Michael Jackson's magic.

Last Friday was a very sad day for all of us because it was the first anniversary of Michael's death, and when I talk about death I'm just talking on a physical way, because to me, he's spirit is more alive than ever. So I'm sure in every country all the channels were playing Michael's tributes or talking about him. That Friday I tried to avoid the TV and the magazines because it to painful to watch or read. So, instead I spent it with my little niece, she's just four months old and she already loves Michael's music. We spent the day singing, well actually I sang to her, Michael's songs like butterflies, speechless or you're my life, she loves those songs but I think her favorite so far is smile, anyway every time the music started to play she just stayed there listening but when Michael's started to sing, she automatically started to laugh. That's when I realized how magical he was and how alive his spirit is, because I could feel it in my room, around us, singing with us and enjoying that moment and as I saw my little niece could feel it too. And it was an incredible experience, for both of us. And I can be sure of this because she's just a baby and she knows nothing about Michael's life, she doesn't even know who he is, but he loves his music, she enjoys it. when she's upset the only way to calm her down is by playing Michael's songs, that's the only way she stops crying. So how would you call that ?. Well I call it MAGIC, MICHAEL'S MAGIC. His spirit is alive, is with us, and even a baby girl with only four months old can feel it. And I think all of us can feel it too, it's just a matter of believe. That day with her I was so sad and my heart was broken but she taught me a lesson, maybe one of the most important lessons I'll learn in my life, she taught me to leave my pain aside and start to enjoy this new era in my life, an era without Michael physically but with Michael spiritually. It was hard to me and still is not miss the body, but thinking I realized that the body is not important because who we really are is in our souls in our spirit, that's our essence. And that's the Michael I'm starting to enjoy. Until the day I die I'll miss and cry because of his death, but I'll remember the lesson I learnt the day of his first anniversary and to me that was like reborn again. My heart won't heal, not now, not never, but at least it will have some comfort when the pain start.

I love you most everyday Michael, and I love you MJfam and my blog sisters for being there for me and understand this pain like no one does. It's my honor to met you. Thank you!.

L.O.V.E !.

Maxabella and the Versatile Blogger Award

My lovely blogger friend Jodie at Mummy Mayhem has passed on The Versatile Blogger award to me. Cue happy dance.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I confess, I don't know much about the blog awards that I see here and there. Where did they come from? Who makes the rules? Why are there so many? But, as part of the The Versatile Blogger award, I'm to share 7 things about myself and direct you to 5 wonderful blogs that I love from bloggers who are new to my site.

Let's face it, we're all new to Maxabellaland and I've been enjoying so many fellow blogs that I'm thinking of starting up a chapter of Bloggers Anon. Especially as I'm such a commenter (is that a word? Commentator? Comment maker? Nevermind...)  I just can't seem to read some of the fantastic stuff out there and not share.  So I apologise that everywhere you go in blogworld, Maxabella seems to have an opinion about it.

But, I digress.

Five blogs I just love and visit every day are:

Not Waving, But Ironing (to be honest, I'm not sure NWBI has actually ever visited my blog, but I'm Number One Stalker on her site)

Life in a Pink Fibro (brilliant writing about things that make you go 'yes, yes, ah, yes') 

Pink Patent Mary-Janes (little bit of this, little bit of that, it's like having coffee with your bestie)

Woogsworld (Laugh? I almost broke out an emoticon)

And then there were four (An honest slice of life and MultipleMum has a great turn of phrase)

And seven things you never wanted to know about me but I'm going to tell you anyway are:

1. I never brush my hair. Until my girls came along, I hadn't owned a hairbrush since 1988.

2. I secretly loathe Lady Gaga but pretend to like her so my gay colleagues think I'm cool.

3. I quite liked fashion in my youth, but these days I so can't be bothered that I would love it if everyone on the planet had to wear the same uniform every single day. I feel this approach would also solve the global warming crisis, abolish child labour in the Philippines and possibly end the reign of terror in Afghanistan. I would make the uniform beige corduroy just because I enjoy the thought of smarmy fashionistas being forced to wear beige corduroy (and because couduroy is a rather funny word).

