RAW.Dailyskew

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Retired Salesman

I saw an old co-worker of mine today. His Tashman Technologies nickname is The Fossil. He’s over 70 years old now, and had a reputation of “wheeling and dealing” his entire life. He’s on the Top 10 Shit List of many salespeople that I know in Florida, but I’ve always had a friendly relationship with him. These people tell me it’s because I never dealt with money with him, so he didn’t have a chance to screw me. But I’d always given him the benefit of the doubt. Guess I’m gullible.

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R.I.P. Joe Anastasio

Joseph Anastasio, 55, passed away on 6/6/2009 in Florida.

Posted in deaths, tribute | 13 Comments »

Michael Jackson Dies????

TMZ is reporting that Michael Jackson has died at 50 from cardiac arrest. His father Joe Jackson initially spoke to TMZ today and said he was not doing well. New reports are still coming in, however, so this is a breaking news still in progress. Again, at this second, TMZ is the only source going on record..other news outlets are saying “coma”.

I had been doing a lot of thinking about Michael Jackson lately, about his legacy, his work, and him still being around in 2009 but being a Howard Hughes-type recluse. And how he’s pretty much a laughing stock in the U.S.

The criminal and civil trials, in addition to his eccentricities (germ phobia, plastic surgery, baby endangerment, eunuch, lawsuits, record label suits, etc.) and divorce really took away from his legend.

But he was a legend no matter what happened in later years.

From being a kid star to being a 1980’s freakin’ undisputed King of Pop, to making millions and millions until his death…

I’ve defended Jackson in the past because I don’t think he ever had a chance to grow up. I didn’t think he was a child molester, I just think he was a Peter Pan-type.

There’s really no amount of tribute I could give him here, I’m sure for the next week you’re going to be overexposed to every aspect of Michael Jackson’s legacy, music, and life anyway.

He is an international household name, bigger than Santa Claus, and larger than life.

Posted in deaths, tribute | 3 Comments »

David Carradine Dead

The MEDIA is labeling David Carradine as the title character in the movie “Kill Bill”, but he will always be Kwai Chang Caine, the Shaolin priest traveling the 1800s American frontier West in the influencial 1970’s TV series “Kung Fu”.

Carradine’s death is being investigated; he was only 72 and there was a rope in his room, according to some reports out of Thailand.

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Johnnie Redding: Man Identified in Detroit Ice

(Click images to zoom in.)

The man in the ice in Detroit was not homeless or forgotten. But Johnnie Redding’s frozen shoes sticking out the ice in an abandoned warehouse has become an unfortunate symbol of urban life. The concrete jungle where it’s survival of the fittest- Detroit: an overburdened police force, a monstrous bureaucracy, rampant unemployment, growing crime rate, and where apathy reigns supreme.

Posted in Crime, news, tribute | 2 Comments »

What The Prisoner and Patrick McGoohan mean to the DailySkew

Based on my own experiences, as a child not having a father, I was more prone to being impressionable to things or always looking for male role models. One major influence in my life was a family friend named Warren. Skilled in chemistry, mathematics, biology, physics, logic, mortgages, and interest rates, he also loved baseball, Superboy, Dr. Strange, The Twilight Zone, The Outerlimits, Star Trek, westerns, obscure movies, and reminded me of Reed Richards from the Fantastic Four. He came over one Saturday afternoon and watched a “Prisoner Marathon” with me, my mom, and grandfather on an old New York UHF channel.

He said he watched The Prisoner (Patrick McGoohan) in the late 1960’s/early 1970’s. My mother had also been previously exposed to Patrick McGoohan in Secret Agent and The Prisoner back then as well. So, as a very young lad, I watched…and watched…and watched that marathon all day and night, although I didn’t see every episode, and I didn’t see the last episode. Warren had passed The Prisoner to a new generation.

As an enthusiastic youth, I would always look at the TV Guide for showings. Sometimes PBS would acquire the rights. Other times even more obscure channels would broadcast them at insane times. I had to wait years later before I actually viewed all 17 episodes in order on VHS tape.

One thing I learned in short order, unlike my other hobbies or interests, no one outside my family had ever heard of The Prisoner. A PBS documentary featured The Prisoner Companion, and the narrator told me about how this was a cult show. A lot of people today call shows “cult”, but The Prisoner is truly a CULT show. None of my friends at school, camp, neighborhood, or their parents ever heard of it.

Thus I was amazed- and thrilled- to pick up The Prisoner Files book when Warren brought me to his friend’s comic book warehouse. It featured in-depth analysis of the symbolism of the show, and tried to answer the unanswerable questions that the show asked every week: “Who is Number Six?” “Why did he resign?” “Where is the Village?” “Who is Number One?” “What does all of this mean?” etc.

