BrunoBrimley

Great author. Why this year as opposed to last? Erm..... 'cos he didn't die last year? Oh.... Any rates, here I am late to this party; but, time to connect in on old Herman. His former neighbor sailed out recently, citing him as her favorite author http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainm...a_lifelong.html You've probably noticed that Nancy has been doing the heavy lifting here for lately, while I've been dealing with the death of my mother-in-law, Shirley Feldman. We often highlight the passing of well-known authors -- J.D. Salinger, John Updike, Lucille Clifton et al. Now I'll take the liberty of mentioning Shirley too, because -- in addition to her other notable qualities -- she was a life-long reader. She grew up in the New York apartment building that was home to Herman Wouk, so he was always a favorite author. She favored historical fiction, and was always asking me for recommendations on the latest novels. She also loved art, and I still have many books from her trips to museums around the world. (She's probably also the source for my family's Francophile tendencies.) Until she passed away last week at 90, she kept a book near her chair and was a faithful borrower at the Baltimore County bookmobile that visited her senior living center. Herman scheduled to be 95 this year was said to be "out for a wouk", when the news came in.

I agree with you red lobster! Cousin Jerry, who is to be 84 this week, has scheduled work with other aging persons at th TCM Classic Film Festival Luise Rainer, Mel Brooks, Jerry Lewis to attend Classic Film Festival ""Peter Biskind, Peter Bogdanovich, Donald Bogle, Mel Brooks, Tony Curtis, Buck Henry, David Kamp, Sam Kashner, Jerry Lewis, Martin Landau, Norman Lloyd, Leonard Maltin, Luise Rainer, Richard Rush, and Douglas Trumbull will be among the special guests at the first ever TCM Classic Film Festival, to take place in Hollywood, April 22-25. The four-day festival will include panel discussions, film screenings, and special events. The central hub for the festival will be Club TCM, located inside the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Festival events will include Brooks being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Turner Classic Movies is a Peabody Award-winning network celebrating 15 years of presenting great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. For more information, visit www.tcm.com/festival. " With Mel Brooks, Tony Curtis, Luise Rainer and Norman Lloyd along with Lewis, there'll be plenty of over 80 blood in attendance and the excitement could prove too much for some. Maybe April 26 will honor us with headlines to that effect.

Jane Gilsenan, New York City's {now former} oldest resident, has submitted her resignation from Earthy life at age 111 Jane Gilsenan, McKinley era babe, born the year that the creation of bottlecaps and galoshes sparked the Spanish American War City's oldest resident has died. At 111, Jane (Jenny) Gilsenan died Monday where she lived, at the Our Lady of Presentation convent in Woodrow, Staten Island. Born May 8, 1898, on Amsterdam Ave., Gilsenan's parents were Irish immigrants who raised six children in an upper West Side apartment. Gilsenan worked as a secretary, an art buyer and a paralegal over the years. She never married or had children of her own, but put lots of time into sewing christening outfits and making holidays special for dozens of nieces, nephews and other relatives. "She was sharp, all the way up to Sunday night," said one niece, Marie Rangaswamy, 50, of Red Bank, N.J. Gilsenan was an opinionated woman who loved tending houseplants and reading fact books and murder mysteries. "She always said if you can read, you'll never be lonely," Rangaswamy said. She told the Staten Island Advance that eating small portions and skipping junk food helped preserve her life. It was also important, she said, to never take yourself too seriously and remember that there's always someone else worse off. A funeral was held yesterday in Staten Island, and she was buried in Queens. The country's oldest resident also died this week at 114. Mary Josephine Ray passed early Sunday in Westmoreland, N.H. The oldest person in the U.S. is now Neva Morris, 114, of Ames, Iowa