4. I am a compulsive pleaser. For example, from year seven until year twelve I made school lunches for myself and my three siblings (vegemite or pb sandwiches, cheese and an apple, thanks for asking) because I wanted to be a good mother on behalf of my actual mother (who was a great mother but apparently not a great sandwich maker).

5. I think typing BWAHAHAHA makes you look like a (possibly laughing) twit and typing 'nom nom nom' or 'noms' for food appreciation is slightly abhorrent.

6. I often lie awake at night wondering why I am lying awake at night wondering.

7. My pin number is 85921.

Thank you and good night.

Free-range Tsunamis

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You've no doubt heard of Lenore Skenazy of Free-Range Kids. I love her.

You know how sometimes you're absolutely sure of the rightness of something. When I heard about Lenore's quest to give her kids some independent breathing space, I just knew she was right. She's right that children deserve independence. She's right that being responsible is a necessary part of growing up. She's right that the world isn't necessarily any more dangerous than it ever was. She's right that parents today are so convinced that something is going to happen to their child that kids are growing up feeling like they've done something wrong.

And why wouldn't they? Many parents are so fearful of 'something happening' to their child they box them up inside their schools and homes like criminals. Leonore sites the example of a parent who won't even let her children collect mail from the mailbox in their own front yard.

It's not just the fear of abduction. Parents are fearful of their children getting run over, falling over, being maimed, trampled, bullied, getting lost, getting hit by a sniper bullet....  They watch their children every minute of every day and usually a few times during the night too. They schedule so many indoor 'extra curricular' activities that the poor child is surrounded by four walls from the minute they wake up until the minute they go to sleep.

Can you imagine living like that*?

I choose to believe that the world is a safe and loving place. Not everything in the world, but most of it. We've educated the Tsunamis from infancy about what is dangerous and what is not. We didn't 'babyproof' the house (although we're not unsafe: we used gates at the stairways before they got the hang of stairs and certain antics by The Badoo forced me to buy those plugs for the electricity outlet because, well, she's The Badoo). We practice crossing the road together safely every single time. We're quiet in the car when the traffic gets heavy. We would never go into a public toilet alone. We know that strangers are usually friends, but we don't talk to them unless a grown-up we know is also listening.

Now, marry Leonore's rightness with Richard Louv's Last Child in the Wood rightness and you've pretty much got our parenting style. The Tsunamis are lucky enough to live in a house surrounded on three sides by national park and reserve. They explore the reserve around our house and their own imaginations every day. They make mud pies and throw them at each other. They dig for worms and herd ants into houses made from sticks. Clambering over large sandstone boulders, climbing up swaying trees, reaching the top to call down to mum "you look like a barbie doll' (why, thank you my children). I let them roam. They're free-range, organic children with skinned knees and grubby faces - just the way nature intended.

Of course, every now and then I call out to them and they know they must call back immediately. If they don't Barbie will come tearing up that reserve so fast you'd swear she'd been shot from a cannon... Afterall, I'm free-range, not neglectful!



* Oh, wait a minute, I have a corporate job...

MJ Memorial Munich - a year in pictures

Today marks the first anniversary of my first visit to the Michael Jackson memorial in Munich.

Ever since that day, this place has become a home and a magical place of comfort for me… A constantly changing experience that is never nothing but beautiful.

Here’s a little journey through time, enjoy!

Click on pictures to enlarge.
June 29, 2009 - how it all started...