In 1985, in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #2 had Batman mention The Prisoner to The Joker. Writer Marv Wolfman had been exposed to it, too. A lot of sci-fi and comic book writers have been exposed to it. The borrowed themes are obvious when reading the British comic book writers. The theme of Man vs Society, the music, location, stories, weirdness, sci-fi technology, and, of course, Patrick McGoohan’s acting influenced many people over the years.

DC even came out with the official sequel mini-series to the TV show, however, I was disappointed that they chose to interpret the show literally, and although there are good scenes, it never really hit home to me. However, it did lead to dialogs between my comic book shop guy- Pat Short (half Filipino) and me about The Prisoner. It turned out he was a huge fan, too.

I eventually joined a Prisoner Appreciation Society when I was around 13. Moving to a new state, and starting high school- not to mention having no male role models in real life anymore, as my grandfather passed away and Warren remained in NY, was stressful for me. So reading newsletters about how other people interpret the show was great. Additionally, PBS in Florida would play the show around 1 or 2 AM Friday or Saturday nights. I was up, of course.

As a Freshman, I bought Number Six’s shoes, and tried my best to be clever, mysterious, and quirky like he was. I was already paranoid, so that was easy. In summer camp years earlier, I had pretended to be Spock, so assuming identities was easy for me.

I got a PC with a dialup modem and went into Seflin in the early 1990’s and the first thing I did was look up The Prisoner on the newsgroups. Sure enough, there were thousands of fans, sharing theories. I printed some out and sent them to Warren by mail. I taped the music on my cassette tape and played the music over and over again. Eventually, PBS lost rights.

In college, I continued to follow The Prisoner discussions on the Internet. I downloaded MIDI files of the themes, and finally got some WAVs. Still none my classmates ever heard of it. There was some empowerment knowing the secret knowledge I had.

I ordered The Prisoner video tapes every month when I got back from an aborted college career. So for 17 months, my mom and grandma watched an episode and discussed each one. At this time, the main Internet news was rumors about The Prisoner movie, which never materialized.

I always applied the messages of The Prisoner to my every day situation, along with other lessons I had learned in life. When a high quality DVD Box Set was finally made, I bought it, and watched each one in order again.

Whereas I was unsuccessful in getting any of my friends to dig The Prisoner (my grandmother was the only person whom I exposed it to successfully), I finally found a friend that did appreciate it- Tony Vahl. At that time, we had already discussed Enneagram, mental prisons, The Matrix, comic books, sci-fi TV shows, etc., so this was right up his alley. It was a bonding experience, and he, as I, learned something new with each episode. He was impressed with how different the show was, and how it was ahead of its time, in addition to how it defied all labels- it’s not really sci-fi, spy, adventure, or action. Everything was debatable, since Patrick McGoohan’s only “rule” of the show was: it’s subject to YOUR interpretation, there is no right or wrong. It’s an allegory.

That was my last “run” in terms of campaigning for someone else to watch the episodes. Tony was the last. Like the Enneagram, you either want IT or not, and I’m not selling it anymore. The thing about watching the show is that if you like to talk, get food, go the bathroom, look away, walk in and out of the room without pressing pause, you’re going to be missing a clue and ask a million of questions, thus ensuring that you are not listening. ( I went through a bunch of people who weren’t into it, kinda like when I expose someone to the Enneagram, and they forget their number.) If you don’t like shows from the 1960’s or British actors, it’s not your thing. It you get hung up on continuity and contradictions, you’re gonna need to pass. If you want a clear resolution- or ANY resolution, you’re going to be let down. There’s a reason why it’s a CULT show (although it has achieved iconic status in England.)

By the way, just because some people feel the show is over their heads, and I here I am talking about allegory and symbolism, don’t think this show is complex; at it’s core it’s pretty simple- a secret agent resigns, gets kidnapped, and wakes up on an island where people go who know too much. Period. In fact, McGoogan himself said it wasn’t subtle.

In a future post, I will discuss the allegory. For now, with the recent news of Patrick McGoohan’s passing, I just wanted to let everyone know what he meant to me- and thousands of other fans- even though I never met him in my life. I feel like I do know him. He kept the same high moral standard of his characters in real life. In many ways, he is The Prisoner.

Unlike other British stars, he never sought the spotlight, and just wanted his creativity to be judged on its own merits- nothing more, nothing less. He was anti-Hollywood in terms of exposure and taking roles just for paychecks. Getting him to appear in a movie was tough. He lived an honorable life. He knew inquisitive people would appreciate his work, and analyze it. He didn’t care about the mainstream. A lot creative geniuses see the world through different lenses. Some songwriters and authors are like that. They create something original, never seen before, and never seen after. They offer an innovative perspective about reality and society, and offer you a chance to think about it, with no obligation. Patrick McGoohan made viewers THINK in a non-pretentious way.

