Locky's English Playground: 29 Jun 2009

Monday, 29 June 2009

Vocabulary: News Article "Jackson friends mourn passing of flawed genius"

I spent almost 4 hours watching Michael Jackson's MTV marathon on TVB Pearl at Saturday night, all the way till 3am till I really couldn't keep my eyes open.

I really liked the concert part when MJ sang a series of his greatest hits such as "Jam", "Thriller", "Billie Jean" , "Smooth Criminal" and "Black or White".

These songs brought me back the fond memories of becoming a manager of a primary 5 classmate, whose a fan of MJ and could dance pretty well himself. I had him go around the school ground and showing off his ability to others. That lasted for about a week before we got bored and went on to play another game, but becoming a manager of a mini MJ got me into listening to MJ's songs for the first time. I still remember my first album was Dangerous, and I copied that from my neighbour's tape, and then I traced the album cover myself.

I remember that so clearly that it just feels like just yesterday.

Today, I read an article which I think it is really worth sharing as it contains many good words.

Many have asked me what do we often need to say at someone's departure, maybe I will write an entry on that some day later.

Rest in Peace, Michael, you'll live forever on the internet, and our hearts.

Jackson friends mourn passing of flawed genius(06-27 00:16)

Fans around the world grieved for Michael Jackson, while many friends hailed his ''genius'' but raised questions about the King of Pop's entourage and drug consumption.

Many tributes put Jackson into the pantheon of tragic stars alongside Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

Fans from Paris to Sydney planned candlelit vigils for the 50-year-old superstar who died on Thursday from cardiac arrest. At the Glastonbury pop festival in Britain, thousands danced to Jackson's iconic songs such as ''Thriller'' and ''Billie Jean.''

But recriminations also started over the treatment of the singer who made the world's biggest selling album ''Thriller'' and was planning comeback shows in London next month after being dragged through the courts on pedophilia charges.

Some of the biggest names in entertainment paid tributes.

Pop diva Madonna called Jackson ''one of the greats'' of music.

Beatle Paul McCartney hailed Jackson as a ''massively talented boy man with a gentle soul.''

Singer Liza Minnelli called Jackson ''a genius talent, who revolutionised show business.''

Actress Elizabeth Taylor, another of Jackson's longstanding friends, was ''too devastated'' to issue a statement.

Jackson's influence was also highlighted by the new generation of pop stars.Justin Timberlake – who like Jackson is known for both his singing and dancing – said the world has ''lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music.''

Singer Beyonce said: ''The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music.''

Film director Steven Spielberg said: ''Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson.

''His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him a legend.''

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Vocabulary:

mourn -- verb [I or T] to feel or express great sadness, especially because of someone's death

flawed -- adj. not perfect, or containing mistakes

grieve -- verb 1 [I] to feel or express great sadness, especially when someone dies; (for meaning 2, click on the word)

hail sb/sth as sth -- phrasal verb [often passive] to praise a person or an achievement by saying that they are similar to someone or something very good

entourage /ˈɒn.tʊ.rɑ:ʒ/--(French) group noun [C usually singular], the group of people who travel with and work for an important or famous person

tribute --noun [C] something that you say, write or give which shows your respect and admiration for someone, especially on a formal occasion

pantheon --noun [C usually singular] FORMAL a small group of people who are the most famous, important and admired in their particular area of activity

vigil --noun [C or U] (an act of) staying awake, especially at night, in order to be with an ill person, or to express especially political disagreement, or to pray

cardiac arrest --noun [U] a condition in which the heart stops beating

recriminations --noun [U] argument between people who are blaming each other

revolutionised --verb [T] to completely change something so that it is much better

longstanding --adj. having existed for a long time

devastated --adj. 1. very shocked and upset (for meaning 2, click on the word)

wonderment --noun [U] LITERARY great and pleasant surprise

legend -- noun [C], someone or something very famous and admired, usually because of their ability in a particular area .

Picture resources:

http://sleevage.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/michael_jackson_dangerous-f.jpg

Resources:

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=15346&icid=4&d_str=20090629

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?dict=CALD&key=52178&ph=on