July 31, 2009 - the day I knew the memorial is here to last

August 29, 2009 - a girl playing BEN for his birthday

September 26, 2009

October 29, 2009 - This Is It

November 19, 2009

December 19, 2009 - Merry christmas Michael

January 8, 2010

Febuary 14, 2010 - it was a long winter

March 22, 2010 - snow is gone

April 25, 2010 - springtime

May 28, 2010

June 26, 2010 - the memorial is overflowing with L.O.V.E.

First of all I would like to thank the city of Munich who have not only accepted the memorial against all odds and rules but also are protecting it. Thank you for showing humanity in a world full of strict rules!

Nothing less with all my heart I want to thank everyone who tirelessly contribute to the beauty of this place through all weather conditions and with phenomenal daily efforts. I can never thank you enough!

Thank you also to “Michael’s” hotel Bayrischer Hof (the memorial is right in front of the entrance) who are supporting us no matter what. Michael loved you and he is proven right!

A big thank you also to composer Orlando di Lasso who is sharing his memorial with Michael now. We love you!

Michael – we can never thank you enough. Your L.O.V.E. and spirit is constantly with us!!! We are your global family!

L.O.V.E. is forever.

---
Find more blog entries about the memorial here:
- The Michael Jackson Memorial in München (Munich) - Click here
- Random experience at the MJ Memorial Munich - Click here
- Outpouring L.O.V.E. - MJ Memorial place, June 25, 2010 - Click here
- L.O.V.E. in daylight - MJ Memorial place, June 26, 2010 - Click here

The things I (we? surely not just me?) do and say

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On the train this morning, sitting in the vestibule (I would never sit in the actual carriage) I found myself thinking "why do I always sit in the vestibule? Why don't I ever sit in the actual carriage?" And, you know what, I didn't have an answer. At the back of my mind a little voice was saying "claustrophobia!" and "what if there was a fire?" and "terrorist!" but I ignored the back of my mind as it's prone to histrionics and I prefer to think of myself as a calm, rational sort of person.

It's just that every now and then I catch myself doing something slightly bizarre. For instance, if I'm walking down the footpath and the school girl chant "step on a crack, break your mother's back" pops into my head (as it does on occasion) I simply cannot step on a crack. So I go hopping and skipping along the footpath like an overgrown 5 year old. The back of my mind is saying "please, just don't break your poor long-suffering mother's back, especially not now that she's in her sixties and has osteoarthritis, the damage could be catastrophic!!"

Or if I have peas on my plate, I must eat the peas first before I can get to the good stuff. The back of my mind is silent on this one but my poor long-suffering mother's voice is clear at the front of it: eat your peas, young lady!

And just the other night I threw myself from the door onto the bed, making sure that no part of me touched the floor between... difficult one to explain this, but the back of my mind says "remember when you were younger and your little sister told you that people lived under your bed and they would reach out and grab your ankles if you came anywhere near your bed... imagine if they grabbed your ankles!"

Well, see, apparently they still live under there.

Bucharest, Romania - Memorial on June 25th and 26th, 2010

In 1992, after the violent events of December 1989 and June 1990, Romania was gray, unsure and still heavily under the effect of the former communist regime.

Michael's decision to perform in Bucharest came as a breath of fresh air for a society struggling to regain dignity.

Then when he came back in 1996 we knew it meant something to him as well.

18 years later Bucharest and Romania has found a great way to say THANK YOU, MICHAEL!

On August 29th, 2009 an alley in Herastrau Park, Bucharest was renamed in Michael's honor and a commemorative plaque was unveiled.

On June 25th, 2010 next to that was unveiled a collective portrait made out of the photos fans submited.

But the miracle is the monement itself - in has transformed into a area of love and a memorial fit for a king.

I hope you will enjoy the photos.

I am very proud and happy now i have two special places to share with my MJFAM - Munchen, Promenadeplatz and Bucharest, Herastrau Park.

June25th on Michael Jackson alley

Fans gather close to see the portarit

 Tears and smiles go together

Candles, flowers and notes

We miss Michael ...

