Happy Birthday, Tracy

On the age thing - I won't go there, for the whole electronic world to see.  Have a Happy Birthday and many, many, many more.

Happy Birthday, Laura

The first sibling birthday of the year goes to Laura.  Have a Happy Birthday and many, many more.

from Leroy.

Farewell Dr. Jerry Buss

by Leroy Douresseaux

I've probably forced on you, dear readers, that I am a huge fan of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).  Lakers' owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, died on Monday, February 18, 2013, after a bout with cancer.  He was 80 years old.

He was born Gerald Hatten Buss on January 27, 1933.  Learn more of his rags-to riches story at this Yahoo Sports article while it is still up.  He was Dr. Buss because he had a Ph.D in physical chemistry.  He made his money in real estate, which is how he got the Lakers.  The team was part of a sports franchise and real estate deal for a total of $67.5, and only $16 million of that amount was for the Lakers... in 1979!  The Lakers won 10 NBA Championships with Buss as the owner, reportedly the most NBA titles won by any owner.

Current NBA commissioner David Stern released a statement on Dr. Buss' passing: "The NBA has lost a visionary owner whose influence on our league is incalculable and will be felt for decades to come. More importantly, we have lost a dear and valued friend. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."

Here, is the Lakers' statement on Dr. Buss' passing.  I want to offer my condolences to Dr. Buss' family and the Lakers.  Rest in peace, Dr. Buss.

Happy Anniversary, Jay and Megan

If my Microsoft calendar is right, this is three years.

Congratulations.

Keep going.

Happy Birthday, Ed

Wow! You are 64, and you were in your 40s when we first met.  Well, you have had many happy birthdays, so please have another.

Happy Birthday, Anna

You're seven. Wow!  It's getting hard to keep up.  I almost bought a card for a 6-year-old.  Have a great one.

Happy Birthday, Debbie

You've had so many, so you know how to enjoy this day. Ha Ha

Happy Birthday, Stan Lee and Miss Teresa

Stan Lee, who is 90-years-old today, is one of the great comic book creators and publishers.  He shares his birthday with Miss Teresa Moran of the Acadiana Comic Book Shop in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Happy Birthday to both.

Happy Birthday, Joey

OMG!  Ten-years-old already?!  Have a great b'day and many, many, more.

Happy Birthday, Darby

Happy Birthday, dear friend.  I won't say your age, but as The Police song goes, you were born in the 50s.

Happy First Birthday, Ellie

Hope they make the first one good, but in the future, you'll know how to make them good.

Happy Birthday, Jay

Hey, it's your first birthday as a proud papa!

Happy Birthday, Cale

20 already!  Yeah, I guess time does fly.  Have a good one.

Belated Happy Birthday, Bubba

Have a good one... and a cold one.

Happy Father's Day 2012 from Negromancer

I know so many fathers.  But unlike what I did for this recent Mother's Day (in which I tried to list all the mothers I knew personally or knew the people in their lives personally), I won't rattle off a list of papas.  Beside, uncles and grandfathers have been put into the Father's Day roll of honor.

So I'll just send out a wide signal to all the fathers I know and to the ones who visit this blog: Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday, Albert

Or Happy Birthday, Al, as I've pretty much always called you since we first met 28-freaking-years-ago this coming August.  I can't remember your age, but it's really more a state of mind, innit?

Happy Birthday, Uncle Willie

I won't guess at your age, but I will wish you a great day, Unca Willie.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I don't think I can top Saturday, today, but I hope today is still cool.

Happy Birthday, Sarah

Have a great one, cuz!

Televsion Pioneer Dick Clark Dies at 82

Dick Clark, who was best known for hosting the long-running, classical musical variety show, "American Bandstand" and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," died yesterday, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in Los Angeles, reportedly after suffering a massive heart attack.  He was 82 years old.  This IMDb news item has the details about Clark's life (such as that he had one older brother who was killed during World War II).

My mother was a huge fan of Bandstand when she was a teenager.  Before her family had a TV set at home, she would go to her cousin's house to watch.  She told me that she would be stomping through the living room, as she danced to the music.  As I child, I made a point to watch the show every Saturday morning.  I remember seeing Prince, who made his television debut on Bandstand.

Thanks for the memories and rest in peace, Mr. Clark.