In honor of underrated rap legend Shock G of Digital Underground going up to rap heaven to cut tracks with 2Pac again, I’m gonna put on some fake glasses and a big fake nose, and doowutilike today. Like getting busy in a Burger King bathroom. (Assuming my nearest one is not currently occupied by a homeless person.)
Tag: RIP
Farewell, Beverly
First Lucille Bluth leaves us and now one of my favorite children’s book authors?! Altogether now: noooooooooo!!! Why why whyyyyyyyy.
Rest in heavenly peace, Miss Cleary. Your books were part of my childhood, and you led one amazing and long life.
Farewell, Hammerin’ Hank
I know I’m over a day late in this (I had to deal with some unexpected shit yesterday when the news broke), but better late than never when it comes to paying respects to Hall of Famer, baseball/sports legend, and civil rights advocate Hank Aaron.
Ryan S. Clark of The Athletic and his take on Aaron’s career and legacy is miles better than what I would’ve said (because, I’ll admit, I haven’t fully followed his story outside his home run milestone):
…Many of us never saw Aaron hit a home run in person. We did not need to see that to fully appreciate and understand his legacy. Aaron was a Black man who made people feel threatened as he closed in on surpassing the shiny piece of Americana who was Babe Ruth as the greatest to ever hit a baseball over a fence. It all comes back to the fact that Aaron was unfairly vilified for simply living and working while Black, something that still goes on today…
…Hank Aaron had to be perfect. He had to do everything right with the idea that for some, he’d still be in the wrong. Even with that, there was a regality to his approach. It was knowing he always had to be “on” even when he had every right to not be. Yes, we celebrate the records and winning, but it was his dignity that made him so inspiring…You think, “He dealt with so much worse and did it with strength. Why can’t I?”…
Keep hammering those homers in heaven, Hank! You will be sorely missed.
An Iconic Figure In Television History
“Who Is Jeopardy host Alex Trebek?”
*sighs* Jeopardy will never be the same without him. That he kept working on the show while battling that eternal bitch-ass cancer showed his fortitude, and I never heard a bad or scandalous word said about him. One of the few truly good ones in entertainment, finally free from his pain.
Rest well, Mr. Trebek.
Farewell, Eddie
Pic courtesy of this post
Tuesday was already a day to forget (for me, anyway) and then I hear of this. Awful way to go, but at least he’s now free of pain and at peace.
Even if you weren’t into rock music, if you knew his name, you knew he was a legend.
*sighs* Two of my favorite songs for parties, road trips, and strip clubs. (Although I’ve yet to see a stripper master the latter song.)
And for those who have a fetish for guitar solos, this will make you climax on the spot.
RIP and thanks for all the rad music, Eddie.
And you know he’s gonna enter the pearly gates of heaven like this.
Farewell RBG
Portrait from 1977. From NPR.
And hers is a farewell I wish didn’t happen this year.
She hung in there for as long as she could. She will be sorely missed, and her legacy in fighting for women’s rights and gender equality shall be remembered.
**Updated 9/19: this vigil happened and it made me a little more proud to be living in the Bay Area. *sniffles*
A Total Heartbreaker
This news was just unexpected. And it had to happen on Jackie Robinson Day in the MLB, of all days.
I am stunned and saddened. That he had the career he had in the years he also had to battle cancer (which I didn’t know he had) made him all the more a remarkable human being. It’s easy to say “fuck cancer and what the fucking 2020–can you take away someone who deserves it instead?!” But it should also be realized that while 2020 and the awful times happening right now will eventually come to an end, Wakanda is forever.
Rest In Peace, Chadwick. I always thought he was a good man and quite handsome. Heaven just got a little more charming and lovely today.
Balm For The Eyes
The eyes of Amber Valetta have it.
This week’s Throwback Thursday post is brought to you by the fine works of legendary photographer Herb Ritts, who would’ve celebrated his birthday today. No snark: I am forever fascinated with Ritts’ work! No photographer today can come close to his signature brand of natural sensuality–a quality that needs to be brought back in today’s super skanked-out world.
The master and the muse: Ritts with model Alek Wek.
Ritts’ work is what I sometimes turn to when I need balm for the eyes after subjecting myself to inane celebrity gossip (which I do on the daily, I know, I know). I have to say, however: some of the people he photographed the most (Julia Roberts, Johnny Derp (typo stays!), Tom Cruise…) would end up being complete asshats that I’d also read about in said inane celeb gossip. Nonetheless, that he was one of the top image-makers of his time, who captured an era of celebrity, music, and fashion that can never be duplicated, is extraordinary in the truest sense.
And now I shall leave you with one of my favorite music videos that Ritts directed. The sensuality from Laetitia Casta alone is so damn scalding to this day that today’s try-hard tricks with their cartoonish lips, tits, & asses and wax figure faces would dissolve into a smelly puddle of melted plastic parts if they saw this video. (Oh, how I wish!)
Credit to Pleasure Photo @ WP for the Ritts pics (and images of many more great photographers!)
Farewell To A Legend
Nooooooooooooo!!!! And she just celebrated her birthday weeks ago!! 😦
Rest In Peace to Dame Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020). One of the last true luminaries of the Golden Age of Hollywood! From her two Oscar wins, taking on Warner Bros in court (and winning her case and thus getting a law named after her), to getting blacklisted in the industry (thanks, Warner Bros!) and her famous feud with sister Joan (which has likely resumed in heaven, much to the delight of the catfight enthusiasts up there), she lived one helluva life. You will be sorely missed, Melanie!
OK, 2020, can you start taking away some heathens that deserve it?
Top pic courtesy of Entertainment Weekly
RIP Kobe
He was a legend in his game. He also had his personal issues which can’t be excused. But, for now, condolences to his family, and the family of the victims in the crash. You know he has transcended the sport when major players from all sports leagues and even actors, rappers, and real Presidents are tweeting their respects to him.
Kobe and his baby GiGi. Gone too soon.
