Remembering Ryan Martinez

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there, I did not die!

Mary Frye

My friend Amber lost her brother Ryan to suicide this week. His funeral was today and it was both one of the saddest and most beautiful services I've ever been to. Death is always sad, but when it's a suicide it's so much worse. My mom and I were with a large number of people that couldn't even get into the church because there were so many people there. I couldn't help but look around at all the faces of his family members, and his friends from school... so many people who are heartbroken tonight. If only he had known how many people loved him. If only he could have seen how many people would have helped him if he'd only said something. So many young people, kids still in high school who shouldn't have to deal with death yet... certainly not one of their friends. So many were there, grieving together, and it was beautiful. I felt so humbled by their pain. In particular, there was a young kid (probably 16 or so) standing by us and he couldn't stop crying. This kid with his baggy jeans and oversized tshirt kept taking his baseball hat off to cover his face while he cried and I just wanted to hug him so bad. The pain he was feeling was overwhelming. Then to think of the pain that Ryan's family is going through. Amber, if you read this know that you, your Mom and Dad are in my heart. I'm so sorry for what has happened to your family, and I hope that you know that Mom and I are here for you all in anyway you may need. Like Mom said to you today, we don't know what to say... but we'll be glad to listen to you, or cry with you, or even laugh with you. Whatever you need. Ryan was a great guy, and I'm always going to remember him as the laughing guy who was taking pictures of his butt while we did our hair. lol I hope that in time you'll be able to remember him and smile again too. I love you Amber.

Viva Survivor!

Just a quick post today about some of the upcoming fall tv shows (Yeah! They're finally back!) Those of us that have Comcast have access to many of the new pilots that have yet to air in On Demand. I've watched some and thought I'd pass along my thoughts.

Bionic Woman: Totally awesome! I think this show is going to be pretty cool. I love seeing Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica) as a kick ass bad bionic woman! She is so hot with make up and a wardrobe consisting of more than a wife beater and a flight suit. lol Anyway, I highly recommend checking out the pilot, Wed. the 26th on NBC.

Chuck: Also a great pilot episode. It's funny, and had action too. I love the actor who plays Chuck, Zachary Levi. He's cute and nerdy... a combo that I like. Monday, Sep 24 after Heroes.

The Big Bang Theory: This one is on CBS, Mon. the 24th. This is about two nerdy guys who live together, and a hot girl moves in across the hall, causing them to geek-out, as it were. lol Shenanigans ensue. I loved this pilot! I thought it was SO funny. The best part is the group of nerdy guys that they're friends with. "You want us to leave because you anticipate coitus?" lmao! Definitely give this one a shot if you've got an opening in your tv schedule. Good times!

I haven't watched Journeyman or Life yet (I haven't even heard of Life), and I don't know if I'll get to them before their air date... Survivor starts tonight and it's all I can think about. (Especially since the ending of Big Brother this season broke my spirit! Fuck the Donatos!)

All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here

 

Arrr! It's Talk Like a Pirate Day, ye scurvy dogs! For the history of the day from the 2 men who started it all check it out here. I've pulled a few of my favorite pirate words from their lingo page, here. So, prepare yourselves to learn smartly you bilge rats!

Bung hole – Victuals on a ship were stored in wooden casks. The stopper in the barrel is called the bung, and the hole is called the bung hole. That’s all. It sounds a lot worse, doesn’t it? On TLAP Day – When dinner is served you’ll make quite an impression when you say, “Well, me hearties, let’s see what crawled out of the bung hole.” That statement will be instantly followed by the sound of people putting down their utensils and pushing themselves away from the table. Great! More for you!

Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!"

Arrr! - This one is often confused with arrrgh, which is of course the sound you make when you sit on a belaying pin. "Arrr!" can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a few of the myriad possibilities of Arrr!

Fer additional fun, ye can go to www.mediawardot.com an' check out their True Pirate Radio. This playlist for your listening enjoyment will fill your day with Pirattitude!

You are The Cap'n!

Some men and women are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any scalawag who stands between them and unlimited power. You never met a man - or woman - you couldn't eviscerate. You are the definitive Man of Action, the CEO of the Seven Seas, Lee Iacocca in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. You’re mission-oriented, and if anyone gets in the way, that’s his problem, now isn’t? Your buckle was swashed long ago and you have never been so sure of anything as your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off his head if he shows any sign of taking you on or backing down. If one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.




What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!

With love to those who lost someone.

 


We will never forget.

Gimme Gimme Less

If for some reason you haven't ha a chance to see Britney's "comeback" performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, you can check it out here. lol... Please to enjoy.

Addio Maestro, Grazie.

My heart breaks for the loss that the world has suffered today. Luciano Pavarotti lost his battle with cancer today, and died at the age of 71. I can't stop crying. When I was a teenager and got my first cd player, the first cd I bought was The Three Tenors concert featuring Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. I remember taking some heat from friends at school for it... but not from those that understand music. I've always said that you can't truly appreciate music if you can't appreciate classical and opera... and Pavarotti was the voice of the classics. His voice is what I imagine heaven would sound like, and through the years and future Pavarotti cds I would own, he brought music to life through his instrument. He moved me, and he made me aspire to do the same when I sang. I've added some of his performances to my video bits above. I ask you to watch him; to hear him. Sit back, close your eyes and he'll transport you into the song. I'll forever regret that I was not able to see him perform in person, but I am forever grateful that I got to hear him sing. He changed music for me, and countless others over the years. Thank you Luciano, for sharing your gift with the world. If there are angels, I know you're singing with them now. You will be missed.

"Was that the Boogeyman?"

We went to see Halloween last night and I have to say that Rob Zombie did not let me down. He's been such a douche bag in all the interviews for this film that I was getting a little worried... but this movie rocked my face off! It should be said again that Halloween is at the top of my favorite horror films, and Mike Myers is, in my opinion, the #1 horror killer. So, I may be biased... if you didn't like the original Halloween movie... you're not going to like this one. Despite Rob Zombie repeatedly saying that this movie is NOT a remake, in actuality... it is. It's like the original movie with bonus footage. I love what he did to the film. He shortened some scenes that didn't need to be so long, and added in an entire prologue of sorts that helps to explain why Mike Myers is the way he is. Seriously... this movie fucking rules!!! If you like the Halloween movies I don't need to tell you t see this movie because you will anyway. The good news is that you're going to be so happy! The new and improved Mike Myers is even scarier than before. (By the way, whoever plays the adult Mike Myers is a fucking freak-of-nature-giant-beast-of-a-man. He's HUGE!!) Also, great to see so many of the actors from House of 1000 corpses and Devil's Rejects in this project too.