Recently in Randomness Category

I can't believe it's New Years Eve and on the threshold of a new year. The past year has held so many changes for me. With the biggest and hardest for me, being our move to California. Most people who know me, know I'm a pretty level headed person. At least most of the time, there are a few gray areas, but all in all I try to be. I am finally starting to adjust to living in California. Do I like it yet? NO! I feel completely out of place here.

It's hard to go to the grocery store and ask a question. Either they can't understand you or you can't understand them.

The other issue is the smells. Man, does it sometime smell awful around here! I have an exaggerated sense of smell so everything that most people smell is stronger and worse for me. We have mushroom farms and garlic farms and who knows about the other farms that I haven't even experienced yet. We live in a small town just south of San Jose and I LOVE the area because it's not so cramped, and less of a big city. It is an oasis and it feels perfect except for the smells.

As for the California weather that I had heard so much about. Most of the time it is foggy, cloudy and or rainy. The sun does show more than it would in Ohio right now, but I've been told that right now it is the rainy season. So I'm still waiting for all the gorgeous weather.

I never had any desire to move to California and anyone who knows me knows why. Lets say it together E A R T H Q U A K E S ! Thankfully I haven't felt one, but I don't relax about it either.

Other than our move the year had been a good one for us. We all were pretty healthy and happy. Except of course the boys when they didn't get their way. I asked David if he wanted us to go on the strictest parents television show, but he declined. He always tells me how grateful he is that he has a cool Mom and that he is just a teenager, he is supposed to complain.

So with the new year in front of me, I say a prayer thanking for the past and one for the future also.

After hearing the shocking news of Michael Jackson's early death, I would have to say that I was stunned. We had heard rumors that his health wasn't the greatest, but this actual death was hard for me to grasp. I will miss Michael Jackson. No, I didn't know him personally, and I've never been to a single concert or show he did. But Michael taught me a lot. He taught me to see past color, to see past the flaws that each and every one of us is born with. Everyone has their own opinion on why Michael changed his looks, why he went from black to white, but you know what? When it really comes down to it, it isn't anyones business. Why do people get their noses changed, wear colored contacts, get Botox, or get their breasts enlarged or reduced? It's their choice, and they don't need to get anyone's permission.

I personally think he didn't want people to think of him as a black pop star, but as a person. Just like you and me. He was a boy trapped in a grownup body, like many other people. He was a grownup who never got to have a childhood, never got to lay around all summer long and just play from sunup to sunset. He spent his childhood working, practicing, doing shows, and trying to live up to the expectations of everyone in his family. I could truly empathize with him. Having lived the life that I had as a child, If I had unlimited money, I would have bought a Neverland and gotten exotic animals. I would have also wanted to share it with other children. Truthfully, tell me you wouldn't have wanted a Neverland when you were a child or now as an adult!

Soapbox;

Now for the man who hid from us, who covered his face and the faces of his children. What do you expect? He wanted to be left alone. Have you ever listened to any of his songs? He was accused of crimes that were awful. Even when he went to trial and was found innocent of those crimes, the damage was done. He was plastered all over tabloids and magazines. Every move he made he was watched, like so many other stars. I must say that if I were followed 24 hours a day 7 days a week every day of my life, I would probably be called all sorts of things. What happens when an awful picture is taken of you? You throw it away, or your loving friend or family member throws it away. How would you like it if they sold it to the highest bidder? Then to have it plastered on the cover of all the tabloids and magazines? Not fun, I'd have to say. How would that make you feel about yourself every day?

I do have to say that I am really upset with the media coverage about his children. Hello! They are children and they just lost the most important person in their lives. Back off, people! These innocent children have had their lives dragged through the mud after just losing their dad. Who cares who their biological dad was? They were Michael's children and he loved them. That's what these children need to hear, not all the garbage.

I have decided not to buy tabloid magazines anymore. I would buy them when I would go on trips to pass the time on the plane, but no more. I will not give anyone any reason to scrutinize someone else's life. I can not imagine what my life would be like if people followed me around all the time. Selling the pictures of me not at my best, or of me not in the best mood, along with the good pictures. I have to say I would lose my mind if everywhere I went people were trying to get the dirt on me. I have heard people say "the stars love the attention" or "they knew what they were getting into when they wanted to become famous." My reply to that is when I had children I thought I knew what I was getting into, and I was wrong on many accounts. Does it mean I'm not happy I had children? Of course not! I wouldn't trade them for anything and I love them beyond measure, but it is harder than I thought it would be.

Last but not least I want us all to think of what kind of society we are creating for our children and grandchildren when the people who entertain us on the screen are also the people we judge by standards that we ourselves would not want to be judged by. We watch them every minute to make or break them. Remember back when the only pictures we had of our favorite entertainers were the ones they actually posed for? I think we should go back to then. This is their JOB. Let them leave it at work so they can try to have somewhat normal lives.