I grew up knowing who he was, how he danced (boy could that man really dance!), and had heard a smattering of his music, but that was all. Still, it was clearly cemented in my mind, perhaps for reasons not yet clear to me then, that he was a great artiste, the undisputed King of Pop. I had seen video footages of screaming, shrieking, wailing female fans with tears streaming down their faces as they cried out for Michael at his stampede-ready concerts. I heard from the grown-ups around me talk about how people fainted from excitement, and once on the telly a woman got a kiss from Michael, to which my dad joked that she was not going to wash her face for a year. Everyone seemed to try to imitate his famous moonwalk. I mean, someone who caused that much hysteria had got to be a big deal.

His songs that I came to know as a kid were his hits in the 90s such as "Heal the World", "Will You be There", "You are Not Alone" and "Scream", a duet with his sister Janet. I honestly don't think those were some of his best works, explaining why the impact he left on me back then was not a strong one.

Things changed when I entered my late teens and twenties. My curiousity about this demi-God grew as media reports about his increasing eccentricities grew too. I started digging up on his older classic releases to listen to, and watched his music videos again. At some of the clubs and parties I went to, whenever the dj busted out some old skool tracks, Michael Jackson would inevitably get the dancing blood in me flowing as I happily grooved away on a music high.

Forget all that Lisa Marie Presley girly-softie crap songs that he released much later like "you are not alone" . His best music that truly delivered a punch was in his HIStory!

These are my favorite timeless MJ songs that I could listen to over and over again:

- Smooth Criminal
- Billie Jean
- Do You Remember the Time
- Rock With You
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Beat It
- Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
- Man in the Mirror
- Ben
- I'll Be There, I Want You Back (Jackson 5)

I'm very much into old skool jams, rather than modern pop ditties that I feel lack... REAL SOUL.

I gradually came to fully appreciate Michael's great works, his amazing dancing, and his ground-breaking music videos of the time. I finally understood why he was such big of a deal as I had seen during my childhood, why he was the King of Pop. As a result I have a great amount of admiration and respect for him.

Michael was the one to bridge R&B and Pop as we know it. He was the single individual who defined the music video age. With the introduction of the CD-format, MTV, and his Thriller album, Michael was the one artiste who brought it all together to make it that impactful, more than anyone ever did or anyone ever will.

The very sad thing is that over the past decade MJ has been made out to be a freak by the press, media, and unscrupulous dirtbags with dollar signs in their eyes.

I for one, have always sympathized with MJ's plight and have never fully believed he was as crazy and disgusting as people painted him to be. I will even say that I often feel ANGRY at the kind of treatment he got.

Michael Jackson was a complicated human being who was denied a childhood in order to provide us with great musical and dancing entertainment, ever since his little days with the Jackson 5. But with all his wealth and success, it seems to me he never seemed truly happy.

Because of his lost youth, Michael Jackson very much remained a child trapped in a man's body, riddled with confusion over his status, his identity, his life, and the world around him. Add to that problems with his health (he supposedly has little appetite and spent $45,000 a month on medications!).

He was soft-spoken like a child, he likened himself to Peter Pan and fashioned a sprawling home for himself after "Neverneverland". He was just a kid at heart, or trying to relive a childhood he never had, can't people give him a break and let him live his life???

I also think people should think twice before making rude and mocking comments/offensive jokes about him being a paedophile or child molester. Shame on you. I believe with all my head and heart that HE WAS NOT!

Since he was like a real-life Peter Pan, it is not entirely unusual that he would enjoy the company of kids. And since he was deprived of a happy childhood and ABUSED as a child entertainer in the Jackson 5, is it so hard to see why he would want to provide for other kids what he did not have, especially that now he has the money and means to?

I saw on televison, personal friends like chereographer Debbie Allen tearfully grieve over his death, and remark that he was very close to his kids, and loved them very much.

Regarding child molestation charges, people tend to focus on the negative and the bad for their own entertainment value. They forget the the press is always trying to sell more papers, tv stations are always trying to gain higher viewership levels. They forget the nasty and despicable things some people will do to take advantage of the rich. It never occurs to them that there are horrible parents out there who will go as far as to make use of their own offspring when there is a money incentive.

"At trial, the boy testified that Jackson initiated the hand-holding, but that he had put his head on Jackson's shoulder because he was "really close to Jackson" and Jackson was his "best friend". Both he and Jackson testified that they had slept in the same room, but not in the same bed. They also agreed that each had offered to sleep on the floor and let the other have the bed. Later, the boy complained that he had not realized that the footage would be broadcast all over the world and that, after it aired, he was teased by his friends. His mother stated that she had not given Bashir permission to film her son and was not even aware of it prior to broadcast. Jackson stated in the documentary that many children, including Macaulay Culkin, his younger brother Kieran, and his sisters had slept in Jackson's bed; all maintained that nothing inappropriate occurred."

