A TIME FOR RECONCILIATION

All it took was a couple of words to change the mood on the fansites. 2011 had not been the best of years for us, it was depressing to say the least the realisation that we would be unable to influence the course of Justice in regards to Murray and then there was all the 'infighting'. It seems that as time went on many of us were beginning to show our true colours and people we thought of as true and trusted friends, turned out to be far from.

What were those words, uttered by Lady Gaga at the VMA's on Sunday evening, - "MTV are honouring Britney with the MICHAEL JACKSON VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD!!!" Finally all the hard work of the 'We want MTV to Reinstate the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award' Group on Facebook had paid off. The dogged determination of the Leader Mel Freeman not to give up and persistently pushing everyone to participate in some way either by signing a petition or becoming part of a series of  Youtube videos had paid off. Without any notice whatsoever, MTV recognised and bowed down to our demands. It was a major victory timed as it was to perfection on the evening before Michael's birthday and in the run up the the start of The Conrad Murray Trial. It goes without saying that there will be many an MJ Party tonight that will be going with an extra swing and there will equally as many sore heads come Tuesday morning. However we deserve it! It has been tough, very tough for many who have either got caught up in the midst of the fighting or have been the subject of unprovoked attacks, or 'dirty tricks' campaigns.

So lets take a step back and just remind ourselves exactly why we are on here. Why we came on here in the first place. Take a good look and see who the individuals are on here who work so tirelessly on charitable initiatives, running Justice groups communicating every small snippet of info that comes out from the Courthouse and the papers in regards to Murray, and schemes such as the MJ Video Vanguard Award. These are the people we should want to be around, to be associating ourselves with.  We should be spending any time we have (after work & family) promoting and putting out energy into these initiatives. Our time and energy should not be spent, creating fake profiles in order to spy on others or seeking out ways to attack those whose ideals do not fit in with yours. I simply cannot comprehend those people who seem to glean a great deal of enjoyment through the hurt of others. Their time and energy should be spent on pursuing positive goals. Just look what we can achieve when we put our minds to it!

So lets all rest our forked tongues and put away our poisonous pens and lets all try to regain that sense of unity we had a year or so ago. With the Trial not long away, it is going to be tough...we will need a 'brother' or 'sister's' shoulder to cry on, to help get us all through. Please, please...I know we cant all be friends but would it really hurt us to try?

FOREVER MICHAEL TRIBUTE CONCERT - THE DIVISION OF THE FANS

It is interesting to see what is being played out on the FMTC page....

On the one hand you have Catagory 1 'Pro Concert Michael Jackson Fans':-

You listen to Michael, have grown up with Michael and maybe have read a few 'headlines' or 'articles' about him through his life and death. You are the ones who are maybe lucky enough to  be busy with your life through work or friends. However, that doesnt denigrate the fact that yes you are a Fan.

Then you have us Catagory 2 'Anti- Concert Michael Jackson Fans':-

For one reason or another (in my instance, through personal reasons, I am at home for long periods of time) we have had the time (over 2 years now) to spend reading & researching,  we have built up friendships and connections with others enabling us to share information. To us getting information, attempting to get near the truth that was Michael's final days, weeks, hours, along with making sense of his life, has become an obsession. Thanks to this obsession we now have some amazing individuals amongst us who have worked tirelessly to get to the facts and publish and share their research with us in amazing blogs. Many of those 'blogs' are now coming under the radar of the media.

This page has bought us all together, however, uniting us unfortunately it doesnt. The problem being that although yes you guys in 'Catagory 1' are still fans and understandably want, like we all do, this Tribute, through no fault of your own, you have little or no idea of all of the politics that has gone on behind this Concert. I would love to think that maybe some of the links and things discussed on here will have helped many more to understand or start to research, like we have done, all that is so wrong in regards to the manipulation of Michael's  name, family and legacy since he has passed.

Now all we have to work on is to get everyone united. We need to remember that underneath all of us is the common love, respect and admiration for Michael. As such we need listen to each other and respect our differing view points and not just dismiss them.

To those 'Pro Concert' fans....I get and understand that you are more than desperate for a tribute (we all are) but please LISTEN and digest what we are saying. Put your need to see The Jacksons and the J3 to one side and look at the bigger picture. We are not trying to spoil anything just want to keep Michael's legacy alive and well and we are most certainly not 'haters'!

To those 'Anti Concert'. A little bit more respect for the opinions of our fellow fans and acceptance of those who remain 'blinkered' for their own reasons might not go amiss.

This time next month the Trial will start and we can only hope and pray that the outcome will be the right one! Many of us will have made new friends and connections through this page (so not been all bad). So let us all reach out to our fellow fans ('pro' or 'anti') and lets show a united, cohesive force ready for what the following couple of months are going to throw at us.

JUSTICE4MJ!

Michael Forever Tribute Concert - The Plot thickens

Since my last posting much has happened. Firstly the registration opened, allowing fans to 'Register' for the ticket of their choice. The prices though are astronomic, certainly if you want to stand a chance of seeing or hearing the performers (see seating layout & the respective costs below)

Secondly they started announcing the 'lineup' of Artists they had signed so far:-

Christina Aguilera
Leona Lewis

JLS

Diversity

Alexandra Burke

Alien Ant Farm

Ce Lo Green

Craig David

Pixie Lott

Smokey Robinson

3T

The Jackson Brothers

????? Not the high powered, first rate performers we were being let to expect from this Tribute. And although I respect a lot of these guys, what exactly are their connections with Michael? This was more like a selection of winning acts from the 'X' Factor rather than a tribute to Michael! Many on the Fb site were voicing their dissapointment at such and eclectic and strange selection. Many felt this was purely due to the fact that these were the only artists available at such short notice, in spite of the organisers statement that The Tribute had been in planning for quite a while. Apparently more will be announced as and when! Although interestingly enough in the T&C's they have stated that if 50% of the performers do not attend then no refund will be given. This combined with the cost of the tickets has convinced most fans that this is none other than a 'money spinning excercise' and that we are being ripped off.

