Staples Center Michael Jackson Memorial.

Just like thousands of other people around the globe, I saw the rejection note from Staples Center/AEG this morning in my inbox. Through an interesting turn of events I was able to hold a ticket in my hand that belongs to a friend. We were having a little fun this morning posting a photo on my Flickr with the wristband taped to my wrist. The cat tattoo is a dead giveaway that it is my hand but the entire thing was a goof. Few people bought the gag and for those who did, I quickly set the record straight: the tattoo is fake, the ticket is real but it never belonged to me.

My friend is, last I heard, trying to sell his only ticket--an act I strongly disagree with(!)--though he has been largely unsuccessful in drumming up interest. I told him it was bad karma to attempt a profit and that I doubted he would get a cent anyway. I'd seen glimpses of auctions [before they were promptly and respectfully taken down by eBay and Craigslist] but no sign of buyers or bidders. If anything, I've heard of generous folk who have donated their legitimately won tickets to true fans. And that's how it should be! I know it'll be a total CF tomorrow but it's still a memorial after all.

Not long after trying to gently dissuade him from posting the auction, another friend offered me one of hers. Karma. Toldya.

Most friends via Twitter/Facebook were congratulatory and for that I'm really thankful. It was very nice to hear since I so rarely have this kind of luck and am excited about attending tomorrow. I've never seen him live, but am grateful to see this major tribute to his life with so many other fans. I was shocked that a few friends are resentful or jealous or whatever. It cast a bad light on my afternoon but I honestly don't know how to respond. I thought I was being pretty clear about my love for MJ through recent blog posts (1, 2) and a barrage of MJ-related Tweets. I hate that I feel the tiniest bit bad for going to the Memorial tomorrow.

But I'm still going and am grateful for the invite. I don't know what else to say about it.