Forever in our hearts

This Is It - STOP Hatin'

June 26th, the weather cleared, the memorial is even more beautiful

L.O.V.E.

It's All for L.O.V.E

"On this day, more then ever, lets uphold the human values that Michael promoted with all his being: LOVE, GENEROSITY AND COMMON SENSE. Let's embrace his vision like our own beliefs. And let's do this not just on one day but all year long. ... and by doing this Michael will continue to see this world through our eyes."

Never can say Goodbye

The Michael Jackson Portrait

Hard to walk away but I'll be back soon

Thank you, Michael!

Pretentious wanker tosser types

[Source: Stella Pictures]

I know it's not nice to judge others and I reeeeally try not to. But there are certain choices that my fellow citizens of the world make that I feel are just so contrived and awful that they are begging for criticism. Begging.

Now, I'm probably going to offend some people, and for that I apologise. I want you to remember that good people make pretentious choices sometimes, so calling someone a wanker doesn't necessarily make them a bad person. My friend M is a really lovely, sunny, fun and kind person but she named her first born son 'Jet'. Tosser.

Kids in trilbies.

Buying designer clothes for 'the quality'

Adopting a hyper-sculpted beard with the ironic excuse 'I hate shaving'

Drinking designer water like antipodes or Bling H2O or Tap

Hungry models pretending they eat

Wearing earmuffs in Sydney

Men over 18 working the 'emo' look

Doing up your shoelaces under the tongue... because bows are so unfashionable?

But, really, it's hard to think of bigger wankers than people who fork out mega bucks buying designer clothes their kids... Exhibit A: "Shopping at a Sydney Bonza Brats children's wear store last week, Double Bay mother Anna Macri admits it is not unusual for her to run up $600 on her American Express card in one shopping session, collecting designer pieces for her four-year-old daughter, Francesca, and 18-month-old Gabriella. "It's expensive, but the stuff does last the distance," she says. "With the first one, you do go psycho spending, but now my 18-month-old is wearing the clothes." [Source: SMH, April 17, 2007] OOOOh, sorry, so you're spending $600 on kids designer clothes so you can hand them down? Because generations of families spending $10 on kids clothes have obviously not been able to do that. Noooow I get it.

What sort of stuff do you find frustratingly wanky?

The World Stopped

  by @yogadancer7

  The world stopped June 25,2009.  For me, my summer became defined by the loss of Michael Jackson.  I rode an emotional roller coaster traveling between grief and the joy of re-discovering his old music and videos.  I guess I could say that my entire year has been this way.  Perhaps you feel the same.

    Somehow, it's all taken on a kind of otherworldly feel.  He always said he loved us more.  But since he's been gone, it seems that we all love him more.

   I want to defend him.  I'm guessing you do, as well.

    Look at him:  quiet-mannered, soft-voice, dear smile.  Such a gentle man whose idol was Peter Pan.  He spoke of God, his compassion for trees and always- Love.  He changed the face of music and dance and yet he remained humble and shy.

    Years ago, Michael was accused of having a messianic complex.  But his intentions were not lost on us.  He remained true to his calling of bringing Love to the world, serving children and respecting our environment.  His undying faith has been our inspiration.  That is why we believe, without a doubt, in his innocence.  But the media and his enemies stole his  dreams. They destroyed Neverland.

    When i see photos or videos from the trial, Michael looks like one big broken heart.  Back then, i looked away feeling lost and confused.  Now he's gone.  I can no longer look away.  None of us can.  We are his voice. We must be loud and clear:  Michael is innocent!  Michael deserves respect, Love --and JUSTICE!

    I am so grateful to the MJfamily that has come together; Soldiers of Love whose faith prevails.  I am in awe of so many who have taken on huge projects to honor our hero.

    I send my Love to each and every one of you-and thank you from the bottom of my heart.  As we support each other in Love and prayers we will continue to be a reminder to all of the world:  "It's all for L.O.V.E."