Then on Monday morning PCT time, CNN broadcast an interview with Chris Hunt CEO of Global Live Events, along with his right hand man, Paul Ring (more about him later) and Mrs Katherine Jackson. In it they announced the next 'big signing'.....the heavy rock band KISS!!!! The horror and outrage this caused on the fansites and the Michael Forever Facebook site had to be seen to be believed!! They could not have chosen a worse and more unfitting group to play in a tribute to Michael. Firstly, again there is absolutely no links with them to Michael and secondly and more importantly, last year Gene Simmons in an interview stated that he had knowledge that Michael was a paedophile!!! See below.

We simply could not fathom out what in hells name was going on behind the scenes to make the Promoter book such an act. It again led us to the fact that Global Live Events obviously had not done their homework on Michael, either that or someone was having a laugh at our expense!

Now as I said many of us armed with the knowledge that this was the first Live Gig that GLE had been involved in could maybe half understand why the made that mistake. However, that all changed when one fan discovered that the good Paul Ring (remember Chris Hunt's right hand man in GLE, & BTW the grinning 'nutty professor' next to Katherine Jackson in that CNN interview). Is in fact the President of a Company, run by no other that LaToya Jackson & Jeffre Phillips(her manager). Called Ja-Tail (an Acronymn for Just Another Timely Adventure in Life) it encompasses Music, Films,Television, Studio, Concerts, Events,Publishing,Management,Branding and (weirdly enough) Beverages. Also involved Teddy Riley & Leonard Rowe. So now we know why the 'Nutty Professor' has been bought on board, he has all the knowledge - or should have. However, when it came to signing Kiss clearly not!  It is a wonder that the howls of outrage and indignation could not be heard in Timbuktoo! The Estate, having clearly stated it position at the outset - that it wasnt supporting this Tribute. Then decided that enough was enough and issued a letter demanding answers from GLE. Details of the letter are contained within the following article:-

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669141/michael-jackson-tribute-concert-legal-action.jhtml

Also joined by one of the main Michael Jackson Fan sites - The MJJC:-

http://www.mjjcommunity.com/michael-jackson-news/mjjcommunity-official-statement-about-michael-forever-tribute

An 'open letter' from the fans to GLE then followed

http://mjandjustice4some.blogspot.com/2011/08/open-letter-on-behalf-of-michael.html

Hardened bloggers immediately took to their laptops and the following links are the best:-

http://mjanwatch.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/fans-call-for-boycott-of-tribute-concert-for-michael-jackson-by-global-live-events/

http://muzikfactorytwo.blogspot.com/2011/08/michael-jackson-fans-michael-forever-is.html


It went without saying that the 'Michael Forever Tribute Concert' Facebook site nearly went into meltdown over this. Thankfully yesterday it appeared that Global Live were actually listening to what we and The Estate were saying. Although at present they have yet to answer any of the questions posed to them by either us or The Estate. However, news reached us that Kiss had been dropped! They should never have been signed in the first place!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/16/jackson-concert-promoters_n_928496.html

So here were are a week into the registration period and on the day that they were (orignially) due to close it. However, surprise, surprise it has been extended! We also now have friendlier AdminS. The operative word be 'S'since there appear to be several who have also obviously not only been instructed to divlulge there areas of specialisation but also their names!! The organisers obviously feel that if they give the page a more 'human' feel to it, we all might calm down!!! How little they know!!! Also as I write we are still to be availed as to when we can actually 'txt to win'. I would assume they are hoping we might forget about it, since obviously so few are registering!

So it painfully creaks and groans onwards!! GLE are still remaining tight lipped in regards to issuing any answers to either the questions contained within The Estates letter or any of our questions. We are all beginning to get heartily sick of this whole fiasco and just wish the organisers would see sense and 'call it a day'. For everyone's sake!

FOREVER MICHAEL TRIBUTE CONCERT, MY THOUGHTS - PART 2

I used to be suspicious of The Estate. However, as time has progressed and I have read and listened, I now understand why Michael put Branca & McLean in charge. Not only are they extremely astute businessmen but what they dont know about the music business isnt worth knowing. Including the dark underbelly, which is the part Joe Jackson inhabits!

Joe's involvement with the Tribute is the main reason why The Estate wont get involved. McLean & Branca are on their way to shutting all Joe's seedy Merchandising deals he is doing down. They know that the people Joe mixes with are the ones who all along are desperate to get their hands on some of Michael's millions.

Now here I will say I firmly believe that there was no conspiracy to kill Michael. Murray was just a stupid, greedy, ignorant ***!!! and it all went pearshaped for him. However I do believe that there was/is a conspiracy to get to Michael's money. That is why Branca & McLean have to play tough ball. I take my hat off to them for the way they have managed to turn Michael's Estate around, since it was unfortunately in such a mess when he died. Until such time as all debts and lawsuits have been settled they cannot play fast and loose with Michael's money, nor can the let other people.

There is also a reason why Michael cut his siblings out of his will, he was sick and tired of them coming to him with a begging bowl. This was his chance (sadly) of getting them to stand on their own two feet. They are still not doing that and continually, from what I have heard go to Katherine for handouts, hence Katherine's requests for her allowance to be increased, last year. Hence the reason why LaToya & Jermaine  has to/have to publish a book. Hence the reason for the Tribute Concert. The family need money!

Nothing was ever right with this concert from the very outset. The company promoting it has never, ever done a Live Concert. The weird ticketing system and lack of artists - or even reports in other media - of artists lining up to be in this event. Craig  (David, who announced recently that he had be invited to participate)  has removed all mention of it now both on here and in his Twitter. Also of course the timing right at the start of the Trial.  I do fear it will all come to nothing. However if by some miracle it does get off the ground I will gladly eat my words!

I was overjoyed when I first heard about the Concert since not only was it at last in the UK but on my 50th birthday as well. So I am the first to admit I was gutted when it all started going down the pan....

