Billy Mays, the loud, fast-talking pitchman who epitomized the infomercial spokesman, died Saturday at his home in Tampa. Mays, who would have turned 51 on July 20, was found by his wife. Police do not suspect foul play.
However, Mays was aboard Saturday's U.S. Airways Flight 1241 flying from Philadelphia, which suffered a rough landing when its front tire blew out. He told a Tampa TV station that he was struck in the head during the incident. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
Dressed in a trademark blue shirt and khaki pants, the husky, bearded Mays had been among the best-known infomercial hucksters on TV for more than two decades, pitching cleaning products, wonder tools and other "as seen on TV" items that eventually made their way into retail stores.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson
We've just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.
Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.
A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived. A cardiologist at UCLA tells TMZ Jackson died of cardiac arrest.
Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive.
We're told one of the staff members at Jackson's home called 911.
La Toya ran in the hospital sobbing after Jackson was pronounced dead.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.
* * *
When you think of Michael Jackson, the first thing that comes to mind might be his unique dancing ability — particularly his moonwalk dance, where he would spin then glide in reverse, giving an effortless impression that he was impervious to the laws of gravity. But those skills sometimes overshadowed his undeniable musical talents and innovations, which spanned several decades, beginning in the '70s and lasting into the new millennium.
It all began for MJ as a member of the Jackson 5, a sibling outfit comprised of him and his brothers.
* * *
Listening to and watching Michael Jackson tributes all day. On IMEEM, CNN, MTV, K59, and of all places Fox Business News. I'm kind of numb.
Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.
A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived. A cardiologist at UCLA tells TMZ Jackson died of cardiac arrest.
Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive.
We're told one of the staff members at Jackson's home called 911.
La Toya ran in the hospital sobbing after Jackson was pronounced dead.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.
* * *
When you think of Michael Jackson, the first thing that comes to mind might be his unique dancing ability — particularly his moonwalk dance, where he would spin then glide in reverse, giving an effortless impression that he was impervious to the laws of gravity. But those skills sometimes overshadowed his undeniable musical talents and innovations, which spanned several decades, beginning in the '70s and lasting into the new millennium.
It all began for MJ as a member of the Jackson 5, a sibling outfit comprised of him and his brothers.
* * *
Listening to and watching Michael Jackson tributes all day. On IMEEM, CNN, MTV, K59, and of all places Fox Business News. I'm kind of numb.
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett, the 1970s "It Girl" who was known for her cascading golden hair and bombshell body, died in a Santa Monica hospital today, ABC News has learned. She was 62-years-old.
Farrah Fawcett dies after a long battle with cancer. The 1970's icon was 62.
"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," Fawcett's longtime romantic partner Ryan O'Neal said in a statement released by Fawcett's publicist, Paul Bloch. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."
Fawcett first stepped into the spotlight playing Jill Munroe in the TV series "Charlie's Angels" in the 1970s. The series became a smash hit and Fawcett quickly became an iconic pin-up model for millions of men. She pioneered a feathered hairstyle dubbed the "Farrah Do" or "Farrah Hair" that remained in vogue throughout the decade.
Farrah Fawcett dies after a long battle with cancer. The 1970's icon was 62.
"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," Fawcett's longtime romantic partner Ryan O'Neal said in a statement released by Fawcett's publicist, Paul Bloch. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."
Fawcett first stepped into the spotlight playing Jill Munroe in the TV series "Charlie's Angels" in the 1970s. The series became a smash hit and Fawcett quickly became an iconic pin-up model for millions of men. She pioneered a feathered hairstyle dubbed the "Farrah Do" or "Farrah Hair" that remained in vogue throughout the decade.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
icarly.com
I'm starting to watch this kid's show on Nickolodean and am finding it enjoyable.
It's sort of a junior version of LaVerne and Shirley with a little flavor of Pee Wee's Playhouse (on their show in a show anyway), also starring Jerry Trainer as a young Jim Carrey.
This Jerry Trainer somehow seems familiar, but I guess I don't really know him from anything.
It's sort of a junior version of LaVerne and Shirley with a little flavor of Pee Wee's Playhouse (on their show in a show anyway), also starring Jerry Trainer as a young Jim Carrey.
This Jerry Trainer somehow seems familiar, but I guess I don't really know him from anything.
Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon, who died Tuesday morning in a Los Angeles hospital, was a carnival barker, game-show host and TV pitchman for Budweiser beer and American Family Publishers' Sweepstakes, but he will always be best remembered as Johnny Carson's sidekick for 30 years on NBC.
Mr. McMahon died at age 86 at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with his wife, Pam, and other family members at his side, according to his longtime publicist, Howard Bragman.
