Is Twitterland the New Michael Jackson forum?

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It was not until I got on Twitter one day late last year and discovered the tag #MJFAM that I realized how many of us Michael Jackson fans were devoting our 160 characters to the King of Pop.

I made some of my closest friends today on MJJC (when it used to be MJJForum!) and even met Shanda through soliciting members for meetup (when it was still a wee little group) on that very forum. With less and less visible online interaction on Michael Jackson forums since his passing, I have to ask...

Is Twitter the new go-to place to meet Michael Jackson fans?

Have you made any fan friends on Twitter?

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We Had Him, by Maya Angelou.

I came across this and wanted to share with you all again. This touched my heart when it was read at Michael's memorial in 2009.  Maya Angelou  wrote this beautiful poem and it's called "We Had Him". We certainly did. And we always will. 

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Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon.

In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.

Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.

He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.

Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.

His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.

And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Black Star Square.

In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England

We are missing Michael.

But we do know we had him, and we are the world.

By Maya Angelou

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Hello September! Busy week for mjfangirl

Hi Everyone!

(image via)

The other night I had my first Japanese class in over 8 months.

Needless to say it was overwhelming but, I really needed that refresher. I will be taking classes to help me study towards the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, Level 2. That will certify once and for all, that I am business level Japanese. I use my language skills at work every day so, its something that I know I can (and need to) improve on. I obviously won't be able to go home after work so, there will be a lot of LONG 13 hours days ahead of me. I'll have to just see how I can balance my schedule best, why still fitting some "Michaeling" time in.

Its getting super chilly in the city and this cool crisp air is just what I've been looking forward to. To be honest, the beginning of summer and the onset of Autumn are the best times of year for me. Everything just feels familiar and stable. I can't wait to wear my combat boots and military style jackets.

In other news, Shanda, my co-organizer at Legacy of Love, and I have been working hard everyday brainstorming some new ideas and developing existing ones for our BAD 25 party. We always accept ideas and suggestions so, if there's something special you're looking for, don't hesitate to let us know!


Thanks to everyone who read and connected to my blog from my post yesterday about fan bullying in the Michael Jackson fan community. Its gotten to be even more of a problem since 2009 and I just want to try and spread the message of love and togetherness the best I can.

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there's something about you baby... that makes me want to

give it to you.

MMM.


Lately I have been really into watching my Dangerous: The Short Films DVD. It's seriously one of my favorite to watch because it was the one DVD that I had a difficult time finding when I was in high school and at the PEAK of my Dangerous album obsession. The Dangerous album is still my favorite so naturally, this DVD is one that I can play all the way through with the most ease at any time. I am like SO into this DVD right now.

I once watched "Who Is It" over 60 times in a row trying to figure out what the video was about.


True story.

I'm random... I know.

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The Bittersweet Taste of BAD 25

As we get closer and closer to the date of BAD 25's release, I have become aware of yet another issue that has divided the Michael Jackson fan community.

I feel like every time a new album or song or item comes out, there is controversy over whether purchasing these items is showing support for the estate. Some fans still have issues with what the release of posthumous material means. Obviously Michael is not here it. Obviously Michael did not cut any new tracks for it. But obviously (to me anyway) it is still Michael's work.


Now running a Michael Jackson fan club here in New York City, I am totally aware that all fans will have different opinions on different subjects. That is why, at  Legacy of Love, we choose to remain neutral on these types of topics. Yes, my co-organizer and I have our own thoughts and desires, relating to what we'd like to see happen with unreleased material and the anniversaries of previously released material. But so what!!!! Legacy of Love was created to celebrate Michael's legacy and all of what he's accomplished. It also was created to help preserve the camaraderie of the Michael Jackson community on the East Coast. So when a fan logged onto meetup last weekend, and began to accuse me and my co-organizer of NOT being REAL FANS, I was too THROUGH.

He proceeded to urge us to celebrate the "OLD BAD"...

You serious? .....  o_O

I mean I have the old BAD album...

