December 12, 2005

A Frightening Death Penalty Case

Well, it seems that Schwarzenegger has not granted clemency to Tookie Williams. Tookie’s supporters have two options–moping or moving on to another case. Those of you inclined toward the latter should check this case. If Tookie bothered you, this’ll make you want to vomit. The link was provided by the Brat.

December 12, 2005

RIP Richard Pryor

And I put that up and totally forgot that I haven’t done anything on the passing of Richard Pryor.

Without question, Pryor is the greatest and most influential comedian in American history, but I see him as something larger than that. As most of you, he started as a bit of a Bill Cosby sound-a-like. He was pretty funny doing that, but he didn’t become Richard Pryor until he let Richard Pryor fuel his comedy. Hetook his intelligence and demons, let them both free, and turned them into something so funny and original that he’ll be the king for as long as we remember his name.

But what worries me at times is that he used the stage as his couch and us as his therapist. Sometimes, laughing at him was uncomfortable much the way it was uncomfortable to laugh at the ODB. What was funny was what tormented him, what drove him to snort copious amounts of cocaine, what drove exacerbated his impending multiple sclerosis.

As consumers of the arts, we value what’s heartfelt and genuine. We value fucked up individuals. We love them because we can identify, and often because we’re glad to see someone’s more fucked up than we are. When those problems collide with uncanny talent, we deem those people to be legends.

And in a way, that feels wrong. I’m not sure it’s wrong, but it can feel that way.

But specific to Pryor, we should have asked that he rest in peace years ago. Like Jackie Wilson, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali, he seemed dead long before he expired. They breathed and their hearts beat, but the life was gone from them before they left Earth. Much was done to honor Pryor before he died, but I wonder how much of that he got to see and appreciate. I hope that his cognition in his later years was enough that he realized how much the world loved his work and appreciated what he did that made our lives a bit more pleasant.

It’s kind of like something Alia and I talked about the other day–if you haven’t listened to Stevie’s “These Three Words,” do so. Stevie asks, “when was the last time they heard you say, ‘mother or father, I love you?’”

The only reason I can walk around every day is that I told Jon how much I cared about him two days before he passed away. I’m not totally sure why I felt the need to say something that day, but doing that keeps me functional.

Pryor’s passing seems a good opportunity for us to do the same with the people we care about. You never know when people won’t be able to hear the words out of your mouth, the specific mention of the importance another person plays in your life. Don’t wait on that one, man.

Don’t wait.

December 12, 2005

Welcome to Durham!

Around 6pm EDT, the intrepid journey reached its conclusion for me (Kirk still had to hoof it to VA). I walked in to the sweet greeting of the bookends I ordered. Bomaniland is finally beginning to look like someone lives here. Before, it just looked like an impersonal entertainment and sports complex. Now, it’s beginning to look charming. Even found some pictures that I can put in frames that will show off some of my friends. Found a great one of Jon I may have to get enlarged. Five years and change, and I still miss the lil’ fella. Least I can do is put up a picture, yanno?

But sadly, the Bomobile is pretty much out of commission. Brakes have totally betrayed me, so I’m about to be trapped in the house for an indefinite amount of time. That could mean lots of updates until I get it back. Wanted to go get some plants, but that just ain’t an option right now. Boo!

But the drive was cool enough. Got to hang out with the incredible Ms. Duell in Nashville. That’s always exquisite, even if it only happens once every three years or so. I messed up and forgot to save Big Bryan’s number, so I wasn’t able to catch up with him. That’s my bad.

But the most amazing thing about the trip were the few of you that offered food and drinks to Kirk and I on the trip after seeing that our route would pass through those folks’ cities. I really feel a bit of a personal attachment to those of you that read and comment, and it felt good to see that was reciprocated.

One thing I hope this site does is tear down the wall between writers and readers. I don’t just write to put ideas out there. I write to start dialogue, and I’m glad that some of you appreciate that and enjoy rappin with me through various media. The idea that someone I don’t know would even want to take me and my friend out for a drink is overwhelming to me, and I can’t say how much I appreciate it. That’s the kind of stuff that makes me love my job.

Again, thank you. Talk to you soon.