MJ

The "King of Pop".  Perhaps we may never know what happened on Thursday, June 25, 2009, but I'm sure we'll all remember where we were when Michael Jackson passed.

Coming back from a  meeting, I had come back to my desk to find out that Michael Jackson had been taken to a hospital in cardiac arrest.  News reports flying, no one really confirming information.  Interesting that TMZ was the website to actually break the story.  I couldn't believe it - no - I didn't want to believe until a news institution confirmed.  Finally CNN and the LA Times confirmed the unbelievable.  

Michael Jackson was an amazing talent and performer.  He transcended color, language, and age.  His music was infectious.  As a child of the 80's, his songs were the soundtrack of my life.  I can remember a moment connected to each of his songs.  His music will always be poignant.  Perhaps what made Michael Jackson more intriguing was the rare way he lived his life.  He never conformed to the norms of society.  My belief is that he never grew up. 

While watching the BET awards with its many tributes to MJ, I felt a deep sadness come over me.  I will never have an opportunity to see him perform live, and I think the reason so many people are so sad about his passing is that we feel, I FEEL, that a part of my childhood is gone because he is gone.  It's silly really, but I feel sad because of what could have been and because of what will be missed.  

I hope MJ finally finds the peace that he deserves as a human being and a creature of God.

  

  

What's in a name?

What's in a name? My name is common. It seems rather simple, and most of the time it's considered a nickname to the even more common name, Jennifer. It was immortalized in one of my favorite movies, Forrest Gump. I couldn't go anywhere without some one slurrying "JENNEEEYYY" in a heavy southern drawl and then following it with the ever popular, "Run Forrest Run".

Finding a name for this blog has to be one of the hardest assignments of my life. Yes, at 29, I'm assigning things to myself. If I don't, they will never get done. A friend of mine says blogging is therapeutic. I hope so. Life is chaotic right now - homeowner, full-time job and masters degree in progress. May not seem that stressful but at the moment, I would most like to crawl in a hole somewhere and never be found.

So, do you have a point Jenny? Yes, I'm getting there...for most of my life, everyone has decided to change my name to Jennifer. I think I had Jennifer on each report card, perfect attendance and honor roll certificate until the 5th grade. People, my name is not Jennifer. Just a quick look at my birth certificate will prove it...the name is Jenny. Why is it so hard for people to understand, that my name would just be Jenny...not short for anything?

So, after much deliberation on a name for my blog, I decided to keep it simple and to the point...the name is Jenny. I'm fond of my name. Beyond the "is it y or i" question, most people get it right. Hispanic family, not so much...I've seen Yenney, Yeny...you name it, I've seen it.

There you have it. I don't know where this will take me or even if I keep it up. But, at least you know not to call me Jennifer.