We all know about the James Deans, Buddy Hollys, and Janis Joplins, whose talents were taken from us much too early.
But, prodded by the new, incessantly-aired Jockey commercial, I've found myself pondering the opposite: the category of people whose legacy would have been better served had they left us much, much sooner.
At the top of my current list--Buzz Aldrin: Apollo 11 astronaut, moon-walker, American Hero, and more recently (and regrettably) featured performer in the epic cinematic opus Transformers: Dark of the Moon, WWE guest host, 2nd contestant in his season to be ejected from orbit on Dancing With the Stars, spokesmodel for Jockey underwear, and, generally, available to lend his name, reputation, and image to anyone willing to roll a wheelbarrow full of money up to his door.
Lest you've forgotten this cringe-worthy display:
I adored and idolized the Apollo astronauts. Had Buzz made a failed landing at the bottom of his basement stairs a few decades ago, I'd still have those idealized childhood memories.
My No. 1 Nominee for One Who Died Too Old: Former Astronaut, and all-round contemporary embarrassment, Buzz Aldrin.
But, prodded by the new, incessantly-aired Jockey commercial, I've found myself pondering the opposite: the category of people whose legacy would have been better served had they left us much, much sooner.
At the top of my current list--Buzz Aldrin: Apollo 11 astronaut, moon-walker, American Hero, and more recently (and regrettably) featured performer in the epic cinematic opus Transformers: Dark of the Moon, WWE guest host, 2nd contestant in his season to be ejected from orbit on Dancing With the Stars, spokesmodel for Jockey underwear, and, generally, available to lend his name, reputation, and image to anyone willing to roll a wheelbarrow full of money up to his door.
(*Yes, they do, Buzz. But, not everybody soils theirs with the regularity which you do.)
Lest you've forgotten this cringe-worthy display:
I adored and idolized the Apollo astronauts. Had Buzz made a failed landing at the bottom of his basement stairs a few decades ago, I'd still have those idealized childhood memories.
My No. 1 Nominee for One Who Died Too Old: Former Astronaut, and all-round contemporary embarrassment, Buzz Aldrin.
