Tragedy & Comedy

One of my favorite comedians, George Carlin, passed away yesterday and, for me, it was like losing a favorite uncle. His command of the English language was matched only by his legendary drug use and commitment to irreverent material.

When it was announced last week that Carlin would receive the Mark Twain Award - comedy's highest honor - Carlin had seemingly come full circle. A former hippie who was arrested for uttering his famous "seven dirty words you can't say on television" while performing in Milwaukee, was finally being recognized for his contributions to our culture.

However, I think Carlin's place in society was cemented the day my mother forwarded me a list of his witty observations and hypothetical musings: "If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted?", "Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?" or "If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?" I was to receive the email probably 50 times again from various other folks over the years.

"Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck."

Rest in Peace, George. I hope you don't get stuck on the roof.

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SMILE TRAIN UPDATE: The Rodents of Unusual Size finally counted all our money from our two benefit shows last week. Thanks to all the kind souls who donated and/or came to our shows, you'll be happy to know that we raised $1,319.00!!! That means we enabled FIVE WHOLE KIDS (and then some) to get their smiles set right!!!