I Bid You Adieu...to My TV Parents

First to Barbara Billingsley, who passed away at the ripe, old, age of 94 on Sunday, October 17, 2010.  She is best known for her role as June Cleaver, in the television program "Leave it to Beaver".  I LOVED "LEAVE IT TO BEAVER" WHEN I WAS A KID, and natch -- I loved June Cleaver.  I wanted her to be my mother (seriously, who didn't?)  She was beautiful and was always perfectly dressed in heels and her pearls.  She's the quintessential 1950's mom.  But I also remember her small role in the movie "Airplane" as the woman who "spoke jive".  If you haven't seen "Airplane" (and shame on you if you haven't), you really need to see it.  With so many memorable moments, Barbara Billingsley talking "jive" is hysterical.  Thank you, Ms. Billingsley for being my favorite TV mom.  Watching you on "Leave it to Beaver" gave my childhood a healthy dose of comfort food or chicken soup for the soul, or whatever the appropriate equilavent is for this situation.  You made me feel safe and happy and provided me with motherly love and affection even though we were seperated by many years and a television.  I always wished you were my mom.  The Beav and Wally were so lucky.  I doubt you would have beat my ass with a shoe or tried to drag me down the hallway by my hair.  I think you probably would have solved a lot of problems by baking a delicious batch of chocolate chip cookies, and you would have encouraged me to talk to you about my problems (and then not judged me by them).  *sigh*

And you rocked the shit out of jive-talking in "Airplane" which made me respect you all that much more.

Second, to Tom Bosley, who passed away today, at age 83.  He is best known for his role as Arthur Cunningham on the TV Program "Happy Days".  When I was in elementary school, I was a huge fan of "Happy Days" (I used to fantasize about marrying Fonzie).  "Mr. C" was my favorite TV dad, and I loved him because he always gave fatherly advice with a calm and collected head.  He was wise and his children loved him.  Granted, Mr. C got exasperated with his children every now and then, but he never called his kids "morons" or "idiots" and always gave them chances to make a bad situation better.  Mr. C was pretty kick-ass.  Thank you, Mr. Bosley for being my favorite TV dad and for giving your TV children good advice that I could sometimes work into my own life.  I think if you had been my dad, I would have turned out a little more self-adjusted, with a dash more self-esteem.  I doubt you would have called me "chubby" as a kid (because, let's face it, you're a little chubby yourself) and I believe you would have let me win at the video games we would have played together instead of beating my ass because you can't lose at anything.

Too bad TV parents aren't more like real parents, huh?  I'm sure a few of you out there agree with me.  ;)  You know that saying that "you can't choose your family"?  I'm hoping that if there's a heaven, we CAN choose our family...because my parents would be June Cleaver and Arthur Cunningham.  I hope their writers got Emmys for all the great advice they gave their TV children.  Because that shit was pure solid gold.

Adieu Babs and Tom!

I Feel Like I Need Some Grief Counseling or Something Today

My childhood memories sure have taken a beating today. Both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson have passed away. Sad, sad day.

As some of you may have read, I recently wrote about Farrah Fawcett's documentary, "Farrah's Story" and how it reminded me of my mom's battle with Amyloidosis. I loved Farrah when I was a kid. And when any of my friends wanted to play "Charlie's Angels" we all argued over who would get to play Farrah. So I bid Adieu to Ms. Fawcett. I hope her soul finds some peace.

Michael Jackson was also a huge part of my childhood. Despite the freakshow he turned into over the past 10-15 years, Thriller came out when I was about 12 years old and that shit rocked the fucking house. Every song on that record was da bomb, and I begged my parents to buy me the Beat It red leather jacket -- the one with all the zippers. They never did, so I instead had a boyfriend who had one and begged him to let me wear his. (He did.) And even before Thriller, I remember when "The Wiz" was making its television debut. I begged my parents to let me stay up late enough so I could watch the whole thing. I FUCKING LOVED "THE WIZ". Michael Jackson as the scarecrow...and him and Diana Ross singing "Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road" made my eight-year-old self sqeal in delight.

