Broken news...
A few people on my FList have already mentioned this, but just in case the rest of you haven't heard, George Carlin died yesterday.
I saw him twice, the first time was the spring of 2001 in DC, and I think the second was fall of 2003, at KU. No great stories there, so I'm gonna repost part of what mnemosyne9 said in her entry:
Before my personal George Carlin story, however, let's all take a moment to remember that Carlin was 71 when he died. One year YOUNGER than John McCain will be on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. I think Mr. Carlin would appreciate this being mentioned. Ahem.
Okay, my story- I saw Carlin perform in Topeka in 2001. When I sat down to write this, I couldn't remember the date, so I just did a search, and it looks very much like it was late September- so clearly we all needed a chance to laugh some. I was unbelievably excited about the show, but I couldn't convince any of my friends to go with me, so I went alone. The show was a riot, as you'd expect, and looking back he had the energy of a man half his age. (After all the drugs, I was doubly impressed.) I wish I could have seen him again, but never got a chance. The world has one less gold-caliber wit and sensible, wise person today, we're all worse off for it.
She does hint at a good point at the end, that his material changed greatly over the years, from his early pothead stuff, to his more recent crotchety old bastard schtick, which I much prefer. That's what bothers me the most, that (for my preferences) he was in his prime.
I saw him twice, the first time was the spring of 2001 in DC, and I think the second was fall of 2003, at KU. No great stories there, so I'm gonna repost part of what mnemosyne9 said in her entry:
Before my personal George Carlin story, however, let's all take a moment to remember that Carlin was 71 when he died. One year YOUNGER than John McCain will be on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. I think Mr. Carlin would appreciate this being mentioned. Ahem.
Okay, my story- I saw Carlin perform in Topeka in 2001. When I sat down to write this, I couldn't remember the date, so I just did a search, and it looks very much like it was late September- so clearly we all needed a chance to laugh some. I was unbelievably excited about the show, but I couldn't convince any of my friends to go with me, so I went alone. The show was a riot, as you'd expect, and looking back he had the energy of a man half his age. (After all the drugs, I was doubly impressed.) I wish I could have seen him again, but never got a chance. The world has one less gold-caliber wit and sensible, wise person today, we're all worse off for it.
She does hint at a good point at the end, that his material changed greatly over the years, from his early pothead stuff, to his more recent crotchety old bastard schtick, which I much prefer. That's what bothers me the most, that (for my preferences) he was in his prime.