They Will Be Missed

This week, we've lost Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon
and recently David Carradine. What do they all have in common?
Icons of my childhood.

Michael Jackson: First saw him on the Diana Ross special on TV.
One of my first childhood TV memories. Later of course owned
"Thriller", but one of my favorite albums was "Off The Wall".

Farrah Fawcett: Who didn't watch Charlie's Angels? Although,
I thought she was better in "Logan's Run".

Ed McMahon: Many a summer evening watching the Tonight
Show on the living room floor growing up, watching Ed cater to
Johnny's every whim.

David Carradine: Of course I was a big "Kung Fu" fan. Only later
was I disappointed to find out the Bruce Lee was supposed to be
in the starring role. How cool would that have been???

Yes, they all had a disturbing, creepy side sometime in their lives,
but I tend to have a selective memory. They will be missed...at
least by me.

In a Can

Prince Albert of Monaco visited McMurdo last week on a
whirlwind tour of Antarctica to study global warming. I
had the chance to see him talk to the throngs...or is it
minions when it comes to royalty...but I didn't feel
like fighting the crowds. Not often royalty comes around,
but I remember back in 2002 watching Princess Anne
carry her blue tray full of Galley food back to an invited
group of not me's to enjoy some sort of chicken or blazin
red fish. However...she didn't take her dirty tray and dishes
to the dirty dish window...Oh those wacky royals...what will
they do next???

This is Ricardo Montalban...

A favorite of Lynn and mine passed away this week.
Ricardo Montalban was 88 years old. He was best
known in his roles in Fantasy Island and in Star
Trek, the Wrath of Khan.


However, we remember him best for our trips to New
Mexico. When one would cross the border into New
Mexico on Interstate 25 or Interstate 40, there would
be a sign inviting you to turn your radio dial to either
530 or 1610 and Ricardo Montalban would appear on
the airwaves. "Hello...This is Ricardo Montalban for the
State of New Mexico..." The message would then go on
telling you something about the history of New Mexico
in Ricardo's relaxing, hispanic voice. Over the past
few years, I've noticed that the signs and messages are
gone...just like Ricardo. He will be missed.