Shouldn't that be, "I do believe that many of you have acted harshly towards me!"~~? Besides which, people have responded, we are now on page 3, far more than some topics ever extend to. Added to that, there was nothing at all rude {{towards you at least}}in my response to your opening request, as shown below. Hey, no sweat dudely-0~~~ My people choices for the year of next, 1~~Oprah Winfrey 2~Katie Perry {if I have to hear Hot/Cold once more~~~} 3~~Matthew Perry 4~~ Suzie Quatro Cinco~~Michael Caine six~~Ralph Waite 7~~Charlotte Rae Ocho~~Diane Sawyer 9~~Gordon Ramsay Diez~~Paul Prudhomme 11~~Vera Wang 12~~Gordon Brown 13~~Amy Winehouse 14~~Justin Beiber~~annoying voice will cause parents to strangle him 15~~Hiram Monsteratte 16~~the career of Charles Rangel 17~~the career of David Patterson 18~~Donald Trump {hair will get caught in an exhaust fan} 19~~Edwin Newman, former newsman, 91 this year {January 25}. 20~~Milo O'Shea

Hey, no sweat dudely-0~~~ My people choices for the year of next, 1~~Oprah Winfrey 2~Katie Perry {if I have to hear Hot/Cold once more~~~} 3~~Matthew Perry 4~~ Suzie Quatro Cinco~~Michael Caine six~~Ralph Waite 7~~Charlotte Rae Ocho~~Diane Sawyer 9~~Gordon Ramsay Diez~~Paul Prudhomme 11~~Vera Wang 12~~Gordon Brown 13~~Amy Winehouse 14~~Justin Beiber~~annoying voice will cause parents to strangle him 15~~Hiram Monsteratte 16~~the career of Charles Rangel 17~~the career of David Patterson 18~~Donald Trump {hair will get caught in an exhaust fan} 19~~Edwin Newman, former newsman, 91 this year {January 25}. 20~~Milo O'Shea

Still terribly ill, Coleman was unable to visit Canada, the country where the Olympics just ended, he failed to go to The Temple Bar in Canadaigua: "Coleman was supposed to be at the Niagara Street bar for a meet-and-greet, as well as stand-up cpomedy performance...with his new hard-rock band Big G Willis" Coleman a no-show, audience says. "what you talkin' 'bout {{there's no Big G}} Willis?

Arthur Penn, he directed the 'classic' Bonnie & Clyde. as well as Night Moves with Gene Hackman and The Miracle Worker along with Little Big Man. At 88 this year. his brother, photo-grapher Irving kicked off last (2009) October at age 92.

Now 93, Jack Vance was recently inducted into the Dead Earth Society~~~~ah, got your attention. Nothing much is being said about this iconic writer, who has spent most of 60+ years, penning exciting stories and tomes, collecting awards along the way, including some Hugos, he has, even with visual limitations continued to drizzle the thoughts from his brain out to the public. It will be a sad day when he goes.

Now that he's been hanged, who is next on the list? Not really been keeping a close eye on things, but how about Comical Ali? I suppose it's a possibility if his plane doesn't make it back safely~~~~~~~

Now that he's been hanged, who is next on the list?

In the living or dead version? I didn't mean to dredge this up in connectioon to Michael Foot, I was actually in a search on Michael Caine who is mentioned in the post above the oone above this one. You see, I am of the firm belief tha Caine is about to meet his maker. It's more than a hunch, it's a gut feeling and a feeling deep within my bones~~~either that or too much sugar from these Pepperidge Farm Orange Milano cookies. {{equually odd, is my mentiion of orange considering this article, which I had not yet seen}::::: Michael Caine beaten FURIOUS SIR MICHAEL CAINE is pounced on by a little orange man clutching a can of Tango - but gives him short shrift. A witness at Scott's restaurant in central London said: "Michael was effing and blinding." Fans thought the Alfie star was bigger than that... So, you will see, Michael Caine, willl not see the end of this year. Don't discount me on this, I've had two hits this year already.

Try again~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~`might I suggest a sure thing like oh, say, Michael Caine?

I have an Andy Warhol painting in my bathroom. I selected it while at the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh PA right across the Allegheny a short distance from the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Not an original I would guess, it's a curly tailed cute cat painted on a light switch plate, signed with the Warhol siggy and all. In other news, Julius Boros, who at age 48 was the oldest golfer ever to win the PGA championship, would have been 90 today if he hadn't fallen into that sand trap and the late Jackie Kennedy Onasis's sister Lee {Radziwill} is 77 today~~ ~~~~keeping to topic, it was 51 years ago today that the words, "Hey. Abbott..." were uttered the last time as Lou Costello departed Earth. Arthur Murray danced off the stage in similar style 32 years later.

