As a kid I never really understood the immense impact of Princess Diana's death. Now that I'm older, I understand, but I would never be able to grieve the pain the rest of the world did at the time of her passing.

Today, with Michael Jackson's death, I have an idea of what that may have felt like. For the first time, I am genuinely sad at the passing of someone I did not know personally. I grew up on his music and the pop culture universe where he played God, Creator.

I have often gotten ready for a huge night of partying with Bad, Thriller ora Off the Wall. My favorite Simpsons episode was when fake MJ appeared for Lisa's birthday. Moonwalker was the first Sega game I have ever beaten (which marks a huge milestone in any boy's childhood). I did the Moonwalk for my talent show in Kindergarten. And now, one of the biggest regrets in life is to never have seen him perform live.

UPDATE: Perez Hilton has got to start having some fucking respect. What a dick. Michael was never officially accused of anything. Say what you will, but the only thing he's ever given to any of us was the greatest pop music of all time. He helped pay the mortgages of so many paparazzi and gossip columnist while going broke in the meantime.