The King is Dead! Michael Jackson RIP

So the King of Pop is dead! Surprised? Yes. Shocked? Absolutely not!

Honestly, is there anyone of our age and our generation that doesn't pretty much know every word to every song on Thriller? While I can't claim to ever have been a Michael Jackson fan, I was a huge fan of his music and his dancing, most especially everything to do with the Thriller album and video . Regardless of what he did later in life, regardless of the fact that he was a freak, he was an entertainment genius, and by the way, all geniuses, regardless of their medium are a little whacko. I'm not shocked at his death, because it was always going to end this way, no? I would have been much more surprised if in 20 years he died in his sleep of natural causes.

Recent events have proved that Michael Jackson was still a cultural icon, who crossed all racial and ethnic divides, and he did so long before Barack Obama came along. 50 concerts in England were total sell-outs, who in the world would have that kind of clout 40 years into his profession? They loved him in Europe, they loved him in Asia, and they loved him in Africa, long after his star had faded in America.

May his troubled soul rest in peace.

On the flip side, he's not totally getting a pass from me. I know he had a fucked up childhood, but he was a fucking freak. I totally started losing respect for him during the Oprah Winfrey interview, which I remember watching when I lived in London. He claimed that his skin was getting lighter due to vitiligo, and no-one bought the bullshite, especially not Oprah. I realized he was a total joke during the Martin Bashir interviews, when he was frantically rocking "blanket" on his knee. You know it was The Sun and The News of the World that started calling him, "whacko Jacko!" As far as the child abuse allegations go, I personally believe he was guilty as sin. While there wasn't really any doubt in my mind anyway, it was confirmed to me at least when one of the kids said he gave them wine, and told them it was Jesus Juice - ROFL, bloody hysterical, and absolutely believable.

Apparently he died without a will, that will all come out later. Apparently the cardiac arrest was caused by a drug overdose, that will all come out later. Apparently he was $400-$500 million in debt, and making an annual salary of $20 million, that will all come out later. If it is all true, what a way to end your life, and what a legacy to leave your kids, poor bastards.

Well my sister rang up on the night crying her eyes out. Her daughter had been at her school prom (thats another issue...American culture arriving here boosting the hair, limo and tux business)and the DJ said "Just before I play this record, I have some sad news. Michael Jackson is Dead" Then those entre Thriller chords cut in and the poor kids were left just standing there on the dance floor looking round at each other! She then rang my sisiter who put on the news. I agree completely about his impact on the music of our generation, and his strange life producing whacko behaviour.I dont know about the child abuse but I am against the blanket "its not true" from his fans.

The newspaper headlines were shocking. Here we at least had "Jacko Dead"But I saw a US paper whichjust had DEAD written across a dodgy photo! All that day we had Uri Gellar (spoon bender)on telling us he had hypnotised Michael and asked him about the allegations, where they true etc etc and Michael had denied all. However his questions had been carefully thought out "Did you harm any child" "Did you do anything wrong" Well Jacko probably believed he did not harm or do anything wrong, so its hardly conclusive.But Uri made his money that day.

What did make me very sad was his famillies grief; we have had Jermaine and La Toya on Celebrity Big Brother, and they were universally liked- they were gentle and kind individuals, with high standards of behaviour and manners. Jermaine was in with Jade Goody so you can imagine the contrast? Ulrika Johnston won the La Toya Big Brother. Whatever he was , he was someones son, father and brother so we should leave them and his kids to grieve in peace.

Recycling, Fox Soccer, Tevez and Barak

So I have to comment on the recycling. You can be such a curmudgeon sometimes. I am not sure if anyone HAS to recycle, but everyone has a green recycle bin. We don't have to sort it, we just put everything in the bin and they pick it up once a week on a Friday. They sort it in my town, but it is likely different in different jurisdictions. However, I live in a community with a Homeowner's Association (HOA), which means I pay a fee (mandatory) per month, and they have set rules and regulations. If you want new windows, doors, anything on the exterior, you have to go through the HOA, otherwise hefty fine. No satellite dishes on the roof, my only violation, which was not my violation. Before I bought the house there was a satellilte dish on the roof, so I just went ahead and took out the satellite subscription in my name. 3 years later these bastards sent me a letter telling me that they would take me to court if I did not remove the dish within 10 days. I tried to fight it saying dish was on the roof before I got there, but they weren't buying that excuse, and I couldn't be arsed to fight them. They said I could put the dish on my deck which I had them do, but there is a flaming great tree behind me, and when Spring came I couldn't get reception, so I went to cable. However, if my roof collapses or anything on the exterior of the property gets fucked, they have to pay for it. They also have to take care of snow removal, the grass and tree cutting etc. Anyway, back to the recycling, our town and HOA say we should recycle everything that can be recycled, and it has been known for them to ransack the trash bags to find mail and then send you a fine for not recycling what is supposed to be recycled. To be honest though, I am all for recycling, and I recycle everything I can. I'm also one of those people that take my reusable bags to the store!! I must admit I am a bit of a lefty hippy at times.

