Michael Jackson's Memorial

I can't say that I am the biggest Michael Jackson fan anymore. Sure I had all of his albums back in the day but his personal life turned me off on his music a long time ago. I remember when he died I was racing in Canada and the news was everywhere. I couldn't turn on the TV, radio, or Internet without there being a tribute.

When I arrive home I saw on the news there would be a lottery to get into his memorial service in Los Angeles. I decided what the heck and entered for tickets that night. Let me say I am not a lucky person. I have never hit the lottery, won a contest, or even won any of the many raffle ticket drawings I have entered.

Imagine my suprise when I found out I had been chosen out of tens of millions of people who had applied! I am still in shock I was chosen. So I took the afternoon off and drove to Dodgers Stadium to pick up the tickets in what could only be described as mass hysteria. Once there they gave you a wristband which they put on you and a ticket, that's it. My fiancee and I were embarking on a once in a lifetime journey!

Once there you weren't allowed cameras so cell phone cameras had to make due. There was no announcer or MC and you never knew through the ceremony who was coming on the stage next. Michael's family all spoke, many of his friends (the highlight being Brooke Shields), and the music was the best I have ever seen. Stevie Wonder couldn't stop crying but still tried to sing. Mariah Carey was bad but it didn't matter.

I think Usher was the most poignant though. Half way through his song he walked down to MJ's casket and began sobbing. It was a extremely emotional day for everyone there, even for me. As I walked out of his memorial cermony I was struck by the fact that I actually was there. I was able to witness when the celebrities and family walked into Staples Center many walked all the way around the center just to waive at the rest of us. I was able to see the tens of thousands of people who were lined up outside just to get a glimpse of his casket.

It was a sad day. On our way home we listened to MJ's best album ever "Thriller".....its brings back so many memories and its the way I like to remember him....