MICHAEL JACKSON: A FITTING FAREWELL…

Michael Jackson was eulogized in words and song by an all-star list of musicians, athletes and other celebrities during a mournful ceremony in downtown Los Angeles, with the most poignant moment delivered by his sobbing 11-year-old daughter. "I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much," Paris-Michael Jackson said before almost collapsing in the arms of her aunt Janet Jackson.

Watched by millions around the world, the memorial struck a tone more spiritual than spectacular. I LOVED the musical numbers performed by Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Mariah Carey. However the spoken word got my attention and the salutes that raised my emotions and MUST be highlighted are: 

"Michael always knew he could count on me to support him or be his date. ... We had a bond and maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. I used to tease him and say, `I started when I was 11 months old. You're a slacker. You were like 5?' Both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun. ... M.J.'s laugh was the sweetest and purest of anyone I've known." — BROOKE SHIELDS.

"I'm here representing millions of fans around the world who grew up listening to Michael, being inspired and loving Michael from a distance. ... Somehow when Michael Jackson sang and when he danced ... we felt he was right there. ... He made you believe in yourself." — QUEEN LATIFAH.

  

"When he did his iconic moonwalk, I was shocked. It was magic. Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down. Though it ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful." Gordy also said, "some sad times and maybe some questionable decisions on his part," the title King of Pop wasn't good enough for Jackson. "I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived." — MOTOWN RECORDS FOUNDER BERRY GORDY.

"This is a moment that I wish that I didn't live to see come. But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good and I do know that as much as we may feel — and we do — that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more." — STEVIE WONDER.

"Every time he got knocked down, he got back up," Sharpton said, and the applauding crowd jumped to its feet. Sharpton rode the moment, building to a crescendo. "There wasn't nothing strange about your daddy," he said later, addressing Jackson's three children in the front row. "It was strange what your daddy had to deal with!" – REV. AL SHARPTON. 

The ceremony wrapped up with group performances of "We Are the World" and "Heal the World" sung by Lionel Richie, Hudson and Jackson family members — including his children — before a backdrop of symbols of religions from around the world. They were joined onstage by children in white and several other people who had participated in the ceremony. Then members of Jackson's family took the stage to thank the crowd and share their own thoughts, barely able to hide their emotion as they hugged in the ceremony's final moments.

WE’RE HERE. WE’RE QUEER. WHAT’S NEXT?

PLANETOUT DOT COM ASKS…WE’RE HERE. WE’RE QUEER. WHAT’S NEXT? SO I THOUGHT I’D ASK THE SAME THING HERE TODAY…

There was a time when as a collective group, gay people needed to band together to have our voices heard. We were persecuted, had our bars raided, had our homes taken when our long-term partners passed away and their families didn't approve of our relationships or lifestyles. the government turned a blind eye when thousands of us started dying from a mysterious disease, so heroic people within our community formed advocacy groups. These groups supported our "families" and gave us a place to turn for help when we needed it since it didn't seem that many others cared. We had medical groups, social groups and, of course, activists. It was this last category that showed the world what it had turned its gay community into: angry, frustrated people who weren't going to sit back and be ignored anymore.

One of these groups, Queer Nation, eventually adopted a slogan that many of us have embraced over the last 20 years. "We're here. We're queer. Get used to it" became a rallying cry, a line chanted at parades, outside government buildings, at events. But over time, as gay people became more and more accepted into mainstream society through TV, movies and everyday regular people feeling more comfortable to come out at work, "We're here" became something people used to toss off a joke or just say, "Hey, pay attention to me. I'm talking and I'm gay!" 

The line still has an impact but is it necessary today? Yes, we still aren't fully integrated into society and, yes, we are fighting for the basic civil right to marry our loved ones. But is telling people that we're gay and around and to basically, well, get used to it, a little aggressive? 

An article written by Christopher Ott on Salon in 1999 had a headline "We're here, we're queer, I'm sick of it," which talked about how the gay "agenda" morphed its focus from a political activist viewpoint to one of partying, when in reality we should've been focusing on obtaining equal rights. It's interesting that we're still talking about this last point today.