Although Mr. McMahon left "The Tonight Show" with Carson in 1992, the fact that he managed to remain in the public eye owed to the savvy career moves and versatility that took him from selling vegetable slicers on the Atlantic City, N.J., boardwalk to his first job with Carson as the announcer on the game show "Who Do You Trust?" in 1957. Five years later, when Carson was tapped to take over the "Tonight" show from Jack Paar, Mr. McMahon took his seat on the couch next to Carson's desk.
Even today, four years after Carson's death and 17 since the duo left "The Tonight Show," few Americans would fail to identify the phrase "Heeeeeeeere's Johnny!" with Mr. McMahon, whose post-monologue chats with Carson made him one of TV's greatest second bananas.
Mr. McMahon died at age 86 at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with his wife, Pam, and other family members at his side, according to his longtime publicist, Howard Bragman.
Although Mr. McMahon left "The Tonight Show" with Carson in 1992, the fact that he managed to remain in the public eye owed to the savvy career moves and versatility that took him from selling vegetable slicers on the Atlantic City, N.J., boardwalk to his first job with Carson as the announcer on the game show "Who Do You Trust?" in 1957. Five years later, when Carson was tapped to take over the "Tonight" show from Jack Paar, Mr. McMahon took his seat on the couch next to Carson's desk.
Even today, four years after Carson's death and 17 since the duo left "The Tonight Show," few Americans would fail to identify the phrase "Heeeeeeeere's Johnny!" with Mr. McMahon, whose post-monologue chats with Carson made him one of TV's greatest second bananas.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
IMEEM
I happened to turn to PBS which was running the David Foster tribute, Hitman.
Michael Buble was on and starting to sing Home with a twang alluding to the country version. It turned out the guy who did the country cover (which reached no. 1 on the charts) was there too. It was a guy named Shelton. The only Shelton I knew was Ricky Shelton, but the artist is Blake Shelton (which tells you how much I know music). I remember hearing this version on the radio (K59?) and liked it.
Anyway, I found his video on CMT.
Later on, Boys 2 Men showed up and was doing I Swear and a google search hit on a site called IMEEM. It's sort of like Pandora where it plays the song then plays a related song after that. You have to register to listen to all of the music, but it's free.
I switched to Michael Buble. Then to Sinatra. Then after a while it started playing Chicago music done in a jazzy style. It's kind of catchy. The album is named Bossa N' Chicago. And evidently out of print. Not even listed on Amazon. But you can hear it on IMEEM. (Here's a link to Hard Habit to Break.) They also have a Bossa 'N Beatles. But for some reason I'm more hooked on the Chicago one.
Hey, here's the playlist on IMEEM! (via a Google search of Bossa N' Chicago). Cool.
It seems the singer is Rita Lee who is from Brazil. But the wikipedia entry has no mention of the Bossa albums.
Hey, I see there's a bunch of Bossa albums (of questionable legality on rapidshare).
* * *
[7/1/09] I did a search on IMEEM for Fly Me To The Moon and came across a singer named Olivia Ong. She a jazz singer sort of like Diana Krall or Jane Monheit. But then I see from one of her albums she sings Bossa Nova. And now it sounds like she's singing in Japanese. Anyway, pleasant.
Michael Buble was on and starting to sing Home with a twang alluding to the country version. It turned out the guy who did the country cover (which reached no. 1 on the charts) was there too. It was a guy named Shelton. The only Shelton I knew was Ricky Shelton, but the artist is Blake Shelton (which tells you how much I know music). I remember hearing this version on the radio (K59?) and liked it.
Anyway, I found his video on CMT.
Later on, Boys 2 Men showed up and was doing I Swear and a google search hit on a site called IMEEM. It's sort of like Pandora where it plays the song then plays a related song after that. You have to register to listen to all of the music, but it's free.
I switched to Michael Buble. Then to Sinatra. Then after a while it started playing Chicago music done in a jazzy style. It's kind of catchy. The album is named Bossa N' Chicago. And evidently out of print. Not even listed on Amazon. But you can hear it on IMEEM. (Here's a link to Hard Habit to Break.) They also have a Bossa 'N Beatles. But for some reason I'm more hooked on the Chicago one.
Hey, here's the playlist on IMEEM! (via a Google search of Bossa N' Chicago). Cool.
It seems the singer is Rita Lee who is from Brazil. But the wikipedia entry has no mention of the Bossa albums.
Hey, I see there's a bunch of Bossa albums (of questionable legality on rapidshare).
