As crazy as he was, as deteriorated as he got, I didn't see this coming. I can't stop thinking about his kids. So little interaction with the outside world. Their one constant gone. I feel so sad for them.

It's a tricky thing, mourning for Michael. Grief with a disclaimer: The following sadness is for Michael Jackson The Entertainer Please Don’t Think I’m Condoning or Ignoring Wrongdoings I’m Affected Because He’s Been An Entertainment Goliath In Our Lives Since ABC Came Out 1970 When He Sang Like He Was Channeling God. 

Here are two pieces from former MTV'ers that were touching, heartfelt, and insightful. First is from Liz Nealon who was at MTV before we even went on the air, the second is from the beautiful Downtown Julie Brown.

From Liz:

I grieved for Michael Jackson a long time ago......when I was young I thought that he'd be with us our entire lives, making new music, reinventing himself, delighting us all the way (I mean, really - how lucky are you when Michael Jackson is a kid like you, though impossibly talented, and as we grew up he just kept getting better!). I'm sorry to hear about his death, but I've missed him for a long time. 

From Julie:

Sweetheart I am in Italy. The news sucks! I can't believe it. He was way to young. Really. Just takes me back to when I first met you and the rest of the MTV gang..when he was at his very best. Always disliked those who ragged on him. He was simply the best as an artist in music.
This morning I went to the piccola pasticceria in this tiny town where I have my summer home and of course I had on a black sequin fedora and a sequin t-shirt in honor of the King of Pop! They are playing his music everywhere ...in the supermarkets, the gas stations, the gelateria's..it's fantastic to see that the fans never lost any love for MJ. My daughter woke me up to tell me the news...she was in a panic..and she is only 15. Very sweet.
You know me Martha...I am a MJ fan even before I came to MTV but it was there that I got to meet him. I will never forget that day.
Once again I dislike the way the press has already shown pictures of him laying dead on the stretcher. Do him proud Martha on your radio show.
much love,
ciao
Julie X

1. Woke up this cloudy morning to the most heart-melting sounds of a Lego creation being played with quietly next to me. Hushed "whooshes" as a soldier steals the diamond that can stop all energy. Muted "tap tap tap" sounds as the good guys wrestle the diamond from the soldier. Pretending I'm still asleep so as not to break the spell, I spy the good guys speeding to their hideout, narrowly missing the deadly spider web.

2. My friend Nick Jaroff recently posed the question: Name 5 Things You Can Grab from Where You're Sitting: No cheating! What are yours?

ok mine are: 1 golden retriever, 1 german shepherd,1 cup of coffee, and, because my husband just asked me, "where do these go?", 2 tape measures.

xoxo, m 

Yes it's true, I've succumbed to Facebook. I used guffaw when friends would tell me how they hooked up with Joe Schmoe from third grade day camp and his big post was about that morning's bagel. "What in the world do you need to clutter your mind with that for," I'd chortle.

One night my husband and I, full disclosure a glass of wine was involved, logged in to the playground for idle hands, Facebook. I'm hooked. I like hearing about old pals and their kids' proms and bar mitzvahs! I enjoy reading the musings of Ossinning High alum, every day I hear from the MTV crew is like Christmas, and I treasure getting back in touch with Duran Duran fans from back in the day. I even connected with a gal who used to send me tons of trivia questions in the Dr. Pepper era. Hi Elaine!

But if you haven't Facebooked yet, I'm posting my recent reflections here. P.S. My e-mail address is:

marthaquinnpresents@gmail.com

xoxoxo, martha