A Tribute to Michael Jackson

I am writing this one day after the passing of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. I was among the millions of shocked fans to learn of his sudden death from cardiac arrest yesterday and am still in shock. It's surreal to see one of the icons of your generation to be taken so suddenly. I am dedicating this particular post to him, as I was a fan of his in my younger years, and an admirer in my older years.

I am likening this event to the passing of other musical greats: Elvis for the children of the 50's , John Lennon for the children of the 60's and Curt Cobain for the children of the 90's. I am a child of the 80's and Michael Jackson defined the landscape of popular culture of music, dance and fashion as well as revolutionized the visual medium of music videos in the infancy of MTV. I am of the MTV generation- and to us, Michael Jackson WAS the King of Pop.

I remember wanting the Thriller album so badly that year it came out...I was in 6th grade, and when I received that album for Christmas that year, I was over the moon. I learned every song- I learned every dance routine. I wanted to be "like Mike". Many of the children I knew felt the same way, we admired him, we looked up to him, and we emulated him. I danced to "Billie Jean" in the year end talent show in 6th grade, and although I didn't win, I was ecstatic to get a chance to perform to his music. I may have been a ballet/jazz dancer at the time, but his music transcended dance styles...you could dance any style to his songs and make it look cool.

Unfortunately I never got the opportunity to see him perform live in person, I was too young to see a concert (my parents' rules ) and I lament the loss of that opportunity as it has been lost forever now that I am old enough to do whatever I want to do! However, I witnessed every live TV event he was on, and enjoyed the performances. The Motown 25th Anniversary Special sticks out in my mind, as that was the first time we witnessed him doing the moonwalk. The Grammys for that year also come to mind, as he won 6 awards- an unbelievable feat for any solo artist. He was the best performer that ever lived, and I always believed that.

I have decided to remember Michael Jackson for all the great music and dancing that he left behind. I choose not to dwell on the particular eccentricities of his personal life that the tabloids and gossip columnists fed on. To me, Michael Jackson was larger than life, he was talented and he was a genius in music. His legacy is large in scope and is here for all of us to enjoy forever. His spirit will live on in his music and in that way he is immortal.

God rest his soul and condolences to his family, especially his 3 children.

God Bless!
That's it and that's all I have to say about that....

The Job Hunt Continues....

So I have officially been out of work for a couple of months (my last paycheck was on April 5th) but I haven't actually worked since February 5th. It's starting to wear me down being out of work... last year I found a job within 3 months.... at this point I am looking at a much longer unemployment. I wish that I didn't need to find a job, I'd rather just be a stay at home mom, but we can't live on my husband's salary alone. Plus, I'd like to be contributing to the household budget...baby stuff is expensive...the diapers and wipes alone are a fortune, and my little angel is now starting to supplement with formula as my breast milk supply is starting to slow down and he needs the extra calories.

I have been searching every day on the internet, and ATTEMPTING to network with anyone that could help me. So far my networking attempts have been pretty unhelpful. I have reached out to former colleagues and some acquaintances that I have met in the business world and I have been rebuffed. It's as if I have fallen off the face of the earth and I have become invisible and irrelevant.

I have had only 1 interview since I have started this job search 2 months ago...I thought it went well...however, I came to find out 3 weeks later that the job had been filled. The stupid agency that sent me on the interview couldn't be bothered to return my calls about that job, so I had to contact the company directly and that's how I found out. I guess since they weren't going to get a commission for placing me I had no use for them. It's pretty pathetic in my opinion. The courteous thing would have been to call me back when I asked about the status of the job. It was on the internet for weeks after it was filled, so I was surprised to find out it had been filled. Whatever...it's another example of how the unemployed gets screwed with by potential employers like staffing agencies. I swear they cherry pick all the applicants to fill their job orders and can't be bothered with anyone else.

As far as motherhood goes, I do enjoy my son. He's my pride and joy and I adore him. He's 4 months old now, and he's started to roll over on his own, he grabs at toys, and he has found his feet..he likes to try to bite them, and in fact has pulled his socks off in the process. He's now sleeping through the nite most of the time, and I am ALMOST ready to let him sleep in his crib in his bedroom, he is currently still sleeping in his carseat/stroller next to my bed at nite. I wake up several times to check on him to make sure he is ok. I am neurotic and I know it. I don't know any other way to be.

Well, that's it and that's all for now...I need some good luck to come to me so I can stop worrying so much...

TTFN