So Setanta are going under? I have looked at their line-up for the past couple of months, and I am not that impressed. Plus, it's not really worth me getting it for the England games now, and all of the World Cup games will be on ESPN and ABC. As much as I hate Rupert Murdoch I LOVE Fox Soccer Channel.

I think that Obama has earned the name of the school because he is the first black president. Regardless of how well he serves, that cannot be changed. However, Michelle - not so much. I'm starting to agree with some of the naysayers regarding the fact that the press treats him like a celebrity. I just don't think that they are holding him accountable for some of his campaign promises that he has either disregarded or failed to act upon as quickly as he said he would. I love Obama, but Iwould appreciate SOME objectivity.

I missed the Sky Sports News at noon, and I wanted to see the United schedule for next season, I will wait for the 7 o'clock news.

Have you seen that Tevez has gone? I am sure this has little to do with his wishes or Man Utds. I dont understand the set up where he a the other one who plays for Liverpool are owned by another person, but their only concern must be making money, and not any loyalty to a club, or even to the individual. And of course this is clear in that Tevez may be going to Man City!!!! where all the money is. Can I remind you of what Noel Gallagher said about the Abu Dhabi take over of City? "Its so good to know that every time a Utd fan puts petrol in his car, he is funding city" Hilarious Yes?

We now have to take bags to the shop, or buy some more. We have separate bins for everything, and still have to take plastics to the tip. They were planning on putting little computers in bins to ensure you dont put in ANYTHING that should not be there, on pain of death, or a big fine anyway.We have the same size bin for real rubbish as a single person household too! Its the worst job in the house, and so I am teaching the boys how to do it. Who needs a man about the house when you have a home owners association?

Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary and Cat Shit

I have just read that some school in the US has changed its name to Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary! It all seems a bit early even if he is the saviour. Although we dont do God much in England I think I prefer ST Giles, or Blessed Mary etc. Though we do have Thomas Telford, Mary Webb, Captain Webb (who swam the channel) and Blessed Robert Johnstone locally I am sure they all proved themselves and are dead now so they cant be discredited. And did they include Michelle for any particular reason? We really like them and everything but its a bit premature.

Roasting hot today. Done a load of gardening and mowed over some hidden cat shit. Dirty Bastard animals shitting on my lawn. It takes 10 minutes to get the mower out and 2 minutes to mow, then you have to clean up the cat shit and have a shower because you can smell it all day if you dont, like its on the end of your nose. My Mum has spoken to a neighbour the ther side of the cat owner from me; he has a small child and they agreed that it would be a case of putting out a little saucer of de icer in milk, or she would stick the animal in her car and drop it off somewhere far away. There was a dead bird, obviously mauled by the cat, outside next door (the cat owner) so my Mum said and prayer and it laid it on their front. I felt lucky she had not posted the corpse through the door. Our neighbour at the bottom of our garden, recently deceased (natural causes) used to feed all local cats with prawns and tiny strips of streaky bacon, she had cooked for them. Well.... you can imagine the stench of the cat shit from that diet, and all over my grass. I wont say I was pleased she had gone but the mess was less for a long time til these lot moved in with Tibbles.She left all her cash to the Cat Protection league in her will too. They will need the cash if I have another morning like this one.

I still want to see photos of your house. I love American houses, though I realise they are not all like Home Alone or Steel Magnolias.

Lisa Ling, Barak in Egypt, England Win

So I have to admit that I haven't paid as much attention to the Obama trip to the Middle East and Europe. Shit, I didn't even know the England result from Saturday night, although I am about to check that out now. They didn't mention the result on Sky Sports News yesterday, but there was an interview with John Terry, and I got the gist from that conversation that England won.

Back to the Obama trip. I actually watched "the speech" while I was on the treadmill at the gym. He said what needed to be said, and he let the world know that he might be a liberal, but he's not to be fucked with. Ironically I watched it on "Faux News" because that was the channel on the TV in front of me. Actually, it's sometimes worth watching Fox for the entertainment value. Of course none of their analysts had anything positive to say about his remarks, and they were slamming him for being an "apologist" whenever he goes abroad, whatever.

The big news here right now is that Lisa Ling's sister, and her co-worker have been sentenced to 12 years hard labor for entering N. Korea illegally, although that's up for debate. Oh wait, sorry, the biggest news here is about John and Kate (plus 8), (look it up), and whether he's a lying cheating bastard. However (and I have to admit, I've never watched the show, but I have seen excerpts), if I had a wife that treated me like a piece of shit in front of the whole nation, I might have to screw around on her too.

Have to run, Monday means a busy day, and I still have lots to do before dinner.

We had a full house for the England match, and crisps and crap all over the floor and a recycle bin full of becks cans the next morning. Of course we expected the win. We were spotting the ski lift attendants from previous Andorra holidays, and saying "theres the bloke who did the pizzas" etc... but it was David playing the full match which made it special...and he did make such a difference. We wondered id Theo Walcott would take the corners, or Lampard would want a free kick, but they know David can win a match.Now if Scholes came back, just for the World Cup.....Apparently his son is a football prodigy. We say we dont even notice hes ginger!

I really dont know how you cope without the foorball. Satanta are going under but some American has put in a load of cash for 51% of the co. so perhaps that means youll get more Premiership and some England Games.