I'll never forget watching the video for Thriller at a slumber party. I'll never watching Michael on the 25th Anniversary Special for Motown when he first showed the world the Moonwalk. And I'll never forget learning how to Moonwalk myself (I can still do it -- ask me and I'd love to show off for you). I remember being in love with him (I had that poster of the pic above in my bedroom) and his music -- Michael was a very talented man despite everything. It always struck me that he was someone who didn't live in reality and was probably extremely lonely and that made me sad. I don't condone anything he may have done, but I really hope that his soul is able to find some peace now that he is free to be the child he always wanted to be.

R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett 1947-2009

R.I.P. Michael Jackson 1958-2009

I Bid You Adieu, Randy Pausch

I opened up Yahoo this fine day, and saw that Randy Pausch passed away today from cancer. He was 47.

I first noticed this man when someone I know sent me an email link to his "Last Lecture", which was posted on YouTube -- and gained national attention because he was featured on Oprah. I usually rarely watch video clips people send me, especially when I have no idea what they are about. For some reason, I decided to watch this one. I won't go into the lecture, because if you really want to find our more you can read his obituary articles or even go to YouTube and look him up for yourself.

The whole point of my post is that I remember watching this clip and being moved by it, mostly because he remined me that life is short, unfair, cruel and could end at any moment. I'm not trying to be morbid here, but it's a fact. I was also moved because he has three small children, and when I say small -- I want to guess they are all under the age of 5. Being a mother, reading about his death made me very sad that his children will grow up and will not know him. Of course, I won't know him either and for all I know he could have been a real asshole. But my gut says he was a decent person who appeared to really love his children, his wife, his family -- and now that family will have to continue their lives without him.

Randy Pausch's death reminded me of when my friend Sandy died (September 11, 2002). I remember the date because it was "September 11th" and also because I was pregnant at the time. At the time of her death, Sandy was 33 and had two small children. And when I say small, her daughter was not quite 2 years old and her son was around 9 months old. I was sad for Sandy's children the same way that I am sad for Randy's Pausch's children. No one should have to grow up without either parent. I can't even imagine what that must be like.

All of this just makes me think of Daughter and how deep my feelings go for that kid. I love her so much it hurts and makes me scared. Scared in a way where now I see all the dangers in the world, from "look both ways before you cross the street" to "don't talk to strangers, even when they tell you mommy said it's ok or that they want you to see their new kitten". Danger is everywhere and it's my job as a parent to safeguard her from those dangers that she is too innocent to see. Sure Sandy's children have their dad and all of their extended family, and Randy Pausch's kids have their mom and all of their extended family. But their built-in protectors are down by 1.

It's a damn shame. I will be spending some of my time today thinking about Sandy and Randy Pausch and reflecting on my job as a parent and how I can make every second count when it comes to my daughter.

I Bid You Adieu...George Carlin

It's taken me a couple of days to post about George Carlin, who left this world on Sunday, June 22, at the age of 71 from heart failure. Now, I LOVE me some George Carlin. He is in my top 3 of all-time favorite comedians. Pete and I were fortunate enough to see him live twice -- once in Vegas, and once at the Detroit Opera House. Both times we saw him in concert, I laughed so hard I couldn't catch my breath and I was crying -- tears streaming down my face (and Pete's too).

I was SO sad to hear that he passed because not only I'll personally miss seeing him in concert or in movies, but because this world has lost one of the best observers of life -- he was a genius. The man CHANGED HISTORY. Need I even mention the "seven dirty words" routine that prompted the case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court and helped define the difference between obsenity and indecency? (and was a pretty darn great stand up routine in itself) He had a way of making everday things and everyday words funny, in a way that Jerry Seinfeld could only hope to do someday. One of my favorites was his discription of the word "near-miss", which George said, "Isn't it really a 'near-hit'? A 'near-miss' would be a crash." TRUE THAT.

So for your reading enjoyment, here are some of my favorite GC quotes:

When cheese gets it's picture taken, what does it say?

Men are from Earth, women are from Earth. Deal with it.

I recently went to a new doctor and noticed he was located in something called the Professional Building. I felt better right away.

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

OH, and my #1 favorite quote (from the show I saw in Vegas...he opened the show with this little gem): "You know what people don't talk about? Pussy farts." I thought I was going to die laughing.

Ahhh, George...I will miss you! That motherfucker was one fucking funny asshole. :)

If you want to give yourself a treat, run out to the bookstore immediately and buy all of the books he has written. You will be laughing hysterically before reaching the second chapter.

And if you want to read up on the history that is GC, check out the article about him on Wikipedia here.