Titanic and Some Life Updates

I don't think I did a post last year on the 100th year anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, but I will mark the 101st. It's funny, I was watching the classic Titanic movie with Barbara Stanwick the other on TCM and had forgotten the disastrous anniversary date was approaching.

Now, let me say that I've been fascinated by the tragedy since I was a small child. The many mysteries...how did the ship really sink, why weren't more passengers saved, pondering why Classism existed in the early 20th Century...on and on.

There's a Titanic exhibit making its rounds across the States right now. Last I heard it was at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Perhaps I'll take a visit.

Anyhoo, I know posts have been light lately. There's drama going on in my life lately. Too many slappy London days going on. Posts will continue to be sporadic until life calms down a bit. Work has been busy. Several of my friends are in a state of flux. Ugh! Have I mentioned taces?!?!?! You know I waited until the last minute to file, right?

As far as dating, Big D and I had been hot and heavy, but now that we decided to go exclusive, well, it's sorta gone from sugar to shit. I;ve been grumpy that we haven't been spending as much time as I'd prefer. Darryl constantly works! If you knew what he did for a living, well it's a commendable profession, so I'm proud he's helping others, but damn. Papa Red Bear needs some lovin TLC. I ended up venting on the phone for four hours with Pharaoh Friday night. I hadn't intended to do so, but Pharaoh has that talent for drawing out things.

In his analysis, my beloved li'l brother swears because nobody has "broken the cookie jar" there's maybe some awkwardness and undue tension. LOL. Well that might just be a little more details than care to know, but no, we haven't gone there yet. There are reasons and perhaps I'll expound upon them in another post.

That's it for now.

-Ian

Remembering Dr. King

Remembering Marvin

April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984

Talent taken away from us way too soon. I was in junior high school the year he died. Was watching a basketball game with my Grandfather when Brent Musburger came on tell us Marvin had been shot and killed by his father. I remember we all sat there in the living room, dumbfounded.

How can it be 29 years ago? Time goes so quickly....

Douglas Adams

Rockin' New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve will seem empty without Dick Clark at the helm. Dick was another one of the great ones we lost this year. I think ABC plans to continue the program with Ryan Seacrest as the primary host.  

Ugh! God save us from another exposure to the La Seacrest! LOL.

It's been tradition ever I was younger to catch at least the ball drop from Time Square with Dick Clark. No matter where I was, no matter who I was with, I managed to catch the show every year for the last 35 or so years. Now, I suppose the show must go on, It's funny. Nothing kept the show from not happening. Not the extreme cold, technical difficulties, tired show divas, even Dick Clark's own stroke a number years ago....

So while I'm out partying tonight, doing whatever it is, I'll take a moment to toast Dick Clark and Rockin' New Year's Eve for 30 + years of entertainment!

Remembering Eartha...

Julie Who? Lee Who? Sorry ladies, but Eartha was and always SHALL BE, The one TRUE Catwoman! FOREVER! It doesn't seem like it's been four years since Eartha Kitt left us. At least we have so many wonderful reminders of this divine woman's talent, including the seasonal classic Santa Baby.

A Moment Of Silence...

Pearl Harbor Day

With the World War II Vets getting on in age now, with our modern day battles and concerns, I often wonder if the younger Americans stop and think about Pearl Harbor's events? I mean when you think about all of today's conflicts....We had Iraq, Still have to deal with our involvement in Afghanistan and Libya, and looks like Syria is on the list of  US involvement soon enough al Assad continues to threaten his people with chemical warfare.... Pearl Harbor seems like a small blip on the historical radar.  Let's never forget those heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice that day so Americans (and eventually Europe) could stand tall and free.

Remembering those who fell 71 years ago today.....

Pearl Harbor Day

Rest In Peace Hev

Life is short. Too short. You never know where your tomorrows will fall short.

Last night I was deeply saddened when my buddy text me Heavy D had passed. I was in shock. Told a few people at work and everyone else responded with the same incredulous reaction.

Forty-four is way too young... I got me to think about my own life and not taking things for granted. Not anything. Yes Lord, I woke this morning moanin' and groanin' but I'm ever so thankful you breathed another day into my lungs. Today is ultimate all we have. One sweet day at a time. Thank you Jesus.

Rest in Peace Heavy D. You will be missed.

Goodbye Uncle Martin

Instinctively when the phone rang, something told me not to answer, but I did. It was my cousin Freddy with bad news. Ugh! I knew, I knew, before even spoke it wasn't gonna be good. He called to tell me our one Uncle had passed away only moment ago. While it he was old, 96, the unanticipated departure of a loved one still stings. After talking to Freddie for a lil bit, I immediately started calling other family members.

Now I'm not sad, but feel the loss. June has been a month of departures. Wow. I guess I must be in a little bit of denial. But what I will remember best about Uncle Martin was his kindness and hies generous spirit. As a child, he was always the uncle who gave out candy or quarters to run to the corner store get treats. The sad part about growing older myself is seeing all the permanent fixtures in my life slowly start to fade away. The list of older relatives is diminishing and it's scary. Puts prospective on my own mortality. Wow. All I can say is wow....

Michael...

August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Before I get Jawn Murray on my tail for not having the same shocking reaction for MJ...you have to follow Jawn on Twitter...I am still way in shock over this. I just don't have the words right now. I am calming down. God rest his soul. I hope in the end he found peace....

Angel For Real Now

February 2, 1947 - June 25, 2009

Honored

Wayman Tisdale

June 9, 1964-May 1 15, 2009

RIP

Columbine

Oklahoma City

He's Outta Here...My Thoughts.

It's a somber day here in Philly. Wow. I feel like somebody sucker punched me. Death is never expected, anticipated maybe, but never expected. It's hard watching television because word of Harry Kalas' death is all over the news. There's retrospectives on Harry Kalas and his tenure with the Phillies. John Kruk almost broke down on ESPN. So sad.

Seems like slowly but surely the old time members of the Phillies family are moving on to Glory. Richie Ashburn, Tug McGraw, John Vukovich, now Harry... I konw it's a part of growing older, but the sadness is tough. Feels like I lost a member of my own family. Ask any Phillies fan. Harry was a Philadelphia institution, like the cheese steak, the Liberty Bell, or Independence Hall. Now, he's gone. Gone to join his brother-in-arms in broadcasting, Richie Asburn.

Currently, the Phillies are leading the Washington Nationals in the 9th Inning 9 to 8. I hope in Harry's memory the Phils beat Washington today. Nothing against the Nationals, but Harry deserves as much...

High Hopes

Harry's signature song...

Harry Kalas...

March 26, 1936 - April 13, 2009

Long time Phillies anouncer Harry Kalas died today around 2 PM this afternoon. Details on the circumstances of his death aren't available yet...