MJ Memorial

So I got a ticket to the Jackson memorial which was held at Staples center this morning. I took the metro and arrived pretty early but there was already a big line forming. They had the whole LA Live area blockaded, only allowing ticket holders in the vicinity. Anyway I got into staples about 830, grabbed a muffin (banana nut) and a coffee and waited. Seats were good (Section 209) and offered a nice view of all the business (not as good as when Pool and I were 3rd row at Fleetwood Mac last month). The atmosphere was very surreal, especially when the casket was brought on the floor. Generally, the audience was respectful and quiet during the ceremony- I think a lot of people were still surprised that they were actually there. There was a bunch of performances- the best being Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie. The ceremony was long, awkward, and somewhat boring- but it felt honest. The reality that a family was grieving over a death was powerfully evident, and I don't know if that fully translated via TV or internet. Things felt kind of thrown together, but that's the nature of funerals I guess. I was glad to be there honestly. Everyone has seen clips and pictures I'm sure, but I thought I'd offer my experience anyway