Friday June 26

So, I’m being a bit introspective, probably because I’m self-employed and so it’s not too difficult to work and have the TV on all day. Granted this doesn’t happen very often, but on days like today where there’s big news….yeah, I’ll sometimes move from the office to the living room.

All morning, the news shows just glanced over the more traditional news – that clerics in Iran are saying protestors should be executed, women are freed from trafficking at the Red Roof Inn off Harding Road, crazy guy in North Korea wants to take out Hawaii – and instead had a 3 hour memorial of Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and a brief mention of Ed McMahon. Very brief.

Now the tone has changed to questions about Michael’s death, and MTV is playing videos for the first time in years. I’m remembering just how much the King of Pop truly did change the face of pop (keep it clean, avoid the MJ joke here). I’m reminiscing about driving for hours, singing along to Thriller or Bad or Off the Wall. I laugh about conversations I had about just how crazy MJ was. Sure he was controversial, but wow, boy could write a hook.

And Farrah Fawcett – beautiful in life, and graceful in death. Her strength, poise, haircut and that red swimsuit set the pace of the 70s. Ed McMahon, the ultimate sidekick with his everyman style and trademark voice.

While Ed was in his 80s, and Jacko was just 50, I still come to the same conclusions:

1 – My mom was right when she said deaths always come in 3’s. She’s a wise woman.

2 – One person can make a huge influence on the world. Too often, I think I might step back a bit and not act because the world may seem like too big of a place. But I dare say virtually every American was influenced by these three lives in one way or another. And, if the news is being reported correctly, every person in the industrialized world at least knew who Michael Jackson was. Lets not forget, MJ and Lionel Richie penned “We are the World.”

3 – Life is short. There is a lot to do. I need to let those I hold close know just how much I love – appreciate – need – want – adore – respect – etc. them. Life is fragile. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” – James 4:14

It’s no secret that I’m a poplife junkie. Part of the reason I am, is because I’m fascinated by people who can command a culture. I’m amazed when people defy the odds and do something that gains the attention of the world. I love creativity and drive, and how people can listen to a song and feel like they just got a big hug.

I’m not sure where this is going. I guess I’m just reminded that anyone – a kid from Gary, Indiana, a girl from Corpus Christi, a war-vet from Detroit – can change the course of history. They can get people to wear 1 glove and start buying magazines in order to win the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes.

So I’ll end on that. We’ve lost 3 icons in the past few days. They changed pop culture in their own way. Life is short. And we too can change culture, in our own way. Starting with the (wo)Man in the Mirror – “if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change.”