Pour a Forty: Paul Newman

I found out about Paul Newman's passing on Saturday morning and was honestly and sincerely taken aback. I had heard rumors that he was ill, but you never expect to wake up one morning and hear that such a gem--in every sense of the word--has passed.

Mr. Newman was not only an exceptional actor, but he was a formidable person--giving his time, money and energy to so many charitable causes. His legacy will be not just that he could breathe life into words of a script, but that he could use his life for something more. That's something we all should aspire to do.

Pour a Forty for Paul Newman. Hell, pour a bottle of salad dressing as well (suggestion via Marilyn Jean).

Pour A Forty: "In a world with no voiceover man..."

The "in a world" voiceover dude, Don LaFontaine, died at age 68 on Monday.

Pour a forty.

Pour a Forty: Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Why do all the good ones have to die young? Are we perpetually stuck in a Billy Joel song? Or is it just Murphy's Law?

In any event, another forty hits the ground in honor of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She died yesterday at the age of 58 after a brain aneurysm.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was the first black woman to represent the square state of Ohio in Congress. She wasn't just a trailblazer, but she was an outspoken advocate. She was the only congressional delegate from Ohio to speak out against the Iraq war early on.

You lived in exciting times, but now it's time to rest in peace, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones.

Pour a forty...

Pour Two Forties: Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes

How cruel was the world this weekend? First they snatched Bernie Mac from us and then Isaac Hayes! It was like a double whammy--a King of comedy and Chef.

SG's Thoughts on Bernie Mac:
God I loved Bernie Mac. I'm not even lying. I really felt a bit heartbroken on Saturday. The Mac Man--gone. I don't know whether it was his humor, his personality or his work, but I loved the man. I loved him in the Oceans movies, but more importantly on The Bernie Mac Show. That show was so funny and, for once on network TV, portrayed the true trials of a normal Black family. It dealt with race, class, sexuality, gender...all of it. It was a brilliant commentary on our time, and if you haven't seen it, I suggest you rent it. It's genius.


SG's Thoughts on Isaac Hayes:
There are greater fans than me for sure, but I did love the fact that Mr. Hayes voiced Chef on South Park for so many years--even before it got big. (I'm going to ignore the point in time where he got pissed off at the Scientology stuff and decided to leave the show for awhile.) This is all on top of the fact that he did the Shaft theme song. I mean, that alone would have guaranteed him legendary status.

Rest in peace Bernie and Isaac.

Pour a forty...

Pour a Forty: Estelle Getty

I didn't write about this yesterday for two reasons: (1) I didn't know what to say, and (2) I was insanely busy. But I'd be remiss if I didn't Pour A Forty on TOBYCB for Estelle Getty.

Estelle was an insanely funny actress that most people know as Sophia from the Golden Girls. (Of course Brother Grace remembers her from Stop or My Mom Will Shoot more prominently.) Her comic timing was second to none. The stuff she and Bea Arthur did as mother and daughter was nothing short of brilliant.

Estelle has been struggling with dementia for years now--a disease that is close to my heart as my Nana also suffered from it. I know how it can affect a family and an individual and it's sad to see anyone in that situation. In fact, Sophia's dry humor often reminded me of my Nana.

She'll be sorely missed. Have a safe trip to the other side, Estelle.

Pour a forty...

Pour A Forty: George Carlin

The strongly-worded comedian died yesterday at the age of 71.

I was so saddened to hear this in the car this morning. What a true loss. There are few people that get as many things as he got in his time on this earth. It was just so fun to listen to him not just because he had a sense of humor, but because he had a sense of self and a sense of this world.

See you in the next realm, George.

Pour a forty...

Pour a Forty: Bo Diddley

Music legend Bo Diddley died today. He was 79 years old.

Pour a forty for Bo.

Pour a Forty: Eight Belles

For some odd reason I actually watched the Kentucky Derby this year. (It was on at someone's house that I was at.) And of course, the one year I watch it is the year they have to put a horse down. All weekend I was thinking about poor Eight Belles, who made it valiantly through the race to finish second and yet ended up breaking both front ankles and having to be euthanized on the track. She was a rare sight in the Derby as she was a "filly"--a young female horse too young to be called a "mare".

Of course, PETA has reared it's ugly head on this one and I can't say the reaction is unjustified. (But I really don't trust nor respect PETA so we'll leave it at that.)

Nevertheless, run among the green fields of horse heaven, Eight Belles. We'll pour a forty for ya.

Pour a Forty: Winky the Elephant

Before I had this blog, I often blogged using my Myspace blog about Winky and Wanda, the two elephants from the Detroit Zoo who were taken to the PAWS Sactuary in 2005 to live out their remaining years in peace, tranquility and, most importantly, the type of space an elephant should be living in. After three years of living in the sanctuary, Winky was put down due to complications from severe arthritis.

Such sad news. At least Winky got three solid years in a great environment. Winky was 56.

See you on the other side, Winky.

Pour a Forty: Brad Renfro

Not a real moving tribute, but I've always felt bad for Brad Renfro. That part of me that is a little wilder and more gritty always loved something about him and he was a major talent. He just couldn't get his shit together to make it anywhere.

And so we tip a forty...rest in peace, Brad.

Pour a Forty: Don Anderson

In a life not so long ago in a galaxy not so far away I worked at the EMU Women's Center. While there I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Don Anderson, director of Access Services (center on campus to help students with disabilities). Don was a powerhouse from the moment I met him and he was a force to be reckoned with. He was always educating and advocating--two things near and dear to my heart. Though I never got to know Don as much as I would have liked, I always had the utmost respect for him.

I just learned that Don died on Christmas Day.

The world is a little quieter without Don and a little less enigmatic. But no doubt the knowledge and inspiration he passed on while he was here will live on forever.

Pour a forty....

for my homie, and yours, Mr. Luciano Pavarotti.