Loss of Mandela Significant Even if You Don’t Know Why

CLEVELAND - I was in middle school in early 1990 when I first heard of Nelson Mandela. At the time, his release from a South African prison after 27 long years was making international headlines.

I was forced to take notice.

Upon finding out that Mandela died yesterday at age 95, I didn’t cry or reflect on the man. I did, however pause and track down the details online. I never knew exactly what Mandela did for the world, but I do know that it was significant.

Yes, he was controversial. Yes, many people are labeling him a communist, terrorist and a racist in their appraisal of his legacy. But I still marvel at the substantial nature of the man, based on the incredible outpouring of grief in the U.S. for an African politician.

I know that this may sound irrelevant, but Mandela’s friendship with the Great Michael Jackson is another element that made him matter to me. MJ was a huge admirer of his, and was inspired by the enormous strength that he held his entire life.

A life that was full of adversity.

Back in ’90, I began hearing the word “apartheid” as a result of Mandela’s mission against it. As it turns out, he made a quest for racial equality one of the more pre-eminent themes of his life. That will always be something worth respecting.

Mandela was the first Black president of South Africa and was a staunch advocate of human rights. Having been bestowed with numerous high honors (Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom), it is no wonder that the man is as revered as he is globally. His accomplishments place him on par with MLK as well as President Obama given the exclusivity of the honors he received.

He was a true icon.

For those people who are not fully aware of Mandela’s impact, I will simply say that his life is very much worth celebrating, whether you felt touched by his efforts or not.

We should all aspire to leave a legacy as great as his.

30 Years Later: Jackson’s Thriller Film Mirrored His Reality

CLEVELAND - Sleek, glamorous and full of childish enthusiasm, a young man (played by 25-year old Michael Jackson) runs out of a movie theater in pursuit of his date, (played by 23-year old Ola Ray). The gorgeous young woman had just seen a frightening film while out with the guy and was so spooked that she charged out in fear and frustration just moments after it started. After a little “flirtatious teasing,” Jackson gets back in her good graces by singing to her as they stroll down a dark and desolate street. This represents the calmest time in the entire evening for Ola, because soon after, her smiles would once again turn into screams.

It went that way for many of us watching too.

Today marks the 30^th anniversary of the release of the seminal short film (though labeled a music video), Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The groundbreaking flick premiered on MTV that night and immediately became a cultural touchstone for both its star and the entertainment industry at large.

In retrospect, it is both fascinating and quite sad that this grand time in Jackson’s life represented the very peak of his enormous powers, popularity and public reputation. Sure, he went on to have a historically successful 1984. But the Thriller film forever remains a transcendent artifact of the man at his most creative, innocent and accomplished mind and overall being.

The bookends of MJ’s charming serenade in the 13-minute masterpiece happened to involve his character turning, first into a ‘werecat’ then into a wild-eyed, dancing zombie. The harrowing nature of both scenes sadly mirror his own real life. Between the release of his 1979 solo smash LP Off the Wall but prior to the dawn of the “Thriller” era in late 1982, the path of his life changed for the worst in an instant. During a live performance, Jackson suffered a broken nose after falling on stage. This led to the first of an obsessive number of nose jobs, and thus the downward spiral of his own self-consciousness took flight.

This seemed to take a back seat to his rapidly ascending popularity in early ’83 when the newly released “Thriller” album began dominating the music charts. But after the Cinderella-type adulation and achievement that MJ enjoyed for two years suddenly ended in 1985, his public profile began taking subtle hits, then massive attacks in the media and the court of public opinion.

And it lasted for the rest of his life.

This reversal of fortune was illustrated time and time again for MJ’s co-star in the film. First Michael was a nice and charming guy, then he suddenly turned into a monster. That turned out to be “only a movie,” but then the “real” him comforted her by singing that he could “thrill [her] more than any ghost would ever dare to try.”

Then, the “real” him became a possessed zombie hell bent on scaring her into oblivion. THIS turned out to be just a dream, but secretly Michael still had “cat eyes” that he was hiding.

I shudder when I think about how his life played out in the same roller coaster fashion as this film’s storyline did. The man changed the course of history and raised the standards of imagination and creativity with this short film. Those facts alone made it grossly unfair that he was ultimately fated to live the remainder of his life being chased by the proverbial demon that would never just let him be.