Yep~~ he be's dead! Dead, dead, deaD! {{{much like the people playing darts in Worcestershire~~too much sauce, I s'pose}}}. old Keith cashed in his {fish} and chips and just after gaining a two year extension on his contract..... Keith Playing On A New Field {In Heaven's Point}, Gayle Sayers, reports, says: That ain't football....... Macclesfield Town have announced that manager Keith Alexander has died at the age of 53. Alexander, who suffered a brain aneurysm in November 2003, passed away after arriving home last night from the League Two match at Notts County. He had recently returned to work after taking time out because of illness. "Keith was a splendid man. He will be sorely missed at the Moss Rose and by everyone involved in football," read a club statement. Alexander played as a striker for Barnet, Grimsby, Stockport, Lincoln and Mansfield and took over as Lincoln manager for the first time in 1993. He returned to Sincil Bank in 2002, leading the club to four successive League two play-off campaigns - the only manager to achieve that feat. In November 2003 he collapsed with a double aneurysm, revealing afterwards that he had to be brought back to life three times. Alexander parted company with Lincoln in 2006 and moved to Peterborough, but left in January 2007 after a disappointing run of results. He was appointed Macclesfield manager in February 2008 and agreed a two-year contract extension in the January of this year. "I spoke to Keith last night at about 11.15pm after our game at Notts County and he was in good spirits because, although we lost, we had given a team chasing promotion a good game. "He went home after the game last night and collapsed. Tragically, he never recovered. "He recently had a bout of hiccups that he couldn't get rid of and he went into hospital for that, but he wasn't feeling ill when I spoke to him last, he was bubbly. "He'd had a few days off but he couldn't wait to get back on the training pitch. "You won't find a more dedicated man at any club, he always gave 150%. I feel so sad for his family."

I selected BlaDe Edwards, mainly because he's not on the main list, although there is a BlaKe Edwards there. Same person or an alter ego? Only Julie Newmar knows for sure.

Betty Ford's still alive? Amazing~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~I selected Michael Foot, for obvious reasons. Hey could we get a Lockelator to close and lock off this thread now that Mickey not only got his foot in the door he tossed in his whole decrepit ass? What? What'd I say? Maybe I was speaking about his donkey, Yablethitra~~~~

Maybe this time he'll get it right. A look at his activities shows him doing reasonably well, still hitting the racetracks, still as a lone hold out from 12 Angry Men and with former Odd Couple cohort, Al Molinaro on the list this year, he may be in a better place for a gallop down the final stretch.

Of course as some things go extinct, science and chemical compounds merging with other elements along with the effects of polution and nuclear waste in the sky, water and ground, are creating new plants and animals all the time, so all is not as grim as oone might first be thinking.

Well he was in yesterday's issue of The Phnom Penh PostLast month, so he's still somewhat of interest. Vine Mountain "lawyers for Chhouk Rin, the former regimental commander in Division 405, said their client would soon seek a royal pardon for his role in the killings, on the grounds of ill health. Both men said they sympathised with Chhouk Rin, who was handed a life sentence in 2002 for leading the train ambush that netted Wilson, Slater and Braquet. “Chhouk Rin only arrested the three of them; he did not kill them. After he joined with the government he tried to negotiate their release,” said Prak Sothy. While his efforts came too late to save the hostages, Prak Sothy said Chhouk Rin should be released as a token of good will. “I think the government should release him because he gave the government a lot of help,” he said."

I picked up a book written by him once. I had colorful dust jacket and a profile of a horse. I didn't read the book, I had no interest in it, especially upon realizing he wasn't the Dick I had thought he was, which was Dick Schapp, who made the mistake of titling his memoir Flashing Before My Eyes and then promptly dropped dead.

I'm just glad that the Saints won. Actually, I'm gladder that Indianapoloosers lost. Next year, GIANTS all the way!

They'll catch you Kate and you too Gerry and your little dog too. Just like Tiger Woods these two seem more concerned in publicity than anything else.

A bunch of wishful thinkers tossed him in the pile of 2011 hopefuls. I wonder if this means Eddie Meese and Georgie Bush the First will soon follow.....