That said, maybe it's time to come up with a new slogan that we can all embrace and get behind. Someone jokingly said to me that we should say, "We're gay, we're pretty, please don't beat us up," at which time I told him to shut the hell up. We don't want people to think of us as weak or meager, but as equals. Not every straight man is butch and into sports. Not every straight woman is soft and feminine. Just in the same way that not every gay man or woman can be pigeonholed into stereotypically categories.

So yes, we're here and we are queer and yes, people need to get used to it. But do we need to throw it into their faces? Can't we just live our lives and let people get to know us as people and not as gay people? Of course we need people to know who we are otherwise we will never get our rights. But we've advanced tremendously in the last few decades. So is it time for a new slogan? What do you think?

THE "HEATHEN’S GUIDE" TO RELIGION

Author William Hopper describes his work as "an examination of the lust, greed, murder, and sheer stupidity that have contributed to the history of the world’s religions."

By tracing each faith from its inception to modern day, Hopper's book is a rare combination of exhaustive research and flat-out hilarity. “I tend to stomp where angels fear to tread” Hopper explains.

And stomp he does. From Moses to Mohammed, Buddha to Baha’u’llah, The Heathen’s Guide spares no faith from Hopper’s acerbic examination of their history, tenets, and origins.

“I genuinely believed in religion at one time.” Hopper explains. “Then I did the one thing that religions hate: I educated myself. I studied World Religions at university, and that pretty much killed any faith I had. I soon discovered that there was far more documentation and history out there than is taught from the pulpit.”

Asked why he chose humor as a vehicle for the information in The Heathen’s Guide, Hopper explained: “When you tear away the sanctity and look at who really did what, you either laugh or buy a high powered rifle. As a religious studies student, I couldn’t afford a rifle.”

The Heathen’s Guide is now in its seventh edition, and has had a cult following for over a decade. Now, however, the book is finding mainstream success, even acclaim. When asked about the newfound popularity of the title, Hopper explains that he always has always believed that The Heathen’s Guide would do well.

“When I was sixteen and a good Roman Catholic, I was taken to meet Mother Teresa. The priest introduced us, and she took my hand, looked me in the eye. A second later she told her aides to get rid of me. I was summarily dismissed and escorted away from her with no explanation. It was then that I first realized that I might be onto something.”

Press kits and review copies are now available for the seventh edition of this very popular title. To get a copy or to arrange and interview with the author, simply e-mail press@heathensguide.com  or visit www.heathensguide.com for more information.

WOULD YOU READ THIS BOOK?

DROPS OF JUPITER

DROPS OF JUPITER (TELL ME) is an alternative rock song by California rock band Train on their second album Drops of Jupiter (2001). It was their first single from the album, and hit the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 5 and remaining in the Top 40 for 38 weeks.^[1] The song has spent over 100 weeks on the Adult Contemporary charts, and is still charting on the recurrent chart. Although the song was released years before digital download became commonplace, the song has sold over 100,000 downloads (giving it a Gold certification by the RIAA), and hit the top 50 of the Digital Downloads charts five years after its release due to Ace Young singing it on the fifth seasonof American Idol. I chose this song because of its unique and enigmatic lyrics, the meaning of song has been the subject of many speculation so feel free to come up with your own…As you do, I hope that you allow the references to the planets, stars, galaxies and so on gives that otherworldly feeling…I feel this song is bound to change your worldview if you endeavor to enlighten yourself. I hope that you would realize that there is more in the universe than our imaginations are capable of bringing to life when you hear this song…

OLDIE, BUT GOODIE: DON'T CALL ME A B!TCH

FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT HUH? YOU SEE I CHOOSE THE ENTRIES THAT I AM GOING TO RE-POST BY CLICK ON THE VIEW RANDOM POST LINK ON MY BLOG & IT LED ME HERE…I THINK THIS BLOG ENTRY CAME @ THIS TIME BECAUSE THE UNIVERSE KNOW THAT I RECENTLY DEALT WITH A PERSON THAT SOUGHT TO PUT THEIR SH!T ON ME…SO I HOPE THAT SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY THEY GET THE MESSAGE & CARRY ON WITH LIFE…THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN DURING A TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN WHAT OTHERS SAID OR THOUGHT ABOUT ME REALLY MATTERED...I GOT A LOT OF FLACK FOR NOT TAKING OTHER PEOPLE’S SH!T SO I TOOK TO MY BLOG & LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS AIN’T THAT KINDA PARTY BECAUSE I FOUND OUT HOW TO BE MY OWN MAN!

