brace yourself

It would be awesome if those drums were Decepticons waiting to pounce on everyone involved with Michael Jacksons memorial later this morning. Seems unlikely. Hopefully you’re fascinated by all this because today is gonna be dominated by Michael Jackson like it was a drugged up little boy. Here’s the latest:

– The memorial from Staples is expected to begin in just over one hour, at 10am pct, 1pm ect.

– Family and friends arrived at Forest Lawn cemetery just about an hour ago (8am pct, 11am ect) for a private memorial. He will not be buried obviously, as his body will then be taken to Staples Center and placed on stage for the public memorial.

– Jacksons body will be escorted from Forest Lawn by a SWAT team, or maybe even flown on a fire department helicopter if the already “heavy” police escort is not enough.

– Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, the surviving Jackson brothers, Stevie Wonder and Usher will all perform, and rumor is John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Beyonce and Whitney Houston could as well.

The public part of all this – the escorts, police presence, securing the freeways and area around Staples – is expected to cost well over 4 million. That of course will be paid for by the City of Los Angeles. 4 million is a lot of money to throw away on a private citizens funeral, but considering none of the Jackson actually live or pay taxes there, it makes sense.

Hey wait…