On such a special anniversary of such a special artistic work, I am grateful for the genius of Michael Joseph Jackson and how he masterfully delivered the Thriller film to the world.

Forever love.

50 Years Later, Kennedy Assassination Still Fascinates Me

I pride myself on my ability to look at the world differently than the average person. But when it comes to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, I’m just like everyone else in the United States: fascinated.

Well, almost like everyone else.

Since today marks the 50^th anniversary of this seminal moment, I have to insert my two cents, especially given how much I have read, discussed and thought about this historically famous event over many years.

Kennedy was murdered nearly two decades before my birth, but by the time I was in 5^th grade, I had become galvanized by the sensationalism of that crime. I never gave a rat’s ass about politics, but JFK represented so much more than that. From his legendary inaugural address in January 1961, to his then-hidden trysts with film star Marilyn Monroe, to the youthful attractiveness of his wife and children, the Kennedy White House was literally must-see TV.

Trust me, I am well aware of the larger significance of that horrific day in Dallas a half-century ago. Not only did it change an entire generation, but it affected everything in our country moving forward.

Some things have even gotten better.

One of the other, indirect elements of the Kennedy assassination that has always held my attention is the nearly 31 years that his wife Jackie lived after that day. She became a heavily photographed and followed celebrity in her post-JFK life. First, there was her move from the White House to a place in New York City with Caroline and John-John. Then, her controversial marriage to billionaire Aristotle Onassis. Hell, in 1975, nude photos of her appeared in the upstart porn magazine Hustler and became an instant best seller.

In 1983, a full 20 years after her husband’s murder, the former Mrs. Kennedy visited the great Michael Jackson on the set of his classic “Thriller” short film to discuss plans for an autobiography on the star who, at the time was at the apex of his career. By then, she had become famously known as Jackie O, a nod to her marriage to Onassis which had floundered in the 1970’s. She was a major figure at Doubleday books and, along with her adult children was always a fixture in the tabloids and news media.

And the Kennedy mystique, birthed during the “Camelot years” was always a part of popular culture. How could I not be captivated by the Kennedy assassination, when I strongly believe that its iconic details has fueled America’s obsession with the family ever since?

A seemingly unlimited amount of tragedies have befallen the Kennedy clan since those three murderous bullets hit the president in ’63. That is another factor in the fascination. EVERYTHING that happens to that family always seems to evoke memories and commentaries on the assassination.

On such a sad anniversary, I hope President Kennedy and his remaining family members have finally found peace.

Same goes for our country.

Eminem Battles Himself and His Demons on Masterful New LP

International fame and millions of dollars have done nothing to change the harsh reality of the once poverty stricken Marshall Mathers. He is 15 years deep into a critically acclaimed career and yet he is still just as emotionally fragile, self-loathing and insecure as he was when he was just an aspiring rapper living in a Detroit-area trailer park.

And he lets it all hang out on his new LP.

Mathers, the now 41-year old hip-hop artist popularly known as Eminem released his first album in three years yesterday; The Marshall Mathers LP 2 to an assortment of conflicting reviews. The album features several thematic elements derived from its classic predecessor, 2000's The Marshall Mathers LP but is quite a departure from his usual work. Even still, it’s easily his best record in 11 years, back when Em's career hit its pinnacle in the summer of 2002 with the release of The Eminem Show.

Eminem does what he has always done best on this LP; expose his inner demons with a shocking combination of hubris and self-deprecation. One minute he is extolling his own brilliance and historic legacy, the next minute he is hurling insults at himself while putting his shortcomings on full display. He even takes his phenomenal skills to another level as he (surprisingly) delivers numerous verses rapid fire with impossible rhyme patterns and pitch perfect dexterity. He is without a doubt a student of vocabulary and line structure as he so intricately explained in an interview on 60 minutes last year.

Jay Z has the more formidable catalog and consistency, Kendrick Lamar is the up-and-coming superstar of the moment. But Eminem is unequivocally the purest lyricist on the planet right now and one of the greatest in history. He is tactical and scientific with the way he constructs rhyme patterns, interlocking several similar words and abstract ideas into mind-bending lyrics. On MMLP2, he does this time and time again.

This album showcases the evolution of his mind as he ventures into new areas with a decidedly rock-styled production, none of his usual rap guest features and even an entire song dedicated to apologizing to his estranged mother. But the more things change, the more they stay the same; Eminem revisits tons of familiar territory on the album as he angrily hurls numerous vitriolic lines at homosexuals, women and celebrities. And oh yeah, he still hates his absentee father with a passion.

