Passings: Ray Bradbury

"Love what you love."

via The Mary Sue

Bittersweet

I'd been at the magazine for five years before my name made it into the masthead.   May 2009.   My Dad carefully cut out the page - and every masthead page that came after - and saved them.

This month, I got my first byline.

I like to think wherever he is, Dad is adding an extra page to his scrapbook.

Check out the full "The Moment" here.

And behold, another year begins ...

Bubble works out the whole "new year" thing.



Tip o'the hat to Rich!

2010 - A Year in Pictures

David Hall - A Remembrance

I've been composing this in my head for weeks.  It seemed impossible to condense a life into just a few paragraphs.  Where do you even begin? There are so many stories to tell, because Dad was someone who was always up for an adventure.  When his Uncle Harry would say, "C'mon Joe, let's go", Dad never asked where. It didn't matter.

In that spirit of adventure, he was always on the lookout for hidden treasure.  Coming through Newport News on Thursday, it was like a greatest hits of Dad's favorite thrift stores.  He loved a bargain, and he loved to show off his latest find and ask, "How much would you pay for this stunning item?" His dumpster diving is legendary.  I had a housewarming party years ago.  Mom walked in alone, and someone asked where Dad was. I jokingly said, "He's checking out the dumpster." Point of fact - he was. A neighbor was moving out of her apartment, and he was happily loading up the truck with gems she no longer wanted. They were still perfectly good.

He was a member of the NRA and the ACLU.  Dad believed in personal freedom.  He also never missed an opportunity to stick it to the man.  Cars were registered not where we lived, but where the tax exposure was lowest.  This is a trait he passed down in varying degrees to his children.  Kyle worked at a little restaurant in high school, and at Christmas the owner, Hans, sent him and another kid out to buy a Christmas tree.  Dad found them in the garage looking for his small collapsible hand saw.  Kyle didn't see any reason that Hans should be out 50 bucks when Christmas trees grow free on the state right of ways.

Dad took his time.  He moved at his own, slower pace.  That was a gift that he shared with his family in so many ways.  He took time to help with science fair projects, boy scout projects, showed me how to change a tire, took us fishing, fossil hunting, biking through the Dismal Swamp, on Sunday drives, and trips to museums.  He taught Kyle and I that we were capable of doing anything, but if we needed his help, he would be there, without question.

On the day of my wedding, about an hour before we needed to leave for the church, I realized I hadn't eaten anything.  I raced into the kitchen to grab something.  Dad had been sitting at the table, reading the paper, trying to avoid the chaos.  Without saying anything, he stood up and hugged me.  He just held me, and for a moment, time stopped.

Dad's illness was difficult on all of us, but certainly hardest for a man who was happiest when he was outdoors - digging in his garden, or walking through the woods stalking the always elusive bambi.  Through it all he faced each challenge with good humor, and rarely missed an opportunity to crack a joke, or tease the nurses and therapists who helped care for him.  When he was coming out of anesthesia after his surgery, one of the residents put him through the usual cognitive drills. What day is it? What year were you born? What is your name?  To this last one, Dad answered, "Sarah Palin".  We quickly realized that we needed to warn the hospital staff of his sharp wit, and dry sense of humor, before they began worrying about his mental state or confused gender identity.

He also rarely lost his temper, or raised his voice in anger or frustration.  This may come as a surprise to many - especially those of you who remember the great lawnmower incident, when a truculent starter met a messy demise at the end of a 50-pound monster maul.  He endured it all with grace and dignity.

Dad was a big man, and his passing has left a huge hole in our lives and we mourn his loss deeply.  We knew we didn't have much time, but we thought we had more than this.  Even so, the time we did have was a gift.  We were able to enjoy and appreciate so many little moments together.  We can take comfort in a life lived and loved well.  Please hold him in your thoughts.  When you plant a seed, and watch it grow into something green and beautiful, think of him.  When you go out to dinner, order dessert.  Order two.  Ask for the corner piece of the birthday cake.  Don't be shy about inquiring if there is supplemental icing.  When you travel, if you're going by car - check your fluids.  Before you go home, buy a patch as a memento of your trip, and think of him.  When the weather turns crisp and cool, take a walk in the woods and think of him.

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower

We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind

          Wordsworth

November 20, 1942 - September 8, 2010

DON'T PANIC!!

It's Towel Day.

"Hey, you sass that hoopy Ford Prefect? There's a frood who really knows where his towel is."

All good things must come to an end: Guiding Light

Today is the day ... Guiding Light airs its final episode after a 72 year run. le sigh. Slide on over to Tubular, and my write up on the Paley Center's panel, We'll Always Have Springfield.

credit: The Paley Center

The Paley Center also has two clips up at their site from the evening. Two words: Reginald and Stevie. That's all I'm saying. Check 'em out.

