Here´s some "normal" Mj news.....

We got a phonecall on Thursday afternoon from a personal assistant who said they had a client who wanted to treat his kids to a closed bookshop visit and wondered if we could allow him to have a private session. They were perfectly adamant that they wouldn't reveal the client's identity, so we took it on trust and just said "sure, just let us know when you want to show up, we'll see you there". But you can be sure there was a lot of speculation!
The personal assistant came to do a reconnaissance trip to see what was the quietest way to go, to check if there was any risk of being mobbed. She just wanted to ensure the privacy and she seemed pretty happy with that.
The client was supposed to come in that night, but then they cancelled because it didn't suit them. So it was changed to the Saturday night. They were very insistant that there should be a minimum of staff. So it was basically myself and my assistant manager, Janet (Janice?) in the shop, just the two of us.

Host: This bookshop has a beautiful children's section, which was important, because this famous client was bringing his children. There's a goldfish tank and it's a shop that welcomes children, which is good. Who did you think it could be?

The day before the visit, some of us thought is was Bono, then Tiger Woods, Michael Flatley, Willy O'D (sp?), then someone suggested Michael Jackson, who had been in the papers, said to have visited Ireland recently.

The people carrier pulled up at 8.30, at their request the lights outside the shop were dim. We first saw a young guy who was an assistant or something, then excited kids bolted out the car. We were wondering who the dad was, but then as he emerged, we noticed the black fedora and the shades and the scarf, and that could only be one person... It was Michael Jackson! He was just out to do some casual shopping, as he does.

It was kind of surreal, I'll tell you that much! We got him in through the back door. Then he went to the expansive second floor and we just left him to cruise the bookshop. We didn't greet him, as his PA and assistant raced him up the stairs, although there was nothing to fear, it was just me and Janet in the shop... Anyway he got on his business, there was minimal communication, apart from the kids who were lovely! If you let kids loose in a bookshop, they're gonna go crazy! So they were having a blast, looking around asking "Have you got this?" and "Dad, check out this, look at this fairy book! Dad, Dad look at this!!" So they were great, they were lovely kids!

Were the kids covered?

Noooo, I guess when you're as famous as MJ you might want to protect your children in some way, but they were completely normally dressed in pretty classy looking sportswear. They were checking out the fish and all the books. I guess they accounted for at least 40% of the purchase! They just scooped up the books they wanted, stuck them in piles, left them for the assistant. Janet(?) and I wrapped them up, charged them, and I guess they were about two hours in the shop.

What was the interaction between Jackson and the kids like?

Oh good! They left him to it. He was cruising the entertainment section with lots of music and movie books. But they kept rushing over to him saying "Dad, look at this book, look what we've got!". And he was just saying "Oh, great!". It was rather flattering because they seemed to find plenty in the children's section to interest them.

What did they buy?

Well, the little girl was mad into those fairies books. One slightly strange thing was that the boy was asking for Beeno (sp? Bino? B&O?) books. He bought books from the Beeno, some magazines and stuff like that.

What about the Dad, what was he browsing through?

It was rather refreshing to discover that, despite all the bull printed about him, he's quite a big book man. He bought loads of film and music reference books, history, big coffee table books, that sort of stuff. The only title I'll mention despite client privilege, is a copy of The Beatles lyrics. One was tempted to say "Hey Mike, don't you own these?" (laughs).

What struck you about him physically for instance?

Well, he's fairly small and slim, just wearing sports clothes. He wears this habitual gear, with the black fedora, the shades and the scarf. But he took the scarf off when he was in the shop. I exchanged about five words with him. It was clear that he didn't want any communication while he was doing the shopping. The thing we have here is to get people to sign the visitor's book or get an autograph or something. But all we did is we gave him a nice big picture book about Ireland, an expensive book that Janet and I signed. I gave it to the PA to give to Michael, and she said "Oh, you must give it to him yourself!". And that was the only time that we actually communicated. So I went and gave him the book and he was effusively gracious, very, very nice. He just said "Oh my God, that's so lovely, thanks! You're so good, you're so sweet, thank you!" He had the scarf down at that point. So I guess he did look a little pale, but not weird like people would say. He just looks pretty healthy, as you would expect Michael Jackson would. I didn't ask him to moonwalk or anything like that!

The fact that his children are book readers is good to hear. I was quite heartened to hear that they were pooring over the books.

Yeah! It was just like a Dad taking his kids out on a special trip. I mean imagine if you couldn't take your kids to a bookshop without being mobbed! So it was a real treat for them. They were the perfect customers. They knew what they wanted, they didn't ask too many questions, there were no complaints. They were perfect!
It was a good week for celebrities, we had Robin Gibb twice this week and Brian Kerr too!

To listen to the interview, go to
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/...ridyshow/
latest show - Thursday, It starts in about the fourth minute of the show.

Does anyone know if these kids go to school? Do they have contact to other children their age?

I am so worried about this kids, not now or when they are 13. But when they hit 19+ when they are NOT into his little boy, little kid toy fetish!

He has never kept a "relationship" with a child on a day to day basis after they turn 16+.

He has all the time in the world when they are 9-14.

I feel so sorry for this children. Who can't see what is going to happen. Look at old pics of Paris Hilton or Nichole Ritchie when they were 12 years old, they looked so sweet and innocent. Now, they are or were doing things their parents didn't or dont want them doing. Shooting Heroin, Sleeping with a ton of guys, making pornos, drinking,etc.

Prince & Paris are going to be reading all the old articles, that they really have a mother (imagine what Mj told them ) and all the facts about their father and what he has done to workers,investers & boys.

They will Rebel. Just wait about 5-10 more years.

As far as I know, they have a private teacher.