With Patrick McGoohan’s passing, ironically many new people are starting to ask questions about The Prisoner, and there is finally going to be a new Prisoner TV show on AMC in November, it looks like the torch will be passed once again.

numbersix@dailyskew.com

Posted in entertainment, psychology, tribute | 4 Comments »

The Death of the Prisoner, Patrick McGoohan

My favorite actor, one of my major influences in life, and my idol Patrick McGoohan died at 80 after a short illness.

I have absolutely no words that can express how much of a creative genius or superior actor he was.

If you haven’t experienced any of his work (The Prisoner, Braveheart, Secret Agent/Danger Man, Columbo), you should.

His portrayal as Number Six in The Prisoner is ICONIC and his performance (writing/acting) is IMMORTAL.

Be seeing you, Number Six…and THANK YOU.

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Juan Miguel Arasa (JMA) Juan Arasa Florida

I worked with Juan Arasa for years in an office, and did some personal creative projects together, although we never completed them due to creative differences. We had drifted apart after we stopped working together.

Why?

I’d rather not say publicly or privately out of respect.

Suffice to say, Mr. Arasa came up to my office today to pick up some immigration papers from the Vice-President. I went to extend my hand to him. He begrudgingly shook it, and while walking fast down the hallway said that I “wounded his heart” and I was a “poor and ungrateful friend” for because I “have his phone number and e-mail” and did not invite him to my wedding two years ago. He was shaking his head no, and was seriously upset at me for numerous reasons. In a dramatic scene, I smiled, and said nothing, as he stormed out. Maybe he wanted me to protest, yell, or run after him.

The guy must be in his mid-to-late 40’s by now, if not 50, but he sure as heck acted pretty immature.

Anyway, just posting this for two reasons:

1) To blow some steam and
2) Maybe one day Juan will search for his name, come across this post, and see how ridiculous he acted today…

A handful of former friends I know would testify how I am a bad guy, and that’s fine. I have been accused of being many things in my life, so this is nothing new. If they want to feel like a victim of big, bad Damian (ha), that feeling of hurt is on them. If they don’t want to objectively look at themselves in the mirror or accept any responsibility for anything, the burden is on them.

I extended my hand out of politeness, maybe to ask him how his son is doing now, and he stormed out like a drama queen. I’m not interested in his side of the story, just as he’s not interested in mine. Instead of moving forward, he wanted throw his anger and pain on me.

Well, now that anger and pain is on public display on the Internet forever.

On a serious note, I want to tip my hat to another former friend of mine who came up to the office last year, Reggie Paul, who at least was very friendly, polite, and didn’t focus on how bad of a person I allegedly am. Thanks for being civil to me, Reggie.

Juan Arasa can learn a lot from you.

For all other Damian-haters out there: if it helps you move on with your lives, feel free to come on down to the office and curse me out, or post negative blog messages. You’ll be disappointed that I am not as miserable as you and I will not defend myself. I also won’t be saying sorry, either. But help yourself if you think it will do you or me any better.

Ciao,
Damian Hospital

Posted in tribute | 14 Comments »

Michael Crichton dies of cancer

Michael Crichton has died of cancer in California.

He was 66.

I’m very sorry to hear this.

He was my favorite modern author.

He was very influential to my own writing, in addition to the way I see the world.

He truly was a great artist.

Here’s a partial list of his novels. I would recommend you check them out, if you never did.

• Andromeda Strain, the (1969)
• Terminal Man, the (1972)
• Great Train Robbery, the (1975)
• Eaters of the Dead (1976)
• Congo (1980)
• Sphere (1987)
• Jurassic Park (1990)
• Rising Sun (1992)
• Disclosure (1994)
• Lost World, the (1995)
• Airframe (1996)
• Timeline (1999)
• Prey (2002)
• State of Fear (2004)
• Next (2006)

R.I.P. Mr. Crichton…

Posted in books, deaths, tribute | 3 Comments »

RIP: Paul Newman died

Posted in deaths, tribute | 2 Comments »

9/11

What 9/11 Means to Me

My mother met my father at the World Trade Center in 1976. It was love at first sight, and I came into being in 1977. She had worked there for the Department of Unemployment Benefits.

Although I was born in Jersey City, NJ, I was raised in New York. WTC was always a symbol of my state, along with the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building.

A lifetime later, on September 11, 2001, I was working in a Florida office when it happened. It was a surreal morning for me. I was out on the production floor working on processing some images, and a co-worker of mine, Lisa Glatzer, was on the Internet. It was a pretty full office at the time, and she said that a plane had hit into one of the towers. Someone scrambled to put a radio on.