You can read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_v._Jackson .

Michael Jackson was simply the best entertainer alive. He had to deal with the enormous pressure of being the largest pop icon in the world, and all the atrocities that came along with it. Can you imagine being under that kind of public scrutiny he did? I can empathize with how terrible he must have felt, to be maligned, mocked, and have awful rumors spread about him. I can understand how misunderstood he must have been.

It is all the more sad when you look at his later music, where you can see his hope to "Heal the World", his fragility, vulnerability, his need for love and his wish to spread love.

"Will You Be There"

Hold Me
Like The River Jordan
And I Will Then Say To Thee
You Are My Friend

Carry Me
Like You Are My Brother
Love Me Like A Mother
Will You Be There?

Weary
Tell Me Will You Hold Me
When Wrong, Will You Skold Me
When Lost Will You Find Me?

But They Told Me
A Man Should Be Faithful
And Walk When Not Able
And Fight Till The End
But I'm Only Human

Everyone's Taking Control Of Me
Seems That The World's
Got A Role For Me
I'm So Confused
Will You Show To Me
You'll Be There For Me
And Care Enough To Bear Me

(Hold Me)
(Lay Your Head Lowly)
(Softly Then Boldly)
(Carry Me There)

(Lead Me)
(Love Me And Feed Me)
(Kiss Me And Free Me)
(I Will Feel Blessed)

(Carry)
(Carry Me Boldly)
(Lift Me Up Slowly)
(Carry Me There)

(Save Me)
(Heal Me And Bathe Me)
(Softly You Say To Me)
(I Will Be There)

(Lift Me)
(Lift Me Up Slowly)
(Carry Me Boldly)
(Show Me You Care)

(Hold Me)
(Lay Your Head Lowly)
(Softly Then Boldly)
(Carry Me There)

(Need Me)
(Love Me And Feed Me)
(Kiss Me And Free Me)
(I Will Feel Blessed)

[Spoken]
In Our Darkest Hour
In My Deepest Despair
Will You Still Care?
Will You Be There?
In My Trials
And My Tripulations
Through Our Doubts
And Frustrations
In My Violence
In My Turbulence
Through My Fear
And My Confessions
In My Anguish And My Pain
Through My Joy And My Sorrow
In The Promise Of Another Tomorrow
I'll Never Let You Part
For You're Always In My Heart.

This song was from the soundtrack to Free Willy, and I think in many ways he felt like the poor trapped whale himself.

"SCREAM" (with Janet Jackson)

Michael:

Tired of injustice

Tired of the schemes

Kinda disgusted

So what does it mean

Kicking me down

I got to get up

As jacked as it sounds

The whole system sucks, damnit

Janet:

Peek in the shadow

Come into the light

You tell me I'm wrong

Then you better prove you're right

You're sellin' out souls but

I care about mine

I've got to get stronger

And I won't give up the fight

Michael:

With such confusions don't it make you wanna scream

Your bash abusin' victimize within the scheme

Janet:

You try to cope with every lie they scrutinize

Both:

Somebody please have mercy

'cause I just can't take it

Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me

Stop pressurin' me, make me wanna scream

Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me

Stop pressurin' me, make me wanna scream

Adding on to this softer side of Michael, let us not forget the humanitarian that he was. Michael was listed in the 2000 edition of the Guiness Book Of World Records for breaking the world record for the "Most Charities Supported By a Pop Star". That is certainly very commendable in my opinion! It states that Michael Jackson has supported 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or by participating in their silent auction. He also set up his very own Heal the World Foundation. His desire to make the world a better place is not only evident through his music but also his actions.

Many artistes today from Justin Timberlake to Chris Brown have professed to be influenced by MJ's talents in some way. His music and moves will transcend all his controversies in time to come. He is simply timeless.

It is ironic that it is only with his passing, that the world, and the younger generations who may not be as familiar with him, are starting to fully realize how much of a legend and icon he is. These people are learning all the great things about MJ, instead of all the foul crap that they have been exposed to in recent years. In that sense, his passing could be said to have come at an opportune time.

Any normal person would never have been able to survive the kinds of things that Jackson survived.

The "Thriller" may be gone, but his thrill remains.

R.I.P, King of Pop. Your memory will always remain with me.