Now to Cirque, it is exactly the sort of Tribute Michael would have wanted. I cant remember exactly who, think it was Whoopi Goldberg, who said that during the Memorial Service at the Staples Centre. She looked out over the crowd and saw all the big stars none of who were anywhere near the Courthouse or supported Michael in anyway during the 2005 Trial, yet here they were in their best designer mourning gear! Now these same people are the ones the Concert promoters are after to give us a Tribute Event!! I dont think so!! 

You have to understand Michael was all about pushing the boundaries. He believed in giving people value for their money. Real entertainment. He loved experimenting, trying new things, you only have to see the concepts behind TII and listen to what everyone from Kenny Oertega to Travis Payne to the technicians working on TII said about his vision for that Concert, to see that! He was all about movement and dance AND illusion! All that is exactly what Cirque is all about pushing the boundaries. The performers are all at the top of their league. I have seen other Cirque shows and they have all blown me away completely! So I know this will be absolutely amazing. No shady characters involved, in fact a lot of the musicians (Michael Beardon, for one) are on board to perform. That is why it has the backing of The Estate, they KNOW for a fact that this is one show that Michael would have loved to have been involved in! I am also more than certain that we will hear that certain funds will be going to Charity.

ALTERNATIVE 2010

THIS IS WHAT 2010 SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE!

So lets take a look back at 2010 an amazing year to be a Michael Jackson fan. The year started off well with  his fans eagerly anticipating an all star Tribute Concert for Michael. Organised by his brothers (symbolising just how close they all were), they put aside their grief and pain to put together this tribute concert to their brother. With a line up including Chris Tucker, Diana Ross, Aakon, Wil-i-am, Beyonce & not forgetting Stevie Wonder amongst others. It  proved to be a concert unlike any other and a fitting way to for his fans and friends to remember the King of Pop on the anniversary of his death. Held at the O2 Arena in London, it was beamed by satellite around the world and once again, as in life, Michael Jackson broke viewing figures and crashed internet sites as fans around the world watched this spectacle. The concert raised an amazing $4million for Michael's charities

The year also started off with fans starting a movement to put pressure on the Medical Board in California to revoke Murray's license, along with the board of Garner Street School to remove the hoarding covering up Michael's name on their annexe (Michael briefly attended the school in his youth). Many were the detractors who scoffed at these fans attempts and felt that certainly when it came to Murray they didnt stand a chance. However, the fans displayed a united front when a delegation stood before the Californian Medical Board stating their concerns in regards to Murray holding onto his license and still being allowed to practice. It took just 24hrs for the board to come to the decision to revoke Murray's license. This news was greeted with much rejoicing within the fan community. Conrad Murray's life has just got a whole lot worse, since he has been stripped of his license in other States and now awaits trial in regards to non-payment of child maintenance.This will have a major impact on his forthcoming murder trial. The fans also managed another victory  in the form of the school agreeing to remove the boards covering up Michael's name.

Murray's various trips to the Los Angeles Courthouse have at all times been accompanied by a delegation of Michael's fans all very much united in their determination to see Murray be charged for 2nd Degree Murder instead of the Involuntary Manslaughter that he has been charged with. Again, the likelhood of this happening seemed extremely unlikely in the first half of the year, whilst Steve Cooley was Attorney General. However,the mid-term elections soon put paid to that when Steve Cooley had to reluctantly concede his post to Kamala Harris. For MJ fans Harris has been like a breath of fresh air, and word is out that she is, as we speak reviewing the charges on Murray!

Another battle fans were fighting was to have more access to Michael's tomb in Holly Terrace. For months a delegation of fans have bought up gifts and flowers, only to be allowed to leave them initially at the door to the Mausoleum (FL staff would then take them in and distribute them around Michael's tomb). Many are unhappy at Michael being kept so far away from them, recently there has been outrage as it appears that now only flowers purchased at the FL shop will get put in with Michael whilst the remainder gets put on a patio adjacent to Holly Terrace. However, word it appears, has finally got through to Katherine and after a meeting of fans and Forest Lawn officials, it was agreed that fans can have access (by applying for a permit,which is awarded on a lottery basis)on certain days, along with ensuring their gifts and tributes get left by Michael's tomb.

Monuments were also erected to the King of Pop in various capital cities around the world, giving fans somewhere to congregate and share their feelings. The most prominent one being in London outside the O2 concert Arena. In fact people could be forgiven for thinking that in 2010, the world had gone 'MJ' crazy!! Since we also has 'The Game', 'The DVD's' and 'The Album', with both the single 'Hold my Hand' and his Album going to the No1 spot around the world!

What of the fans themselves?  Well from an outsiders perspective, and judging by those I have met,  you certainly wont find a more devoted and united  group of people, for them 2010 has been a very good year!

This is what it should have been like, but wasnt...we should be asking ourselves why?  We need answers....To me it is obvious that there are people out there who want Michael to crash and burn! This has become more and more apparent as the year has progressed. Now with the Game, the Dvd's and the Album out, and precious little in the way of advertising (certainly in the UK), one can only come to one conclusion. People do not want Michael in the top slot any more!  We are here to ensure that isn't the case and to continually be the thorn in these people's sides. 

How different it could have been

My Journey, My Dream

When I first discovered you guys, I was in the deepest stages of grief!! I had never experienced emotions like these!! Confused and bewlildered (and with no one within my circle of friends or family MJ fans), I somehow managed to blunder onto first the MJ.Com site and then Facebook. I had found home!! I had found my new family!! I was I admit also escaping from a marriage in freefall and my daughters behavioural problems.

Dubious about the forums, I was so amazed to read postings from others sharing the same feelings as myself. I found informative articles on the circumstances surrounding Michael's death, well researched and intelligently written. My days were basically divided into getting everything done quickly enough to enable me to get back onto my laptop! I made friends, globally, learnt how to make Youtube vids and how to upload tunes and pictures etc along with producing a website. More importantly I started learning how flawed the Californian justice system is! I got Skype installed on my laptop and will never forget the thrill of speaking with one of my dearest friends in New York, hearing her voice so clearly!! This application never ceases to amaze me!!

