I have not been very regular recording the varied events of late but then life hasn’t really been that action packed. But today I sit to write in this blog with a heavy heart as I mourn the demise of the King of Pop – Michael Jackson or MJ or Jacko or the living legend as he is fondly called. The news was sudden, most unfortunately, untimely and devastating for most of us who have grown up to his genre of music. He hasn’t even actively creating music after being embroiled in controversies and lawsuits as also financial troubles and the last I heard him was in 2002. However, like many others I was counting on his comeback tour in July this year ... but alas! That was never to be ... He succumbed to a cardiac arrest which many claimed to have been caused by medical overdoes and the exact cause of his death is still being investigated even as I write now.

Like every kid my generation – MJ was such a demigod. He personified pop and had many hooked on to this genre. For many years remained he remained synonymous with English music. While many marvelled at his Moonwalk and incredible dancing moves – I was admired his voice which was soft and melodious. Remember – ‘Man in the mirror’, one of my personal favourites along with ‘Just can’t stop loving you’. Other more popular and entertaining numbers were – Thriller, Beat it, Bad, Bille Jean, Black & White and Heal the world and numerous others ... We all marvelled at his ability to stretch his body in every imaginable and unimaginable way (like a rubber band) which so many others attempted to copy among many others in our own Bollywood and never came close to it ... Suffice to say, he has been the ‘inspiration’ behind Prabhu Deva, Chiranjeevi, Mithun Chakravarty to name a few ... I spent quite a few hours reminiscing the younger days as videos and music of the icon was being aired on TV.

Among other things – its redemption time for team India as they take on an inspired West Indies at their own turf starting from today. It’s  ‘redemption ‘ because the team’s latest showing at the T20 World Championship was so disheartening that its threatened to obliterate the tremendous achievement of the team over the past year or so. The reigning World Champs early exit at the Super 6 stage provoked people to write them off, not to mention the heavy losses incurred by the advertising fraternity as a result of reduced TV viewership.  India was supposedly undone by the short pitched deliveries hurled at them by the Caribbean bowlers and later by their English counterparts. The conditions in the Windies could be similar but this is a different ball game as we are playing a series of 4 ODIs but nonetheless, it will be a ‘test of character’ for the Indian batsman whose confidence level took a serious dent owing a disappointing Championship. I am personally waiting for the action to unfold ... later today.

On the personal front, nothing seems to be working out because after disappointment is Mumbai even the Noida offer is hanging by the hook and still quite out of reach. I did receive a verbal offer last Monday and have been waiting for a written statement which was supposed to reach me the next day. This could be the only other stage in the recruitment process where a ‘rejection’ was pending. As for me, I don’t know what went wrong – they have perhaps discussing the budget issue. Kind of reiterates what the astrologer mentioned about not getting an offer till October. He also predicted that after December 25th there’s going to be a positive period which will turn golden after next year. I guess I need to follow instructions – do the serpent puja and also year the Ganesha locket.

Let’s see how things move on ... of all the disappointments – (now I have run out of words to describe that emotion) it’s difficult to keep your chin up, take everything in your stride and move on to explore the next big opportunity with enthusiasm.

Will wind up today with a prayer - May MJ’s soul rest in peace as we relive his memories by celebrating his music...

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