Have you seen the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall?  I just watched it, and I really like this song that Peter (Jason Segal) sings in the film. It's cute, so funny, yet at the same time moving because it reminds me that everyone has feelings, everyone has hurts, everyone wants love.... even a monster like Dracula.

Is he imitating his voice? :)

Everyone loves a good love story.

Psyché Ranimée par le Baiser de l'Amour


Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

I stumbled upon this sculpture in the Louvre. I had never heard of it before, but it's beauty completely took my breath away!!! Throughout the Louvre none other was more lovely than this sculpture to me. I stood before Cupid and Psyche for over ten minutes amidst the maddening crowds, to take in every elegant detail, every lush curve, every charged emotion of Antonio Canova's piece and the brilliant composition of his work.  The purity of contours and the passionate sweeping movements poignantly captured portray a discrete eroticism in the supple figures. The X shape formed is simply stunning.

 The love affair between Cupid (Eros) and Psyche is one of the best known classical myths, recounted in the Latin novel "The Golden Ass" by Apuleius.

One of my childhood ambitions was to be an F1 racer.

                                                    GASP!

At Hotel Costes:  €14000 for that Louis XIII Limited Edition Cognac?!!
Every sip would cost more than a lavish dinner.





Wedding gowns get a twist of French chic. I personally wouldn't wear
something like that on my big day though!





Loved watching him paint and draw. So swift, so pretty.

Don't expect English translations in the museums. (Snooty French language pride?)



 
Parisan al fresco cafes. When in Rome do as the Romans do -  face the road.
Luckily, French people are very good-looking so its not a bore to watch.


  


Champs-Élysées

Quaint little stairwell to our apartment  :)
I wish I had more time to spend in Paris, I feel like we did not do and see enough. I will be back.


* * *

 
June 3, 2009 - "

  
 

Well, what can we say about this most ravishing of ravishing cities? Often regarded as the most beautiful in all Europe, and legendarily stylish, while this lulu of a city can be sweet and coquettish, she can also be a very snooty grande dame indeed. But love is really in the air, romance softly emanates from all the wonderful architecture, macarons are on the lips, and as Friedrich Nietzssche said, "...An artist has no home in Europe except in Paris".

It was only last year in September that I had my first taste of French Amour. If you may recall, I was sent to London to help promote the exciting annual Tiger Translate arts and music event by Tiger Beer  (If you are interested, you can read about that here -  part I, II, III, and IV)

I took the opportunity then to hop on a train to spend a few extra leisure days in the neighboring city of romance.

Malaysia's superstar blogger Kenny Sia (website)who was working on Tiger Translate  too, came along with another friend of ours.

**Only a few select pictures have been posted for now, and temporarily no captions. Hope you enjoy nonetheless :) Check back again tomorrow or the next day for more photos and a more indepth writeup.

View from our apartment

I noticed that they are ALWAYS sitting in their little French cafes facing the road..... people watching - national obession?

Tu es dans toutes mes pensées....

The Palace of Versailles is a masterpiece of French classical architecture surrounded by a spacious and luxurious extensive gardens filled with fountains and sculptures. One of the most extravagant palaces ever built, the Palace of Versailles is known for its lavishly decorated interiors. The most important features of the Palace are Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments and Queen's Apartments.

Originally an opulent royal hunting lodge built by Louis XIII in 1624 AD, it was expanded and converted to a country retreat by Louis XIV in 1669 AD.

The palace was stripped of most of its furnishings during the French Revolution. In October 1789 a mob forced the royal family to leave Versailles for Paris, and in 1792, Versailles was abandoned. All of the furniture was sold and all the art was brought to museums.

Do you remember the "Treaty of Versailles" from your history lessons? :) 

Yes, this very palace was used as a meeting hall for the signing of the treaty that ended World War I.

Wiping our tears away - we were so disappointed that the Chateau was closed for a private function. I had really wanted to see the lavish insides!

Sneaking a peek through the golden gates

 
Navigating the extensive and sprawling subway systems proved challenging at times. Especially when everything is in French.

River cruise with audio commentary of the many sights lit up at night

Notre Dame

Sinning has never been more cool - confession in a modern glass chamber.

Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile

In 1806, Napoleon I conceived of a triumphal arch patterned after those of ancient Rome and dedicated to the glory of his imperial armies. The structure was designed by Jean François Thérèse Chalgrin (1739-1811) and completed in 1836 during the reign of Louis Philippe.

Very random: never expected that a tourist from Malaysia would recognize me in Paris of all places!

