The Passing of a Legend

Unfortunately, the slightly more light-hearted entry I had planned for today must be temporarily shelved.

Today, we mourn the loss of a talented actor, legendary martial artist, and a man I looked up to greatly, David Carradine. Carradine was found, apparently having committed suicide, strung up in a Bangkok hotel room closet.

Carradine was in Thailand shooting a movie, Stretch. Cast and crew members became worried when he failed to attend a dinner the previous night.

It is important not to focus right now on his reported cause of death, but rather, his legacy. Carradine, most well-known for his roles in the TV series Kung Fu and in the Kill Bill movies as the title character, was also an accomplished martial artist. Carradine's Tai Chi videos were my inspiration to take up the art, myself.

I am donating money to his family's fund later today. I suggest other readers respond in kind.

http://david-carradine.com/

Well, there goes the cell

Today, inexplicably whilst sending off a text message, my first cell phone, which I have had since December of 2006, completely when kaput. I had just charged it last night, and I still have 80-some minutes on it. I had been looking to upgrade to a better model, but I wanted to wait until I had less minutes so I could just buy the upgrade and some minutes simultaneously. Oh well. So, for the time being, if anyone who has my cell number is reading this, I am not reachable via cell. Use my landline, e-mail, or whatever other methods you usually use to get a hold of me.

Everyone I know goes away, in the end

Last night, a very good friend of mine, one that I considered family, passed away.

Tasha Marie Bourne, better known as "Tomb", has left this world. Her heart stopped suddenly following a tough and rigorous battle with lymphoma. An orphan at age 12, Tasha never really had anyone to turn to. She saw me as her mentor and father figure.

Tasha... your time here on Earth mattered. You've touched my life as well as the lives of many others. I just... I just wish that someone as young as you didn't have to leave us.

Gods... am I even forming complete sentences? It's hard to concentrate...

May angels lead you in, Tasha.

"And if you were with me tonight
I'd sing for you just one more time.
A song for a heart so big...
God wouldn't let it live"

Semper fi, George

An e-mail from a co-worker this morning (a hardcore fan of the man) has alerted me that legendary comedian and actor, George Carlin, has died. Blew my mind completely. This was definitely not the best way to start the week.

George Denis Patrick Carlin
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008