The King of Pop, The Queen of Hearts and The Jack of All Trades

The date: 2030
The game: Trivial Pursuit
The Category: Arts and Entertainment
The Question: Who was the actress that died on the same as Michael Jackson?

Pause 15 seconds for everyone to ponder and not answer.

Farrah Fawcett.

Now, I'm not saying that the world has forgotten Farrah already, but it seemed that yesterday morning was dedicated to her memory and the fact that she lost her battle with cancer. Stories left and right on the Internet about her life and how she lived. However, when news broke of Michael Jackson being rushed to the hospital, Farrah's stories disappeared into the ether, along with her.

Again, I'm not saying that it's wrong to talk about Michael Jackson. Plus, people will say that Farrah had been in the media spotlight for some so sorry news broke of her cancer. But I feel so sorry for Farrah's family and friends who were already in mourning just to be pushed aside by the media as they rushed to cover the death of the Pop Icon.

Now, despite Michael's personal troubles (the scandals, the debt and everything else), I still liked his music. He was a good soul that tried to help everyone and so was Farrah. They were so different and so alike at the same time. They share a death day, but they also share a passion for what they loved.

And as much as I was not a teenager in the seventies with a poster in my room, I think we all need to remember Farrah in all of this as well.

And let's not forget that deaths usually come in threes. Who was the first of this trio? Ed McMahon, of course. He was a consummate professional that sat at Johnny Carson's side for thirty years. He was considered a sidekick for a long time - first to Johnny and later to Dick Clark, but Ed McMahon was a comedic strongman. His timing was impeccable and his laugh was unforgettable. He, along with Farrah and Michael will truly be missed. They are three legends who could never be replaced, though many will surely try.

Rest in peace to three amazing people and two that died way before their time.

A New Layout

I was getting bored with the other layout and saw on another blog a link to PYZAM.com. It's a pretty cool website with A TON of backgrounds for blogger and myspace. I would have preferred a background of Ireland (and not Kathy Ireland), but I couldn't find anything. Instead, I went with my something else that I love - castles. If I could live in a castle, I would - modernized, of course, but I would still live there.

Anyways....not much to report today, just felt like changing my background.

To Boldly Go . . . . .

I went and saw Star Trek over the weekend. Being somewhat of a Trekkie, I knew what was different from the original series and movies and what was similar and my own personal opinion of those differences. However, I also knew that J.J. Abrams (of LOST fame) was directing the film and that gave me hope that the movie would not fall flat on its face. Let me tell you . . . it did not.

It was a great film, visually, of course, but the story itself was magnificent. Abrams and his writers did a great job of creating a story that allows the viewer to see moments that refer back to the original series and the character's mannerisms, but it was also a story that could stand on its own, even without anyone needing to see any of the original series or movies.

I found myself mesmerized by the new take on the characters that each of the younger actors brought to the film and can see them making several more with this "new" crew.

Almost every person that I have talked to also enjoyed it, and I have a lot of friends that liked the original series and movies, so that's a testament to the ability of Abrams and his team for making a movie that would be suitable to reboot the franchise once more and appeal to the millions of people from the past two generations that have loved it.

Live long and prosper.

The Guy Next Door beats out Guy-liner

Okay, I admit it. When I first heard that Kris Allen had been named the American Idol, I was disaappointed. Maybe not as disappointed as Joanna, but still. However, after listening to both young men in interviews afterward, I have come to realize that Kris, while not the right choice, is still a good choice. He is very talented and versitile in his abilities. However, there is something about the overly theatrical, crazy-haired, nail polish wearing guy from San Diego. He's got an amazing voice and I think that America wanted to hear him do an album that he wanted to do, not an album that Clive Davis (the guy who produces each debut album of the winner) wants.

As some people know, Clive Davis has been very controlling when it comes to those debut albums, picking music that may or may not be something that the Idol would choose. But the opinion of the Idol doesn't count. As long as they are under contract (usually averaging just over a year and one album), they have to do what Clive Davis says.

In this way, America was saving Adam from having to have his musical ability stunted and deflated by a guy that probably looks at him and his willingness to change classic songs as more of a "scream contest entry".

Let America have Kris Allen. He's a good person with great values and a good head on his shoulders. Plus, he seems more willing to take the advice of Clive Davis. Not that Adam wouldn't, mind you. I just think that Adam would be more prone to not listening to that advice and Kris is more apt to listen to him.

Red Bull - It Gives You Wings

Sometimes when I’m extremely tired, and I get a Red Bull, it doesn’t always work. And yet, it should. Liquid Speed is supposed to wake you up. Liquid Speed is supposed to help you concentrate. But I’m still tired. And I just want to go back to sleep. What is it about Red Bull that makes people think it works? Maybe it never worked, but all of the advertising and marketing has led us to believe in the hype. Maybe it’s all psychosomatic and it doesn’t help us at all. We just think our energy is increasing and therefore we work a little harder, do more and keep going.

It’s all a conspiracy, then, with all of the energy drinks. Though, honestly, I haven’t tried any of the other energy drinks. Maybe it’s just with Red Bull. Or maybe I’ve had it so many times over the years that I have built up immunity to Red Bull’s effects and therefore it no longer provides me with the energy that I require to get through the day. Who knows?

Life is short.....Part 2

It's unfortunate that so quickly after writing about the sadness of losing such a young man as Nick Adenhart, I have to be writing yet another reminder of just how precious time is. Today, I found out first, that Bruce Snyder, a former football coach at ASU, died after a 10 month battle with cancer. This, is sad in and of itself, because cancer is the worst disease out there because it affects so many people in so many ways - some even without affecting them with the actual disease.

A little while later, I learned that Harry Kalas, the broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies, died. One thing I have to say though, is that he died as he was about to do something he loved - broadcast a Phillies game. You see, he was in the broadcast booth in Washington D.C. preparing to call the game against the Washington Nationals. He was found in the booth by someone else. Sadly, it was too late. Granted, Harry was 73, and had had some surgery recently for something that was never disclosed, but he was probably in poorer health than someone else of his age.

Either way, both of these deaths, coupled with the death of Nick Adenhardt, give the simple reminder that life is short. As Ferris Beuller advised: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Slow down. It's fun to be the rabbit, but every now and then, being the tortoise can remind you of everything you miss.

Life is short......

Tragedy has struck the world of baseball today. Nick Adenhart, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, was killed by a hit and run driver early this morning / late last night (whichever you prefer). What's really sad about this story is that Nick was only 22. That young AND he was able to be a Major League Baseball Player? I had heard during Spring Training that Nick Adenhart was a great prospect for the Angels. I had watched some highlights of last night's Angels game and Adenhart pitched a great game. Unfortunately, his bullpen managed to lose the game and Nick Adenhart did not receive the decision.

It's a shame, but this is a good reminder that life is short. Tragic as this is, I am grateful to be alive and I pray for the families of the three people that were killed early this morning. There is no happy ending to this story, it simply is what it is - tragic.

Just remember....you were placed on this earth for a certain amount of time. When that time is over, it's over. Live your life to your fullest and don't get bogged down by the inane. Live and enjoy for the time will come someday and when it does, you might regret not living.