I don't know how often they meet other kids. Until 2003 there were a lot of kids they played with on Neverland. But since then I don't know.

But they are not shy. There was a big flood in Germany in 2002. And Michael invited a family from Sachsen (State in the east of Germany) to Neverland. And a TV-team joined the voyage. And it was shown on german TV. And Michaels kids played with the german kids, even if they didn't understand each other.

And there are pictures of his kids with the nanny Grace being in town. Without Michael. So I think they are able to leave house, when they're not with their father. Who knows how they live? We don't. If we'd know everything, it wouldn't be a life for the kids. They have to be able to go out on the street without everyone knowing: that are Michael Jackson's kids.

ElectricBlue said:

I would've killed for a childhood like Prince, Paris and Blanket. I would've killed for a father like Michael Jackson. These kids have a perfect childhood and perfect relationship with their dad.

Michael Jackson is not into any "child toy fetish". If you read the article, he was looking in film and music books. No child is going to want to read the lyrics to 50 Beatles songs. He's not forcing any sort of child fetish on these kids. What 8-year-old girl wouldn't be into fairies? What 10-year-old boy wouldn't be into comics? They are normal kids. I have no idea what you are on about.

Also, I'm sure when Michael feels hid children are mature enough he will tell them about Debbie Rowe (and in Blanket's case, the surrogate mother - that will be a hard one to explain, but he'll do it). He'll tell them about the trial, what he was charged with and what the verdict was. He'll show them pictures from the 70s and 80s and explain why he looks different. He's not going to keep his life a secret from his children. They may even know about most of the stuff in the tabloids. Better yet, they would know the truth about all the stuff in the tabloids because they've got the inside scoop.

Michael's children are fine. I don't know what everyone is so worried about. There are hundreds of children on the street and in dysfunctional families who would gladly trade places with Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson any day.

DarlingDiana said:

I would have just killed myself instead.
[Edited 9/9/06 11:06am]

I think he's a good father.

DarlingDiana said:

I don't think that it's fair for any man to buy his children from their mother, do they have only any friends?
*

jayaredee said:

DarlingDiana said:

Yet growing up their lifestyle, they dont really know what growing up being middle to low class, struggling, making it work, public schools, making the bills paid and just being happy u made it till the next paycheck..
Funny, those were actually the GOOD OL DAYS to Me

ElectricBlue said:

From reading about what what every person from Steve Harvey to Janet, Michael's children are far more normal, well-behaved and well-adjusted than most children. He is said to be a WONDERFUL father who spends lots of time with his children. How many fathers can you say that do that? Even during the trial, insiders said that Michael made sure that he ate with them, read to them, spent time with them etc. He also was sure that they didn't see him sad or down. Can you imagine the incredible pressure that was on this man and he was trying to keep his spirits up for his children? It is sad that people are not able to look past tabloid gossip, and innuendo. I would be willing to bet that Michael's children will be just fine when they grow up. If they grow up to be as classy and refined as their father, they will be great. Btw, Debbie has publicly stated that she never wanted to be called "Mom".

calldapplwondery83 said:

When they were at Neverland, they were "home schooled" like many other children are in homes all across the country. I am sure that they are STILL being schooled by the very best teachers available. THere is no way that Michael would allow them to NOT be schooled.Btw,they were around other children at Neverland,because some of the workers' children were also schooled at there. Michael's children are said to be highly intelligent and unspoiled.

This thread is useless without pictures to make fun of

jayaredee said:

So would I.

Man, some of these Michael Jackson supporters on the Org never cease to amaze me.

DarlingDiana said:

Yay! I could not have said that better myself.

there aint enough news articles in this world to convince me that mj is normal.

the man is a brotha from another planet...

sosgemini said:

Thank you. How the f--- can anyone say Michael's normal after all that surgery to eliminate his blackness? If y'all think he "normal", then you believe he's the biological father of those kids.

uPtoWnNY said:

Get over it. Michael isn't the only person alive with a skin disease. Sorry.

JasonStar said:

uPtoWnNY said:

JasonStar said:

When a black person gets soriasis their black ass don't turn white!

Being "Normal" is fuckin boring to me. I actually question people who do call themselves "normal". Is Prince normal? Was Jimi Hendrix normal? The Beatles, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, George Clinton, these guys weren't normal. Artist are weird, that what makes them artist, true?

This was intresting. So he went to a bookstore...I LOVE doing that! So he brought his kids...thats awesome. Why do ppl have 2 write LONG ass articles about this? No wonder he has 2 disguise himself. He is weird..but so am I so its all good. I still think he is an amazing artist.

What a great opportunity you had to meet Michael. I think this is an interesting thread because gives you a glimpse into the everyday world Michael lives in. I work in a bookstore, too. I would have loved for this to happen at our store.

As for the kids - being a father of three myself, they appear to be acting normal, showing their father their interests, pining for attention... it's what kids do.

People, you need to get over the MJ bashing... when his next cd drops, you know you're all gonna go out and grab it!

I'll say this about Michael's fans - they are dedicated to him no matter what.

stories like this are great because u just cant diss the man.

i mean, he goes in2 a book store and the manager and assistant, who unlike us, dont hav any obsession toward mj come out and say that he looked great, healthy, he was gracious and very very nice and his kids were great, and the kids clearly loved their father.....

what more positivity do u need from a book shop manager who has given a non biased point of view on mj.

ElectricBlue said:

It will be very interesting in a few years to see how the kid who he dangled out the window turns out. He may be the one that gives MJ the most trouble.

uPtoWnNY said:

I'll say this about people who actually SPEND TIME AROUND MICHAEL and aren't biased haters:

They speak the truth This article proves it.

JasonStar said:

Y'all are too much.