Blog Posts For Tag: Staples Center

The Michael Jackson memorial service at the Staples Center was quite an event. I am happy to say with all those people and celebrities the setting seemed just right. It was a somber yet lovely ceremony. It was a day to remember Michael and appreciate all he has given to the world. He has touched us all in some way. You really got to see the more human side of MJ and forget about some of the crazy stuff. Brooke Shields (who looked so beautiful) spoke about their friendship and dispelled any question that it was anything other than two famous kids feeling comfortable around each other and just being kids. Magic Johnson talked about the time he learned that Michael Jackson loved Kentucky Fried Chicken. If that doesn’t help normalize MJ what does?  The service started with Mariah Carey singing “I’ll Be There” which led to many more magical music moments. Usher sang “Gone to Soon” and he barely held it together in the end as he sang to Michael. Stevie Wonder sang “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer” which was a song he wrote about the death of his wife and then led into “They Won’t Go When I Go”. An 8 month pregnant Jennifer Hudson sang MJ’s song “Will You Be There” and she did such a heartfelt amazing job. John Meyer contributed an instrumental version of Michael’s “Human Nature”, which was another brilliant performance. Jermaine Jackson even got on stage and sang, “Smile” which was a song from Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times”. Jermaine has such a beautiful voice and it was good to hear him sing after so many years. It was hard to watch though because at times he could barely make it through.

Today is the day that the world will get their chance to say their final goodbyes to Michael Jackson. Although it has not been known until just recently Michael Jackson’s body will be at the Staples Center today for the memorial service. In fact it is being reported that the LAPD SWAT team will be part of the motorcade bringing the body from Forest Lawn Cemetery, where the family held a private memorial, to the Staples Center. There is also a helicopter ready to go as well in case any safety issues do develop. The event is going to end up costing the city of Los Angeles around $4 million and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is asking the fans to help cover the costs. There is even a PayPal account that has been set up by the mayor where you can donate money directly. You can visit the mayors Facebook page or even his twitter page if you would like to participate. www.Facebook.com/villaraigosa or www.twitter.com/villaraigosa . The Staples Memorial Service will start at 10:00 a.m. pacific time and Rev. Al Sharpton is set to deliver the eulogy. I have to say I am a bit nervous to watch, I just hope there are no altercations or issues with all those people and fans gathered together. This event is said to be the biggest of all time, even bigger the Obama’s inauguration. Billions of people are going to be watching it on TV and between being streamed live and people Twittering about it this will really be a historic event.
 

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found shot to death on July 4th alongside his 20 year old girlfriend Saleh Kazemi, who was shot once in the head. This is a tragic story, especially considering McNair is married with 4 sons. At this point the police are calling the shooting a homicide but so far have no suspects in custody. It seemed that McNair was serious with the girlfriend according the Kazemi’s sister who said her sister was planning to marry McNair. Neighbors often saw Kazemi getting dropped off at her apartment in a limousine early in the morning and she also has a 2007 Cadillac Escalade that is in her name as well as McNair’s. Although there is no record showing that he was getting a divorce his $3 million home is on the market in Nashville. At this point it is unclear how much his wife knew. As you can imagine she is quite distraught over the whole situation. McNair was a very generous person, personally helping victims from Hurricane Katrina and helping pay for children to go to football camps, plus his amazing 13 year football career makes the thought of homicide unimaginable. McNair played in 4 Pro Bowls as well as he played for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found shot to death on July 4th alongside his 20 year old girlfriend Saleh Kazemi, who was shot once in the head. This is a tragic story, especially considering McNair is married with 4 sons. At this point the police are calling the shooting a homicide but so far have no suspects in custody. It seemed that McNair was serious with the girlfriend according the Kazemi’s sister who said her sister was planning to marry McNair. Neighbors often saw Kazemi getting dropped off at her apartment in a limousine early in the morning and she also has a 2007 Cadillac Escalade that is in her name as well as McNair’s. Although there is no record showing that he was getting a divorce his $3 million home is on the market in Nashville. At this point it is unclear how much his wife knew. As you can imagine she is quite distraught over the whole situation. McNair was a very generous person, personally helping victims from Hurricane Katrina and helping pay for children to go to football camps, plus his amazing 13 year football career makes the thought of homicide unimaginable. McNair played in 4 Pro Bowls as well as he played for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.

The big news this morning seems to be that ‘Sex and the City “actress, Cynthia Nixon and her girlfriend of 5 years, Christine Marinoni, got engaged. Nixon has 2 children, Samantha 12 and Charles 6 from a previous relationship with photographer, Danny Mozes. The 2 actually announced their engagement during a gay rights rally that they were attending in New York City. The 2 hope to be able to eventually legalize their marriage in New York and say they will wait for legislation to pass the gay marriage act. A vote is actually set to happen soon, but at this point still needs more support from congress.

The real question is not who is better, the 23-2 Boston Celtics or the 20-3 Los Angeles Lakers. The real question is can any team in either conference actually stop these teams in a seven game series?