Finding your Neverland

I've always wanted to be a singer.

One of my earlier dreams was to be the female alternate lead for Spandau Ballet (in case Tony Hedley ever got the flu).

Since young, I've always loved being on stage, singing and dancing, with the many costume change, being whomever I choose to be at the time.

In school I always looked forward to the concert practices, if not the concerts themselves, rather than the sports day or examinations for that matter.

But no...my dad told me to go get an education instead.

So, here I am, working 9 to 5 (or 7 or 8 or whatever time my management wants me to work till) and frequenting the Karaoke bars as many times a month I possibly can (with family and friends, mind you, lest you think sordid thoughts of me).

Non the less, tho I still dream of dancing and singing away at Wembley one day, I have to admit that the lord has been extremely kind to me. My life till now has been quite blessed and I have no regrets.

Which comes to my point of discussion - would one opt for the simple yet stable environment that the ordinary life provides or the glitz and glamour, but ladelled with inconsistencies and sometimes sadness that the celebrity life begets.

This train of though came about from the recent demiss of the King of Pop. I did shed a tear or two at the announcement of him passing away. Not that I was ever a huge fan, but more of the fact that Michael Jackson was a global institution.

I remembered the time when my sister and I used to rent VHS (the video format of yester years) of Tops of the Pops and Solid Gold. We were more into the pretty boys of the 'British Invasion' like Kajagoogoo, Limalh, Duran Duran. Ultravox, Boy George and Spandau Bellet, of course. But somehow we made an exception for the 'Black or White' American, MJ, to be included in our list of favourite artistes.

Those were the days when Thriller, Rio, Gold, True, Beat It, Do They Know It's Christmas and We Are The World filled our airwaves. I even managed to catch Jacko at his 1993 Dangerous Tour in Wembley. It was the only concert that I saved for with my meager scholarship money (never did manage to get that summer job).

MJ was the ultimate entertainer. He was the IT Boy, Wow factor and Glamour Puss all rolled into one. Musically he ruled the world and all our hearts. He brought excitement, love and happiness to all of us. Sadly, though he may have the excitement and love, we do wonder if he attained that happiness he craved.

My point is...celebrities always seemed to have it good and some of them really did. They had or have them all - the fame, the money, the good looks (before or after going under the knife, we sometimes wonder), the beautiful spouses and children, almost everything one could hope for. but I believe most of them have the biggest share of sadness and despair as well. As the fame and perks magnify so does the heart aches in most cases. Even long standing, happy, stable celebrity couples like Will Smith-Jada Pinket and...and...(you see what I mean) may also have problems that us mere mortals do see or can even begin to comprehend.

However, when you list down the celebrities who have or are going through difficult times or pure desparation, the list can go on forever : think Elvis, Britney, Marilyn, Lennon and Carradine, just to name a few.

Hence, perhaps some of us are better this way, living the life of the ordinary and reaping simple pleasures of life - karaoke sessions with the gang, screaming and shouting to get the kids to brush their teeth properly and then cuddling them to sleep, working your behind off for weeks and then getting the pats on your shoulder from your boss for it, getting that long awaited designer hand bag from your lovely hubby and kissing your parents on their cheeks after your weekly visit with them.

The wonderful world of mediocrity and loving every minute of it. After all, Neverland is what you choose it to be.