* * *
[7/1/09] I did a search on IMEEM for Fly Me To The Moon and came across a singer named Olivia Ong. She a jazz singer sort of like Diana Krall or Jane Monheit. But then I see from one of her albums she sings Bossa Nova. And now it sounds like she's singing in Japanese. Anyway, pleasant.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Understanding
Please, tell me the secret formula on how to get rich, be the best thinker, lose weight, have a happy marriage and solve all my problems quickly. There are no secret formulas or shortcuts and beware of the articulate incompetents and false prophets – they sound impressive and clever but lack substance. I can only refer to what Buffett said in the foreword to Poor Charlie’s Almanack: “From 1733 to 1758, Ben Franklin dispensed useful and timeless advice through Poor Richard's Almanack. Among the virtues extolled were thrift, duty, hard work, and simplicity.” Of course, Munger’s views on how to get worldly wisdom help.
Personally, I read a lot. I have to work things out for myself to understand them. I try to use the “see one, do one, teach one” approach used in medical education (but change it to “do many” and in multiple situations and over time). I often go from reality (something I have seen) to find answers among ideas. I don’t try to fit reality to an idea. And then I try to find more examples on an idea from reality. Finally, I try to explain it to someone else. Writing Seeking Wisdom was such an exercise – I forced myself to learn by teaching someone else. And reading Feynman at an early point helped me where I clearly learnt the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing what goes on since knowledge is only valuable if it’s useful and something is only useful if I understand what it means. What I in my book called meaning and asking, “what happens?”
I try to concentrate on learning practical and consequential things that can help me reduce the chance of sorrow.
-- Interview with Peter Bevelin, author of Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger
Personally, I read a lot. I have to work things out for myself to understand them. I try to use the “see one, do one, teach one” approach used in medical education (but change it to “do many” and in multiple situations and over time). I often go from reality (something I have seen) to find answers among ideas. I don’t try to fit reality to an idea. And then I try to find more examples on an idea from reality. Finally, I try to explain it to someone else. Writing Seeking Wisdom was such an exercise – I forced myself to learn by teaching someone else. And reading Feynman at an early point helped me where I clearly learnt the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing what goes on since knowledge is only valuable if it’s useful and something is only useful if I understand what it means. What I in my book called meaning and asking, “what happens?”
I try to concentrate on learning practical and consequential things that can help me reduce the chance of sorrow.
-- Interview with Peter Bevelin, author of Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
health insurance
From a post on chucks_angels (arbofvalue) I looked at ehealthinsurance.
The cheapest is the Silver Plan at Kaiser Permanente for only $107 per month.
What does it cover? Well what does it not cover?
drugs: not covered
annual out of pocket: $5000
primary care physician: required
emergency room: $250/visit (Honolulu area)
hospitalization: $500 per day
So by my interpretation, the benefit is that it pays $500 per day hospitalization (which might be a fraction of what it actually costs). But since out of pocket is $5000. It pays for stays in the hospital for over 10 days. Since premium is about $100 per month ($1200 per year). It pays off only if you stay in the hospital for more than 12 days a year. For 12 days, you get $1000 (for two days over 10), but you're paying $1200. For 13 days, you get $1500.
Or it could be that you pay $500 per day for hospitalization and Kaiser pays the balance?
The cheapest is the Silver Plan at Kaiser Permanente for only $107 per month.
What does it cover? Well what does it not cover?
drugs: not covered
annual out of pocket: $5000
primary care physician: required
emergency room: $250/visit (Honolulu area)
hospitalization: $500 per day
So by my interpretation, the benefit is that it pays $500 per day hospitalization (which might be a fraction of what it actually costs). But since out of pocket is $5000. It pays for stays in the hospital for over 10 days. Since premium is about $100 per month ($1200 per year). It pays off only if you stay in the hospital for more than 12 days a year. For 12 days, you get $1000 (for two days over 10), but you're paying $1200. For 13 days, you get $1500.
Or it could be that you pay $500 per day for hospitalization and Kaiser pays the balance?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Jukebox
Upchucky.com features a jukebox that plays music from 1940's, and from 1955 thru 1999, plus from genres such as Motown, Beatles, Eagles, Beach Boys, Elvis.
[via Paula]
[via Paula]
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Kenny Rankin
One of my favorite singers passed away at 69.
Kenny Rankin, an acclaimed New York-based singer-songwriter who contributed guitar to Bob Dylan’s 1965 classic Bringing It All Back Home, passed away June 7th following complications related to lung cancer, Billboard reports. He was 69. Rankin also penned songs like “Peaceful,” a hit for Helen Reddy and “Haven’t We Met,” which was recorded by Carmen McRae and Mel Torme.
Signed in his teens to a contract with Decca Records, Rankin soon moved over to Columbia Records, where he was recruited to join in on the recording sessions for his labelmate Dylan. Rankin went on to have a notable solo career in his own right, beginning with his 1968 album Mind Dusters and peaking with 1976’s The Kenny Rankin Album, which was recorded live with a 60-piece orchestra.
