The Kat Cave

BBC NEWS | Technology | Apple’s Jobs admits poor health

I only added him to my Death List last week…

Coupland’s War of 1812 monument tweaks U.S. noses - Posted Toronto

JD Salinger, author of Catcher in the Rye, and Franny and Zooey…

…turned 90 on January 1.

I always presumed he had left this world some time ago.

Every year, I get a kick out of picking which celebrities are likely to keel over… It’s a sick thing. I don’t wish people to die. But if they do, I like to think that I will get points and therefore will beat my brother.

So, here are my picks for 2009.

1 - Steve Jobs

Apple Supremo, king of the iPod, Geek Legend. Not looking so healthy. Rumors abound and are scotched. Maybe he will make it to 2010. I hope so.

2 - Kirk Douglas

I’m Spartacus! Not for much longer, maybe…

3 - Patrick Swayze

God, I hope not. But any excuse to show Dirty Dancing in every cinema world-wide.

4 - Jack Klugman

I’m always sure that Quincy ME is already dead. It causes many arguments. He’s alive.

5 - Nancy Reagan

6 - Ted Kennedy

I hope he can pull through, but I feel it may be inevitable…

7 - Dino De Laurentiis

I got taken to see U-571. We loaded up on cola and popcorn, and were directed to a screen. We pushed our way into the middle of a row, in a packed room, making everyone move for us. We sat down and started stuffing our faces. People were staring. And 15 minutes later, the movie ended.

We’d been sent to the wrong screen. We complained to customer services. They said that we could go into a screen where it started and watch it. We declined, because we didn’t like the ending. And got our money back.

8 - JD Salinger

Turned 90 on January 1. Will he see 91?

To Be Continued…

So, a copy of On The Road is still missing. I love Kerouac. Overrated? Possibly. But as a fellow French Canadian, he’ll always be dear to me.

I love the original unedited version of the book, before the names were changed, when the characters are Jack, Allen Ginsberg, William S Burroughs….

However, as much as I love the writing of Burroughs, when I hear or see his name now, I think of this:

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1. Where is your cell phone? I have NO idea.
2. Where is your significant other? On his way to work.
3. Your hair color? Dark brown. For now.
4. Your mother? Chose to leave the family for academia. And never came back. I was 4 at the time.
5. Your father? My father is my hero.
6. Your favorite thing? Good writing.
7. Your dream last night? No idea.
8. Your dream/goal? To make the world better.
9. The room you’re in? Bedroom.
10. Your hobby? My hobbies and jobs are interchangeable. I’m lucky.
11. Your fear? Losing myself.
12. Where do you want to be in six years? At home. Where ever home is.
13. Where were you last night? Home. In bed.
14. What you’re not? Perfect. No one is.
15. One of your wish list items? Hardcover first edition of Don DeLillo’s Underworld. And for my babies to be born big and strong and healthy.
16. Where you grew up? Physically, Montréal. I emotionally grew up in Wales.
17. The last thing you did? Finished Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse 5.
18. What are you wearing? The biggest stripey flannel nightgown ever.
19. Your TV? Is an old monochrome beast from the early 1980s. When it dies, there will be no replacement. It’s better to do than to watch.
20. Your pet? Banane, the Apporteur D’Oré (Golden Retriever)
21. Your computer? Mac laptop, always.
22. Your mood? resigned. tired. sick.
23. Missing someone? Not really
24. Your car? An old VW Beetle, I’ve had it since I was 16, and can’t part with it.
25. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes. I’ve lived in Crocs all pregnancy, and don’t think I can remember wearing real shoes.
26. Favorite store? Any book store.
27. Your summer? Came late. And went away early.
28. Love someone? Yes.
29. Your favorite color? Black. Scarlet. White. Grey.
30. When is the last time you laughed? I wish I could remember. That’s sad.
31. Last time you cried? Last night.

(Via XKCD.)

On 22 March 1931, William Alan Shatner was born in Montréal.

Yes. Captain Kirk was born here. OK, so he’s not just known for his work as Captain Kirk.

He’s also a recording artist, who has recorded with the likes of Ben Folds. His version of Pulp’s Common People is a classic.

William Shatner is Canadian. Not American. And not only is he Canadian, but he’s a Quebecker. A Montréaler. We should be proud. Sir, I salute you.

I seem to know a lot of fans of John Frusciante. He’s the guitarist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a prolific solo artist.

I don’t care so much for the Chili Peppers, really. I think it reminds me too much of hyped up teenage boys that tried to force me to like them.

Working on the website for Josh Klinghoffer, a long time friend of Frusciante, as well as his long-term musical side-kick, it’s hard to avoid the legions of John fans. Some are wonderful, lovely, smart people.

Most need a brick to the head.

One thing does amaze me though. Guy Frusciante Fans don’t stop at admiring the way he handles his guitars. 98% of male Frusciante fans happily admit that they’d go gay for John.

These are guys that - in day to day life, if you mention homosexuality, they’d shudder. Mention Frusciante, and they’ve got their pants round their ankles, assuming the position.

What is it that makes totally straight tough men willing jump sides?

Here’s a pic. But…

WARNING!

IT MAY TURN YOU GAY.

(image kindly sent to me by Invisible Movement)

If you are male, then I’m pretty sure you’re now gay.

I don’t see the attraction…. but I DO have the urge to register “JohnFruscianteTurnedMeGay.com” to set up a support group….
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