Jodante's

Like so many others, the music of Michael Jackson was a constant in my life. I grew up listening to Michael and watching him grow from a great singer to an icon. I was in a state of complete disbelief when I first heard the news last week, and was thankful that the immediate focus by the media remained on his impact as an artist.

In the days after Michael Jackson's untimely passing, his family home has attract both fans leaving flowers and tributes and mainstream media and paparazzi hoping for a glimpse of family members.

As a Los Angeles resident, I realized Thursday night that Jackson's childhood home on Hayvenhurst would probably attract some attention, so I decided to drive over there on my way home.

I was right.

At that point, mostly local residents lined the streets, held back from the Jackson driveway by orange cones.

Just a smattering of media was in attendance.

The following day, the deluge of tribute flowers and notes began.

People started filling the street, and the media began arriving in force.

The simple cones gave way to police tape, reinforced by wooden barricades.

Finally, Sunday, the police and the Jackson family security force realized that tougher measures were needed, and steel crowd surge protectors were installed, to retain the media as well as the public.

The few local stations present had mushroomed over the weekend into wall to wall news vans bearing journalists from around the world, all waiting with the public for a glimpse of a Jackson or a notable figure visiting the family.

The fans in the meantime continued to stream down the street with their precious cargo of teddy bears, notes, flowers, candles and assorted other items, which they carefully placed in front of the wall next to the Jackson family's gate.

As a sleepy little street in Encino bore witness, Michael Jackson's music reached across the divides of all ages and races.

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream here and here.

Labels: encino, jackson family, jackson tribute, michael jackson

I'm making a list and checking it twice, 'cause the Apple Store is going to be nice... at least in Australia! No reason to think that U.S. specials won't be as good. There's so much stuff on sale I won't know where to begin.

Apple

Labels: apple, black friday

The concept is great; Radiohead in concert in Japan broadcast "live" on tape but you the viewer controls the cameras. A little pixelated, but cool nonetheless. Radiohead in Japan.

Surf, sun, sand and ... ice? That's right, 'tis the season for outdoor skating in Southern California. In locales ranging from the heart of the city to the suburbs to the ocean, Angelenos can skate outdoors in 80 degree weather to their heart's content.

See where to go here.


View Larger Map

For some reason, I've been on a dog kick lately! In this photo, a yellow lab puppy makes a new friend at the park.

Labels: dog, lab, puppy

I highly recommend that the Obama's adopt a Havanese puppy dog. The Havanese, which is actually a cross between a Bichon and a Llasa Apso, is an intelligent, gentle and loving dog that does not shed and is hypoallergenic. It is playful and a great companion. Here are some videos of Havanese:

Ruggles the Singing Dog

Havanese Dancing