*** GEORGE CARLIN 1937-2008 *** "Life Is Not Measured By The Number Of Breaths We Take, But By The Moments That Take Our Breath Away."

Peter here once again on this sad Monday morning, June 23, 2008, a day that our nation and our world lost a comedian and a person who was a national treasure. His name was George Carlin, and I've been a fan of his ever since the first time I saw him on the Johnny Carson Show AND Saturday Night Live. Believe it or not, he was the FIRST EVER host of that groundbreaking show. I have that night in full on DVD, and sometime today, when I have time, I'm going to watch it. Quite simply and in his own way, he was a genius, with his comic delivery and his bevy of facts. I've seen him three times in concert and countless times on his HBO specials, and he never failed to provide outloud spit-spewing (eeww) laughs. And I loved him for it. This is from the AP, from late last night (early morning).

**"George Carlin, the dean of counterculture comedians whose biting insights on life and language were immortalized in his "Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV" routine, died of heart failure Sunday. He was 71.
Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, went into St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon complaining of chest pain and died later that evening, said his publicist, Jeff Abraham. He had performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.
"He was a genius and I will miss him dearly," Jack Burns, who was the other half of a comedy duo with Carlin in the early 1960s, told The Associated Press."**

I had to add this, and I know it's long. It might be lengthy, but it's SO sweet. Enjoy...I miss you, George...

***********************************************
Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's-could write something so very eloquent...and
so very appropriate.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but
narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too
recklessly, laugh too
little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too
late, get up too tired, read
too little, watch TV too much, and pray too
seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but
reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not
a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the
way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a
new neighbor. We conquered
outer space but not inner space. We've done
larger things, but not
better
things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the
soul. We've conquered the
atom,
but not our prejudice. We write more, but
learn less. We plan more, but
accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but
not to wait. We build more
computers to hold more information, to
produce more copies than ever,
but
we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier
houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there in much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to
you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and
leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart,
and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person
will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of
breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

********************************************

Peter here...WOW...George, rest in peace. You had the gift of making us all laugh with a type of humor that was completely unique. You were one of a kind (I can't believe I'm putting you in the past tense) and I will miss you for the rest of my life. You ALWAYS took my breath away. Rest in peace, my friend. I grieve. Deeply. For more of George's fun and wisdom, just click on the title. You'll be glad you did.