During those early days we all helped each other. If one of us happened to post we were struggling we would be swamped with words of kindess and offers of help! It was the way it should be and I had no reason to suppose this caring wouldnt continue. We are after all Michael's fans and as such a mirror image of the man! I am proud to say that I was witness to the birth of some amazing sites and campaigns along the way. Michael death has marked the re-birth of a lot of very strong willed, intelligent women.

As time went by we became more and more aware of the awful circumstances regarding Michael's final months, week, days and hours. It made me more and more determined to fight to get to the truth and to see that Conrad Murray would go down for a long time.

I was also determined to fight for OUR rights. For it seemed to me that although, all the focus was (and rightfully so) on Michael and the investigation. We, his fans had been forgotton about in all of this and the majority of us were still suffering so badly and with no immediate signs of anything in the near future that might bring us any closure. His burial was private. His body interred in a tomb within a Mausoleum (couldn't have been more inaccessable to us, having said that a fan did manage to get in and get pictures!), and forget about some sort of tribute concert...we all know how many of those Jermaine organised and cancelled. It seems he can only really do them succesfully in Africa! So we have been left in a sort of limbo...Nomads with no real place to go to sit and contemplate and remember our 'King'. No one was sticking up for us through all of this!

Before we knew it the New Year had arrived, however instead of it bringing us closer together it seemed that cracks were begiining to show. Friendships were straining ( in a way it was understandable, we had all flocked together intially to gather strength and comfort within our numbers, we had, in the first instance, bonded through our grief, however with the passing of time we eventually discovered that some of those we had 'bonded' with were pehaps not the people we would normally call our friends and as such it was time to cut the cord). It was to be sign of worst to come!!!

The bickering would continue...Slowly gathering in strength it would seem to be aimed at certain individuals and mysteriously enough those individuals who were fighting and working so hard to get 'Justice for Michael'. I couldnt understand it....Firstly the bickering - when we were all telling each other to be 'Mike-like' and respect our fellow fans? However, on closer inspection it began to appear that infact it was a case of certain parties vying for the limelight and being resentful of those (who through their own intiatives and industry) managing to attain it, along with no certain amount of jealousy over others success's. There was also a scramble to be' the person closest to the person closest to The Family' !! Crazy !!!

Or maybe not so...You see through all of this we are ALL of us still grieving, with as yet no answers...time is ticking on....We are all of us trying to get back to some sort of normality but (and I speak personally here) it is oh so difficult when always at the back of your mind is Michael!! We are still angry and very, very frustrated, especially since it is looking more and more like Murray will get off with little more than a slapped wrist, however in the meantime in the 'Trial of the Century' Michael's name will be dragged through the mud, yet again!! So we all of us are carrying around this anger of injustice within us, with no one else to direct it at....apart from our fellow fans!! Some of us manage to channel our anger and grief into postive outlets such as fighting for Justice for Michael, writing blogs or even drawing or writing poetry. However for those unable for one reason or another to do so...It has to have some sort of outlet and that I believe is the fundamental underlying reason for fans attacking fans. Please dont get me wrong - I do not in any way condone it but I do understand it!!

When will it ever stop?? I do not know, what I do know is that if it were to continue, we will slowly but surely end up dissappating since, no one will want to be either associated with forums or sites where there is any fighting. If we cannot get along on the fan sites what hope is there when we try to unite outside the courthouse. Will the fighting continue there?? The press would have a field day!!! Michael would have no one to stand up and fight his corner! The world would never know the injustices being perpetrated in LA!! This is what we are risking

As I have said previously, my other fight is for our rights and our main one is to find somewhere in California where we can safely gather and remember Michael without fear of harassment. There is one small chink of light. A story appeared a couple of days ago about the Californian State Parks Dept wanting to purchase Neverland. Now, before you all start screaming and shouting about "it was never Michael's home after the 2005 Trial and that " It should be kept for the kids" . It can never be Michael's home, however Neverland was a very special place to Michael...it was where he had a lot of very happy memories and I feel spritually it will always be his home. As for it eventually belonging to the children...well it is co-owned by the Estate and Colony Capital. However, Colony Capital own the larger share, so it would always be up to them as to what would happen to it. It is currently on the market for $100 million.

Should the Parks Dept get ownership, it would ensure that the environment and wildlife contained within would be protected for future generations to come. Something I feel Michael would approve of! It would also ensure that the public would be able to gain access and be able to see and appreciate the beauty of Neverland for themselves. Can you imagine being able to actually walk through those gates??

There is one big problem...as always money. Like every other State and County/Provence in the world it is short of cash. However, we could help....all of us!! If every MJ fan (globally) donated $5 we could easily help bridge the gap!! Obviously this woud be a totally unique venture where a fanbase work alongside a Governmental Dept to help maintain a property, for if we were able to raise the funds, then it goes without saying that we should have some say in the running of the place. We could be allowed to have fan get-togethers on certain days (can you imagine watching TII in the cinema) and we could also ensure that a memorial is erected with in the Park allowing us somewhere to lay our tributes. The main house and guest houses could be rented out (with usage being stricly vetted and maybe only a certain part of the main house opened up). The revenue from this venture helping to maintain the properties and land. I know there are some who feel uncomfortable about 'others' gain access to what was Michael's home but it is his home no longer and it is just sitting there!! Would you really have some corporate body buy it and never let us near it or god forbid turn it into a hotel!! This is I feel our one and only chance to secure Neverland's future the way it should be and if we prevaricate too long we will loose Neverland forever and we will only have ourselves to blame!! I have already written to the Parks Dept to check the validity of the story and I am at present awaiting a reply.

Having a place to go (and for oversees fans, such as myself, a goal to aim towards) where one can feel 'close' to Michael I feel will be half the battle. We can really unite there. Hold regular gatherings where we can all actually meet and really get to know one another and exchange and discuss face-to-face our ideas and feelings. It is our right and if the Estate wont help us then we have to help ourselves!!

