R.I.P. Charles Nelson Reilly

Charles Nelson Reilly has died. The AP is reporting it was of complications from pneumonia.

I met him several times, and he was always the very best type of person. The first time was when I was a pre-teen and working as an extra on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir television series. Years later, he was the guest of Fred Hyatt on The Sunday Opera at KPFK, where I was the engineer. After mentioning that I had worked with him earlier, he instantly began treating me like a long-lost colleague. During future visits, he would be the one reminding me of how we had worked together those many years before.

He was passionate and committed to his art, which was theater in its very many varieties. I personally witnessed hours-long discussions about opera and the musical stage, and he obviously knew of what he was speaking. Both on and off the air, he was quick with jokes and stories. He filled the room with his presence and always left everyone smiling. He was a good guy and will be missed.

Talk Like Bob Dylan Day

It's today!

http://www.talklikebobdylan.com/

via BoingBoing

Al Martinez leaves the LA Times

My God, how much worse can it get?

Beware the Hair Thieves of Myanmar

This one sounds a bit questionable, but it's on the Internet, so it must be true.

The AP has noted a story in a Burmese news journal which says long haired women in Myanmar are having their hair stolen. The hair then gets resold at about $100 per pound. It happens in crowded places, often with the women unaware of what has happened.

"My long hair was cut while I was on my way back from the office. I found out only when I got back home," an unidentified female bus commuter was quoted as saying.

Damaged

It's a prerequisite.

Wally Schirra, RIP

My favorite Mercury Astronaut died today. Walter Schirra was 84.