Oh, man. Today is a sad day for me. June 25, 2009: Michael Jackson has died. I have been watching the coverage on CNN. It’s obvious how shocking and huge this news is. I first heard about Michael Jackson being rushed to the ER on Twitter. Got the sad news of his death listening to the radio (94.7 FM in Chicago). May he rest in peace.

Michael Jackson was my first crush. I remember being 4 or 5 years old, and just LOVING him. My family would make fun of me for it. I didn’t like watching the Thriller video because the zombies scared me. We had a Michael Jackson glove.

I still loved Michael Jackson when Bad came out, but I was over my crush. By the time Black & White was released, I didn’t care much about Michael Jackson  – but I all still knew the songs and the dance moves. In my teen years, I learned to really love and appreciate The Jackson Five (particularly I Want You Back) and came to an awareness of the progression of Michael Jackson’s career. By then, it was extremely difficult to reconcile young Michael with older Michael. But he was still an amazing performer.

I don’t think anyone will ever understand Michael Jackson and all of his quirks. And, that’s okay. I don’t feel a need to understand Michael, the man. I realize he was human, I think he was kindhearted, and it’s clear that he was loved not just by his fans, but by his family and others close to him. His sudden death will cause ripples for awhile. The one clear takeaway is that Michael Jackson was a true talent – and no on can deny that.

This is how I will always remember Michael Jackson. Beat It and Billie Jean are two major pieces of my childhood. I hear these songs and I immediately begin to feel the excitement I felt when I was a little girl. I’m not being sentimental. I’m being completely serious. I also remember wondering who Billie Jean was, and being jealous that Michael was singing about another girl.

You can read more about Michael Jackson’s death just about anywhere, but click here for a great reaction and story that I loved reading.

I know, I know. Why do I watch this show? While I watch it, I actually say out loud, “Why am I watching this?” And, I actually wonder – do the actors ever read the scripts and think, “Holy balls, this is lame.” Alas, I watch anyway. I have the burning need to know what’s happening with these characters.

I’m a sucker for the Haley/Nathan relationship, and that damn Jamie is too cute. Mad props must be given to Sophia Bush for her work on the show. I think she’s a classy lady, especially because she has to work with CMM. I’m also a sucker for the Mouth/Mille relationship.

Anyway, I’m sure I will watch next season. I’ll miss Hilarie Burton but I am soooo happy that Squinty Eyes Murray is leaving the show. It should be a nice little reboot – more focus on Haley & Nathan and Brooke & Julian (OK, I find Austin Nichols to be both repulsive and attractive at the same time). And, as much as I love Paul Johannsson, I think it’s time to put the Dan character to rest (literally and figuratively). My ultimate wish for next season? A storyline revolving around Robert Buckley’s torso. Seriously.

Too bad I’m not vacationing in Wilmington when I head out to NC next week. I’ll be a couple hours away (I think) in Emerald Isle (I think). Cuz, if I were in Wilmington, I would SO try and watch them filming. For realz!

If you’ve been following me on Twitter lately, you know full well that I am looking to buy a bike and learn how to ride it. Furthermore, I am hoping to meet this goal fulfill this lifelong dream by summer’s end (dramatics never hurt). If you know me personally, you know this is a tall order. But, hey. This blog is named i-cant-drive because I didn’t face my fear of driving until the ripe old age of 26 (ah, to be young again). And now, I’m a total road demon.

Bike riding presents different challenges than driving, of course. There’s more chance for physical injury. Holes in the road present more danger. And I loathe bikers (bicyclists?) on the city streets. There’s a lot of yelling, a lot of “drive or walk instead!” and “I’m so gonna hit you!” So, why the sudden urge to ride?

First, the obvious: I’m 28 and I can’t ride a bike. Come on already! (Believe me, I would buy a tricycle if I could.) Second, I live in the city now and, while there’s plenty within walking distance, a bike would be a nice mode of transportation for moving around the ‘hood. In addition, I live on Lake Shore friggin’ Drive, and I could easily go for a bike ride on the lakefront. Third, I know that meeting this goal will make me feel really good and change my life much in the way that finally driving changed my life.

