17,167

I am 17,167 days old.

Don't worry about doing the math; I'm 47 years old today. I am not sure what a 47 year old is supposed feel or act like, but I would wager that most people my age act considerably more maturely than I do...of course, I'm pretty sure that's always been true, no matter what age the calendar says I am. :-)

This will probably NOT surprise anyone who knows me, but on this minimally-auspicious occasion, my mind (such as it is) started rambling (I could tell it was rambling because the rusty gears in my head made such a loud clunking noise). I got to thinking about famous (or at least semi- to partially-famous) people in history that I've outlived now that I've reached this quasi-milestone. Through the magical series of tubes we call the Internets, I was able to find a list of some people of some interest to some other people who weren't fortunate enough to make it to the age of 47.

The following people (listed alphabetically) died at age 46:

Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, American silent film actor
Ted Cassidy, American actor and voice actor, best known for playing the part of "Lurch" on the TV series, "The Addams Family"
Pierre Curie, French physicist and husband of Madam Curie
Perry Ellis, American fashion designer
John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
T.E. Lawrence, British military officer and author
H.P. Lovecraft, American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction
Carmen Miranda, 50's Brazilian samba singer and actress
George Orwell, British novelist and journalist, author of the book, "1948"
Paul I of Russia, Emperor of Russia (1796-1801)
Howard Rollins, American actor (starred in the film,"Ragtime" & the TV Series, "In the Heat of the Night")
André René Roussimoff, Professional Wrestler, best known as "André The Giant"
Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright, poet and author

I found the foregoing relatively interesting, and--though 20 years ago, I saw things a bit differently--now that I've made it, 47 doesn't really sound old at all.

Still...I think it might behoove me to start thinking about my age in terms of dog years...which means I'm not even 7 years old yet! ;-)

Happy 48th Birthday, Mr. President!

I know you're supposed to get gifts on your birthday, but I want to thank you for giving your fellow citizens the gift of Hope, and for reminding us that we don't have to wait for someone else to make this a better world. Just like Dorothy with her ruby slippers in Oz, we've always had the power...we just needed to believe it first!

:-)

Happy Birthday, Ted!

Today, Edward Moore Kennedy celebrated his 75th birthday!

I have long been a fan of the Kennedys, and most especially, Ted Kennedy!

One of the best things about Senator Kennedy is that--love him or hate him--you know exactly where he stands on just about any issue! He is my kind of Democrat! He compromises when he can, but he never compromises his principles! He fights for the elderly, the poor, the environment, women's rights, workers' rights and--yes--EVEN gay rights! Ted Kennedy is the voice for so many of us who have felt so forgotten or so demonized for so long. He stands as a living reminder that government has the power--and the moral obligation--to serve ALL it's people, not just those with enough luck to have been born to money and privilege. His brother, John's, inaugural speech in 1961, summed it up memorably:

"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor,
it cannot save the few who are rich."

I also remember back before the 1980 election, when Senator Kennedy was competing against President Carter for the Democratic nomination. When Ted got to the convention & finally ended his candidacy, he gave a memorable concession speech, his voice breaking with obviously deep emotion. The last line in the speech that night still rings in my mind & in my heart today...

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives
and the dreams shall never die!"

Some of us still dare to dream, thanks, in large part, to the senior senator from Massachusetts.

Happy Birthday (and Thank You), Senator Kennedy!

Until justice flows down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s real birthday was January 15, but this is the day our nation officially honors the civil rights icon.

Not much I can write about a man about whom so much has been said & written already.

Just one thing:

Thank you, Dr. King, for setting us all free!

May each of us, in our way, honor your bravery & your work & help hasten the day when "liberty & justice for all" are more than just words we commit to memory, but ideas to which we commit our lives!

She-e-e-e-e-ery Baby?!?!?

Talking about going from (as near to) sublime (as I get) with my last post to the ridiculous (we were talking about that, right?!?!), I found a website called Pop Culture Madness (http://www.popculturemadness.com/), which allows you to find your date of birth & then see what the #1 song in the U.S. was at that time, according to Billboard Magazine. Since it's a "pop culture" website, I am assuming it's the #1 Pop song when you were born.*

To find the info for date you were born, when you go to the website, scroll about halfway down the page & on the far left, simply click on the link that reads, "[the decade you were born] Billboard #1 Hits," and then on that decade's page, choose the year & then the time frame you were born, and voilà!

Since I was born on October 17, 1962, I went to the "60s Billboard # 1 Hits," chose 1962 & then I found the timeframe where I was born (September 15 - October 19) and discovered that the #1 song at that time was "Sherry" by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

I have to say that I was not exactly thrilled to find out this info! To me (and since this is my blog, it really is all about me, right?!?!) "Sherry" is simply a stupid song. It's basically mindless palaver consisting of the words "Sherry, Sherry, baby, can you come out tonight?" repeated ad nauseum until you can't take it anymore & you are forced to switch off the Hi-Fi if you haven't broken your hand after putting your fist through the wall!

I guess, for trivia purposes, it's good to know, but I am MUCH more impressed with the #1 song from the time frame just after I was born, October 20 - November 2, 1962: "Monster Mash" by Bobby, Boris, Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers! Now that's what the kids call a hella-cool song!

Anyway, if you get a chance to read this post & you find the #1 song in the U.S. of A. when you were born, please share with the class!

Hope your song is a little more substantial and interesting than mine was! :-/

*The writer of this post can make no claims, in any way, shape or form, as to the accuracy of the information, claims and/or statements found on the Pop Culture Madness website and/or on any websites linked to said website which reader may subsequently explore. Writer is absolved of any liability which may ensue by any information appearing in aforementioned website(s). Void where prohibited, taxed or otherwise restricted by law. No cash value.