My mother had called my cell phone and was in full panic mode; she was watching it live on television and saw the 2nd plane hit. I had believed that the 1st plane was a pilot error. When the 2nd plane hit, I got scared. Rumors began to spread on the radio and Internet feeds that it was no accident. As information was filtering in, and the buildings began to crumble, I thought that our nation was under attack, and we had finally experienced the beginning of World War III, and that I would see the end of the world.

Just out of conditioning, my first reaction was the Russians, since I had been raised during the Cold War. But I had been following Osama bin Laden since 1999, when I read that he and Saddam were teaming up. At that time, before the original DailySkew, I would type up fake news articles on my computer, and did a Super Villain Team-Up with them, after reading the real-life article.

The stories came in about the Pentagon and another plane, and I truly was overcome with a sense of dizziness and a manic fear that the US was under attack and in a state of emergency. Of course, my bosses wanted everyone to stay calm and continue as is; after all, we were in Broward County, nothing happens there.

I’m a sensitive guy when it comes to death, and I needed a break, but as much as I wanted to go to Tamarac and watch the news with my family, and I had to press on at work. Back then, there were a lot of mean and selfish bosses at my office, so I didn’t take off-especially since it was no BIG DEAL to the Powers at Be (none had lived in NY- the true capital of the world).

I remember seeing the Democrats and Republicans united together.

I remember the speeches, the footage, the horror stories, and the grief and sadness.

I remember the conspiracy theories.

I remember George W. Bush’s delay before we started the bombing. I knew as a nation, we had to bomb something, and we eventually did.

I remember Osama bin Laden being the most hated figure in the U.S., but we never got him.

However, the biggest shock to me was how a bunch of terrorists could take over planes and fly off course. It was (and still is) unimaginable to me. I guess I was naive and gullible: I thought that everything was run by computers, that satellites observe major things like that, that airlines would have been alerted instantly if a plane was off-course, and that the air force or military would have intercepted the planes.

For me (and Tony Vahl) September 11, 2001 was the end of the world as we knew it. It was the end of the era of security in the U.S. Indeed, the world has changed so much since then. In many ways, the world has been shaken upside down- from major events to the most minor changes in every day life and customs. There is no question that the great divider of U.S. history will be pre-9/11 and post-9/11.

For those of you who do not know the magic and relevance that the New York Yankees have meant to New Yorkers, forgive me but I must bring them up; part of the healing process for New York was for the Yankees to get into the World Series- and they did. To show the world that New Yorkers, and a nation, would never surrender, it was destiny that the Yankees’ dynasty continue with a World Series win. But things didn’t turn out as expected. In the most exciting series ever, the Arizona Diamondbacks won with a lucky bloop hit off Mariano Rivera- the best relief pitcher of all time. This reinforced Tony Vahl’s and my view that the world truly will never be the same again.

9/11: Seven Years Later

Things are very unpredictable in this new earth we live in. In many ways, the terrorists have won, because our freedoms have been reduced in the name of national security. Our ways of life will never be the same. Middle East conflicts have come onshore in the form of terrorist threats and thwarted plots, and divide us as nation. Americans are in the midst of an idelaogical war right now- read any message board, watch any TV show, read the comments on Youtube videos.

Yes, for a very short time after the attacks, politicians put aside their differences and the MEDIA just wanted to get to the bottom of the matter. Police officers and firefighters were worshiped in the northeast. Rudy Giuliani was the spiritual leader of the nation. President Bush was a popular icon, whom we looked up to for strong leadership. There was a sense of community and national identity- at least in the north east. It was cool to be patriotic, even in South Florida. Everyone supported our troops and demanded military action in Afghanistan against the evil Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Thankfully, the Internet archives still show proof of how things were different.

Now, on September 11, 2008, 9/11 is a political issue. There have been many laws, actions, and events that have occurred since September, 11 2001 that have been beyond controversial and unpredictable- truth is stranger than fiction. Guantanamo Bay was set up, the army used excessive force to extract information, there was an American Taliban, an anthrax scare, The Patriot Act, phone taps, a suspension of rights for American citizens at airports, a War in Iraq, the end of Saddam Hussein’s regime and his execution, the idiot shoe bomber, the revelations that some of the 9/11 terrorists were trained right here- in Broward County, and countless other things. It could be argued that in a world wide opinion poll, President Bush is now hated more than Osama bin Laden. The 9/11 conspiracy theories are too numerous to mention.

It seems as if any 9/11 tribute by the Republican Party is immediately labeled as “right wing propaganda” by the Democratic Party.

But the fact is, everyone had used 9/11 as a way to further their goals or to cash in. Rudy Giuliani tried to run for presidency based on 9/11, and he was revealed to be a fraud. I even ranted and raved back then on the original DailySkew that Marvel comics went overboard with their 9/11 themed comic books because they were making a profit off it.

