Did you ever watch a dog walk on ice-covered snow? They take a step...then crack though and sink. They take another...crack...sometimes they can take a couple of steps before they break through, but they always look so confused.
Nothing profound about dogs walking on ice...just funny.
Johnny Carson died today. Isn't it strange when famous people die, it seems almost like you know them? I have to confess, I was a bit depressed when I found out. I was a big Carson fan. Many people don't know this, but Carson was a magician as well...and a pretty good one. He gave a lot of magicians their first big break. He gave a lot of money for the preservation of magic. He loved magicians...and to watch him watch a magic show was a joy. Carson knew how the tricks were done, but he never let on. He just enjoyed the show.
Being a magician myself, I've seen hundreds of magicians in my day. In the last 15 years I've never been amazed. After a while you just know how stuff is done. I can appreciate the routine, I love the "show" (especially if there are lots of special effects! Smoke, fire and lights!), but the magic...been there done that. Carson saw each show through the eyes of a child. It was a rare gift and magicians love to perform for him.
Anyone want to share their most depressing "star" death? I've had several, but have been alive longer than most of my readers.
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8 comments:
The most depressing star death for me was Kirt Cobain's. It was so shocking and left a rift in the music I loved so much. For such a long time I thought that Nirvana would change the face of music forever and be old men like the Rolling Stones someday. It delivered a blow to my desire to move to Seattle. The glamour of grunge disappeared at that moment.
There are many others I remember: River Phoenix, what an amazing actor and so untimely; George Burns, I remember where I was when I heard that news; of course Princess Di and Mother Teresa. With that I always thought it unfortunate that both women did such amazing work for others, but the one who was outwardly beautiful got more publicity.
What am interesting dynamic, to share in the lives of complete strangers.
ayn
"What am interesting dynamic, to share in the lives of complete strangers."
I think that would be the strangest thing about being a star...esp TV because it is so small and intimate. Everyone "knows" you. You are in their house everyday. They see you...'couse you don't see them! it's a fake "knowing" and it isn't real...but it is a sharing.
Somewhat related: One time I had a student stop me as I was walking uptown. She was with her dad and I was walking by the movie theater. She said, "Paul!" And she threw her arms around me and hugged me. (At this point my mind is searching...do I know her? From where?) She introduces me to her dad and then starts to cry. She told me how much I have changed her life. How different she is...how much she loves and respects me. And then she adds..."Oh...and my name is "Anne" we've never really met and I wanted to introduce myself."
Bizarre.
There is a leadership quote out there..."You can impress someone from a distance...but to really impact them you need to be up close." I understand what that means...but that apparently wasn't the case with "Anne." And it's not been the case with me either.
I have been impacted by lots of people I have only saw from a distance. When Rich Mullens died (do any of you know him) my wife and I were a mess. That man had so much integrity ... and was such a rebel. Not your typical follower of Jesus. Okay...I will quit writing on my blog.
it was a dark day when rodney dangerfield died. okay...i guess i wasn't so much broken up, as i was disappointed. i was never really a huge fan of his, but he is the only impression that i can do. is it bad taste or disrespectful to impersonate him, after he's dead? it's kind of a sign of respect, isn't it? we all know he got "no respect" during his lifetime. i suppose he's due.
geoff.
i don't think i've ever been shaken up by the death of a "star". does that make me healthily detached, or simply heartless?
do we know rich mullins? come on, paul... you're not THAT old. ;) i became a believer not all that long before his death, so i didn't know anything about him when it happened. my roommate at the time, though, was crushed. i have since discovered the truth about rich.... what an amazing man. had i known, i just may have been shaken up that fall of '97.
I remember being sad when John Candy died... not only because he was the first star I remember whose death was -- mostly -- unexpected, but also because he was a big favorite of my dad's. I remember hearing it on the radio and specifically NOT telling my dad because I knew it would ruin his evening. (I perhaps overestimated my dad's love for John Candy, but I was a sensitive child.)
jessi (lemonscarlet.diaryland.com) says...I know this doesn't really count, and might seem kinda silly, but I get sad when celebrity couples that seem really in love and committed to each other break up. I have been a little sad that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston are separated. My cousin's best friend was their personal assistant for a few years and she always had good stories about them being really fun and kind to each other.
jessi
Are you able to post on your blog? I haven't been able to figure it out...but i'm a reader!
Johnny Cash--for the same reasons Rob listed above. A man who lived life, all of it, and came back to discover that the simple things are truly important. That is incredibly rare, and the antithesis of the message most lime lighters present. I hope I die with such integrity.
Also, Phil Hartman. He was one of very few people who are both very very funny and very very talented. His death was so...unexpectedly violent? violently unexpected? I never thought he meant anything to me until he was gone.
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