Tweeting the Jackson Funeral

Of the millions who tried to get tickets to Michael Jackson's gigantic funeral, Advocate News Editor Andrew Harmon was one of the few to actually win a pair. He kept us posted through the day with Tweets from the Staples Center.

- Large swath of LA awakened at 5:20 am to sound of news helicopters bound for Forest Lawn. It begins

- Jackson's body to take center stage at memorial

- Cable news stages full-throttle hate parade this morning for Jackson-bashing Rep. Peter King (R-NY).

- Stretch of the 101 -- quite possibly world's busiest freeway -- temp shut down in encino for funeral procession.

- Inside memorial perimeter: fans in rhinestone-studded funereal black, iPod speakers blasting "Thriller." LAPD cavalcade on horseback.

- Scattered protesters outside barricades..."NAMBLA Salutes Michael" among the posterboard/Sharpie sentiments.

- Obese Gene Simmons lookalike shouting at international media...who seem more than grateful for the freakshow footage

- Crowds on surrounding street currently in the hundreds...not thousands or 1 million as anticipated

- Smooth criminal surrealism: LAPD officer tells excited fans to "clear this area." Calm and orderly inside...

- Funeral procession has reached Staples Center, memorial ETA 10 minutes.

- Quiet inside, save the occasional "We love you Michael!" still waiting...

- Ushers moving to fill empty seats, overflow viewing at Nokia half full