In the end, the illusion of America being an unstoppable super-power was erased that day. When our government mishandled Hurricane Katrina’s preparation, damage control, and horrific aftermath, it only further stripped down any remnants of the illusion of safety, security, and power that I thought protected us. Any sense of national or cultural identity or community spirit is long gone.

So what does 9/11 mean to me? I could never forget the victims.

Never forget.

Posted in politics, tribute | 16 Comments »

Don LaFontaine died (the TV and movie voice over guy)

750,000 television spots and 5,000 movie trailers later, Don LaFontaine, 68, is dead.

The Voice Master has been an integral part of popular entertainment (movies, commercial, radio, promotions, TV, video games, etc.) for decades. Only recently thanks to some Geico commercials have people began to put a face to one of the most distinguishable and recognizable voices in recent memory.

Posted in deaths, tribute | 4 Comments »

RIP Estelle Getty Golden Girls is DEAD

Estelle Getty, who played the wise-cracking and grumpy “Sophia Petrillo” in the 1980’s hit television show The Golden Girls has died at 84. Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Betty White released statements expressing their admiration for her.

At one point The Golden Girls was THE most funny prime time TV show, and a must watch show every week in my household in NY. It was pretty unique for 4-older women to carry a sitcom together!

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Fred Hinde Tribute

It’s very possible that I wouldn’t be here today without the help of Fred Warren Hinde.

I’ll always remember the first day I met Fred. I was at the lowest point of my life, and sought a professional to work with me and get my head on straight- I was a confused, depressed, anti-social, hurt, and angry teenager who had just lost all of my money, status, self-respect, confidence, future, potential, and reputation.

Fred, who was a tall, big, and older man towered over me, but he greeted me with a jolly smile and chuckle, like Santa Claus, and shook my hand with the power that I had lacked.

Fred immediately asked me to forgive myself for creating the circumstances leading up to my state of pain. From the moment he laid eyes upon me he saw that I was a good person, a smart person, and an ethical and moral person, who just happened to make one wrong decision.

Here was Fred- a total stranger- who was able to see the real me, just by sensing my aura, composure, my speech patterns, and my answers. He gave me the benefit of the doubt, and I am eternally grateful.

Fred made sure to tell me that I was not his patient- that I was his client. And after a few visits, he told me I was his friend. Fred and I would have deep discussions about all aspects of life, from religion to politics to women to how he became a psychologist to his own personal history and views. We respected each other’s opinions, and he treated me as his equal, even though he was by all accounts a genius in the field of psychology.

I had studied psychology in school, and Fred always hoped I would pursue it. He would go on to teach me why compassion, empathy, listening, and love are traits everyone should have. He truly believed that 99% of the people were innately good.

He took me under his wing, and we would have lunch together so many times- his treat because he said he invited me, and I wasn’t working yet. Thanks to his confidence-building, however, he taught me the skills to go on an interview, and how to be genuine. I finally was able to pay for his lunch with time.

Fred got me interested in dream interpretation, and bought me a dream book. He also was very open-minded about rebirths and past lives, and gave me a book on that. Fred believed in a Force that made up the universe. And he believed in karma. When my cat required surgery, he handed me $100 without me asking for hit. He told me to pay him back one day when I could, but when I tried to give him the money years later, he wouldn’t take it.

Fred Hinde loved me unconditionally, and I loved him unconditionally. We shared all our fears, desires, and thoughts, without fear of judgment. I told him I was concerned about his smoking habits since he was in his early 60’s, but it was something he was used to and enjoyed, and said it was his choice. I realized that it was his choice, and I didn’t nag him anymore. He had lived a full, happy, productive life, and did so much good for people.

He encouraged me and recommended me to go to technical school to study programming. That lead me to a stable job.

That was Fred- always helping and giving to people who wanted to better their lives. The sheer knowledge and philosophies Fred shared with me, like how it’s acceptable to say “no” to people, and how to have empathy yet still realize that my feelings are ultimately more important than other people’s is too much for a blog post. Fred was honest and firm when it came to giving constructive advise, but said it in a way that was not brutally honest. He talked about not taking things personally, and striving to see things objectively.

One day, Fred told me that I was ready to be fully integrated back into society, and that I had been so for some time; I had held a job for a year or so, and although I still had my high and lows and will always have a quirky and sarcastic personality, he knew I was fine.

Like an injured bird, he had nurtured me back to good health, and let me fly away on my own, without looking back. I had kept in touch with him perhaps once a year just to tell him that I was okay. I never told him about any drama or negative stuff going on.

I tried to get into contact him a few years ago to tell him about my fiance, but one of his office’s answering machines never got to him.

This Friday night I wanted to tell him how much he positively affected my life, and for him to meet my wife, who is caring just like he. I was up all night thinking about all the things he and I talked about, and how our friendship was 100% genuine, and how he went above and beyond any professional. I used to laugh when he had told me he disliked paperwork, procedures, and board meetings.