As a whole, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is an excellent album and easily outpaces 2004’s Encore, 2009’s Relapse and 2010’s Recovery. It doesn’t eclipse the original, which would be a near impossibility. But it does remind the world of exactly why we fell in love with him in the first place. One of the wonderful things about MMLP2 is the fact that Eminem seems acutely aware that his own phenomenal track record is his only true competition, as he so eloquently states on a track entitled, “Evil Twin.”

Finally, even though the quality of his songs have been heavily criticized for the past decade, this new offering is a tremendous return-to-form for a masterful artist who, despite his insecurities, is still a legend in the game and still delivers the goods.

Michael Jackson: A Beacon of Inspiration and Love

CLEVELAND - Aside from the substantial number of records, awards, and benchmarks set or achieved by Michael Jackson, his overriding message and contribution to the world had nothing to do with the obvious.

It was about unconditional love.

Today marks, what would have been his 55th birthday and predictably, his international fan-base (myself included) numbering into the hundreds of millions have been celebrating the life of a true entertainment giant for days now. But as much as I love Michael's remarkable body of work and the seismic impact of his historic career, I am more impressed with his dedication to "make the world a better place."

Michael Jackson, for decades, donated and pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to a litany of charitable causes and foundations while selflessly investing huge amounts of his time and energy into people all around the world who were less fortunate and underprivileged. He wrote and performed songs that were constructed to serve as uplifting anthems of love, self-progression and hope. Not only was MJ a tireless proponent of helping people, but he also used his global platform to encourage all of us to take better care of animals and the environment. For all of his legendary pop music hits, the altruistic "Earth Song" may be the most passionate masterpiece of pure substance he's ever crafted.

Jackson's "Heal the World" foundation is just one of his crowning achievements of giving back. And when he was burned during filming of a Pepsi ad in January 1984, he opted to donate the settlement money to create the "Michael Jackson Burn Center" to help other victims of fire-based accidents or tragedies. His sprawling, and elaborate performance during halftime of the 1993 Super Bowl is a perfect example of how powerfully he was able to share his positive message of love and healing. Sure, he performed his classic pop hits with great energy and ferocity, but the focal point was his singing of "Heal the World" and the troupe of children he brought to assist him in the breathtaking visual (holding synchronized placards that formed a message of peace).

So, while Michael Jackson will forever reign as a seminal force of unmatched talent and achievement in the world of music and entertainment, his most lasting legacy is in fact his inspirational message and actions of love, peace and hope. Not only was MJ the ultimate humanitarian, but he was also one of the most important people in the history of the world. Love or hate the man, we all benefited from his 50 year presence on Earth.

Happy Birthday, Michael. I will love you forever!

4 Years Later: Understanding the Magic of Michael Jackson

CLEVELAND - Michael Jackson, dressed sharply in a black leather suit and his trademark dark shades made his way into an Augusta, Ga. church on December 30, 2006 to the sounds of thousands of screaming fans and countless flashbulbs. Flanked by two beefy bodyguards, the entertainment icon waved and soon took a seat in the first row of the church as media cameras focused on his every move and news anchors broadcast his arrival on national television.

But this event was not for Michael Jackson.

Instead, MJ had just arrived at this church to honor the great James Brown, the man who most inspired Jackson as a child to become an entertainer. This event was Brown's funeral service; he died just five days earlier at age 73.

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the shocking death of Jackson, a man so publicly maligned at the time of his departure from Earth that he almost seemed to be an unwanted alien by many. I, for one never saw him that way and was absolutely crushed when I received that horrific news on that dark Thursday. But even as his public reputation nosedived in the final 20 years of his life, he never lost his magical aura, as evidenced by his appearance at Brown's funeral just 18 months after his acquittal of child molestation charges.

In understanding Michael's magic, I believe that it is essential for people to realize how we first came to know about him and care what he did. Beginning at age 11 in 1969, Michael exhibited substantial singing and showmanship qualities that made him seem almost fictional. No child of that age should've been able to sing with the majestic passion that he possessed, or the poised stage presence as evidenced by countless television appearances with his brothers as the Jackson 5. Thus, Michael entered our minds as a true prodigy filled with breathtaking talent and that memory never left anyone that saw him decades later.