                            "Let us celebrate the joy of life and

                              you and I were never separate

                               it's just an illusion wrought by the

                               magical lens of perception

                                Heaven is Here

                                Right now, this moment of Eternity

                                 Don't fool yourself

                                 Reclaim your Bliss"

                                                                         --Michael Jackson

"Thank you for your words and your love."

It's All for L.O.V.E. blog team

Michael Jackson Remembered

by Xanadu Murphy June 25, 2010
(http://twitter.com/xanadumurphy), Texas, USA.

When word came about Michael Jackson being pronounced dead after having been transported to the Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center on June 25, 2009 I was in shock. It seemed unreal that someone who was only 50 years old and about to embark on an almost year long, 50-date, series of concerts could suddenly be dead. But there is was on CNN and all the other news outlets: The King of Pop is gone. I never got to see Michael in person or attend one of his concerts. I only saw him on television or in videos. Yet I knew he was an extraordinary artist who had pretty much saved the music industry with his innovative music videos and his intricately staged concerts.

To be truthful I hadn’t really thought about Michael very much since the trial ended in 2005. However, even without any new music or concerts for several years, it was clear that a superstar, a creative and performing genius, a supernova suddenly had been ripped from our firmament. Genius rarely has it easy and is frequently quirky or eccentric. Michael enjoyed great success professionally and he worked hard to make what he did look easy. I doubt we will see another in our lifetimes with so much talent and the desire to work at his art.

On learning of Michael’s death I immediately thought of his three young children and of the day when he was acquitted of all charges in the 2005 trial. In talking about it with friends on that day I said that although he hadn’t gone to prison the case had surely ruined his life and his career and possibly his health. And so it seemed, until the announcement of his series of 50 concerts at the O2 arena. Were 50 concerts reasonable? Perhaps, since he would be in residence instead of traveling from place to place. After seeing “This Is It” I felt like he still had it in him to dazzle and electrify an audience; that he could still reign as The King of Pop. But the sad truth is we will never see the show this master entertainer had envisioned and seeing a glimpse of what could have been was bitter sweet.

It was only after his death that people who worked with Michael and who never believed he was a child molester or pedophile found they could communicate with others via blogs, podcasts and forums on the Internet to tell what a wonderful person Michael was and how great it was to work with him; how humble and gentle he was and how generous. Several individuals told the same story over and over…when they were contacted by the media during the trial and they did not have anything negative to say about Michael the media ignored what they said or quit asking them for comments. Others such as Aphrodite Jones and Charles Thomson did the research that clearly showed the mass media, printed and electronic, were biased against Michael and persecuted and maligned him.

After Michael’s death I set about rediscovering his music and his dance. I loved his early, solo albums; the first three with Quincy Jones are definitely classics in my opinion and are instant trips down memory lane. However, I find now that his later albums, HIStory (disc 2) and Invincible, and to a slightly lesser extent Dangerous, are the ones that I play most often. I think this is because there is so much more to the mature Michael in these albums. There is joy, pain, and longing, a desire to retire from fame and the public, and a gritty desire to get back at a certain individual who, it seemed, was out to “get him.”

Some of the melodies are elegant, even exquisite…”Stranger in Moscow,” “Break of Dawn,” “Butterflies,” “Speechless,” “Earth Song;” while others reflect an anguished, tormented soul…”Scream,” “D.S.,” ”Privacy,” “Tabloid Junkie.” For myself, I’ll listen more to the elegant and exquisite melodies and less to the strident ones. I hate to think of how his fame contributed to his anguish and how his fans, whose love he appreciated and willingly reciprocated, could not help also being a contributing factor.