Fred also allowed me to take charge in group settings, and gave me valuable experience being his sidekick when it came to helping people with substance abuse problems, and people who were trapped by the invisible chains we all imprison ourselves with.

Fred was the type of man who worked to make a difference in people’s lives one person at a time, and he had once told me about other people whom he had helped in the past. I wanted to call Fred Monday and tell him how much I appreciated him, and how altruistic he was. Of course, I had already told him these things years ago, but I know that he would be very proud of my marriage and how stable my life has become, walking the right path.

Fred and I didn’t have to maintain constant contact. I always saw him as my guardian angel, with his warm smile and gentle laugh, looking out for me. He had actually wrote several letters of recommendation for me, and put his reputation on the line. Whereas many other people talk the talk, Fred wrote his signature on more than one occasion to benefit me without the slightest second of hesitation or with lawyers involved.

His telephone number was unlisted, and since most of his career was spent pre-Internet, I had problems trying to records of him. I finally called some message service for an office listed under his name, and a woman called back.

She informed me Fred died of a heart attack around 3 years ago.

I’ve been crying on and off again for around 16 hours this past day, as much as I try to hold it in. Fred would know it’s part of the normal grieving process. And he wouldn’t want me to be sad. But I can’t hold it in. I wanted to say goodbye, and tell him how much of an influence he had on my life, and the lives of all the others I have positively touch, like my friends and family. That is good karma in action, and Fred Hinde was the only father figure I had since I moved down here to Florida. It was because of him that I am here now. I know he refused to take credit for anything, but I know he would have liked to hear the words from my mouth one more time. But I can rest easily knowing that Fred was satisfied and finished with me, and that he knew I was fine.

Fred Hinde is a role model for all humankind, one of the most kindest and gentle human beings, yet someone who could be tough and aggressive to get something done. I’m sharing my experiences with him so everyone knows and strive to follow his example.

An eye for an eye makes the world blind. Only through understanding and compassion for others AND ourselves, can we begin to change the world.

If any of Fred’s family or friends read this post, I would appreciate if I can contact Mary and tell her how much Fred meant to me and my family.

-Damian Hospital

Posted in deaths, tribute | 4 Comments »

Tony Snow dies from cancer

Tony Snow, 53, died after a long battle with colon cancer. He was best known as President Bush’s controversial selection for White House Press Secretary, spinning the company line, but having previously made critical comments about Bush prior to being hired.

President Bush said: “America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character. It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work.”

Tony Snow was a intelligent and creative conservative, and had stints with NPR, FOX News, The Rush Limbaugh Show, and The O’Reilly Factor.

As Bush’s official spokesman, it was hard to separate fact from fiction with his press briefing propaganda spins, but he was an excellent and sharp worker in whatever he did.

Before Tony Snow is exalted into a saint, I do want the record to show how liberals hated him being Bush’s Ministry of Propaganda.

I’m sure a fool like Keith Olbermann (he should have stuck with ESPN) will run a teary-eyed tribute to Tony Snow this weekend. MEANWHILE, take a look how Olbermann covered Snow:

Posted in MEDIA, politics, tribute | 6 Comments »

George Carlin dead

George Carlin died.

He was a counterculture icon, a comedian I respected and rarely disagreed with. He had the right perspective, was objective, and downright funny.

The AP and TV MEDIA like to say he was known for the “Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV”, but that was so…1972; his achievements and production were so much more than that.

From hosting “Saturday Night Live” to appearing around 130 times on “The Tonight Show”, he also produced 23 comedy albums, 14 HBO specials, three books, and TV shows and movies. He won four Grammy Awards, and it was announced that Carlin was being awarded the 11th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Before Sienfield ever did his, “Did you ever notice…” routine, Carlin was already a hardcore perceptive satirist who spoke for the common man.

The Comedian is dead.

Posted in tribute | 3 Comments »

Tim Russert Dead: What Killed Tim Russert?

There’s no denying that Tim Russert’s Meet the Press and Hardball TV programs showed us how he really put politicians on the hot seat, and (generally) asked the tough questions. And there is no denying his level respect in the field of broadcast journalism, nor can one deny his influence on mainstream media news coverage. He was pretty aggressive and open about what he felt was right. Probably the best political interviewer on television.

I know I should wait a week, but I’ll say it now- because I have the guts (or stupidity) to say it- since the MEDIA seems to be romanticizing Tim Russert, and expressing their SHOCK of why Tim Russert is dead.

Hos did Tim Russet die? Look, Russert was overweight, and every time I saw him on TV, he was yelling and taking everything too seriously. I’ll say it; no one else will. YES, politics and world affairs are important, but guys like him are so passionate about it, that it has to hurt your health.