In the meantime. Again we wait, but we learn who our friends are and we ignore anyone who appears to be acting in an un-Mike-like manner. If you wouldnt say it or do it outside of the fansites dont say it on them. Lets be kind to one another and remember we are all only human underneath it all and we are all still hurting!

AUGUST 29TH 2010 - MICHAEL'S 52ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS - KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE EVENT

 Firstly, I need to explain a bit about the background to this event! I had first connected with the events organiser, Elena Ionniades, when she was trying to organise an event for the 25th of June. She very gracefully had allowed me to have a slot within the show to speak about the book I am attempting to write and the fans. This was probably around October 2009 and she and I corresponded regularly in regards to how the show was progressing and I also helped her with bits and bobs in regards to the organisation. Unfortunately, inspite of all of Elena's hard work and dedication, the show wasn't to be...poor tickets sales meant it couldnt go ahead.  Although she didnt show or communicate it to me. She must have been absolutely gutted!!

After such a disappointment, most people would have just curled up into a ball and retreated into a dark corner.  Not our Elena!! She picked herself up and set about organising and event for Michael's birthday - and what an event!

For those who arent in the know 'Thriller Live' is the most amazing stage show portraying all Michael's music. The cast are young and energetic and the music well what can I say!! The idea of the show came from Adrian Grant who got to know Michael in the eighties, it came about from Adrian's involvement in the fan clubs and giving something back to the fans.  Michael saw the concept show and his brothers saw the finished article when they came across to the UK last year!!

Elena had given me the responsibility of organising the cake!! Which was wonderful...the only problem - the stress of getting a 12" cake down to London safely via public transport! I was never so relieved as I was when I rested the cake on the table at the Lyric Theatre!!

Thankfully the journey down was relatively uneventful, Michael had obviously had a word with someone in regards to the weather, since all last week we had had wet dull, dingy weather. Sunday started off overcast but as I made my way down to London, the sun burst forth!! I would never say that London is a beautiful Capital but with brilliant blue skies and the leaves beginning to turn, it had a certain magic about it!!

The Lyric is a relatively small Victorian Theatre and as such you can feel the 'presence' of all those other 'theatre goers' in years gone by!! It oozes excitement and expectation!! I arrived early but the Manager was lovely and allowed me to go into the VIP room and start setting up! I was so nervous, since although I had spent nearly a year communicating with Elena - this would be the first time we would meet!  I neednt have worried since she was lovely and we got on like a house on fire!! The fans started arriving about 6.30pmish. In the end there were about 20 of us ranging in age from teenagers to 60yr olds!! Only with Michael could you have had such a broad spectrum of fans of such ages and backgrounds. The wonderful thing was the most of us knew each other from other meet ups! These functions are rapidly becoming more like family gatherings by the minute!! Elena had thought of everything - a card for everyone to sign (which is going to be taken up to Holly Terrace), Party bags...Oh and Adrian!!

Adrian Grant...Well what can I say other than - no wonder he was one of Michael's friends! He is lovely, so quiet and unassuming - he took the time to talk to all of us, sign autographs, pose for photos and then say a wonderful speech! I have only personally met one other of Michael's friends (Mark Lester) and he was hard pressed to even give me 5 mins of his time!! What does that tell you!! Not only that but Adrian came back at the end and bought some of the cast members to meet us!! Between Adrian and the Manager of the Lyric Theatre we were all made to feel very special. I had managed to bag front row seats and in the Lyric front row means you are almost on the stage!! It was wonderful being able to see everything up close...especially the male dancers!!! Lol!! The show is a must, it has you booging in your seats from the very start!! With fans dancing in the street during the interval and afterwards, it was a very, very magical evening but it would be wouldn't it ?

To cap it all off as we were making our way home ...we came across a couple of buskers playing MJ tunes in the depths of the London Underground. It felt as if Michael was following us home!!

So now what....The summer is nearly over here along with the everything it has bought us ...the demo's....The Anniversary....His Birthday. The Autumn and Winter is casting it shadow already upon us here in the UK.  October will bring us yet another court date!  Then what? The long wait until the Prelim in January!! This now will definitely be a test of time for many of our friendships - especially the long distance ones!!

I desperately hoping (and saving) to be able to afford to go out to LA next year, since I so need to connect with my US buddies, however fear if I do not then I might loose them forever, to others who are nearer and easier to communicate with! I personally also have many challenges in my life to battle, but fear that I may loose sight of Michael and contact with my friends whilst I do so!!

These past 14 months have been so awe-inspiring!!  I pray to Michael that we will all still be together and united this time next year!

JUSTICE4MJ 4EVER!! 

THANK YOU ELENA FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND MAKING MICHAEL'S BIRTHDAY A REALLY SPECIAL DAY FOR SO MANY <3 <3 <3

Just a small postcript...One of my friends noticed and has tagged two small 'orbs' in the photos of the event.  Michael was with us!!

HOW MUCH MORE OF THIS BULLSHIT ARE WE GOING TO TAKE!!

So all our fears and suspicions about how Michael had been mis-treated and manipulated were finally confirmed in Katherine's Lawsuit against AEG, Randy Phillips, Kenny Oertega & others.  However, awful as all this is what really, really makes me see red is that they are doing exactly the same to us!! They fed us TII with Michael barely cold in the Mausoleum, spouting garbage about how he was "On form" and "In good shape!!". The rest of the world lapped it up, however, thankfully there were those of us amongst us who were more cynical and could see what they couldnt (the layers of clothes, the dramatic weight loss, also the changes in the show schedule). For over a year they have been talking and spreading all the information which made the rest of us take a second look. However proof ...we had none only our eyes and ears!! Now Katherine has obviously got the missing pieces of the Jigsaw and I hope will wipe the floor with AEG!!