I awoke this morning to the sound of the hissing of the heat and first cursed out the acursed weather forecasters for once more failing at their jobs. They promised severe threatening winds. It's calm as can be out there... ...Anyway, that ain't the point. I turned on the computer (he's a friendly chap, gets turned on easily) and typed in various web addresses, eventually checking the news in a few spots. One leapt out at me for inclusion here. It seems that cremation is becoming more popular what with the rising costs of funerals and caskets and cemetery land and the hearse and the limos to the graveland and the increasing rates of unemployment and Grandpap living longer thus using all his savings making his children scramble to come up with the monies. But this is about the crisping process as the last rites: Cremation! It's up 2% over the timing of a year! I am particularly taken by the final line~~~~~(which I've taken the liberty of highlighting in a color which I can't identify). Cutting the cost of death STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- One very good reason you can't take it with you: The money's needed right here, on this mortal coil, to finesse your exit. Funerals rank among the most expensive consumer purchases. Staten Island funeral directors say the sum can easily reach over $14,000, when a burial plot is included. While the cost can be considerably less elsewhere, the average funeral in the United States still costs $6,500, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. So it's no coincidence that cremation is gaining favor as an affordable alternative. The New York area's cremation rate is around 19 percent, up from approximately 17 percent a year ago, according to John Vincent Scalia of the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville. "Sometimes people choose cremation because of a lack of funds. Sometimes it's an option people had been thinking about for a long time and they feel it's OK," Scalia said. Direct cremation, which doesn't include embalming or visitation, is much less expensive than direct burial or traditional services. The cost for direct cremation at a crematory ranges from $125 to $160, a bargain compared to burial plots in the five boroughs that can run between $4,200 and $7,800. Other expenses, which could be incurred in a cremation, are the funeral home's custom services, which include preparing the body for the wake, chapel rental and the purchase of a casket. In the case of a cremation, renting a casket makes more economic sense. "Rental caskets help the funeral homes help the families," said Shawn J. Stradford, licensed funeral director and founder of the Stradford Funeral Home, Tompkinsville. "It makes it economical for the families, and they don't have to break their necks paying for something when the money isn't there." The average casket costs slightly more than $1,300; some mahogany, bronze or copper caskets sell for as much as $10,000. The cost of a rental casket, in conjunction with a full service at a church, can be $1,395 to $2,900. Stradford suggests that people consider pre-need arrangements to help relieve their families of having to make decisions. "It's always great when they come in and do pre-arrangements, because they can sit and make educated decisions. The person knows exactly what they want and they'll just have to relay back to their loved ones what they're getting," Stradford said. He recalls an instance in which a family was shocked to learn that the deceased had cashed in his life insurance policy. "It was very unfortunate and really sad because at that point they had to try to figure out where to get the funds for the service," he said. That circumstance is apt to become more common: The terrible economy is forcing folks to cash their life insurance policies to pay for other expenses. "We have had people cash out policies. They will come in and say, 'The policy was worth this. We're getting ready to cash that out and split it.' With a $20,000 policy, they'll use $10,000 for the service and the remainder for whatever they need it for," said Stradford. Funeral homes also offer bereavement counseling, assistance with life insurance policies, Social Security and veterans' paperwork, and other services. Contrary to popular belief, the funeral business is not recession-proof. Stradford recalls that in 2008, when gas prices were climbing, vendors passed along fuel expenses to the funeral homes. "If I could have made my own caskets, I would have. ... They were hitting us hard with gas surcharges. But the people here are very understanding," said Stradford, who has not had to lay off workers. "At times, I've had to cut back on hours." Funeral homes can price themselves out of business. "Not every funeral director is cut from the same cloth. If you are selfish, and not willing to work with the families, it can hurt you. You will get families that will come in here that don't have it. If you say, 'Sorry, I can't help you,' they will go back out the door," noted Stradford. Scalia said he wasn't overly concerned about emerging competition from third-party retailers selling discount caskets. "You can't call Wal-Mart or Costco to pick up your loved one if they pass away in the middle of the night," he said. "We offer service, that's what we offer."

Another tool blamed for bad workmanship. Anyway, formal requests for name change can be posted here. regards, Hein Harsh, Hein. There he was, blaming his keyboard. I think it was having eaten low quality oatmeal laced with parsnips. I know that's set my fingers off at times.