When he re-invented himself as an adult solo artist in 1979, his superstar status was complete. He entered the 1980's as a 21-year old star who could sing his heart out and was blessed with killer dance moves. All of this sensationalism reached a fever pitch with the release of his seminal album Thriller.

The Thriller era spanned two years; 1983 and 1984. This is when Michael was at the apex of his power, appeal and universal resonance. His stylistic choices, both in his work as well as his visual appearance took elements of innovation from past artists and expanded on them to create his own unique presentation. So, as his career flew into the stratosphere of excellence, critical acclaim and achievement, his highly inventive and singular appearance became embedded in all of our collective minds. The fact that he created such iconic music, short films and commercials completed the package.

So, when Jackson took to the podium at that church in Augusta, Ga. 22 years after the end of the Thriller era to give a brief statement on the impact that James Brown had on his life, it was easy to understand why the assembled crowd screamed loud at his appearance. They cheered and applauded as if this event were for MJ, which was pretty amazing given the enormous stature in music that Brown himself held.

For decades, anytime Michael Jackson made a rare television appearance at a live event, it was almost like a coronation or a very special treat. He was always dressed in something cutting-edge and original, and his whisper of a voice (which had been internationally famous for many years) always fired up the crowd as he spoke into the microphone to accept an award or make any sort of comment. Simply put, he just ooozed a cultural mythology that no one else could match, even nowadays. I'm not saying that fans would think of all of his great accomplishments right then and there; but subconsciously, we all knew about the incredible art that he gave us over many years, and that always made him seem larger than life.

When he went on trial in early 2005, he showed up to court daily clad in a very elaborately designed suit that was unlike anything anyone else ever wore to a court proceeding. But it always felt like a huge "happening" when he would emerge from his SUV and walked towards the courthouse, flanked by bodyguards and family members. Fans would scream and shout and snap photos of the man, even though his greatest artistic works had been released many years in the past. Scandal and heavy media scrutiny had trashed his once pristine reputation, but in spite of the sordid headlines and accusations, he always carried the magic of being Michael Jackson, the former child megastar who sang the hell out of "Who's Lovin' You?" and "I Want You Back." The adult supernova that crafted three consecutive classic albums in eight years; Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. He was still the man who mesmerized the world with his performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown 25 and in the process, claimed the moonwalk dance step as his own signature move. This was still the man that dominated awards shows, popularized the single sparkly glove and white socks and loafers and danced at night in a red leather jacket with a host of "zombies."

Michael Jackson was always far more than he seemed in any given moment. He was the sum of his overall greatness and lifetime of unforgettable, standard raising genius. And here we sit, four long years after his demise and we look around at constant replays of his legendary short films, timeless music and inventive style and we realize something pretty amazing.

Even now in death, he still has that magic.

15 Years Ago Today: Jordan's Golden Moment

CLEVELAND - It remains one of the most seminal moments in the history of the NBA Finals; Michael Jordan punctuating another virtuoso performance with a cold blooded jump shot with 5.2 seconds remaining on the game clock to propel his Chicago Bulls to their sixth NBA championship title in eight years.

Call him "the ultimate legend."

Crazy how time flies, but that event took place 15 years ago today as the then-two-time defending NBA champion Bulls played Game 6 of the finals at the Delta Center, the home court of their opponent, the Utah Jazz. Jordan was forced to carry a larger-than-normal load for his team after his superstar teammate Scottie Pippen strained his back in the opening moments of the game. Even though he managed to play 26 minutes, Pippen was greatly reduced in his effectiveness, meaning MJ had to find another gear.

Boy did he ever.

With Jordan being in the twilight of a truly historic, spectacular career at age 35, his athleticism and stamina were far below what they had been in his glorious prime. Even still, he remained a transcendent player capable of anything when the stakes were highest. This is why he was able to score 16 huge points in the fourth quarter of a very tight game and deliver three breathtaking and game-changing plays in the game's final 42 seconds.

After Jazz star John Stockton drilled a three-pointer with 41.9 seconds remaining, Utah led, 86-83. After a Bulls timeout, Jordan, running on fumes during an exhaustive fourth period took the ball and drove hard to the right baseline and scored majestically over Antoine Carr to pull his team to within one with 37.1 seconds left.