It will probably be several years before Michael Jackson’s works are more fully studied, debated and appreciated by scholars. We know there are more songs that Michael created and which will probably be released in coming years. It’s a really too bad he passed at such a young age. He seemed to get better as he matured. He could have continued to give us new music as a composer, producer or singer for years to come. Or, he could have dazzled us with film and videos. However, even without any additional creative output his accomplishments and music seem to have a permanent place in our culture. So Michael, please rest in peace and privacy that you could never achieve while living. We know you did it all for love, L.O.V.E. and because of that we love you more.

It's All for L.O.V.E. blog would like to thank you  for your contribution and your support.

Michael Jackson, 1958 - forever in our hearts

Today we publish the words and thoughts we received from our friends.

Thank you for being part of the blog and thank you for your support.

click on the image to enlarge

by@MJMyWorld , Sweden/Greece

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by Titill, Sweden

by @adelynacd, Romania

Easy Sunday: Delish Ricotta Pancakes

Is there anything more scrummy than Sunday brunch and Sunday papers?

Just typing the combination makes me drool with longing. Back in the day, LOML and I had Sunday brunch every single week. Wherever we found ourselves (we did a lot of travel in our junior burger years) (warning: I use parentheses A LOT in this post) (even more than usual), we'd find the right cafe (nothing fancy with the eggs, everything fancy with the bread), select the right table (window, large enough for papers, no drafts) and order much the same thing. Sunday brunch is not for trial and error! Cosy food, cosy cafe and Sunday paper walls neatly tucking us into our own little world.

These days Sunday brunch involves a favourite child-tolerant (there isn't an eating establishment on earth without golden arches that is truly 'child-friendly') outdoor deli-cafe and three crazed Tsunamis running around high on life and banana bread. There is always some kind of epic spill involving 2 waiters, 38 napkins and a change of clothes (generally the waiters'). You can also guarantee that someone will insist on bringing their dog to the cafe, sending Maxi-Taxi screaming from the venue with a screech so terrifying that the majority of patrons prepare to evacuate due to fire.

So, you know, we tend to eat in.

Ricotta Pancakes with yoghurt, banana and honey

1 cup (150g) self-raising flour (Wholemeal also works great!)
1 tsp bicarb of soda
Pinch of salt
2 tbs (40g) caster sugar
125g fresh ricotta
1 cup (250ml) skim milk (Buttermilk also yummy here.)
1 egg, beaten
25g unsalted butter, melted
1/2 lemon, rind grated, juiced (In all honesty, our lemon tree is such a dud that I usually leave out the lemons. They are missed, but only fleetingly.)
Oil spray, to fry
Sliced bananas, yoghurt and honey, to serve

Sift flour, soda and salt into a bowl and stir in sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta, milk, egg, melted butter, lemon rind and juice. Beat well until smooth. Gradually whisk this into the dry ingredients to form a smooooooooth batter.

Heat a heavy based, non-stick frypan, spray lightly with oil spray and pour in batter to form a 12cm pancake. Cook over medium heat until bubbles appear on the surface (about 3 mins), flip and cook for another 1-2 mins.

Keep warm while you cook the remaining pancakes. Makes about 8.

Serve hot with spoonful of yoghurt, banana slices and generous drizzle of honey. Yummo. The kids will love this one too.

Kids, what kids?

[Recipe: taste.com.au]
[Important note: my pancakes generally look not-a-patch on the Luke Burgess photo above. Nor does my photography.]

L.O.V.E. in daylight - MJ Memorial place Munich June 26, 2010

A few impressions from the MJ memorial place on June 26, 2010... I have never seen so much love shown for a person anywhere. Truely magical. Enjoy!

More than anything I hope Michael can see all the love people show for him worldwide!
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Translation: Dear Michael, I am very sad that you are dead. Without you the world is boring and more sad. Here you live on through your music and above I know that you are now singing in the choir of angels... You are the only King of Pop! I LOVE YOU!!! Isadora

See the amazing pics of June 25, 2010 -> Click here.

Art & Communication. And LOVE

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Heal The World

We can all help change the world for the better but we need to take action now - no delays.

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by cassarah