Michael Jackson Transformation

Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal

7:15 onward is amazing

Lisa Maries's Myspace message.

Friday, June 26, 2009 

He Knew. Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.  I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death. At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did." I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that. 14 years later   I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears. A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn't predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened. The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy. All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted. I am going to say now what I have never said before because I want the truth out there for once. Our relationship was not "a sham" as is being reported in the press. It was an unusual relationship yes, where two unusual people who did not live or know a "Normal life" found a connection, perhaps with some suspect timing on his part. Nonetheless, I do believe he loved me as much as he could love anyone and I loved him very much. I wanted to "save him" I wanted to save him from the inevitable which is what has just happened. His family and his loved ones also wanted to save him from this as well but didn't know how and this was 14 years ago. We all worried that this would be the outcome then. At that time, In trying to save him, I almost lost myself. He was an incredibly dynamic force and power that was not to be underestimated. When he used it for something good, It was the best and when he used it for something bad, It was really, REALLY bad. Mediocrity was not a concept that would even for a second enter Michael Jackson's being or actions.  I became very ill and emotionally/ spiritually exhausted in my quest to save him from certain self-destructive behavior and from the awful vampires and leeches he would always manage to magnetize around him. I was in over my head while trying. I had my children to care for, I had to make a decision. The hardest decision I have ever had to make, which was to walk away and let his fate have him, even though I desperately loved him and tried to stop or reverse it somehow. After the Divorce, I spent a few years obsessing about him and what I could have done different, in regret. Then I spent some angry years at the whole situation. At some point, I truly became Indifferent, until now. As I sit here overwhelmed with sadness, reflection and confusion at what was my biggest failure to date, watching on the news almost play by play The exact Scenario I saw happen on August 16th, 1977 happening again right now with Michael (A sight I never wanted to see again) just as he predicted, I am truly, truly gutted. Any ill experience or words I have felt towards him in the past has just died inside of me along with him. He was an amazing person and I am lucky to have gotten as close to him as I did and to have had the many experiences and years that we had together. I desperately hope that he can be relieved from his pain, pressure and turmoil now. He deserves to be free from all of that and I hope he is in a better place or will be.  I also hope that anyone else who feels they have failed to help him can be set free because he hopefully finally is.    The World is in shock but somehow he knew exactly how his fate would be played out some day more than anyone else knew, and he was right.     I really needed to say this right now, thanks for listening. ~LMP

Jackson Dead

Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death.

A Los Angeles fire official told CNN that paramedics arrived at Michael Jackson's home after a 911 call.

1 of 2

Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN.

Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles Thursday morning.

Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m.

Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center.

Asked specifics of the patient's condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws.

The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the "King of Pop."

Jackson is the seventh of nine children in a well-known musical family.

At the medical center, every entrance to the emergency room was blocked by security guards. Even hospital staffers were not permitted to enter. A few people stood inside the waiting area, some of them crying.

Michael Jackson Reported Dead

Michael Jackson is aparently dead of cardiac arrest, TMZ.com is reporting.

Kate Gosselin, showbiz monster?

The following is from the TLC show John and Kate plus 8. I've never watched the show, but have of course heard of it from friends and seeing it mentioned in magazines and entertainment shows. I'm really only posting this because of the second paragraph below which I (completely agree with) saw in The Toronto Star 

"Kate and I have decided to separate," Jon said about 40 minutes into the one-hour show. Their eight children will remain living in the minimansion where the show is filmed.

The reality TV series will continue, the two said in making the announcement. But the question is how many viewers will now stick with the show. And what lies will those viewers tell themselves to try to justify their voyeuristic participation in the misery of the children – misery caused by these two immature, self-absorbed so-called parents and a cable-TV channel."  Full Story

GLAAD CALLS ON PEREZ HILTON TO APOLOGIZE FOR SLUR

Here’s something you don’t hear every day. A gay rights organization demanding a gay man apologize to a straight man for firing off a traditionally homophobic slur.
But that’s exactly what happened as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) called upon gay gossip blogger Perez Hilton to apologize for calling Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am a “fucking faggot” during an altercation outside Toronto nightclub Ultra Monday morning following the MuchMusic Video Awards.

Get the full story from aboutmag.com

City Strike Continues

The following is on the CP24.com website today. I think their question is very biased, however, it does demonstrate the lack of public support for the workers. Personally I don't like it very much when a few spoiled members of our city try to blackmail the rest of us. Unfortunatly we can't just fire them all and hire people who actually want to work for a fair wage.

