R.I.P. - John Updike

I'd be lying if I were to say I am terribly versed in John's books. In fact, my understanding of his writing is limited to say the very least. In fact, I think I should stop reading the book I am reading and change over to one of his books out of respect for him to aquaint myself better with this fine man of letters. In highschool I got to read one of his stories for a creative writing class and have since then only on occassion read a handful of his stories. Though I have no idea which one it was. I wish I could say why this is the case. One thing I do know is he does have the tendency to write about things that are very painful in a realistic fashion without giving us the easy out to feel better about ourselves afterwards. He was the rare write who could stare lifes ugliness in the eye without blinking, even when the other side pulled a gun. If his stories don't make you feel uncomfortable and make you squirm then you are probably not human. That is probably why I do not read more of his works. I do not want to be faced with the ugly side of my own humanity. That I can be just as much the adulterer given the chance as any of his protagonists. What a terrifying idea espcially as a Christian. One thing I do know for certain is that he was forever the bridesmaid and never the bride. He was often on the short list for the Nobel Prize never having received it. What a shame.

R.I.P. Cat Woman

I didn't even know Eartha Kitt was a singer until I was an adult. I just remember as one of the people who played Cat Woman on the old Batman series. She had a grace that is lost on most female performers these days. She was one of a kind.

I Want To Be Evil

C'est Si Bon

Just An Old Fashioned Girl

Catwoman Is Dressed To Kill

R.I.P. Odetta

She has the type of voice that makes you fall in love with her. Beautiful mix of soul and wisdom that uplifts our spirit while reminding us of both the beauty and ugliness of this world. It is unfortunate that she was not more famous in her later years. As great as her folk music was it wasn't until she started to develop a more bluesy style that brought out the true nature of her heart.

Singing "House Of The Rising Sun (Live)".

A wonderful blues standard "Careless Love (Live)".

A heartbreaking rendition of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Live)." With Tennessee Ernie Ford.

R.I.P. Hayden Carruth

One of my main pet peeves about the festival was it seems that many poets these days hadn't really earned the right to the title. Give them an MFA and they publish a book makes them all of a sudden a great sage of the world. Hayden Carruth is good proof of what happens when a life lived along with a ridiculous amount of talent really makes a poet. He didn't go the normal path of a writer and as I am sure you can see from the picture he lived life hard. What results is a body of work that should be envied by anyone wishing to become a poet. He deserves to read. He deserves to be respected and listened to. He was the real deal. Check out his web site and his page on the Academy of American Poets.

R.I.P. What's Going On?

First it was Alexander.

Then Robert Hazard. Who wrote a fun little 80's ditty.

Then Bernie Mac. A brilliant comedian who made Oceans 11 all the more worthwhile.


And then Isaac "Chef" Hayes. Who, coincidentally, was working on a project with Bernie Mac of some sort.



And finally one of the greatest poets of any language Mahmoud Darwish.

R.I.P. Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Farewell Alex
You lived as an exiled from Russia for writing honestly about the hardships of life in the Soviet Union. Looks like you got the last laugh by being able to finish out your last days in the home country. I'd like to commemorate your passing by reading one of my favorite books. But I cannot find it. I'll have to settle to read "The Cancer Ward" until I can get a new copy. Darn it all!

R.I.P. Funny Man

The hillarious Harvey Korman has passed. If you want to see him at some of his best you have to check out that spoof Hitchcock "High Anxiety" and "Blazing Saddles".

Harvey at the Dentist. Watch how hard he tries to keep a straight face, but ultimately loses it.

In Blazing Saddles.

Harvey meets a frog.

A Tribute.

The French Revolution.

RIP - Jerry Falwell

Kurt Vonnegut and Jerry Falwell, such two diverse minds leaving this mortal coil. Though misguided, I can appreciate what Jerry wanted to do. He wanted a pure and Godly world. Though it was shaped in his own image and not per se God's.

So It Goes - Kurt Vonnegut

I don't know of any highschooler that hasn't read a Kurt Vonnegut novel and said, "These books change lives, man!" Addmitedly, I grew out of reading his novels though once a year I try to re-read "Breakfast of Champions" for the hundredth time. Even in old age he still had it. Time slowed down the body, but not his mind.
He was brilliant, a great writer, and hillarious. I don't think there are many novels out there that make me laugh out loud like his do. May you have a beer with Kilgore Trout and enjoy the rest you have been waiting for.

R.I.P. Johnny Hart

I usually don't post so many posts in such a short amount of time, but I just found out Johnny Hart creator of BC and The Wizard of Id has just passed away. He was a man of God who wasn't afraid to have overtly Christian messages in his comic strips. Though at times his comics were a tad corny I looked forward to reading them when I had the time and they usually made me smile. Right now I bet he's up there with God giving Him a good chuckle.

RIP Richard Jeni

Richard Jeni was a brilliant comedian who deserved to be considered one of the best.

R.I.P. - Peter Boyle

Peter Boyle was a Catholic brother, but left to pursue acting. In my mind he and Doris Roberts made Everybody Loves Raymond. He had a gift for timing and the one liner that many people very lamely try to copy. Very few people can top him. Even when he had very few or no lines he lit up the screen. Watch a scene from Young Frankenstein and see him at some of his best.

RIP: Andre Waters

Andre Waters had a long career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had fame, fortune.... he did what so few people get the opportunity to do: get paid well to do something he loved to do. What happens afterwards? The clapping becomes quiet, the offers become few and far between, and you are older having to leave behind the things you love. What are you left with? I don't think a person alive doesn't get scared thinking about the future when we are old and gray waking up in the middle of the night with the question:

What have I done with my life!?

It scares me to think of it. Praise God we do have a greater hope.
Pray for his family that they may find peace.