stuff123

Since it will be another New Year soon, we will be viewing many shows that pay very short tributes to legends that we have lost. It is a sad moment in our life but we should take comfort in the thought that today’s electronic technology helps preserve so much of their efforts. Such technological marvels as the CD, DVD, and the computer itself make it possible to revisit these inspirational heroes.

Some, of course, are not at the level of HDTV and Dolby surround sound, but it’s there for all to see. Just imagine if we had the technology to record the actual achievements and creations of people like Napoleon, Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, etc. Wouldn’t it be a treat to see how gunpowder actually was developed or how man came up with the idea for the flushing toilet? OK, so that it isn’t going to happen.

But we can still remember a lot of important people in our lifetime by visiting them on the Internet. Here are some of my favourites and some thoughts regarding their memorable achievements.

• George Carlin - the originator of the concept of stuff. His approach was simple yet he was able to find a way to make you look at it differently.
• Martin Luther King Jr. - his vision touched me as a child when it wasn’t considered alright to socialize with people outside your own colour, race or creed. His dream is still alive and well.
• Rodney Dangerfield - his concept of respect is something that my generation still believes in and we need to work on doing a better job of teaching it to this generation and the ones that will follow.
• Terry Fox - a Canadian hero that fought his fight with cancer in a way that none of us could ever do I think. He has set a standard that I will never achieve. If he could only keep running.
• Harry Chapin - he had the remarkable ability to write beautiful stories about life and also add his unique musical ability as a bonus. If only he wasn’t in such a hurry to save the world, that truck would not have taken his life.
• Dale Earnhardt Sr. - he made NASCAR a household event on summer weekends. If only he wasn’t such a rebel and wore his safety equipment in the standard manner.
• Billy Preston - he had a unique ability to make the Hammond B3 organ cry, or beg, or scream or shout. His talent was too great to be kept in the background.
• James Brown - seeing his live performances in the late 1960’s was amazing. His musical ability combined with an extraordinary band set a standard for Soul music that so many of us attempted to match but couldn’t surpass. “I Feel Good” will play forever.

The list could on and on. There are so many more that deserve to be remembered. Do yourself a favour and visit your favourites on Wikipedia or their official websites. They have earned the right to be remembered fondly.