In the meantime we are supposed to be waiting with bated breath for the launch in November of a new Album of previously unreleased songs!! After all of this!! Do they seriously think we are that stupid!! I know this is Sony and not AEG but there are links. As I think I have blogged before these guys are laughing at us all the way to the bank!! How many more unscrupulous deals have they done to make this album - only a few weeks ago, people within the Industry were writing that there appeared to have been precious little movement on work on the album!! One has to ask why?  You would have thought that people would be clamouring to work on it and provide a fitting epitaphe to our King. Also wouldnt Sony be desperate to get it out to get their blood stained hands on our money again? Maybe they had got wind of Katherine's intentions? They, by association could also be dragged into this Lawsuit. Well, Hello!!! Hopefully this might just change the minds of those precious few who still insist on buying anything Michael related from Sony - whatever.

If I have ever wanted anything (apart from having Michael back, obviously) it is that Katherine's Lawsuit will show for once and for all, all the shitty, lying, manipulative and down right illegal practices that go down with these guys!! This Lawsuit could potentially prove to be a turning point for the music industry, if it does manage to identify all the crap within it. Should any good  come out of thisy, hopefull it will be that Record Companies are much more closely regulated in regards to the way they handle their Clients and that a 'Duty of Care' should mean a 'Duty of Care'!

In the meantime. I for one have binned TII...I found it hard enough to watch before, but now!!! The bin is the best place for it and suggest others do the same!! I also suggest for those still sceptical about Sony's involvement to go towww.mj-777.com.  We already have the best of Michael in our collections, there is so much doubt out there that Michael would have approved of a company - let alone Sony- releasing his Songs without him being involved in the final cut! Lets just wait a couple of years then hopefully they will become the property of his children. If they wish to release them then so be it! However I personally am not going to let some Corporate giant, that Michael dispised and who only 9 or so years ago decide he was 'washed up' and as such did little to promote the brilliant 'Invincible' album, put out an album that I feel he would not want released, especially since it will, I am sure, become more apparent in the Trial that will hopefully follow the Lawsuit, Sony's involvement in Michael's demise.

SO LETS SHOW SONY & AEG THAT WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!

David Nordhal & Sainthood!

I have had to put digits to keyboard, after listening to the most amazing interview about Michael.

Deborah Campisie Kunesh (she of Reflections of the Dance site) interviewed David Nordahl ( for those who reside on Planet Zog, he is the artist who painted a lot of the wonderful fantasy pictures of Michael, which hung around Neverland).

I must be honest I put this on expecting it to be fairly boring!! Ha! Was I wrong. I never realised exactly how close he became to Michael and subsequently all the amazing experiences he had with him, all of which he was more than happy to share with us.

By the end of the interview, I had tears streaming down my face. That box within my heart in which I had locked all the hurt and anger over Michael's demise, had just been opened!

The Michael that David experienced was a person who tried his hardest to cope with the burden of his fame the best he could, never forgetting his humble roots. The Michael he discussed was absolutely no where near the person portrayed in the Media, but then we all knew that!! Through David's recollections, I felt again the hurt and pain Michael must have gone through desperately battling not only the injustices thrown on him by others but his body as well. My heart aches for every time he looked in the Mirror and saw how the Vittilego was slowly decimating his body, not to mention the pain he went through because of his Lupus. How many times must he have asked God the question "Why?". Yet as David told us he never ever was heard to complain or grumble in public or in front of his friends!! 

It just bought it back exactly  how unfair Michael's last 17yrs had been to him! 

At one point David Nordahl was explaining about how much he loved the Ranch (Neverland) and how he loved to walk around it with him singing (Nordahl, goes on to explain that it wasnt like they way he sang on stage) this was more like the way someone would sing in the bath!!! He then added that it was the saddest thing to see him being stripped of his happiness! Gut wrenching!!

The real icing on the cake was when David shared with us exactly how loving and caring a father Michael really was.  Not for him the farming out of his children to the care of Nannies. He was hands-on all the way! 

It has just bought back exactly what we have lost and hardest of all what his children have lost!

More importantly it has also highlighted the absolute evil which resides in the world lurking in the shadows just waiting to take advantage of those with innocent souls such as Michael's.

This is precisely why I will continue battling for Justice and against these dark forces!!  I want nothing more than for one day, the real truth to come out about the circumstances surrounding his death, 

Listening to all David had to recount, made me think once again about other news that came to me yesterday. Apparently there are rumours that Michael is being considered by the Pope for Cannonisation (Sainthood). Although I agree that there is no one more suited to the job, actually mulling it over today made me think that Michael would be shaking his head and laughing at the thought of this! Firstly he is not of the Catholic persuasion and secondly he would have said it was too grand a position for him.  The beauty of our Michael was that he tried his hardest to stay grounded, not just because that was the way he was but also because it kept him connected to those who really mattered to him, the children! Michael was never into Pomp and Circumstance and apart from anything else, we  his fans will still love him and continue to worship him Sainthood or not! 

Please if you get the chance listen to this amazing interview,it is  guaranteed to bring a tear to your eyes and warm the cockles of your heart

Thank you David for so eloquently sharing your memories with us

KELVIN MACKENZIE

elvin Mackenzie is the lowest of the low when it comes to journalism.

For our American friends, let me tell u a little story which just hightlight exactly what a lovely character he is!

In 1989 there was an awful tragedy that happened at a football match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at a stadium called Hillsborough. 96 fans lost their lives due to crushing because of overcrowding in the stadium. Mackenzie was at the helm of 'The Sun' at that time. The Sun printed the front-page headline "The Truth", with three sub-headings, "Some Fans Picked Pockets of Victims", "Some Fans Urinated on the Brave Cops" and "Some Fans Beat Up PC Giving Kiss Of Life". The accompanying article claimed that ticketless and drunken Liverpool F.C. fans were responsible for the disaster, having supposedly tried to fight their way into the stadium by rushing the turnstiles and attacking policemen outside the ground. Further specific allegations were made that during the disaster itself Liverpool fans inside the stadium had stolen wallets and other items from the dead, had urinated over policemen and the bodies of dead fans, that they had beaten policemen, ambulance men and rescue workers attempting to save the lives of other fans and had sexually abused the body of a dead girl after shouting "throw her up and we'll fuck her" to policemen moving her body.Needless to say this caused outrage on Merseyside at the time.

