The end of Michael Jackson - a non fan thinks back....

Michael Jackson is Dead.

And who did not know who he was?

Michael Jackson or 'Cycle' Jackson as I referred to him was likely the greatest music stars ever - in terms of popularity and chart success. The global superstar. Kids worldwide grew up in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s with MJ. I choose to remember his good years, not the controversies afterward, and the ignominy of his living away in exile.

To hear today that he was gone brought back several memories like I'm sure for many others. Everyone, everyone knew who MJ was, everyone had heard a MJ number, and everyone wondered what kind of freakshow he was too.

First off, I can't believe Michael Jackson is 50. Was 50. And he died of what....?! Wasn't he supposed to die, by rumor, of some disease some months ago?

I always wondered, aloud sometimes, how someone so immensely talented and popular went this way. Progressively whacko. Whacko Jacko.

Though I've always been into rock/metal - a dyed-in-the-wool fan, and not pop or anything of the MJ genre - he was always around. I used to snigger at friends that went to MJ shows, listened to MJ numbers, people that imitated MJ moves. But there was no ignoring the showman, the entertainer. He was always around - in posters, on MTV videos, in the news, on radio, everywhere, a constant.

Michael Jackson is dead. Unbelievable. This is going to take some getting used to.

March Madness - Can you believe Syracuse?

A fantastic run with two OTs to the Big East Finals before running out of steam. And now to the Sweet 16 during March Madness.

Good stuff, Orange.

'Unfortunate Names' =)

The moment I saw this article, I was reminded of several even more unfortunate names. Far more unfortunate.These were of India students back in the day at Syracuse. The expressions of landlords, nurses, university office staff were priceless when these newbies mentioned their names.

'Wait a minute, did you say your name is _____?'

From this piece:
'What do you call some of the most unlucky people in Britain?

Justin Case, Barb Dwyer and Stan Still.

It sounds like a bad joke, but a study has revealed that there really are unfortunate people with those names....'

Oh, they could do a lot worse; don't you think, Deepshita?

A great sporting weekend - Tennis, Football, (and swimming).

And there have been several such before.

• Fri,a stellar Australian Open semi final: Nadal vs. Verdasco. List this among the all-time great five setters.
• (Sat, disregard the women's final. Boring. More reason to not watch any of these one siders. Had actually stopped watching a few years.)
• Sun, an amazing men's final. Too bad FeDex lost again to Rafa, but what else could he do to save the match?
• Sun, a thrilling Super Bowl. It all happened in the final two minutes for the Steelers, but it was almost the second (or third?) coming of Kurt Warner. Think his performance was enough to qualify.

No wait, there's more -

• Sun, swim legend Michael Phelps demonstrated his ability to smoke from a bong.

He said:
"I'm 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public -- it will not happen again."

And last time, he'd said:
"Getting into a car with anything to drink is wrong. It's dangerous and it's unacceptable. I'm 19, but was taught that no matter how old you are, you take responsibility for actions, which I do,"

So we look for when he'll say:
"I'm 27 years old, and...."

Layoffs at my college

Read in the Daily Orange that my school laid off 48 staffers last week. Whenever I hear Syracuse University and finances in the same sentence, I tend to pay attention. People that know me, are familiar with my view of SU.

SU is in dire financial straits? Really?

What happened to all the $ from incessant solicitations, the giant endowment, tuition increases, and selling off square blocks on the quad to any alumni that that wanted their names etched on granite?

Maybe it didn't work out, or they wanted more. I do hope one effect of the situation is an end to scholarships, and funding to students of no merit - SU was lax in researching credentials.

Slumdog - what is the fuss about?

What, I'm wrong? I should have bought in?

I thought Slumdog Millionaire was no fun, had unreal situations, and reinforced god-awful stereotypes. I kept looking for a magical moment, and there weren't any. Also, where was that great music I kept hearing about?

Must have missed something amidst all the hype. Viral 'you gotta see this'.

And why, why were India people raving about it so much? Reality aside, is this what they'd like to be associated with?

Cell phone tricks - how to spot non-calls. ;)

Ever notice the antics of people using cell phones? No, they're not always having a conversation, or texting. You likely know this.

They're trying to look busy and connected.
They're trying to look not awkward.

• A lot of people will talk to themselves on their cell phones. They are not talking to anyone else at all. Watch anyone that's sitting at a table in a restaurant, public place alone with a phone.
• If they have an intense expression and look around once in a while - they're likely talking to themselves. Most such people will sound like they're having an argument. A made-up one.
• People that eat alone at a restaurant often start a fake phone call. Who the heck wants to be seen alone at a table? Fork and phone in hand looks better.
  
• Watch anyone that walks into a gathering of people, and everyone seems to look at them. They'll either come in with a supposed cell phone 'conversation', or will pretend to call or text someone just then. They're self conscious. They want to look busy.
• There are also the ones that will have a self-conversation about a topic just to gain the attention of those in earshot. Interesting places, clubs, people will be mentioned, and there will be a lot of exclaiming, and fake enthusiasm. Exclamations:'Really?!, No kidding!, Wow!'
  
  Watch if their phone suddenly starts to ring mid-fake call.