On vinyl.

On cassette tape.

On CD (original album and 2001 remaster).

On iTunes in mp3 form.

 Isn't that enough damn support?      

Was Michael resurrected and forced to like re-record this album for the 25th Anniversary? 'Cause that just went WAY over MY head. All of the material on BAD 25, including the tour footage... Is OLD!

A word for those who don't know how we get down at Legacy of Love...

We will celebrate what we want, when we want at Legacy of Love and if you want to get into the politics of posthumous Michael Jackson, find someone else to entertain that. Its not that serious for me because my goal is to promote and preserve the togetherness of the Michael Jackson community, through celebrating his artistic career. Not everyone is going to agree on everything but, I'm assummmmmming that everyone who calls themselves a Michael Jackson fan, DOES like his music...           I mean... Ya'll do right?

We are not a charity for a reason. (We do have a charity that we love and support, which is Heal The World for Children- check them out here!)

We are not a protest group for a reason.
We remain neutral for a reason.
We celebrate the fans and Michael as an artist-- PERIOD.

I REFUSE to be peer pressured into not recognizing the 25th anniversary of one of the greatest pop albums of all time. Yes, of all time. If you don't want to dance to a song that he recorded, worked his ass off on promoting and perfecting in 1987, that's on you. No seriously. I totally respect that. But, that's not my style.

We work hard on our Meetup.

We pour lots of energy, money, time and LOVE into this group and refuse to have anyone else tear our groups spirit and mission down. We do this out of pure love and dedication to the man. We do not get paid to do this. Its seriously out of love (and some of my passion for event planning).

If you want to debate about what you THINK happened to Michael and what you THINK the fans should be doing, write a letter to the Estate. Log onto a forum. Rant and rave on your Facebook. Subtweet ALL you want. Tweet AT me (I'm MJFanGirl_blog btw.)

Just please.  Don't bring it to Legacy of Love.

We have many other events talking about the "OLD" material. You are free to attend any or all of those, if you aren't into being a part of anything related to new releases. I support everyone's right to have a voice and an opinion but, I have too much going on in my offline life and I can't be but so bothered to debate for hours on this. (But, I DO love comments, so feel free to leave one!) I know what he means to me and I know what part I've personally done in this community.

*Cue Janet Jackson break -- What have YOU done for [the MJ community] lately?*

So in closing I ask...

Are we wrong to to be celebrating BAD 25  ????

Do you prefer being a part of clubs that peer pressure you into leaning one way or do you like being a part of an MJ club that is neutral?  


PS: Don't forget to Pre-Order BAD 25  if you haven't already done so! 8 days and counting...

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The Elusive, Mysterious, BAD 25 Michael Jackson Pepsi Can

Mission complete.

If you've been hiding under a rock, you've totally missed the fact that Pepsi came out with limited edition soda cans. The cans were limited but, sold all throughout the United States and other countries such as China, the UK, and Japan. The cans weren't available in just any store. Some fans ordered them into their local grocery stores. Some traveled far and wide to get them. Some got them sent to them from MJ Fans out of the area.

One of my Michael Jackson fan friends gifted this baby to me. I haven't opened it and am kinda undecided on whether I am really going to drink the contents or not....

Have you opened your MJ Pepsi Can or are you saving it for your children/a rainy day, like I am? 
Share a comment or tweet me and let me know :).


PS: Props to ANYONE that can guess the Michael Jackson playing in the background! (What...? I've gotta  get in the mood when I post! *wink*)

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LOOKBOOK: Michael Jackson VINTAGE GLITTER

Michael was not all about the military look. Lets not forget that before Billie Jean on Motown 25, he was rocking sequins, rhinestones, and the vintage glitter look.

This outfit is Michael Inspired but not, "OMGZ I'm a Michael Jackson fanatic" (which I am but, that's besides the point). 

Simple, sexy, clean

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Jacket:   H&M 

Shoes:  Nine West

Jean Leggings:  GAP

Inspiration:   Michael Jackson

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