According to Rankin’s official site, he appeared on the The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson more than 20 times, with Carson himself such a big fan that he wrote the liner notes for Rankin’s Mind Dusters. Rankin also recorded a version of the Beatles’ White Album ballad “Blackbird” for his own 1975 album Silver Morning. The cover was so revered, Paul McCartney asked Rankin to perform his version at the ceremony where McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Kenny Rankin, an acclaimed New York-based singer-songwriter who contributed guitar to Bob Dylan’s 1965 classic Bringing It All Back Home, passed away June 7th following complications related to lung cancer, Billboard reports. He was 69. Rankin also penned songs like “Peaceful,” a hit for Helen Reddy and “Haven’t We Met,” which was recorded by Carmen McRae and Mel Torme.
Signed in his teens to a contract with Decca Records, Rankin soon moved over to Columbia Records, where he was recruited to join in on the recording sessions for his labelmate Dylan. Rankin went on to have a notable solo career in his own right, beginning with his 1968 album Mind Dusters and peaking with 1976’s The Kenny Rankin Album, which was recorded live with a 60-piece orchestra.
According to Rankin’s official site, he appeared on the The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson more than 20 times, with Carson himself such a big fan that he wrote the liner notes for Rankin’s Mind Dusters. Rankin also recorded a version of the Beatles’ White Album ballad “Blackbird” for his own 1975 album Silver Morning. The cover was so revered, Paul McCartney asked Rankin to perform his version at the ceremony where McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Kung Fu (the TV series)
[6/5/09] Kung Fu and Kill Bill actor David Carradine was found dead Thursday in a Bangkok hotel room. According to police, the 72-year-old actor appeared to have hanged himself. Carradine's manager said the actor was staying in the Thai capital while shooting a movie called Stretch. Carradine's rep said the death was accidental, telling celebrity new site TMZ, "We can confirm 100 percent that he never would have committed suicide. It was an accidental death. Everybody is in shock."
*** [11/4/12]
Wise Sayings
Favorite Quotes
Quotes of Wisdom
Quotes
Wikiquote
The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom
***
Wikipedia
Kung Fu Episode Guide
Reviews of the DVD set
Kung Fu: the Complete First Season
Kung Fu: the Complete Second Season
Kung Fu: The Complete Third Season
*** [11/4/12]
Wise Sayings
Favorite Quotes
Quotes of Wisdom
Quotes
Wikiquote
The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom
***
Wikipedia
Kung Fu Episode Guide
Reviews of the DVD set
Kung Fu: the Complete First Season
Kung Fu: the Complete Second Season
Kung Fu: The Complete Third Season
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
exercise helps brains beat back Alzheimer's
Exercise results in a healthier brain, prevents cognitive decline and in some studies has cut the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in half, says an eminent Harvard University professor of psychiatry.
A big study in the early 1990s showed exercise was one of three major factors - with low caloric content and continuous learning - that prevented the onset of the progressive brain disease, said Dr. John J. Ratey.
"It threw a little wrench into thinking because no one could explain it," he said in an interview. "It was by far the most powerful of preventive factors."
A clinical researcher and prolific author of papers and books, Ratey gave a series of talks in Honolulu last week about the huge benefits of exercise for health and fitness, especially for children and seniors.
He said "God's gift to us" is BDNF (brain-derived neutrophic factor), a protein that affects areas essential for memory and thinking.
He calls it "Miracle Gro" for the brain: "It acts like fertilizer. Things that challenge our brain like exercise, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, even low caloric intake, cause our brain cells to get stronger and more resilient and actually make things work better."
Author of "Spark - The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Ratey said the revolution is that "exercise causes our brain to get healthier and stay healthier."
A big study in the early 1990s showed exercise was one of three major factors - with low caloric content and continuous learning - that prevented the onset of the progressive brain disease, said Dr. John J. Ratey.
"It threw a little wrench into thinking because no one could explain it," he said in an interview. "It was by far the most powerful of preventive factors."
A clinical researcher and prolific author of papers and books, Ratey gave a series of talks in Honolulu last week about the huge benefits of exercise for health and fitness, especially for children and seniors.
He said "God's gift to us" is BDNF (brain-derived neutrophic factor), a protein that affects areas essential for memory and thinking.
He calls it "Miracle Gro" for the brain: "It acts like fertilizer. Things that challenge our brain like exercise, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, even low caloric intake, cause our brain cells to get stronger and more resilient and actually make things work better."
Author of "Spark - The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Ratey said the revolution is that "exercise causes our brain to get healthier and stay healthier."
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