Michael Jackson, August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

The piece to the left, entitled "Michael in Space," was done by Benjamin King, Co-Founder of PAL.

If you could be any person for 1 day, who would you be?! Ghandi, Michael Jordan, President Obama, Jesus, Bill Gates??? Personally (and I truly kid you not), I'd choose to be the King of Pop himself, the late Michael Jackson. And the reason is simple. Even as a kind, I've always wondered, "What the hell is going on in this guy's head?" Was music constantly playing in there? Was he envisioning his next music video? Or was he more human than the media let on and looking for new ways to break barriers and "Heal the World"? Or was his mind with his family - his kids, his mother, Berry Gordy? I'll never know or even fully understand the roller-coaster in MJ's mind, but I'd sure love the opportunity to find out! Maybe it's actually a combination of all my ideas, or maybe I'm not even in the ball park. One thing's for sure though, wherever or whenever his head was, we all knew where his heart lied. He had a strong passion for music, life, love, and family, and unlike many stars today, he wasn't afraid to show it.

MJ was a real person, and it must have been hard being him on most days. Constantly criticized and ridiculed by the public eye, he was perhaps a victim of fame and fortune rather than an icon immersed in it. From his alleged obsession with young boys to his infamous surgeries and questions regarding his sexuality, what more could 1 guy possibly deal with. Maybe he was just chasing a childhood he never had. Or maybe he possessed such a jaded perception of reality that he didn't realize the consequences of his actions. Regardless of what made him do those things, how can anyone deny him, for being the humanitarian and music icon that he was. His achievements speak volumes and should never fall upon deaf ears. He will always be missed and remembered. And I can only speculate he's somewhere, still MOONWALKING his way into the hearts of a new generation of fans.

.S2.

Everything is an ART, Everything is a SCIENCE

PIECES BY ROBB OSHIMA, CO-FOUNDER OF PAL

GIRAFFE

FRESHNESS

In the heat of a conversation, Robb, the Co-founder of PAL, once told me that, "Everything is an art and everything is a science. It's the combination of the two that makes everything work. And don't try to fit into art, make art fit YOU."

His words came after I told him that I wish I possessed his artistic ability. I told him that I wished I could draw and paint just like him. He made me realize, however, that I shouldn't think I lack in artistic ability just because I think my drawings look like something I threw up after a night of drinking. Art and the beauty that stems from engaging in it lies truly in the eyes of the beholder.

Who says that a 5 year old's finger painting is not art? Who says that letters scribbled on a canvas is not art? Who says that a lady putting makeup on her daughter is not an artist? Art in its many forms, whether it be music, poetry, painting, or dance has both intrinsic and extrinsic value. It makes you think, feel, and react. And it shouldn't be limited to just those specific forms of expression. Find what intrigues YOU, what makes YOU think outside the box, and what makes YOU wonder what if.

Unfortunately, in today's society, art comes packaged with a plethora of rules, limitations, and snobbish definitions. We should keep in mind that at the essence of what art is interpretation. Because we're all born and brought up with different cultures, lifestyles, values, and beliefs, we all interpret things differently from the guy next door. What may look deep and inspirational to you may seem shallow and depressing to someone else. The important thing is to respect the thoughts and opinions of others as we stay true to our own. And we should ALWAYS have an opinion of our own. That's what makes us human, individual, and unique.

Lastly, don't ever feel trapped by rules, boundaries, or even fear. Imagine, Create, and Marvel. And always remember to COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES!!

.S2.

suddenly something surfaces from deep inside this semblance. my soft tongue bleeds silent sarcasm of simplicity. certain feelings find serenity suffocating in my soul but yet i still strain to voice scintillating substance sparingly for society. if my words lose something in translation i'm sincerely sorry for my shortcomings. i take stake surmising sizzling situations for these feelings to suppress. something about this less spacious vestibule sparks this silence to creep forward. i no longer feel insecure by this insatiable thirst to segue my thoughts into tangible sanctities. i feel liberated, set free. i hope to seduce similar students of this subject into submission. i would never insinuate but i must say that i speculate a sinister demon in me strangling my satirical essence, persuading it to succumb to this steadfast science. i'm stuck still searching for the suitable syllables that can suffice this circumstance. and yet i find some strength speaking so discreetly about my sanity because i find solace knowing my secrets do not fall on deaf senses. stable standards of spoken word contradict my style. yet samples of my work give glimpses that special scenarios in my life have transpired.

.S2.