Back in possession, the Jazz went to their bread and butter play; their superstar Karl Malone with the ball in the post. Malone began to make his move on Dennis Rodman as Jordan came out of nowhere and stripped the ball from Malone before he could ever get a shot off. The steal happened with around 18 seconds left in the game. Instead of calling a timeout to set up a play, Jordan brought the ball upcourt as he faced Jazz swingman Bryon Russell. Even though Russell and Jordan were now matched up one-on-one, it was actually Jordan matched up one-on-one with history and the legacy of indelible greatness.

He won.

Jordan drove to his right with Russell defending, then (with a very surreptitious nudge) crossed over to his left and rose up for a cocky jumper from 18 feet out with an unobstructed view of the hoop.

All net.

Jordan, as the Jazz called a timeout while the entire building of thousands of fans sat in stunned disbelief, held his follow through pose for a shot worthy of such theatrics.

Moments later, it was all over. Jordan scored 45 points, the Bulls won the game 87-86 along with championship number 6 and MJ's status as the greatest basketball player in history was locked in place.

Just like that great moment.

30 Years Later: Michael's Magic Moment

CLEVELAND - It was arguably the coming-out party for the world's most electrifying performer. A magical moment so breathtaking and mind-blowing that words still don't do a single bit of justice to describe the insane brilliance of that evening.

Michael Jackson became an entertainment legend.

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the NBC broadcast of Jackson's seminal solo performance of his then brand new song, "Billie Jean." The historic moment, filmed seven weeks earlier on March 25th at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium was the crown jewel of the television special, "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever." This was a musical showcase of numerous big stars and groups that brought the venerable Motown Records to enormous success during the 1960's and '70's. MJ himself became an international star when he and his four brothers signed to the label in 1968 as The Jackson 5.

What the world saw the night of May 16, 1983 on television was a clear cut superstar musician morphing fully and stunningly into an international icon of epic proportions. Jackson, less than three and a half months shy of his 25th birthday unleashed, for the first time ever, his soon-to-be signature dance step "the moonwalk" as well as the full scope of, what would become his indelible and unique style.

Michael Jackson took to the stage that evening clad in a black, glittery jacket with a black, rhinestone encrusted shirt underneath. His cropped, black pants and black loafers showcased rhinestone adorned socks. But the accessory that garnered the most attention was the single, white sparkly glove he wore. This entire ensemble, along with his carefully coiffed Jheri-curled hair, became, not only his trademark look for the next two years, but a cultural phenomenon as well.

After a spirited Jackson 5 medley with his brothers (reunited musically for the first time in eight years), Michael paced the stage alone while speaking to the audience. He remarked that he liked the old J5 songs
"a lot," but he especially likes "the new songs."

This is when he grabbed a black fedora, pulled it down over his head and struck a pose while the opening bassline of "Billie Jean" filled the arena. From there, MJ used the next five minutes to exhibit the unbelievable range of his showmanship and artistry. His dancing was both pristine and gravity-defying. His subtle and rhythmic flourishes accented his carefully polished stage presence which was obviously heavily influenced by some of the great figures in the history of show business.

Jackson had been reluctant to perform on this show for Motown. At the time, his public reputation and success was in a constant state of expansion. With his six month old album Thriller steadily steamrolling the music charts and breaking sales records, he was the toast of the music industry and, thanks to MTV, a super popular video star. The last thing he needed was to perform on a show with a bunch of has-beens and fading stars who were completely beneath him. Alas, Motown founder Berry Gordy persuaded MJ, now an artist for Epic Records to join his brothers and perform on the show.

After all, how could they not have the biggest star in the world (who started with Motown) on their show?

Jackson agreed on the condition that he be allowed to have a solo spot to perform his non-Motown song (and the then #1 single in the U.S.) "Billie Jean." He later earned control over the final edit of his performance so that his amazing dance moves would be seen at every proper angle by television viewers to showcase it in the best light possible.

During Michael's show-stopping solo, he lip synched the "Billie Jean" lyrics so that he could perfectly deliver his dancing and the song in a neat package. When the song ended and he closed his eyes and raised his hand to punctuate the conclusion, the entire industry crowd was on its feet in grand applause. MJ took a bow and left the stage, not realizing that he had just crafted the most important moment of his career. To those watching at home, his blinding qualities as a superstar switched to overdrive and he became a global obsession.