Yeah, Russert is a million times smarter and more professional than other broadcast journalists and talking heads, but let’s face it…he is still one of them. Was he an “objective voice”? It seems as if he and Chris Mathews kinda knew the answers to the questions they asked already. Also, his critics say he stretched the truth about Saddam’s WMD. He was involved with the CIA leak case.

I’m just sayin’.

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Arnold Roberts

KUMA

Real Name: Arnold Rhyme Roberts

Identity/Class: Citizen of the U.S.A. with no criminal record

Occupation: Customer service representative; poet

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: USF Alumni; former member of Overtown Chess Club

Enemies: The Fuzz, The Man, The Pigs

Known Relatives: Mother, father, brother, wife, daughter

Aliases: Heavyweight Disco, ARR

Place of Birth: Miami, Florida

Base of Operations: Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and Hard Rock Casino, Florida; subterranean caves beneath New York, Tokyo, and Africa

First Appearance: Marvel Team-Up #6 (December, 1973)

Powers/Abilities: Arnold Roberts is a mutant who has has enhanced creative writing skills, which includes, but is not limited to, poems and short stories. He can survive for extended periods without food or water. Although he seldom gets angry or enraged, when he does…you had better watch out- he transforms into KUMA! Kuma is master of mixed martial arts.

Personality Type: Arnold Roberts is an Enneagram Personality Type #6. As Kuma, he is an 8 (see: Hulk)
Height: 6′4″
Weight: 310 lbs
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black
Skin: Black
Unusual Features: Arnold becomes a grizzly bear. Extremely high voice that does not match his body.

History:
Raised on the mean streets of Miami’s Overtown district, Arnold Roberts may not have had the luxuries or opportunities of rich families, but he had the strong moral upbringing of his parents, and a strong will to resist temptations. However, his brother was unable to resist the temptations and became the super-villain named “Black Tempest”. This broke Arnold’s heart.

As a boy, Arnold was teased by his classmates and so-called friends for being sensitive and kind-hearted, even though Arnold was always the biggest and tallest kid in the class. This gentle giant absorbed the taunts and girls and boys alike made fun of him because he loved poetry and preached peace as opposed to violence and war. Arnold’s mutant ability to write innovative poems and stories was not latent- he had it at birth.

Trying to make a life for himself, Arnold registered with the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Unable to make his mind up about what degree he wanted, he took a Religion Course out of curiosity. Arnold was shy, buy struck conversation with the man who was The One, the Leader of the War Purgers, and CCB3.That night, Arnold was working in the kitchen at the Marriott on USF campus where he saw The One was his work partner. Little did Arnold know that The One had his eye on him, and set the moment up years before. The One had designed a mutant detection machine years before called Cerebro, which had flagged Arnold as a potential super-human being.

One night at closing, The One shot Arnold with a tranquilizer dart and put him to sleep. The One genetically engineered Arnold Roberts to transform into KUMA!

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Bobby Eaton Heart Attack: Wrestling Tribute

Just wanted to post about a true professional inside and outside of the professional wrestling ring- Beautiful Bobby Eaton, most famous for being part of one of the greatest NWA tag teams, the Midnight Express.

Eaton had a heart attack recently, and is recovering. He also had some heart complications in 2006. He’s only 49 years old. Let’s hope for a nice recovery. Bobby took a lot of bumps and bruises in his career to please fans.

Eaton had ring psychology, mat skills, and was one of the best tag team wrestlers ever. Because he hardly spoke on the microphone, and wasn’t muscle-bound, he spent most of his career carrying others and being a role player; he never had any complaints about that.

Although he was mostly a heel (bad guy) in the ring, he is rated by his peers as being a generous and nice family man in the locker room and on road trips.

Eaton had paid his dues when he first entered the wrestling world. Born in Hunstville, Alabama and trained by the legendary Tojo Yamamoto, he wrestled in NWA Mid-America (a small time league) from 1976 to 1980. Although he was 17 and a “jobber” (guy who loses a lot), he quickly trained more experience wrestlers, had a great work ethic, and his in-ring athleticism and showmanship was obvious. (Eaton climbed to the top rope, which was rare back then). Eaton started off as face (good guy).

Eaton had feuded with future Fabulous Freebirds Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes, and Terry Gordy, fought the future Honky Tonk Man (Wayne Ferris) and teamed with a variety of partners, including Lanny Poffo, Randy Savage’s brother. His feud with Chris Colt was legendary in that territory, and included Eaton turning heel, and back to face again.

1980 saw Eaton wrestle in Georgia, and then CWA in Memphis, Tennessee, which was a wrestling hotbed then. As a heel, he teamed with Koko B. Ware (then known as Sweet Brown Sugar), and was managed by Jimmy Hart. This team (The New Wave) was ahead of its time because they were heels who used death defying agile moves, and created new combo moves. Eaton and Koko then had a bloody feud with each other. They eventually teamed up again. During his CWA days, he teamed with, or fought against, the Moondogs, Fabulous Ones (Stan Lane and Steve Keirn), Dennis Condrey (rival), and Jerry “The King Lawler.

