The "Thriller" - Michael Jackson

The death of the pop legend Michael Jackson shocked the world. He died of cardiac arrest on 25 Jun 09, at the age of 50.

Millions are grieving over him and paying tribute to him at social networking websites. More than 1 million fans have registered to get tickets for his memorial service. My friend who specialises in fengshui even analysed his Ba Zi on her website, though she is not a big fan of his.

I am never a fan of MJ. My first brief encounter with his music was in Secondary 2, when the class prepared for a Talentine contest and chose his song "We Are the World".

I couldn't agree with his lifestyle. To many people, he was a mystery. His unacceptable dress code in the court, his over-friendly behaviour with children, his unexplained medical condition and rumored plastic surgery which left him "seriously disfigured" were things which a conventional woman like me could not reconcile with. How could anyone, when he couldn't even come in terms with his own race?

He was lonely. Despite married twice and dated other celebrities, had anyone unlocked his heart successfully and freed his soul? I doubt so, perhaps with the exception of kids.

Did he lead a life he wanted? He made several attempts. Instead of feeling aggrieved, he made several visible efforts to be the change he wanted to be. Few in this world dare to dream, left alone have the courage to plan their destiny and stay committed, be it done with clear-headedness or led by insanity.

Though I am nonchalant, and not prepare to be obsessed with his past works in order to be in sync with the world, I hope he is free now... free from media, free from scrutiny.

Live Now

"We must guard our time jealously, remembering that it is the most valuable resource we have and that it cannot be replenished. We must be more wary of wasting our time than we are our money" - Gary Hayden, Mind Your Body, 2 July 09

Ref: "On The Shortness Of Life", Roman philosopher Seneca