In the aftermath, the Thriller album once again experienced a great spike in sales as did sales of Jackson-themed items. From replica jackets and sparkly gloves, to Jheri-curled hair and cropped pants, imitating Michael Jackson was the new #1 cool thing to do throughout the summer of 1983 and beyond. MJ himself received numerous accolades and effusive praise from some of the greats of the industry, many of whom he grew up studying and idolizing.

I will never forget that spectacular moment in '83 when the man known as Michael Joseph Jackson became a supernova of the highest order.

He is simply the best forever.

40 Years Later, The Legacy of Y&R Endures In My Life

CLEVELAND - For more than 30 years, The Young and the Restless has been a non-negotiable part of my life. I was introduced to the daytime series when I was in pre-school by my grandmother, and my love affair with the show has been present ever since!

True story.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary show, and as I write this ode to this indelible artistic work, I am watching the latest episode.

Just like always.

Y&R has captivated me for decades and it has always been must-see TV for me. In elementary school in the 1980's, I would set my VCR to record the episodes because I couldn't be home to watch them. Then, on summer vacations, I would get a huge thrill because I could watch the episodes daily without the obligation of school hanging over my head. I remember classic storylines with great clarity, including the rock concerts with Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) in 1985-86 and the "just say no to drugs" storyline. I remember that crazed lunatic Lisa kidnapping Brad Carlton (Doug Diamont) in 1988 and holding him captive in a cage. I remember the Cassandra Rollins storyline with Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) as well as the Leanna Love storyline.

The 1990's were no different. In high school, I used to cut school to come home and watch the show because it was that important to me. It might sound crazy, but anywhere I lived, any new place I moved to...any public place I happened to be at 12:30pm EST weekdays, I would have Y&R on my mind and search for the nearest television so I could watch it.

Through all of the amazing, interesting and strange characters on the show over the years, the one true standout has obviously been the great Victor Newman (masterfully played by Eric Braeden). I have admired him endlessly for decades and actually inspired by him. The Newman character, however, is a prime example of the high-quality, nuanced writing that the show has popularized for a long time. Victor is a billionaire tycoon with a ruthless and often cold disposition to rule everyone in his path. He can be downright immoral in his vengeance, however, he can also be incredibly sweet and compassionate. That takes amazing storytelling and even better acting to bring these stories to life.

In recent years, Y&R has broadcast their episodes online as well as television. This has allowed me more flexibility to do things during the day during that "happy hour" since I know I can catch every episode later on the Internet. Even still, when 12:30pm rolls around, I always get a little uneasiness inside if I am unable to watch the show when it airs because I can "feel" that I'm missing it. That never goes away until i finally go online and watch what I missed.

That is powerful.

In conclusion, I wish to thank all of the super amazing cast, especially the very long tenured ones such as Braeden and Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Newman), Christian Jules LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman) and Sharon Case (Sharon Newman). I also want to salute the late William J. Bell, Sr. for creating this remarkable show that has dominated my lifetime to this point.

I will always feel "young and restless" because of this show, which is far more than a soap opera to me and always has been.

Happy 40th!

As Michael Jordan Turns 50, I Reflect On What He Has Meant to Me

CLEVELAND - With today marking the 50th birthday of the great Michael Jordan, I could not help but reflect on the stunning excellence of his historic sports career and how watching him for many years forever affected my life. I also marvel at his continuing popularity, enormous, looming presence in today's NBA and the audacity of fans and media members, who seem over-eager to place LeBron James and Kobe Bryant anywhere near MJ's orbit of achievement and impact.

Wow!

For a decade, I allowed Chicago Bulls basketball games to become a sacred event for me, all because of Jordan. Whenever the Bulls played, I either watched on television or went to extensive lengths to try and pick up WMAQ on my radio. That was the Chicago radio station that aired Bulls games, and the quality of the radio reception was mostly awful, given the fact that it was a local broadcast and I lived some 350 miles from the Windy City. It didn't matter, though. Any faint sound I could hear of the action on the court was heaven for me. Neil Funk, who called the games, was always a delight to listen to as he described Jordan on offense.

"Michael with the dribble...wheels into the lane, dumps off to Scottie...Pip, throws back into Michael. MJ with three on the shot clock...hangs, falls, fires....SCORES!" Oh my! Michael with 40!"

Watching Jordan perform his artistry on television was even more breathtaking. I would always pump my fist whenever he made a basket, whether it be a 20-foot jumper, a post-up fadeaway J, or a spectacular, reverse layup in traffic. Jordan was not only the premier entertainment draw in the game, he was also a vicious assassin with a relentless level of focus, drive and killer instinct. His poetic style of play ran contrary to what the man was actually made of, which actually carried him to the stunning heights that he reached.