Eaton went to promoter Bill Watts’ Mid South wrestling, a very tough and exciting league. Manager Jim Cornette had a three-man heel stable named The Midnight Express (Dennis Cordrey, Randy Rose, and Norvell Austin). Eventually, Eaton and Condrey became The Midnight Express exclusively under Cornette, their mouthpiece. The Midnight Express had memorable, violent, and wild feuds with Magnum T.A. and Mr. Wrestling II, The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton), and began a decades-long feud with the Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson).

Eaton became famous on a more national stage in 1985 when The Midnight Express and Cornette joined the NWA’s most famous promotion (run by Jim Crockett), which was broadcasted on TBS and nationwide local affiliates. The first two years, the Express had high-quality matches against the New Breed (Sean Royal & Chris Champion), the Rock & Roll Express, and the most famous tag team of all time, The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal).

In 1987, Condrey quit, and was replaced by Stan Lane. This version of the Midnight Express actually was more successful and more famous. This run was the peak of Eaton’s career. In 1988, although they were brutal heels, were managed by the most hated manager in the NWA, and attacked such fan favorites as Dusty Rhodes, The Fanastics, Rock & Roll Express, and Ronnie Garvin, they were being cheered by audiences. They beat heel rivals Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson (the Four Horseman), while fans cheered. In late 1988, the Express finally turned face in a match against the Road Warriors, in which the Warriors turned heel.

They feuded with “The Original Midnight Express” (the returning Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose), who were managed by Paul E. Dangerously. Lane, Eaton, and Cornette left NWA around the time when Ted Turner bought it over and renamed it WCW.

They returned and feuded with the Dynamic Dudes (Shane Douglas & Johnny Ace), Brian Pillman and Tom Zenk, and the Steiner Brothers. Many experts say the Express were no longer considered one of the best anymore, and due to behind-the-scenes politcs, Cornette and Lane left WCW in October 1990, while Bobby stayed.

Bobby was left alone, and became a singles wrestler. The bookers did not give him a push, and he was a lower midcarder, just pretty much having solid matches that no one cared about. He had no manager or microphone time.

He turned face, and was finally given a slight push, having excellent matches with Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, Ricky Morton, Mike Rotundo, Terry Taylor, and Steve Austin.

In 1991-1992, he turned heel, and joined the dominate stable The Dangerous Alliance, lead by Paul E. Dangerously. He teamed with Arn Anderson, and was a stable member with Rick Rude, Larry Zbyszko, and Steve Austin. After Paul E. left WCW in late 1992, Arn and Bobby were managed by Michael Hayes. New head booker Bill Watts fired Eaton to cut costs.

Eaton was hired and managed by Jim Cornette to wrestle in (SMW) Smokey Mountain. Eaton joined the Heavenly Bodies (Stan Lane & Tom Prichard). After Bill Watts was fired in WCW, Eric Bischoff rehired Eaton, and paired him with youngster Chris Benoit. Although they had the best technical skill of any team at the time in WCW, and had super-quality matches, they were lower midcard, never had interviews or videos, and hardly ever won. Benoit went to Japan, and Eaton was teamed with former rival and former partner of Stan Lane, Steve Keirn around 1994. They became jobbers as well.

In 1996, he was in comedy sketches with Lord Steven Regal. They were called The Blue Bloods, and were joined by Squire David Taylor. They were funny and technical wrestlers (yet boring) heels, and wrestled at the lower midcard. In 1997, he turned on them, and was never in any storylines anymore. He became a backstage road agent, jobber, and trainer until 2000, after he was laid off. He wrestled at independent shows.

In 2003, he formed the short-lived New Midnight Express with independent wrestler Ricky Nelson. Eventually, Eaton reunited with Lane (sometimes) and Condrey (a lot). Eaton made one appearance on TNA, where he jobbed out to Kid Kash.

Major Titles Held

• NWA United States Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Stan Lane
• NWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane
• WCW World Tag Team Championship – with Arn Anderson
• WCW World Television Championship
• NWA Georgia Television Championship
• AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Sweet Brown Sugar (2) and Duke Myers (2)
• CWA World Heavyweight Championship
• NWA American Tag Team Championship – with Dennis Condrey
• NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship (11 times)
• NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship (7 times) – with Lanny Poffo, George Gulas (3), Mexican Angel, and Great Togo
• NWA Six-Man Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with George Gulas and Jerry Barber , George Gulas and Arvil Hutto George Gulos and The Mexican Angel, and Secret Weapon and Tojo Yamamoto
• NWA Mid-America Television Championship
• Mid-South Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Dennis Condrey

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