And what were you doing?

There are very few events happening in the world that I can remember exactly what I was doing when the event took place. June 25, 2009 is one of those days. I woke up before work and had read that Farrah Fawcett died. Sad as it was, it was expected, as she had been ill for some time. Nothing would prepare anyone for what would come later.
I went to work that Thursday not thinking that anything out of the ordinary was going to happen. Kevin had the evening off so we had planned to go to dinner. On the way we stopped at a convenience store for a pop. I stayed in the car flipping stations on the radio. It was a little after six pm Eastern time. All of a sudden, the announcer came on and broke the news that Michael Jackson had just died. My mouth dropped. I sat there with my mouth hanging open in shear disbelief. Kevin came out and I told him. He didn't believe me at first. I wouldn't have believed me either.
What is really odd, is that I am not a huge Michael Jackson fan. Never really have been. Having spent my teen years in the 80's, I grew up with MJ. I just preferred British Pop than American music. I liked some of his stuff, but couldn't list what song was on what album. After "Thriller" and "Bad", it all blends together. I was surprised that I was having as strong of a reaction that I did. It dawned on me later that I felt like I lost a part of my childhood.
I really started to dislike MJ when he outbid Paul McCartney for the Beatles catalog. Then came the really odd behavior and the molestation charges. We are all products of our environments. The lack of a childhood, I am sure was a big part of it. Suddenly, none of it mattered. Micheal Jackson was gone.
Regardless of how you feel about him personally, his contribution and musical talent can't be denied. I really listened to his music for the first time that night, and as the rain began to fall in Columbus, I began to cry.

the radomness of disease

Why is it that certain diseases strike some and not others?
I don't understand the toll that the disease takes on the person and their family members.
Why my grandmother? Why my family?
Alzheimer's is a devastatingly sad disease to watch a person go through, and know that there is really nothing one can do.

My Father

On February 16 of this year marked the 12th anniversary of my father's passing. It is really odd in a lot of ways. I remember the phone call and the next few hours like it was yesterday. The pain has dulled, but there are still occasions that I want to pick up the phone and call him.
St Patrick's Day was his favorite holiday. I always get sentimental at this time of year. Even though it has been 12 years, I still miss my dad. He had his faults and wasn't around for most of my life, but I am so grateful I was able to spend the last 8 years of his life with him. I will never forget the last time I talked to him, a few days before he died. The last thing I told him was , "I Love you Daddy".

Yawn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it just me or does it seem like the Oscars are getting to be too much? I am glad that Sandra Bullock won. "The Blind Side" was an AMAZING movie.

Baby Steps

I need to start blogging again. I really need the creative outlet. I have a lot of pertinent things to say, but needed to find the right forum. Perhaps this is it. You may not always agree with what I have to say, but that is ok. Life would be really boring if we were all the same.
My name is Joi and I am a Democrat! I am proud of that. I am grateful to have a mother that taught me to think outside of the box.
I voted for President Obama, and I am proud of that. It is really nice to have an intelligent President again.
I really strongly dislike Sarah Palin.
I love my job.
I love my friends, they are my rock.
So join me on the journey.....