Non of the above could be substansiated and a public enquiry ensued head by Lord Justice Taylor, which laid blame at several doors - the police, design of stadium and late arrival of fans. 

In a book 'The History of The Sun' Peter Chippendale and Chris Horrie  wrote:-

'As MacKenzie's layout was seen by more and more people, a collective shudder ran through the office (but) MacKenzie's dominance was so total there was nobody left in the organisation who could rein him in except Murdoch. (Everyone in the office) seemed paralysed - "looking like rabbits in the headlights" - as one hack described them. The error staring them in the face was too glaring. It obviously wasn't a silly mistake; nor was it a simple oversight. Nobody really had any comment on it—they just took one look and went away shaking their heads in wonder at the enormity of it. It was a 'classic smear'.'

After publication of the article there wasnt a newsagents in Mersyside which would stock 'The Sun', and many still dont.

MacKenzie explained his reporting in 1993. Talking to a House of Commons National Heritage Select Committee, he said: "I regret Hillsborough. It was a fundamental mistake. The mistake was I believed what an MP said. It was a Tory MP. If he had not said it and the Chief Superintendent (David Duckenfield) had not agreed with it, we would not have gone with it."

MacKenzie repudiated this apology in November 2006, saying that he only apologised because the newspaper's owner Rupert Murdoch ordered him to do so. He said, "I was not sorry then and I'm not sorry now" for the paper's coverage MacKenzie refused again to apologise when appearing on the BBC's topical Question Time on 11 January 2007.

The Sun eventually printed a full and unreserved apology in 2004 - a full 15yrs later!

Mackenzie truly is the lowest of the low!!!

Apologies for the language on the photo but well....Right now I couldnt have put it better myself!!

BREAKING NEWS- LOOKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX!

Right lets try to look at this outside of the box.

1. We already have the best of Michael - we are not going to get any better

2. So maybe people have tampered with 'Breaking News'. To me it has all the hallmarks of a 'Michael' song and that goes for the uninitiated as well!

3. To not buy it, wont affect Sony in the least (remember there are millions of his fans who are not as educated as most of us are to all that is going on, and they will buy it whatever). 

4. We have to accept that from now on this will be the type of album we will get. According to interview with Teddy Riley, with a lot of songs Mike only laid down one or two tracks, as ideas to work on. Also according to the good Mr Riley the next album will be a collaboration. We have to accept this. We have the best...with Michael gone, his legacy lays in the hands of mixers, finishers and producers - all unsupervised by Mike!

5. We are, as Michael's fans, (unofficially) charged with the responsibility of maintaining his legacy (in every shape and form). So yes as such we are entitled to scream and shout when we feel that something has been put in the public domain which does not meet his standard (and positively promote his legacy to us). To me 'Breaking News' (with Mike in or out of it) does not degrade his music. We have to understand that to the 'untrained ear' it will be a wholly MJ track. It is only those of us who recognise those signature notes and trademark adagios that realise that maybe, perhaps it is not all Michael.

At the end of the day it is down to personal preference and ones own beliefs and feelings. 

2010 - What a Year!!

So here we are - the clocks have gone back, the days are now shorter, again. Although lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the country, and blessed with the excuse to go out and wander those fields and lanes with my faithful hound Archie, I ache to have someone to be able to share the beauty that is the countryside that surrounds me. The Autumnal elegance of those golden and russet leaves and the mists settling in the valley that contains my village, are continually tinged with the sadness that I view them alone. Sometimes I think I can feel Michael's spirit in the wind that whips the leaves into a mad whirling dance or the beauty of the heavy frost that softens the stark outlines of the leafless trees and bushes, but more often than not it is just me and my dog!

Winter is never a good time, not in the least for those of us residing in the Northern Hemisphere. Last winter was an extremely harsh one, with unparalleled snowfalls. For those of living out in the countryside we found ourselves for the first time cut off from civilisation for four days!!! Suddenly our world got a whole lot smaller. However, at least it instilled a real sense of community, so if there was a silver lining in those snow clouds it was nice to see everyone pulling together!

Throughout all of this I have had, certainly through the last winter, my trusty laptop, providing me with my portal to another world - that of my MJ friends and colleagues in California. Their wonderfully sunny, colourful pictures would be enough to brighten up any winters day. Their friendly banter in their posts, bought a smile to my face on many occassions.  Their world was my escape and I dream & hope that next year it may become my reality!

However, through the period between last winter and this there have been changes. The camaraderie that held us all together started to become unstuck. Holes started appearing in what was I had a thought a tightly knit global community. It appeared that there were those whose intentions (whether under their own volition or others) was to destroy that camaraderie and sow the seeds of doubt and suspicion amongst us. In fact I think I can safely say that the period from Jan/Feb of 2010 to present has been spent in a state of continual upheaval. The main battle ground became Twitter, the battle - for the hearts and minds of Michael's fans.  Through this whole year, I think I can safely say I have witnessed the full gamut of human emotion from deep, deep despair to jealousy and even anger! I have been made aware of the 'dark side' to the two main Social Networking sites (Twitter & Facebook). On Twitter, I have seen 'Tweets' from one 'fan' to another which beggar belief in regards to the depths of the depravity of language used. These you have to remind yourself are from, generally, woman of ages with Michael and are sent to other individuals they scarcely know! In regards to Facebook, fans set up 'fake' Facebook Accounts to either manipulate gullible fans to part with money or to surreptitiously gain access to other's pages to which under their real identities, for one reason or another they had been blocked - again in order to attack. That is the big problem with the Internet and Social Networking sites, you can become anyone. It is so easy to build up an an alter ego - I should know I too have several on FB, all created with no great deal of effort. There is no real policing of any of these sites and should one of your 'fake' accounts for one reason or another get shut down, you simply create another one, and another, and another.....