The word B!TCH has long been in use to refer to an individual in contempt; this is seen as the most offensive title that one can place on another, even more provoking than that of a WHORE. This title is used in a negative way, referring to persons we encounter in everyday life that wear a permanent attitude and seek to destroy any and everything in their way. Nonetheless, do I seem like one of those persons that would destroy and make another life’s miserable? How can and do I have so much power to do such things? Moreover, what do you base this theory on? Is it because I call you out on the things that you do wrong against others and myself? On the other hand, is it the way I refuse to allow you treat me like a doormat? No matter, all I know is that I am not tolerant of many things, things that are unnecessary AND senseless.

 SO CHOOSE YOUR LABEL CAREFULLY… I am the MAN that will not bang his head against the wall obsessing over your opinion. I totally understand that if someone does not approve of me, it is just one person’s opinion; therefore, it is of no real importance. I will never try to live up to anyone else’s idea of me. Don't HATE on me because I know I cherish who I am and believe that I am worth being treated the way I would like to be treated. I refuse to allow such a label to give truth to the lies you tell yourself. I will not become who you want me to be with your consent.

 SO PLEASE SING MY PRAISES, I am not a B!TCH and I  will NEVER be…No matter how happy you are to announce and give me that title, I will NEVER need your shot in the arm, my faith in myself is STRONG and your crown and thrown will not ever satisfy me.

MOTTO FOR LIFE...

LAUGH TIL’ IT HURTS.

HOPE TIL’ IT WORKS.

LOVE TIL’ IT FILLS YOU.

LIVE TIL’ IT KILLS YOU.

ABOUT ME...

Birthday: 5-04
Birthplace: Nassau, Bahamas

Current Location: At computer desk

Eye Color: Dk. brown

Hair Color: black
Height: 5'8"
Right Handed or Left Handed: right
Your Heritage: Bahamian
The Shoes You Wore Today: crocs
Your Weakness: noel
Your Fears: snakes

Your Perfect Pizza: veggie

Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: get set up with a nice job

Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: K
Thoughts First Waking Up: damn cardio again?
Your Best Physical Feature: my lips

Your Bedtime: when ever the eyes close

Your Most Missed Memory: being a child playing with friends
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
MacDonalds or Burger King: McDonalds
Single or Group Dates: Single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton Ice Tea

Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla
Cappuccino or Coffee: coffee
Do you Swear: mos def
Do you Sing: of course I sing
Do you Shower Daily: if I am going out YES…if not then I save water and soap…
Have you Been in Love: Yes
Do you want to go to College: Yeah to get my BA in accounting

Do you want to get Married: HELL YES!!!
Do you believe in yourself: MOS DEF!!!
Do you get Motion Sickness: nope
Do you think you are Attractive: Yes
Are you a Health Freak: somewhat

Do you get along with your Parents: Sort of
Do you like Thunderstorms: I can go either way

Do you play an Instrument: nope
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: No
In the past month have you Smoked: No
In the past month have you been on Drugs: No
In the past month have you gone on a Date: Nope
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: Yes
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: No
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: no, but I want some…

In the past month have you been on Stage: No
In the past month have you been Dumped: No
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: No
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: No
Ever been Drunk: Nope

Ever been called a Tease: Yeah…many times…
Ever been Beaten up: No
Ever Shoplifted: don’t think so…

How do you want to Die: DK
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: A doctor

What country would you most like to Visit: Canada
Number of Drugs I have taken: Zero
Number of CDs I own: not sure…
Number of Piercings: two
Number of Tattoos: none
Number of things in my Past I Regret: Don't have any regrets…

In a Boy/Girl…
Favorite Eye Color: Dk. Brown

Short or Long Hair: short
Height, Tall or Short? short
Physique you like -Muscular, Athletic, Slender, a Few Extra Pounds, Large, Obese: Athletic or Slender

Hairy or smooth? Smooth

¿NOW WHAT ABOUT YOU?