The Many Faces of Michael Jackson

Unless you've been under a rock, you know that Michael Jackson has died. I have conflicted feelings about Michael. I'm sorry to see such a gifted performer and musician pass away, but he had a host of troubles that he carried upon his shoulders, most notably being accused of being a pedophile.

The 12 year old prodigy appearing "normal"

This man, who in the end had so many plastic surgeries that it could be considered self-mutilation, was constantly scrutinized and accused of being a pedophile. A troubling and probable accusation. This odd man who had the heart of Peter Pan and behaved much like a 10 year old instead of his age transformed not only the music industry, but his looks as well. It was like a train wreck, you couldn't help but watch his face literally start to disintegrate.

The subtle transformation is taking place

His breathy, high pitched voice along with his hairstyle, lipstick, makeup and carefully arched eyebrows implied he considered himself to be transgendered. When actually, except for the boys; he seemed asexual. Yet, when he danced, he became overtly sexual...his movements were lightening fast and his singing perfectly phrased. But, that is only from the observations of one writer.

The waxy, strange look from too many plastic surgeries (self-mutilation)

He must have had a good heart, as many friends were devastated to learn of his untimely death. But, there is more to the story than the sadness of a child prodigy grown up and dying too soon. As Liza Minnelli and Deepok Chopra told CNN: "I'm glad we're celebrating his life and music now, because when the autopsy comes back, all hell is going to break lose."

His face is a dichotomy. Beard stubble is visible yet his makeup is impeccable along with the carefully plucked and shaped eyebrows. And his nose...what do you say?

Many are comparing his death to Anna Nicole Smith and Elvis Presley. They too, were very sad people who hid their addictions and meds from the public. Elvis even defending his drug use as the drugs being prescribed for him by his doctor. My feelings are mixed about Michael. From all the evidence presented, it seems obvious that he was a pedophile. How do you reconcile your feelings of respect for such a gifted artist when he abused innocent children? He should have been thrown in jail for his actions...I find myself struggling with his choices and how we should remember him. I, too am a dichotomy of my respect and admiration of Michael Jackson. He succumbed to drugs, regardless of his feeling that they were "prescribed."

A true artist.

Surely a doctor wouldn't resort to being a well-paid drug dealer now, would he? Sometimes the almighty dollar is just too tempting. Even if it results in the premature death of those addicted.

Sometimes the almighty dollar is just too tempting.

Even if it results in the premature death of those addicted.

More Musings Later- RIP MJJ

Time to Clean out the Closet

Isn’t it amazing the things that you accumulate in your life? If you need a reminder, try cleaning out your closet. You know, the one you came out of at “that moment”.
I found myself doing just that a couple of weeks ago. I walked into “that closet” and took a good look. It was very good at keeping my personal things out of sight. It made everything look like it was in order and functioning just fine, thank you very much. I knelt down and opened some old boxes and started going through some of my childhood memorabilia.

I had to chuckle to myself, here is the lacey dress with petticoats that I wore when I was about 5 years old. Oh wait, the patent leather shoes….My God, here they are. Did I really wear all that? Oh, yes. Wait, here’s another box of photographs. I’m wearing my ever-present Shirley Temple hairdo, courtesy of my Mom, hair rollers and significant amounts of Dippidy-Doo and Aqua Net. I was the frilliest, most feminine little girl I had ever seen.

Then I looked at myself really closely. I think my eyes said it all. I was different. So different it was absolutely painful, and I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why or how I was different from everyone else. I looked like all the other little girls in elementary school. I looked at another picture and something caught my eye. I was standing in front of my elementary school smiling for the camera, and someone had spray painted on the brick walls, “Taryn is a Queer”. As I saw this phrase scrawled behind my right shoulder, I realized that it had been following me all my life. There it was, always right over my shoulder.

It wasn’t for quite a few years that I turned to a counselor to help me clean out my closet. Together we talked, I cried, felt relief, anger, denial, guilt, and a plethora of other emotions. I had to experience them all to get where I am now. I put the lid back on the boxes and neatly arranged them in my closet. I turned out the light and quietly closed the door and thought to myself, I’m glad I had the courage to clean out my closet.

Need help with cleaning out your closet? Don’t hesitate to contact a counselor, trusted friend or parent. You’ll be glad you did.

More Musings Later-

What was YOUR Childhood Catch Phrases?

These are some of mine from parents and grandparents:

"Don't dispute my word!"

"You are impossible!"

"Go to your room and think about what you've done!"

"Go outside and pick me a switch!"

"Get me a rattail comb, Dippity Doo and V-05. Don't forget the Aqua Net!"

"Your ears are so dirty, you could grow mushrooms in there!"

"If you tattle on your sister, YOU will get in trouble!"

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"

"Braid or pony tail?"

"If you can remember all these facts about David Cassidy, you can do well in school too."

"The very idea!"

"Don't count your chickens before they've hatched"

"Problems are like white meat...the more you chew on it, the bigger it gets."

"Get up there durn ya, 'fore I eat ya!"

"I see said the blind man to his deaf and dumb dog"

From Me:

"Don't tell me you're broke! You have a box full of checks!"

"I may be little, but my problem is as big as me!"

"I no lady, I Taryn!" (priceless to this day)

"Kiss me you fool!"

"Daddy, what does F**k mean?"

"But Why??????"



Try coming up with your own catch phrases. They'll make you smile.

More Musings Later-