The tragic life of Michael Jackson

As we’re all quite aware, thanks to a 24hour media inundation of information, Michael Jackson is dead at age 50.

There are a number of people lamenting his death, some tragically so. Not me, however. I’m lamenting his life. Michael Jackson had one of the most high and low lives one could possibly imagine.

I grew up when Michael Jackson started his solo career, when songs like Beat It and Bad were the biggest things to hit the airwaves. Granted, he had massive hits when he was with the Jackson 5. To this day you can’t help but tap your toes to A-B-C. But it was his solo career that made Michael Jackson one of the most famous and recognized entertainers on earth… literally.

It’s obvious, in hindsight, that Michael Jackson was a very troubled man. From an early age he was forced into entertainment by his father Joe Jackson. Granted, I’m sure Michael wanted to go into music, but how many 8 year olds really know what’s best for them. Joe Jackson was a ruthless promoter and manager, he had a rigorous rehearsal and practice schedule, and didn’t allow his children to do what they do best… be children. It was this loss of Michael’s childhood that I believe caused many of his behavioral issues. The associations with young boys like Emmanuel Lewis (Webster) and Macaulay Culkin, and a desire to “never grow up” are also part of Michael’s lost childhood. One telling example is the name of his ranch, Neverland. Peter Pan and his Lost Boys never had to grow up. Michael was playing Peter Pan, of course, and his friends being the lost boys.

Associated with his Peter Pan syndrome (Puer Aeternus, Latin for the eternal boy) is the accusation of pedophilia. When you have an abuse survivor (which he was most certainly emotionally abused) they often act out sexually. Often to exert some control over their lives, because during the abuse they had no control. Added to that fact that he spent time pretending to be a boy, but having the hormones of an adult male, the recipe for pedophilia is pretty much there. Also, while not being an admission of guilt, he did pay off a few familes (hush money) to drop charges of child abuse against him.
His “marriage” to Lisa Marie Presley (who has her own issues) was, in my opinion, a creepy way of saying “look I like girls, and I’m an adult!” It didn’t last.

It was also obvious that he had a drug problem. He admitted as such at one point and checked himself into a care center for his prescription drug addiction. Elizabeth Taylor made a statement on his behalf saying as much. There was drug use from an early age as well. Places like Studio 54 and other party spots, contributed to his addiction. The sheer amount drugs he took on daily basis (depacote, duladid, soma, etc) painkillers, antidepressants, and other drugs, are evidence of that.

Later we have Michael’s financial troubles. As it stands his estimated debt right now is 400 million dollars (I’ll link that if I can find the source again). He at one time purchased the Beatles music catalogue (for which I, as well as Paul McCartney will never forgive him) and invested well. His tours were making $1million a show at every venue he attended. But eventually his extravagant lifestyle caught up with him. Neverland Ranch alone was a gigantic money-sink just to keep it running. The added stress for someone who already had failing health was I’m sure, a huge factor in his heart attack.

Now there is the question of his children. Filing for custody right now is Michael’s mother and father (because they did such a bang up job last time). Sadly, I think they’ll get custody. Personally I think the children should go to their mother. Why would the grandparents have first say before the mother does?

There’s no question that Jackson was a person with huge musical talent. People all over the world are mourning Michael Jackson. If this was 15 years ago, I’d probably be with them… but not now. Now I see the death of a mentally-ill, narcotics-addicted pedophile. It’s a shame that he had to go through life abused, taken advantage of, and in the spotlight.

I don’t hate Michael Jackson for his ills though. I pity him.
Rest in peace.

Busy, busy, busy

Haven't had a chance to update much lately. I apologize to the both of you that follow the blog :)
Baby's been sick, had an ear infection followed by teething, then the other ear got infected, followed by more teething.
It's been a no-sleeping for mom & dad last 5 or 6 weeks.

Anyway. I've just about completed 2 Space Marine projects that I've been working on. I've also completed and entered a painting competition for a 40k vehicle. I picked up a Land Raider, and painted it up in my Royal Venom scheme (purple, greens, gold). I think it turned out pretty good, even though I wasn't able to give it as much weathering as I would have liked before the deadline.

Regardless, I entered the contest and took 1st place! Woot for me! (pics to come)

My other projects are a 10man squad of Tactical space marines for the Royal Venom. I've been working on these guys for awhile, but it always seems like I need to add "just one more thing".
I also finished up a Dreadnought for the Venom as well, he's based and everything, but I want to touch up a lens, highlight a weapon, and then he's all set. He's also had the arms magnetized, so I can rotate and swap out guns. Look for pics in the next week.

Also just started working on a Venom 5man squad of Assault Marines. You know, the guys with the (awesome) jetpacks. I've also done some conversion on them. I chopped up a terminator's Lightning Claws and added them to the Sergeant. I'll post some picks of them as they get further along. I'm still in the pre-paint stage there.

I'll have a few pics here, but the majority of them will be on my Deviant Art page, if anyone is interested.

Oh, and Star Trek was AWESOME. First movie in a long time that I'd pay to see more than once.