I wasn't planning on doing a writeup and intentionally left my camera in a friend's car. At what point is it NOT tacky to take photos during the service? Of course, I'm the only person who felt this way but no regrets. Also, attire. Many people in suits and tasteful dresses but still saw quite a few looking far too casual. Many wore clothes in tribute, which I did enjoy: Beat It-ish red jackets; many sparkly single white gloves; a sea of fedoras. No notes, no photos; I went to it as if it were a service for a personal acquaintance, despite the circus the media wanted it to be.
Being there, it really wasn't. It wasn't as crowded as anyone expected. Walking Fig (or Figueroa Street, for you non-locals), there were checkpoints for wristbands. I was impressed with the successful crowd control. LAPD were calmly instructing those without wristbands to turn back. Attendees were respectful and barely any crashers. Media were cordoned off. We mingled a bit outside and signed one of MJ's tribute walls. We talked to others. The exterior displays at Nokia Center looped a MJ photo slideshow. It became hot out so we decided to check our seating and the A/C. More checkpoints. The arena was filling up and everyone enjoyed the MJ songs being played. The screens showed a similar loop of photos. I say to my friend, "You're going to see me cry today." I know the moment I hear "You Are Not Alone" I will be a goner.
The service was very emotional and surreal. As big as it was, it was still a funeral and felt like one, but at the same time it was unlike anything I've experienced. There were more celebrities and public figures gathered than I have ever seen in my life. We sit and are in awe. We honor him and feel honored to share this with the family. We are at Michael Jackson's Memorial and it is too much to comprehend. I am still in shock today.
I sat in a section that I had a clear view of backstage, stage, the family and their friends behind them. Before the service we all tried identifying celebrity guests making their way in. Barbara Walters, Smokey Robinson, Larry King, Kobe, Jennifer Hudson, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah...
Mariah Carey sang first. What do you afterward? Do you applaud? My friend and I and everyone in our section were constantly wondering aloud what is and is not appropriate. We looked at each other for approval. I guess applause wouldn't be out of the question. She sang very well (even if she didn't think so herself!). You see Kobe Bryant in his Staples Center home not long after winning his championship. Surely he deserves some applause though I think catcalls would be too much. What are we all doing here? There's no precedent! I tried for the most part to follow the family's lead. Someone screamed during a pause, "I love you, Michael!" and a few people clucked their tongues in disapproval. Others took it as an invite to yell other things intermittently throughout the rest of the service. Mostly words of support to the family or specific members of the family. I could understand. It's not like a small service that you could express condolences personally. People desperately wanted to communicate with the family and Michael's spirit.
I stared at the front row a lot. I stared long at daughter, Paris. The poor girl cried nearly the entire time. La Toya comforted her and her large floppy hat did a good job of protecting the little girl from the lights, the camera in her face and thousands of us strangers. I'm truly surprised she said something at the end of the service--very brave. Grandmother Katherine Jackson sat between Paris and Blanket who was holding an MJ action figure. Prince, next to Blanket, was the rock. Janet took care of Blanket when he'd become especially upset. Very sweet kids.
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The worst offense, I thought, was that Staples sold concessions. Not alcohol, but food and fountain drinks. The majority of my fellow mourners were respectful, but there was at least one couple in my section that ate nachos and drank sodas during. What is wrong with you people? We're not watching a Kings game! I wish Staples handed down orders to ushers to not seat people with food. You want to eat a hot dog? Eat it in the lobby!
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After watching some of the televised recaps and skimming Twitters it struck me that I had a vastly different experience being inside the event. I think a lot of people are still under the impression that it was a concert. It was not. We listened to eulogies, wept, prayed. It was a still a service, just a billion times larger than most. As I said, I was not planning to blog this, but there have been inquiries about it from a few and I would not mind sharing my experience. Unfortunately, I don't know what else to say here. If you have ANY specific interests (personal or general) or questions please make it known in the comments and I will do my best to address them all.
Also: The City of Los Angeles welcomes donations of any amount to help defray the cost of providing public safety and traffic control for this event. If you are a fan of Michael's or love the City of Los Angeles, please consider making a small contribution HERE.
Since 2006
3 comments:
OK seriously, wtf is wrong with people - Nachos? Wow I figured people would be crazy disrespecful and such but that surpasses even my low expectations of behavior. I'm very glad you got to go though - I know it meant a lot to you.~~ Cailin
At Cari's urging I am leaving my comments. First of all I loved it, a true reflection of your experience and yet respectful of the memorial itself. I know I wanted to know the insiders view, so I'm glad that you shared it with us. I was surprised to read that it wasn't chaos as the media had predicted and that people were in general respectful. Most of all, that you were able to experience it. However, I was floored that people thought it was ok to sit in their seats and EAT! This wasn't a show or a sporting event. His god damn casket was front and center, you know the gold thing that was covered with roses! It was a memorial for his FAMILY, friends and his fans across the world. Would you disrespect your own family by eating during a family members funeral service? "Oh I'm really hungry is it ok if I eat while they drop grandma in the ground?"...REALLY? There is something extremely wrong with a country that finds this behavior ok and in fact condones it by turning such a somber event into media entertainment for the masses. Yes, it was long, there weren't any intermissions, places weren't open on the way there...any excuse will do. I could say the same thing about the Opera I attended recently, but never did it cross my mind, that it would be ok to eat while I was watching the performance. AND THAT WAS A PERFORMANCE! When did America lose it's respect? How do we get it back?
I'm very happy to get an inside view of the memorial. I was in London at the time and with the time difference and tickets to We Will Rock You, I was unable to view the memorial live. It was great to read your view, especially since I had only seen and heard clips on the news. I find it amazing that people would eat nachos and a soda! Feel like Harvey Keitel, What, did you forget your French fries, to go with the soda? ... Thank you for sharing your inside view on a very special moment in history. MJ you WILL be missed.
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