Unfortunately, it is the need for overnight fame by certain individuals  which  has exacerbated all of this! Although I have never lived there, having watched many a documentary on or around the city, I imagine that there is more of need to grab some part of the limelight in Los Angeles than anywhere else! As many of the genuine fans who reside over there, and whose images appear regularly in the wonderful photo's they are kind enough to share with us 'foreign' fans, have discovered, even they have a certain notoriety  now. That is the beauty of Facebook, Twitter and My Space, in that photo's can be posted and shared by millions in a matter of minutes. As such, in the blink of an eye your face can be known by milllions without you really knowing it!!!!However, thankfully these guys have their feet firmly planted on the ground. Unfortunately  to other such characters who do not have such a stable personality a little bit of fame goes a long, long way and these days you can become famous for being infamous!!! I find it highly amusing since one such 'infamous' fan has probably now had more column inches devoted to her within blogs and Social Networking sites than even Conrad Murray himself!  What I do find totally reprehensible and unforgivable is that these characters also use their guile to pray upon the gullible fans, who can be easily manipulated for their own gain whether morally or financially. They reel them in making these fans believe they are better connected than they actually are by posting 'photoshopped' photographs. These guys are extremely manipulative and must be avoided at all costs!

I must add here it is very difficult not to perceive that these characters may possibly have strings that are being pulled by others with their aim to target those who are fighting so hard to get information and answers in regards to Michaels murder and whom are working tirelessly to keep the fans united  

So in practically the space of a year we went from all (or the majority of us) wanting justice for Michael to suddenly finding the main business at hand being warding off yet another attack on ones integrity or trying to work out from which direction the next attack would come from. Whether planned or not the overall effect of all of this was very demoralising on the majority of us. We were Michael's fans, we collectively came together and bonded in 2009 over our grief at his loss and our strong, strong love and devotion to his music and his beliefs. Most of us were not wired up to be fighters - well not of, so called, other fans - for justice maybe. People you perceived to be friends you suddenly found yourself doubting. If it was tough in LA, a million miles away in the UK it was even tougher. It was very hard not to become totally paranoid and neurotic. I had built up friendships with a lot of the fans over there. As I said in the introductory paragraph, they were my escape, my dream, my portal to all things MJ related. However, after one particularly bleak couple of days,  for the first time since we lost Michael I found myself actually questioning what was I doing? However, as they say " What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and I would add as well, also strengthens some friendships.

The week of 'Oprah's' interview with Kathryn and the J3, along with the airing of Michael's first single since his death, was a tough one for all of us.  Many were dreading the interview for so many reasons, the main one being that Oprah had 'history' with Michael, having aired a Molestation documentary on the last day of Michael's Trial and managing to manipulate conversations with other interviewees to enable her to refer to to the molestation issue again an again. Many also felt that Michael would not have wanted his children to have been put in the spotlight and certainly not with Oprah! To my mind, and through the tears with which I viewed it. I felt that it had been quite well conducted - although would have loved it to go on for longer! Although I did agree with the majority, in regards to the children, it was wonderful to see them growing up relatively 'normally'. However there was a big, big space there, which should have been filled by Michael.  The airing of his single 'Breaking News' along with the release date for the album 'Michael' should also have bought a smile to all our faces,  unfortunately just before the Sony allowed us to preview the single' on MJ.com,  Howard Mann who runs 'The Jackson Secret Vault' website and who is purported to be Kathryn's business advisor, decided to release another track of Michaels, called 'Opus None', citing that Kathryn had given her blessing on it's release!!! Liar, liar... pants on fire!!!!  As soon as it hit the web, there was a mass 'howl' from the fans that there was no way that this was a bonafide 'MJ' track. In the end the 'good' Mr Mann had to 'fess' up that this was in fact a rehash of an older J5 Tack that had been 'tranced' up and that Kathryn had most certainly not given her blessing!! So with that experience firmly in our minds when we all expectantly came to listen to 'Breaking News' on the 8th Nov on MJ.com, it is understandable that a lot of us were sceptical again, as to was this , indeed, Michael. Rumours abounded that only part of the song was MJ and the rest had been 'finished' off by a tribute artist called Jason Malachi. As I said what should have been a exuberant week for us, quickly turned sour with bickering starting yet again and the '$ony $ucks ' campaigners having a field day spreading conspiracy theories all over the MJ sites. Personally I smelt a 'rat'. I feel like the fans are being used, again, by others who have bigger agenda's. I am spitting feathers here because I just have this feeling that there are 'Fat Cats' out there who are more than aware how vulnerable Michael's fans are at this time, with many of us still grieving his loss and the rest of us still trying to piece together the 'what's', 'why's' and 'wherefore's' of his death. They are taking full advantage of this to sow seeds of confusion and doubt amongst us. Now whether it is to try to divide us, again, ( there have been certain elements and fractions in amongst us who tried and are still trying to do this). Or whether, as I mentioned previously, it is to do with a bigger agenda (the ATV/MJAC Catalogue?) only time will tell. Emotions were also fraught when after the elation of the success of Kamalah Harris appearing to secure the Attorny General post in Sol Cal, after a very closely fought battle with Steve Cooley (he had been re-elected 3 years running). It turns out that there were still postal votes to be counted.  At the time of writing Cooley appears to have taken over the lead! Many within the LA MJ community are very aware of Cooleys lack-a-daisyical attitude to securing the right charge on Conrad Murray and have suspicions about his connections with the likes of John Branca and AEG. Many also believe should he get re-elected again, there will be no justice for Michael!

As 2010 slowly draws to an end....I am prone to reflect on all it has served up to me!! It has without a doubt been a momentous year, in that I have made big changes to my life. On top of that I have had wonderful experiences with wonderful people all in the name of Michael. The year still has a couple of months to go and with the release of the album, the  'Michael Jackson Experience' Game, the run up to the Prelim and the result of the Attorney General race, no doubt there will be a few more curveballs on the horizon. However, we expect no less, since one thing we all agree on ...being a Michael Jackson fan was never, ever going to be easy!!!