recognizable figure; a class that includes Santa Claus...
Michael Jackson was a gift from God. I consider it a blessing to live during the reign of the King of Popular who encouraged me to look at myself, love deeply, and care for those forgotten about or without voice. He was childlike. He was a witness for Jehovah.
He was the child star who grew into an international obsession. He awakened our desires to stare at a train wreck. He gave the world uncompromising vision that I compare to humanitarians like Gandhi or Mother Theresa. By consolidating the elements of human entertainment: song, dance, acting, appeal, and "faint factor," Michael was inhuman while he walked (backwards) on this earth. His unexpected departure came at a time when underground apparition Jay Electronica was one of few modern entertainers to express sympathy to Michael's mercurial lifestyle.
I believe Michael's actions, though controversial, were right for Michael. Not even the brightest of stars possessed the tear-jerking draw of Michael Jackson... and his death and the international outcry that followed was pure testament that through his God-given talents, his purpose was to connect us. To manifest a harmonic, gyrating, and soul stirring ether that had no boundaries. And he was the vessel chosen by our Creator to deliver powerful messages that crossed generational, ethnic, and musical expectations.
On June 25, 2009, I stood in my parent's driveway, anticipating my own birthday a few minutes later on the 26th. "Human Nature" majestically flowed from my ipod headphones. As the emotional song sparkled in my conscious mind, I had a moment where I acknowledged the global anguish and triumph of our greatest performer's final curtain call.
He had 50 shows in London that were to be his last. Imagine the dollar signs lodged in the eyes of many who wanted their piece of the action. He was an exploited genius. He lived to see his own brand become one of the most recognizable on the planet.
his music stands as an immeasurable contribution to contemporary Black entertainment laced with heart breaking controversy. He brought America's color divide to a song where each could be proud to feel. His smile arose from the most genuine parts of the human experience. His voice gushed with candy and gold.
"sing a simple melody, that's how easy love can be"_ABC
it was 11:30. I stood with many in awe of his departure and my own memory of his music and dance. I felt his kaleidescope aura and influence spread across the vastness of space above planet Earth. His star power reached across the solar system. He was truly international, a universal figure in the pantheon of world music. He had no classification and held the title of King of Popular...
his face wore the scars of personal control in a world of demands...
his final bow was as meteoric as the youthful falsetto that captivated a nation.
He made MTV a place for all musicians.
He sold over 750 million records.
I celebrate my birthday with the world lifting up one of the best to ever...
in a word, my 28th birthday was
THRILLING.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
prositry
dried flowers never cease to amaze me spacey
are her withered feathers
dancing on the wings of love?
misty are my eyes of glory
staring into the sun
paint the tide upon my brow
and wish upon the starry gate
228am est.
are her withered feathers
dancing on the wings of love?
misty are my eyes of glory
staring into the sun
paint the tide upon my brow
and wish upon the starry gate
228am est.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
When the Saints
"They'll never play surf music again..." Jimi wouldn't dig all the refried tan lines and beach bummified combers of St. Augustine. Europe claims it as its longest held territorially occupied city. In 1564 a strong Spanish fleet obliterated a small occupation of French and free blacks in the region that would become Jacksonville. A year later St. Augustine was born... (for more history read a brochure!)
I was there to visit the incredible facilities of The University of St. Augustine's School for Health Sciences. This is the university utopia for prospective physical and occupational therapists. I had the distinct pleasure of touring the campus and sitting in on two classes during my two-day stay in the city. I landed in Jacksonville after a brief 50 minute flight from Atlanta and an equally long drive to St. A.
I checked in and received a campus tour from an admissions assistant. She was kind enough to confirm receipt of my application. The main lab building was huge. Approx. 60 treatment tables in ONE LAB! Wow! A GREAT gym, treatment pool, and juice bar.
Thursday I sat in on a "Clinical Massage and Manipulation" class. Though I went there to get a taste of class structure I picked up a few techniques and peed the "demographics." I think I saw one cute sista... the whole time there but that's okay. "Remember your priorities," the little voice in my head said... but, I couldn't help but notice the lack of melanin in the place I hope to attend. I stayed for three and a half hours still hoping to add some punch to the punch as a student.
I got a bite to eat on a beach front spot and checked into my hostel. http://www.casayallaha.com/ For those of you who may not know about B&B's and hostels... there THE ONLY PLACE to STAY when traveling on a budget. For around $28 I got a room and a fully furnished house at my disposal. The owner was quite friendly and after a "character check," house tour, and a few ground rules, I settled into my dorm. Fortunately I had the entire room to myself and read The Spellbinder's Gift by, OG Mandino from Tim's personal library.
Dinner at the Columbian. A Heinekin and I read myself to sleep, turning in early around 10:30.
Friday morning I awoke around 6:30, still programmed from my usual daily work routine... no problem. I made a pot of coffee for the house around 9am and Tim loved it! I showered, shaved, and dressed for my day of observation at the university. Making a good impression on my tourguide afforded me an observation in a Neurology class where students were locating structures on human brains. That's right! After a lecture and orientation groups of 5 students prodded specimens.
Another beach front lunch, completion of The Spellbinder, and I was about ready to leave for Jacksonville.
My flight got delayed and I studied James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Revelation at the terminal. With my ipod churning out tunes the time quickly passed and I enjoyed a quick flight home...
In a few weeks I'll know if I'm considered for an interview... I sure hope to return to St. Augustine!
-delano
I was there to visit the incredible facilities of The University of St. Augustine's School for Health Sciences. This is the university utopia for prospective physical and occupational therapists. I had the distinct pleasure of touring the campus and sitting in on two classes during my two-day stay in the city. I landed in Jacksonville after a brief 50 minute flight from Atlanta and an equally long drive to St. A.
I checked in and received a campus tour from an admissions assistant. She was kind enough to confirm receipt of my application. The main lab building was huge. Approx. 60 treatment tables in ONE LAB! Wow! A GREAT gym, treatment pool, and juice bar.
Thursday I sat in on a "Clinical Massage and Manipulation" class. Though I went there to get a taste of class structure I picked up a few techniques and peed the "demographics." I think I saw one cute sista... the whole time there but that's okay. "Remember your priorities," the little voice in my head said... but, I couldn't help but notice the lack of melanin in the place I hope to attend. I stayed for three and a half hours still hoping to add some punch to the punch as a student.
I got a bite to eat on a beach front spot and checked into my hostel. http://www.casayallaha.com/ For those of you who may not know about B&B's and hostels... there THE ONLY PLACE to STAY when traveling on a budget. For around $28 I got a room and a fully furnished house at my disposal. The owner was quite friendly and after a "character check," house tour, and a few ground rules, I settled into my dorm. Fortunately I had the entire room to myself and read The Spellbinder's Gift by, OG Mandino from Tim's personal library.
Dinner at the Columbian. A Heinekin and I read myself to sleep, turning in early around 10:30.
Friday morning I awoke around 6:30, still programmed from my usual daily work routine... no problem. I made a pot of coffee for the house around 9am and Tim loved it! I showered, shaved, and dressed for my day of observation at the university. Making a good impression on my tourguide afforded me an observation in a Neurology class where students were locating structures on human brains. That's right! After a lecture and orientation groups of 5 students prodded specimens.
Another beach front lunch, completion of The Spellbinder, and I was about ready to leave for Jacksonville.
My flight got delayed and I studied James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Revelation at the terminal. With my ipod churning out tunes the time quickly passed and I enjoyed a quick flight home...
In a few weeks I'll know if I'm considered for an interview... I sure hope to return to St. Augustine!
-delano
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