Do you have sympathy for public sector workers who are on strike during tough economic times?
Yes 15% No 82% Undecided 3%

In a related story over at ProudFM.com they also have a poll related to the strike and pride celebrations:

Striking city workers and LCBO staffers oh my! Will you let this ruin YOUR Pride?

1) Um ... garbage everywhere and no booze? Consider it ruined. 8.33%
2) No way. It's called Can't Stop. Won't Stop. for a reason! 87.5%
3) Maybe, it sure won't be the same but I'll do my best to be Proud despite the stink and sobriety. 4.17%

Just goes to show it takes more than a few greedy workers to ruin Toronto Pride. By the way, I think the LCBO workers have a fair case, and the city workers are just spoiled and greedy.

No Pride at City Hall

Pride week is underway, but due to the city workers strike the pride flag won't be flying at city hall this year.  

Here's a shot of the CUPE members "working for us" this afternoon. I have to say as far as picketing goes these guys are pretty pathetic. No chant, no rallying cry, not even any walking around carrying signs. Just hiding in the shade and enjoying the beautiful weather.  

How can we be so mean to these poor, unfortunate and hard done by city workers? There obviously is no god!

(Drug crazed?) loser tweets to police, thinks he's in Iran!

This story is bullshit, in my opinion. If you were assaulted wouldn't you call 911 before twittering to your followers if you were truly injured? This drama queen makes me sick and does nothing but reinforce gay stereotypes. Perez, you are a loser! 

A word of advice, free from me; People who run around gossiping about other people and generally being an asshole like you do eventually end up getting punched in the face. I don't advocate violence but if I was a betting man, I'd wager that you had it coming, and just in case you don't get it yet, I like many others quite enjoyed your crybabyass picture with your wittle boo boo!

Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton alleged that he was "clocked" by the manager of Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am after the Much Music Video Awards in Toronto early Monday morning, but the musician denied anyone from his entourage committed an assault.

In a video statement posted Monday morning on his website, Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, said the manager attacked him from behind and punched him a number of times after an altercation at downtown nightclub Cobra.

Hilton first made the allegations public on his Twitter feed, saying he was bleeding and in need of police assistance.

"I'm in shock. I need the police ASAP. Please come to the Soho Metropolitan Hotel now. Please," Hilton posted to his Twitter account, twitter.com/PerezHilton, around 3 a.m.

Source: CTV.CA

Stinky Strike Begins!

Source: CP24

Picket lines have formed at several locations on the first day of a strike by about 24,000 civic workers in Canada's largest city.

Two CUPE locals, representing 6,200 outside workers and 18,000 inside workers, walked off the job just after midnight.

A range of services, including garbage pickup, city-run daycares, recreation centres, ferry service, and summer camps are affected.

If you click an ad on this site something very special will happen (I'll make .25 cents) Thanks!

Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatens to crush any further opposition protests

Iran's Revolutionary Guard is threatening to crush any further opposition protests over the disputed presidential election and warns demonstrators to prepare for a "revolutionary confrontation" if they take to the streets again.

The country's most powerful military force ordered demonstrators to "end the sabotage and rioting activities" and said their resistance is a "conspiracy" against Iran.

A statement posted Monday on the Guard's Web site warned protesters to "be prepared for a resolution and revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij and other security forces and disciplinary forces."

Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi vowed Sunday night to keep up the protests, charging the June 12 election was a fraud.

Source: CP24.com

This photograph is one of mine from the Toronto rally on Sunday. Click on the image to view full size.

Rally to support Iranian protesters | Demotix.com

Rally to support Iranian protesters | Demotix.com

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Pride at the ROM

I noticed this banner at the Royal Ontario Museum today on Bloor St. as I was on my way to Queens Park for the rally protesting the Iranian election.

10 killed in Saturday election protests: Iranian state media

There will be a demonstration today at Queens Park in Toronto from 2-4 pm.

The following is from CBC.CA

At least 10 people were killed Saturday in violent clashes in Tehran, while authorities arrested the daughter and four other relatives of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the most powerful men in Iran, state media reported.

State television reported Sunday that 10 "rioters" were killed in clashes with police during protests Saturday. The report brings the death toll — by the state's official count — to 19 during a week of post-election unrest.

Iran's Press TV, which is only broadcast outside the country, reported that 13 died Saturday and labelled them as "terrorists." There was no explanation for the discrepancy in the reports.

Amnesty International cautioned that it was "perilously hard" to verify the casualty tolls. Iran has imposed strict restrictions on journalists in the country, and has expelled almost all foreign reporters.

