18 April 2007 - Our friend Ricky leaves us and journeys to his place in the kingdom of heaven.
21 April 2007 - We, his friends, and his family bid him a final farewell.

Looking at the picture on the right (taken outside the crematorium at Manila Memorial with Ricky's son Rocky where Ricky was then being cremated) I find myself thinking, "if only Ricky could see us now." But then who is to say he wasn't watching us at the time? And smiling with us while we reminisced about all the times we spent together on VA and NWA activities. I bet he was chuckling at the anecdotes about the "lap dance of death" from his "victims".

Yes, death is a sad event, and yet we choose not to wallow in our friend's death but rather would celebrate the life he has lived. Ricky has touched so many lives and has been a positive influence to so many people that it seems impossible to believe he won't be there to joke around with. Even talking about him in the past tense seems wrong.

Ricky, someday, we will all join you up there, and when we do, we will party geek-style --- with a convention to top all conventions!

---

This may seem inappropriate but Ricky was a big fan of Monty Python so I would like to share some lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail which I found highly amusing.

Dingo: You must spank her well, and after you are done with her, you may deal with her as you like... and then... spank me.
All: And me. And me too. And me.
Dingo: Yes. Yes, you must give us all a good spanking.

Dingo: And after the spanking, the oral sex.
Galahad: Well, I could stay a bit longer...

Saw this test on Karen Kristie's site.

Mort
PUBLISHED: 1987
Teaser: In this Discworld installment, Death comes to Mort with an offer he can't refuse -- especially since being, well, dead isn't compulsory. As Death's apprentice, he'll have free board and lodging, use of the company horse, and he won't need time off for family funerals. The position is everything Mort thought he'd ever wanted, until he discovers that this perfect job can be a killer on his love life. Terry Pratchett's profoundly irreverent novels are consistent number one bestseller in England, where they have catapulted him into the highest echelons of parody next to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen.

My Review: If you are familiar with the work of Piers Anthony (the Xanth Series) and you like his sense of humor, then you are sure to like Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. My hubby recently purchased for me the DEATH OMNIBUS of Terry Pratchett, which contained 3 Discworld books on DEATH, the first of which is Mort.

Ok, I admit it ... I AM HOOKED! I love it when authors give "concepts" such as Death some humanity. Death himself is not human, but he tries to learn the concept of being human. He gets an apprentice and then just decides to go on sabbatical without telling anyone. He unthinkingly leaves his apprentice to fumble with the responsibilities of being Death while he experiments.

And that is just the beginning of the trilogy on Death! I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of the Discworld books.

Reaper Man
PUBLISHED: 1991

Teaser: They say there are only two things you can count on ... But that was before DEATH started pondering the existential. Of course, the last thing anyone needs is a squeamish Grim Reaper and soon his Discworld bosses have sent him off with best wishes and a well-earned gold watch. Now DEATH is having the time of his life, finding greener pastures where he can put his scythe to a whole new use.

But like every cutback in an important public service, DEATH's demise soon leads to chaos and unrest -- literally, for those whose time was supposed to be up, like Windle Poons. The oldest geezer in the entire faculty of Unseen University -- home of magic, wizardry, and big dinners -- Windle was looking forward to a wonderful afterlife, not this boring been-there-done-that routine. To get the fresh start he deserves, Windle and the rest of Ankh-Morpork's undead and underemployed set off to find DEATH and save the world for the living (and everybody else, of course).

My Review :
Death is dying. Who'd've thought it was even possible? But it's true! But the "Powers That Be" obviously didn't think it through when they decided to give Death "the boot". Chaos reigned on the Discworld 'cause ... well, nobody was dying! Well, they died but they didn't stay dead.

In the meantime, Death is on the Discworld and trying to be a Regular Joe. Vampires, the boogeyman, werewolves, zombies ... shopping carts, malls, and glass baubles ... we have them all in this hilarious book! If you liked Mort, you will definitely like Reaper Man.

Soul Music
PUBLISHED: 1994

Teaser: When her dear old Granddad -- the Grim Reaper himself -- goes missing, Susan takes over the family business. The progeny of Death's adopted daughter and his apprentice, she shows real talent for the trade. That is until a little string in her heart goes "twang." With a head full of dreams and a pocketful of lint, Imp the Bard lands in Ankh-Morpork, yearning to become a rock star. Determined to devote his life to music, the unlucky fellow soon finds that all his dreams are coming true. Well almost.

In this finger-snapping, toe-tapping tale of youth, Death, and rocks that roll, Terry Pratchett once again demonstrates the wit and genius that have propelled him to the highest echelons of parody next to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen.

My Review: I will have to say ... that of the three books, THIS ONE is my FAVORITE!

I loved the fact that THIS TIME AROUND, Death is female ('cause dear old Grandpa has gone missing again). And I loved all the musical references.

If you are into jazz, the blues, and rock and roll, you will definitely recognize the references made in the book and will crack up (the way I did) at the way Terry Pratchett wove them into the story.

Most oft used line in the book ... "Are you sure your not Elvish? You look a little Elvish". Read the book and find out why that line is so important. Music With Rocks In ... they RULE!

My friend Jay (Jester) sent me a message last Sunday (June 26, 2005) ... his two year old niece, Caitlin, died that morning. She was DOA when they brought her to the hospital.

She was only 2 years old! What could have happened? Was she sick? Was she in an accident? As of last night, Jay still didn't know. Her parents, Jenny and Ed (?) were distraught (understandably) and I didn't want to call them to ask what happened. I figured, I'd ask questions when I attend the wake ... or ask Jay instead.

I found out today that she supposedly died of pneumonia.

Caitlin's death had me thinking ... life is too short --- and for some, even shorter. Caitlin has not even had the chance to experience life fully yet.

Death comes to all of us. Death can come for anyone. Death does not take just the elderly or infirm. It is always hardest for the people we leave behind.

Her passing makes me think to my own mortality. Have I done all I needed and wanted to do in my lifetime? Have I left any completed all I have set to accomplish? If death comes for me tomorrow, will I be ready to accept it? Will my family? Have I made a difference in other people's lives?

Death is inevitable. I just wish it didn't come so early for little Caitlin. I wish she could have been granted a longer life. But death comes to us whenever it will. Only God knows when it is time for us to join Him and I suppose that it was Caitlin's time. I know in my heart that her spirit has gone up to heaven. I pray that her parents and family will be able to recover and move on soon.

We may be granted 2 weeks, 2 years, or 100 years ... it doesn't matter. Life is short. Let's make what we have of it worthwhile.