I remember vividly just how nervous I was whenever a Bulls game would get close in the final minutes, or if they were far behind their opponent. I would feel sick to my stomach because I always wanted Jordan to succeed and win. Thankfully, I didn't become aware of him until 1990, just a year prior to when he and the Bulls began their championship dominance. When he won his first title in 1991, I cried along with him and even got sick from the high emotional I felt for his most coveted accomplishment.

When he retired (for the first of three times) that awful day in October 1993, I was absolutely miserable. People came up to my locker at school and offered their support because they knew how strongly I felt for him. I avoided phone calls for days from my best friend because the moment was too painful. But when he suddenly returned to the game in March 1995, I was king of happy smiles! Let's be honest, everyone was a Jordan fan, but I was the one that went above and beyond and became obsessive about him.

I figured out a way to make small Air Jordan shoes out of paper and wore them as a necklace!

I will never forget the 1997-98 NBA season; Jordan's final one in Chicago. I was blessed with the opportunity to see him play in person for the first and only time ever. It was November 11, 1997 and the Bulls came to Gund Arena to play the Cleveland Cavs. I was totally blown away when I saw Jordan run onto the court from the locker room with his teammates right before game time. At the time, MJ was 34 years of age and was almost the only thing keeping the Bulls afloat in the early season. Scottie Pippen would be out injured until January '98 and Chicago struggled mightily in his absence.

They wound up losing this game in a rout, 101-80 with Michael getting a pedestrian 19 points in defeat. It was fascinating watching him in real life, real time without the sound of television announcers. On one play, Jordan caught a quick pass from Bulls center Luc Longley, drove down the lane and layed the ball in the basket dramatically. On another play, he went down the lane and dunked, and the entire arena oooh and ahhed.

As MJ neared the end of his reign in Chicago, I began developing a stronger appreciation for the man and what he ultimately stood for. People can say anything they want about him; call him arrogant, an asshole, egotistical, petty, cheap...compulsive. Whatever. All I know is, he is a sterling example of astounding determination and will, and those are the attributes that got him to where he is now. A man without action (and ego) will never fail enough to succeed repeatedly.

Salute Jordan.

I will also never forget how Michael ended his Bulls career, June 14, 1998 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals vs Utah. I was watching the nail biter game with my best friend at a sports bar and when MJ's legendary, final moment began to unfold (Jordan had just stolen the ball from Jazz star Karl Malone with Chicago down by a point), my friend lowered his head and said, "I KNOW [he's going to] make this shot."

Sure enough, MJ knocked in the championship winning basket with 5.2 seconds left and posed for posterity after the ball went through the net to give the Bulls a one point lead that held up. I could not have been more ecstatic than I was at that moment, arguably his crowning achievement on the court.

When Michael retired a second time in 1999, I was once again covered in tears and couldn't contain my constant sobbing. It may seem crazy, but I truly had an emotional connection to this man for a number of years. I was invested in him and his successes, which always made my days better. I was on the fence about him coming back in late 2001 to play for the horrific Washington Wizards. On the one hand, I was overjoyed at getting to see him play again after over 3 years away. On the flip side, I knew he was close to 39 years old and that is an age in pro hoops that may as well be 80 in the regular world. During his frustrating, two season stint as a member of the Wizards, MJ exhibited many moments of marvel, especially for a man inching towards and beyond 40 years of age. Mostly, his tenure in Washington was critically panned as Jordan faltered on things that he used to dominate in. Nonetheless, I knew that Michael showed something amazing in coming to such a lowly team; a willingness to put himself in a possible path of failure because effort is its own reward.

To me, he succeeded even as the Wizards failed.

When he retired for the final time, April 16, 2003, I was more at peace with his exit, though I still cried and cried. It was a depressing moment, but I was so grateful for having witnessed this remarkable man perform his special brand of magic night in and night out.

In the decade since Jordan's last NBA game, an entirely new crop of basketball megastars have evolved and made the league their own. From Bryant and James, to Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, today's stars are awesome in their own right. But none of them will ever measure up to the seismic impact, cultural significance and unbelievable drive that was authored by and defined Michael Jordan.

Happy birthday, MJ, and many more to come. God bless you!