State media also reported that rioters set fire to two gas stations and a mosque, and also attacked a military post on Saturday. They quoted the deputy police chief claiming officers did not use live ammunition to dispel the crowds.

It is not clear if those clashes accounted for the reported deaths.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Saturday, despite stern orders from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the cessation of anti-government gatherings. Khamenei on Friday ordered opposition leaders to end the protests or be held responsible for any bloodshed. He said Iranians must accept the June 12 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Full Story

Iran Election Fraud: 5 Reasons to Doubt the Results

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

Tonight was the kick off for Pride Week Toronto 2009. The Toronto Star has a special section for Pride. This year's theme is; Can't Stop, Won't Stop.

Happy Pride everyone! 

Follow the link below for the full story...

It has been 40 years since Canada decriminalized homosexuality, setting the stage for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. But the battle continues

It was the spring of 1969 and Pierre Elliott Trudeau's landmark bill – which the then justice minister defended with the famous declaration, "There's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation" – was a hot topic in the national news.

The passage of Canada's Criminal Law Amendment Act – which, among other things, decriminalized homosexuality – loomed much larger than the New York Stonewall riots, which happened in September of that same year, recalls long-time Toronto activist Tim McCaskell  Read the rest of the story The Star.com

Out and Proud

I was walking past the CAS in downtown Toronto recently and saw this banner in front of their building. I think I knew that with our progressive gay rights, that gays could foster and adopt, but admit I was surprised when I looked at their website and saw they have had a program in place since 1994. Way to go!  Check it out here: Toronto CAS.

Timing is everything.

Among the many differences between Green politics and old-style politics, none may be more significant than the way we think about time and how this affects the way we think about policy. At the most basic level, it's the difference between a short-term fix and a long-term vision. 

It has been said that politicians think about the next election while statesmen think about the next generation. This focus on the well-being of future generations is one of the principal reasons for the Green Party's rapid growth from a small group of dedicated activists to its current status as one of Canada's four major national parties.

If you're not convinced, ask the next generation.  A recent EKOS poll for the CBC found that young Canadians are the Green Party's strongest supporters with 21.3 per cent of 18 to 25 year olds saying they'd vote Green. This positions the Greens ahead of the NDP (19.4 per cent), neck and neck with the Conservatives (22.8 per cent) and only a few points behind the front-running Liberals (26.4 per cent) among young voters. In some parts of the country, almost 30 percent of 18 to 25 year olds said they support the Green Party.

These figures are cause for excitement. Firstly, they mean that the Green Party will continue to grow as more young Canadians reach voting age. More importantly, they mean that change is coming to Ottawa. 

They mean that the day is coming when Parliament will be the domain of men and women of vision and intelligence (including a strong Green caucus) pursuing the goal of "a livable world with enough for everyone, healthy communities based on healthy economies, secure for future generations."

Whatever generation you belong to, if that's the sort of Canada you'd like to live in and leave to your children and grandchildren, then please donate to the Green Party and help us to bring our message of hope and renewal to every household from coast to coast to coast. With your help, we can change Canadian politics forever.

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Le facteur temps

De nombreuses différences existent déjà entre les politiques des verts et celles des partis de la vieille garde, mais aucune n'est peut-être plus importante que notre perception du temps et la manière dont cela affecte notre approche de la politique. Au niveau le plus fondamental, c'est la différence entre une solution provisoire et une vision à long terme.

Certains affirment que les politiciens pensent à la prochaine élection, tandis que les chefs d'État pensent à la prochaine génération. La croissance rapide du Parti vert, né des convictions d'une poignée d'activistes dévoués pour ensuite atteindre son statut actuel de grand parti national canadien, est en grande partie attribuable à cette concentration sur le bien-être des prochaines générations.

Si cette ascension fulgurante ne vous a pas encore convaincu, posez-donc la question à la prochaine génération. Un sondage réalisé dernièrement par la maison EKOS pour le compte du réseau anglais de la SRC révélait que les jeunes Canadiennes et Canadiens sont les principaux partisans du Parti vert avec 21,3 pour cent chez les 18-25 ans ayant affirmé leur intention de voter vert. Ces données placent les verts devant le NPD (19,4 pour cent), au coude à coude avec les conservateurs (22,8 pour cent) et seulement quelques points derrière les libéraux, qui prennent la tête (26,4 pour cent) chez les jeunes électrices et électeurs. Dans certaines régions du pays, près de 30 pour cent des 18-25 ans ont déclaré appuyer les verts.