Do you have to recycle? Its the bane of my life and I hate all the separate stinking bins up the side alley where we should be just plonking bikes and other rubbish.

Oasis Kasabian Barak in Egypt

Went to see Kasabian and Oasis on Saturday. We got in the Pit, then my friend Marianne, R (aged 11) and I went to the bar. R had fancied the £35 hoody, but we agreed that it was a bit expensive. Then we saw this kid collecting the beer and cider cups that people were dropping on the floor so we asked what he was doing –you get 10p per cup!!!!!!!!!!!! So R spent the next 2 hours looking cute, collecting cups, with me asking people for them, and explaining what he was doing, and what he wanted to buy....met loads of people, had a right laugh and ruaridh made £12 without trying, Marianne gave him a fiver for being such a good boy keeping us all occupied and entertained while. I gave him the rest for his hoody. He got so much attention, and we had such a laugh....next time we go to a concert we are going to do the job properly, and Marianne will bring her cute little girl Mia who is in R’s Class. I had taken all 3 boys plus 2 15 yr old friends but once we were in the pit I only had time to say "you know where the car is if we dont see each other again" We all had mobiles and I was looking at mine to get the England scores, from Chloe..but the 15 year olds were obviously occupied.
Kasabian were fab but we were not amoung friends. It was a bit like I imagine Rolling Stones Concerts. No-one knows ALL the words because there were too many albums and a whole generation gap...and they were only there really to see Oasis. But we were there to see Kasabian. We loved Kasabian, H (age 15) lost a lens , then found it in the mosh, R was asked if he wanted to go on this blokes shoulders for it, so sheepishly he said yes, for Fire he would please.....4 hours later, Brian and R are big mates and R has has the best view of Kasabian and Oasis EVVVVER. When Brian went to Glastonbury when he was young some bloke put him on his shoulders......so Brian passed it on and so shall R.

Barak has really had a great go at it in the Middle East Peace thing. His speech in Egypt made me want to stand up and cheer- it didnt really say anything anti Israel as they are constantly removing their loonies from occupation settlements anyway. All the US ever needed to do was hold out a hand offering some support of some sort, and Hamas would have to reply for fear of looking like the spoilt brat. I just wish Israeli commentators could keep their mouths shut for a bit, so the Palestinians could get some dignity back. ANd I wish our news would stop asking Israeli commentators questions which sound like "ha ha your best mate has dropped you for the other side" They could end up punching someone.

Britains Got Talent, Man Utd v Barcelona and MPs expenses

Not much going on here. Championship Final was a joke! United played well for the 1st 10 minutes and then it was all over. Now Tevez is playing games, and I'm sure we won't get through the summer without Ronaldo being an arsehole about being transferred and treated like a slave! I hate this time of year, it's already hot and humid as hell - thank god for the air conditioning, electricity bill becomes astronomical, but you can't live without it. Mine broke down 2 years ago, and I had to go and live with my cousin for 4 days while they fixed it.

Fucking hell, I turn on Larry King Live last night and the show is about Susan Boyle's breakdown, and Amanda Holden was on there, and then Dr. Drew was on there analyzing her condition, does anyone really give a shite? What a waste of an hour. I switched it off after 10 minutes, I just couldn't take it. She (and now her brother), have been on every talk show, breakfast telly show, and news show that exists over here. Her brother has been on all the shows this week explaining what/how it all happened, give me a break.

OK off to see what I have in the fridge for tea. Too hot to actually cook anything, and I need to get a new gas tank for my grill, so I won't be cooking out tonight.

We only saw up to Barcelonas goal then had to go through passport control. I thought Man utd were playing better than Barcelona and felt sure that by the time I went through passport control at Stanstead Airport it would be 5-1 to Utd. I was annoyed to see quite a few cheers from people in the queue as Etu scored and then to get home and find that my sister and family had been supporting Barcelona was most unpleasant. They are such cheating bastards most of the time even if we have to recognise their great skills too.

We had a big Britains got talent party, and I think it was overkill of press coverage for Susan Boyle that did it. We, a group of 9, all agreed that Diversity were the best, or at least what we would prefer to watch if we were Queenie, so I voted twice!Her potential voters did not bother because they thought it was a dead cert. Then the next day the Scots were on the talk shows claiming London bias had done it to her! My arse. The Scots block vote has a lot to answer for...Michele MacManners, Leon someone who both won X factor or Pop Idol. The only vote that beats the Scottish vote is the Irish vote; Big Brother starts tonight and all bets will be off in this house if there is a single Welsh, Irish or Scottish contestant- if theres more than one it splits the vote.

How is the UK MPs expenses scandel being covered?We have local elections and MEP elections today- it took me reading Alexs AS Level Politics revision notes to realise that MEPs have no power at all; apparently they can suggest amendments only...and they get £200,000 allowance to do what they want with, and get paid for turning up in Brussels or Strasbourg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am off to see Oasis and Kasabian on Saturday a Heaton Park Manchester with 5 boys, so thats the weekend gone. By then the PM might have gone and Barak will have saved the world, or the Middle East.