So, there’s another challenge – I need to buy a bicycle. Dang, those suckers are expensive! And, of course, I want a really cute bike. But I don’t know that I want to shell out $$$$ for someting I may or may not use. If my sister is willing to part with her bike, I may buy it from her, or at least borrow it while I’m learning.

Next steps? I already talked to my cuz in North Carolina about renting bikes while we’re vacationing at the beach. She says she’ll laugh at me all day. That’s totally reasonable! But at least I’ll be on vacation and with family who will support me. It will be a fun time if we’re able to do it. In addition, I will do more research on bicycles and such, maybe check out Craigslist for a bike, etc.

P.S. Anyone know if someone at Johnny Sprocket’s is willing to teach a 28-year-old basketcase how to ride a bike? They’re right in the neighborhood, so I can at least walk home if the bike riding doesn’t work out.

P.P.S. and excuse the language, but, legally speaking, do I need to wear a fucking helmet? Not that I won’t, but it’s good to know. I’ll put elbow and knee pads on my list as well. Don’t want to damage my already rickety body.

Out of respect for actual people who have Hello Kitty decorations in their office cubicle, I won’t be taking or posting any pictures. But, seriously. Or – I guess “seriously” is the point. I can’t really take someone seriously if their cube looks like a 5-year-old’s bedroom. I’m sorry. But….SERIOUSLY. A calendar, one small figurine, a note pad – one Hello Kitty product at your desk is fine. But a whole figurine collection is just a wee bit crazy, IMHO.

I am officially in love with my iPhone! And I love that I can blog from it.

I had a weirdest dream last night, and I am blaming it on the milk I drank right before going to bed. A random guy from high school was in it, and part of it took place at my grade school playground, a cousin I barely talk to was there, and I ended up giving him my number, only to realize that I gave him my sister’s number instead of MY number. I woke up just as I was trying to track him down to give him the right number.

Anyway, I hope I never bump into this guy or I will probably ask him why he never called me (or my sister). Crazy. Good dream, though.

You can’t really talk crap about someone because they might be reading your updates. Just makes all the people who annoy me even more annoying. Seriously, I may start journaling again (with pen and paper). FYI – I’m not annoyed with anyone who officially follows me. So…tweets that could have been:

____ is so annoying I just want to cry.

Doesn’t _____ realize that they are rude and embarrassing?

Wish ____ would leave me alone.

Sometimes I wonder why I bother with _____…

It’s been ____ and I’m still annoyed about _____.

Sigh.

In a nutshell, before my memories escape to the black hole of my brain:

• People drive fast here. I’m embarrassed for following the speed limit (and admittedly driving below the limit at times) but WTF? I don’t know where I’m going.
• On another note, I have no regard for pedestrian crosswalks and almost ran over an old guy.
• Weather is GORGEOUS, even when it’s raining. Humidity has no place here.
• Can walk just about everywhere from our hotel. Niiiiice. And it’s hilly. I would lose weight if I were here longer.
• Free cookies and coffee/tea in the lobby? Niiiiice.
• Sat night dinner at The Corsican restaurant. Nice little place.
• Shopped at LL Bean. LL Bean was born in this town. The store is open 24/7/365. It is HUGE.

SUNDAY

• Rude awakening by mom. Yeah.
• Church. A 93-year-old man fell or passed out or something. Oh, goodness. DRAMA. But these people acted fast. In the time it took me to turn around and see what was going on, there was already a crowd of people around him and someone was calling 911. People were also motioning to the priest to come by and do last rites. Taken away in an ambulance. Please say a prayer for him.
• Met some other out of towners. Dude had AWESOME frames that he picked up in Singapore. Should’ve taken a picture.
• Mad shopping at The North Face, which is having a sample sale right now. Two jackets and three t-shirts for under $100. Also can’t beat 5% sales tax. Niiiiice. Plan to go back before trip is over.
• Workshop. Learning lots and the teacher is great, so I think I’ll survive the next three days.
• Dinner at Muddy Rudder in Yarmouth. Already sick of seafood.