The Arc sits  atop of  Champs-Élysées -  with its cinemas, luxury  specialty shops and stunning trees, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous and beautiful streets in the world, not to mention expensive. Rents go up to as high as USD1.5 million per 1,000 square feet. Gasp.

Trepidation as I focus on not throwing up as I try oysters for the first time :)

Shopping

Where can I learn how to do this neat trick?

We rented bicyles and cycled to the Eiffel Tower.  One of the best memories ever!

I was wondering why the Eiffel Tower looks different from what I had seen in pictures. Since when was it BLUE?!

Turns out we had caught the Eiffel Tower at a very special time. France marked the start of its six-month presidency of the European Union by lighting up the Eiffel Tower in a uniquely spledid shade of blues and purple with yellow stars, recalling the EU flag.









 

 






 
 












Hotel Costes

yes the same one that  releases its own  famous line of compilation cool lounge music CDs played and mixed  by DJ Stephane Pompougnac

I fell in love..... Je t'adore. If I had the chance to, I would return to Paris in a heartbeat.

Well guess what, all those of you in Singapore are so lucky...

Because you too can now fly to Paris and experience the wonderful magic I did for a cool fare of SGD$1079 with Malaysia Airlines, and this is ALL INCLUSIVE! None of those annoying and deceiving extra taxes/surcharges that we all hate.

 

SGD$1079 is seriously such a good deal, I’m telling all my friends to book their tickets to Paris and maybe I will fly across from here in New York to meet them there now in the summer (I’ll ask Kenny Sia too if he wants to go again haha, perhaps MAS will sponsor him since he's arguably one of the most famous Malaysian exports ;) )

If Paris is not your cup of tea (to which I would think you are a rare case of nutty), I also have other good news for you. Malaysia Airlines has more incredible bargain deals to some of the most popular destinations at the lowest prices ever!

SIN – PARIS                                 $1079
SIN – LONDON                          $1079
SIN – AMSTERDAM               $1079
SIN – FRANKFURT                  $1079
 
 
SIN – SYDNEY                             $725
SIN – MELBOURNE                 $703
SIN – BRISBANE                        $727
 
SIN – DUBAI                                 $852
 
SIN – SHANGHAI                      $445
SIN – TOKYO                                $554
SIN – TAIPEI                               $490
 
SIN – BOMBAY                           $335
SIN – DELHI                                 $357

Promotional fares shown here are ALL INCLUSIVE, and available for booking from 8th June – 5th July 2009.

These are amazing flight fares,  I really hope you don’t miss out on this peeps! Book your next wonderful holiday to Paris or some other exciting place like Melbourne down under in Aussieland, which may be the next best thing to a European city near Asia.

www.malaysiaairlines.com

Oh, but there’s more. Interested in visiting me in New York? (please do my dear friends! )

...or  experience the history of the world’s greatest empires in Turkey?

.....or look for your favourite K-drama stars in Seoul?

Well from 22nd June – 5th July, Malaysia Airlines will also be launching a global ‘Everyday Low Fares’ for ALL destinations from Singapore to WORLDWIDE.  So yes, you can fly to anywhere in the world at cheap, cheap, cheap prices!

And if you think cheap prices mean cheap quality too, stop for a moment and THINK AGAIN.

And.... if you think that Singapore Airlines has the best inflight service, gasp, THINK AGAIN too.

Did you know that Malaysia Airlines has been winning the No.1 position  in "World's Best Cabin Staff” for a whopping 6 years in a row?

WOW. They just won the award again this year.

The World Airline Awards™ are based on the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax, the world’s leading independent airline research specialist and advisor for 18 years.

Focused on the quality of onboard customer experience, the survey also looks at the “soft service” provided including cabin staff friendliness, enthusiasm and attentiveness, sincerity as well as consistency in service delivery, in addition to the usual general service efficiency. 

I must say the affordability and Five-Star value that Malaysia Airlines brings to their customers seems rather impressive.  They are even active on the Web 2.0 now! Join their Facebook page here  and follow them on Twitter here    

Hear about exclusive offers first,  take part in lucky draws, and receive interesting travel-related articles/videos.

Their Facebook page is fantastic, be a fan and join now because there are plane tickets up for grabs for the next 3 weeks!!!!

The first week's contest is easy peasy, all you have to do is to submit the correct answer to a quiz, the first person will win tickets. There will be something more exciting when the contest enters the second week, although sorry, I'm not at liberty to reveal details yet :X   But it is definitely worth being a fan to get the opportunity to win a free holiday!

BON VOYAGE, and will I see you in Paris?