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From the Archives: "My thoughts on Michael Jackson's 'This is It'"

Subject: My comments on Michael Jackson's 'This is It'

Posted Date: Nov 1, 2009 11:43 PM

Today I saw This is It, the musical documentary starring Michael Jackson, and I'm glad I did. Right from the outset this movie is made "for the fans," and it delivers. This would have been the show that Michael Jackson would have taken on the road had he not died last June.

The film includes every song Jackson would have performed in order of sequence. Many of the big hits are heard in mostly fresh-sounding arrangements. Even the filmed sequences are mostly new and breathe new life into these classic tunes.

Jackson had his hand in everything when putting this show together. The viewer will discover his take-no-prisoners approach to crafting the show and his more relaxed, child-like nature. I especially marveled at his creative process.

This film provides evidence that Jackson still had 'it' going for him. Detractors who wrote him off as having lost 'it' years ago would be taken aback if they were to see him in this film.

The theatre I saw it in was nearly packed. I'm so glad I reserved my ticket a month earlier. I even joined in the applause when the closing credits began to roll, something that doesn't happen too often.

Had Jackson undertaken this tour he would've blown all the younger acts to pieces. Though he was 50 years old at the time of his death, he could still sing and move around like he did in his golden Thriller period.

I personally thank his family for allowing Sony Pictures and director Kenny Ortega to release This is It to the public. As Jackson himself would've said, he did it all for the love of his fans.

How Steve Jobs has changed my life

Earlier this month Apple founder Steve Jobs died after a lengthy battle with cancer. His innovations have changed my life as I'm sure they have changed the lives of those of you reading this blog.


One of the earliest examples is from 1989, the year I got my first home computer. It was a Macintosh Plus, and though it may have gone the way of the dinosaur, it was considered revolutionary for its time. For the first time, it allowed me to do all my homework assignments on a word processor instead of by longhand. I know it made my teachers happy because they were able to read them without having to scratch their heads, or wear bifocals. I even played some games on that Mac Plus. It kept me out of trouble (for the most part), and made for a good babysitter when my parents had other things to occupy their time.

I got another Mac computer when I went to Carleton University in 1994, this time in colour. It was my first colour computer, and during my second year I became acquainted with the World Wide Web. I also experienced going through the amazing graphics and visual elements that Jobs helped develop. These visuals extended to Pixar, the animation company that evolved from Lucasfilms. Jobs purchased this studio before being acquired by Disney. Films like Toy Story, The Incredibles and Wall-E might have looked very different without the influence of Steve Jobs.

In 2006, I got my first iPod. I took to it right away knowing I wouldn't have to cart a bulky Discman around anymore. Now I could store much of my music library onto this convenient little device. It is through using the iPod that I became acquainted with podcasts, and I have subscribed to many of them. I still listen to most of them today. Until I got my first iPhone in 2010, the iPod became my constant companion whenever I would go outside.

The iPhone, by the way, is unique because it is user-friendly, unlike some other competing cellphones. It also allows for a variety of apps that can be stored, something I couldn't do with either of my two iPod nanos. I've even made a couple of short video clips that I've posted on YouTube. My dreams of hosting a podcast of my own have been heightened thanks to the possibilities presented by my iPhone 3GS. I might have discontinued using a cellphone had I not decided to get an iPhone.

What I also admire about Steve Jobs is how he was able to make the war between Macs and PCs less intense. He achieved this by making some computer files and programs that could only be opened on a Mac more compatible and useable on a PC. This development has made me consider getting an iMac once I have worn out the PC I'm presently using.

These are some of the more obvious ways in which Steve Jobs has helped improve the quality of my life. I have no doubt that his technological innovations will improve rapidly now that he is gone. Godspeed, Steve Jobs, and iThank you.

Crappy Canadian Thanksgiving (video)