Il y de quoi nous réjouir! Premièrement, ces données signifient que le Parti vert poursuivra sa croissance à mesure que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens atteindront l'âge de voter. Mais surtout, cela signifie que des changements s'en viennent à Ottawa.

Cela signifie que le jour viendra où le Parlement sera le domaine d'hommes et de femmes de vision, y compris d'un caucus vert solide, capables de débats intelligents, « pour la création d'un monde habitable, où il y aurait assez de ressources pour tous et où des communautés en santé auraient pour base une économie florissante, ce qui assurerait par le fait même un avenir viable pour les générations futures. »

San égard à la génération à laquelle vous appartenez, si c'est-là votre vision d'avenir pour le Canada, pour y vivre et pour léguer en héritage à vos enfants et petits-enfants, alors s'il vous plaît, donnez au Parti vert et aidez-nous à porter notre message d'espoir et de renouveau d'un océan à l'autre et dans tous les foyers canadiens. Avec votre aide, nous pouvons changer à jamais la politique canadienne.

Streetcar and update...

I know, I've been lax in posting lately, but it is spring and I have been working almost every day lately so posting to the blog gets put aside.

Here is a picture I took a few days ago when David and I were out for Luminato, and then I was pissed off because the exhibit was closed and they hadn't posted the update online.  I was not impressed, and of course had to write a strongly worded letter to say so! To their credit, they did write back and apologize, stating that there was a "communication error". Hopefully this is a rarity, this was my first foray into the Luminato experience and it was not very good.

Toronto Pride is beginning at the end of this week, which will mean a week of tourists from around the world, lots of parties, drugs, sex, and dance music will be the order of the week by some but not all.

In other news, I hope the Iranian opposition supporters continue their quest for a recount as there is obviously some irregularities happening over there.  And since were on the international news, North Korea needs to be put in its place big time!

That is all for now, my Hamburger Helper is now ready.

Click on the image to view full size. 

Hazelton Avenue Toronto (Yorkville)

65th Anniversary of D-Day

On the 65th anniversary of D-Day I thought it would be a good time to share these pictures I took last year in Brittany, not far from the Normandy landing.  These are German bunkers on the beach in Brittany, or what is left of them.  Some were quite high up overlooking the beach and it was easy to see what a nightmare the allies faced in Normandy. For more information click here.

Another Reason Why Masturbation Is Bad...

I bet the Catholic church will add this to their anti-mastubation brochure! I realize this is tasteless, but its one of those days! And the fact that it happened in Bankok, is just gravy.

A maid at a luxury hotel in the Thai capital where he was staying found
Carradine hanging naked and bound in a closet Thursday morning, they said. He
was 72.
"There was a rope tied around his neck and another rope tied at his
sex organ, and the two ropes were tied together and hung in the closet," police
commander Lieutenant General Worapong Siewpreecha told reporters.
"Under
these circumstances we cannot be sure that he committed suicide but he may have
died from masturbation," he said.
Full Story

Luminato Begins Today!

Luminato the 10 day fesitval of creativity begins tomorrow. 80% of the events are free so get out and have some artsy fartsy fun.  More info can be found at: Now Magazine: The Best of Luminato

and the Luminato Website.

Trump Tower Toronto

The concrete is rising on the new Trump Tower in downtown Toronto. This was taken last week and so far they are at about the fourth floor. The residences still have some suites available, if you can afford the 2 million (starting at) dollar price. The new tower will be located at Bay and Adelaide streets.  In the far left of the photo is the brand new Bay~Adelaide Centre. Click the image to view full size.

Click here for the Trump propaganda video on You Tube.

Union Station Bike Locker Opens

Plastic Bag Fee Begins Today

Starting today you will be required to pay five cents for any plastic shopping bags in the city of Toronto. The new rule was introduced to cut down on the number of these bags going to landills. If you are like me you already have a huge stock of reusable bags in your closet. I buy one just about every time you go out shopping because I keep forgetting to bring one with me. Maybe the new charge will be the incentive I need so I remember to bring a bag with me!

From the City of Toronto website:

Starting June 1, 2009, retailers must charge their customers five cents
for each plastic shopping bag. Retailers may provide a free alternative (eg., a
box) to their customers. A number of grocery stores, such as Food Basics, No
Frills and Price Chopper, use a fee-per-use charge. This fee over time has
resulted in a major reduction of the number of plastic bags distributed through
these stores. The five cent fee per bag is not remitted to the City of
Toronto.