My Michael Jackson Tribute

I've been thinking on and off about the legacy left behind by pop legend Michael Jackson. Now, even though this is an educational blog that focuses mainly on literacy, it's my blog, and as such, I wanted to share a few of my memories of Michael.

There weren't too many individuals in the world who were scrutinized as closely as Michael Jackson was, but I don't want to get into that here. Simply put, I have been a big fan of his music, and his message of making the world a better place. I think he was a misunderstood individual who really viewed the world through the eyes of a child, a man who really wanted to see the world as a peaceful and happy place, and I wanted to give my small, insignificant tribute to the man here on my pages.

I grew up in the 80's, so of course I adored Michael Jackson. I loved "Thriller," I thought his music was the greatest (still do actually), and think he changed the face of pop music forever. My favorite Michael Jackson moment comes from the 1993 Super Bowl in Pasadena, California at Rose Bowl Stadium. It was Super Bowl XXVII, and the Dallas Cowboys (who also happen to be my team) defeated the Buffalo Bills to win their first Super Bowl since 1977, and their first in my lifetime.

Michael Jackson did the halftime show to that Super Bowl. It was a show that, in my biased mind ranks as the best ever. Jackson did many of his great songs, including "Billie Jean" and "Black or White." He ended this with the song "Heal the World," one of my favorite songs. It has a great message of hope and love for your fellow man. He really was a show man, and he will be missed. So here's his performance from that halftime show:

Why I Disappear

I've decided that I am in fact a creature of habit. It's the middle of summer vacation, and I'm not doing any kind of work this summer, and so I find myself far away from my normal professional interests, at least for a few more weeks. Later this month, on the 19th, I will head off to New York for the ExxonMobil teachers academy, and that's when I'll start thinking work again.

To all you teachers out there, I know I'm preaching to the choir. We have to take time to recharge our bodies and our minds. I personally have been spending my time trying to get back in shape, spending more time with my family, and trying to let my mind recover by having fun, playing video games, reading for pleasure, etc.

I keep telling myself I want to start getting back on the blog here, but the more I try the more I realize that I can't, because my head isn't in the game right now, so when that day comes, I will probably be around more.