I just can't say this enough:

I cannot say enough good things about the actors. They stayed for nearly two hours, and were to a one, unflagging in their energy and unfailing in their kindness. They gave each fan their full attention, allowed as much time as needed, signed autographs, and smiled for a million photos. And you have to understand what the scene was like - it was a full on rugby scrum. Grant Aleksander was literally backed into a corner, people 3 and 4 deep around him, but he had a smile and hug for everybody (two for my Mom, much to her delight). My mom, who is a wee little thing, had moments of being overwhelmed by the crowd, and we could at least escape when we needed to. Get some air, grab a drink at the bar or one of the delightful tuna h'orderves that were circling around. They couldn't. Nonetheless, every single actor who was there was incredibly gracious and generous with their time. So for my mom - who got autographs from, and a moment with, everybody - thank you. Thank you to the Paley Center, Ellen Wheeler, Jill, Grant, Bradley, Elizabeth, Michael, Kim, Ellen Dolan, Tina, Maeve, Kurt, Gina, Orlagh, and Frank. As James Lipton would say - it was a delight.

Philip Spaulding is my new dad

Every fan for herself!

Previously on wax|wendy: First thoughts.

Your Monday morning moment of Reva: I'm comin' Bud!

Passings: Les Paul, 1915-2009

Musician and inventor Les Paul passed away on Thursday. A hit maker in his own right, with 36 gold records and a string of #1's, he will best be remembered as the father of the solid-body electric guitar that bears his name.

He's the man who gave the gods their hammers.

If you find yourself in Memphis, do not miss the tour at the Gibson factory.  It's like you died and went to guitar heaven.



Les Paul (1915-2009) : Rolling Stone

Tributes pour in for guitar player and rock innovator Les Paul after death at age 94 -- chicagotribune.com

Les Paul, 1915-2009 - Music - Gawker

Passings: John Hughes

UPDATED AGAIN!: NPR has a brief interview with Alison, talking about her relationship with John Hughes.

UPDATE: You need to read this tribute to John Hughes RIGHT NOW.  For two years, 1985 - 1987, he and Alison Byrne Fields were pen pals.  Her story reads like something out of one of his movies, only so much better.

News comes that  John Hughes has died of a heart attack at 59.

Prolific as a writer and producer, he directed his last film in 1991.  But he ruled the 80's.  He defined that decade's (okay, my) teenage experience in a way that was funny, smart, and thoughtful.  I'd go so far as to say that Buffy Summers and Veronica Mars wouldn't have been possible without him.

Somewhere in heaven the angels are saying, "Hey sexy girrrrrlfriend!"

Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Andi totes should have been with Duckie.   I never quite understood why she was the outcast.  I would have killed for her clothes.  The prom dress not so much, but still.  Also, I had her hair.  I gave myself the home perm.



Does Barry Manilow know you raid his closet?



My best friend Becca and I were obsessed with this movie.   I think I still have the soundtrack on cassette somewhere ...

And he actually ended up with the right girl! 

But the ultimate, ZOMG, is 16 Candles.  Not only is it chock full of classic lines and moments, but it's like, about my life.

Although sadly, I did not end up with the hot senior I was in lurve with when I was a sophomore.


Sixteen Candles - Final Scene - Movie Ending - The best video clips are right here

It's only teenage wasteland

Passings - Mollie Sugden

Farewell Mrs. Slocombe.  You will be missed.  And I am unanimous in that.

UK comedy actress Mollie Sugden dies at 86 - Yahoo! News

Passings: My Friend Rita

Her death wasn't covered to exhaustion by CNN, but Rita's passing on Thursday left an equally large hole in the lives of those of us who knew and loved her.

NoShowMo wrote a lovely remembrance, so I'll let her tell you more about our friend Rita.

So you think you can dance

Now that you mention it, I am feeling a bit peckish

Weird Al Yankovic - New Music - More Music Videos

Passings: The King of Pop

Shocking.  Just shocking.  No matter what his life may have descended into, the man made some incredible music.

Michael Jackson is dead - Los Angeles Times

Michael Jackson - Rock with you

Passings: Ed McMahon

Ed McMahon, 'Tonight Show' Sidekick, Dies at 86 - washingtonpost.com

And a final HIYOOOOO! to sing you home.

Passings: David Carradine

Man, just a sad day all around.  

Actor David Carradine found dead in Bangkok, Thailand.

Farewell Grasshopper.

Passings - Koko Taylor

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that music legend Koko Taylor has passed away at the age of 80, apparently due to complications following a recent surgery.

Farewell sweet Queen.

Why we remember

Arlington National Cemetery - National Geographic Magazine Online

Bruce Dale / National Geographic magazine