Randy Pausch, a Professor of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University has passed away today from pancreatic cancer.  He was diagnosed in September of 2006 with this inoperable and eventually terminal type of cancer.

(A quick side note: Patrick Swayze is also battling this type of cancer.)

But this isn’t another sad, depressing story about a man losing a battle with cancer and leaving all his loved ones behind.  He taught hundreds- maybe even thousands- or dare I say millions- about how to make the most of your life, having fun, and following your dreams.

Pausch delivered his famous “Last Lecture,” titled Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, at CMU on September 18, 2007.  (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to watch his “Last Lecture.”)   His speech was created for a series of lectures at CMU where the top academics were asked to think deeply about what matters to them, and then give a hypothetical “final talk.”  The focus was something along the lines of what wisdom he would try to impart to people if it was his last chance.

But for Paush it wasn’t hypothetical- and he definitely addressed that.  During his speech at CMU- the first time he gave it- he was upbeat and humorous, doing anything from performing push-ups on stage, to offering insights on computer science and engineering education.  He also joked a lot and shared profound inspirational life lessons.

Obviously a speech like this with an amazing, impassioned man behind it does not go ignored.  There was plenty of media coverage about Randy and his story.  He even went on The Oprah Winfrey Show to perform his speech again.  That’s where I first learned about him and heard his speech.  Not to get all sappy or anything, but I was so moved when I heard it!  His speech is nothing short of possessing the power to change the way you live your life.

I think he sets a remarkable example of making the most of your life and staying positive.  Pausch also blogged regularly about his medical treatment, to let others read about what he is going through and his thoughts.  On February 15th 2008, exactly six months after he was told he had three to six months of healthy living left, he posted a photo of himself to show he was “still alive & healthy.”  Following his playful and optimistic view of life, he added,

“I rode my bike today; the cumulative effects of the chemotherapy are hurting my stamina some, but I bet I can still run a quarter mile faster than most Americans.”

After his death today, I think his family would love nothing more than to keep his spirit alive by following his advice.  And honestly, it’s some of the best advice I have ever heard.

There is so much more about Randy Pausch that I have not included in this short article.  If you want to read more about Randy’s life and story then click here for his Home Page (which might take awhile to load, I imagine a lot of people clicking on it for the next few days), or check out additional information here.

And if you didn’t catch his speech on Oprah, or didn’t attend his CMU lecture, don’t fret!  You can hear Randy Pausch’s Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams speech right here:

Thoughts and prayers go to all his family.

Let’s all follow his example and pursue our dreams!

In today’s overly litigious society, anyone is susceptible to ridculous lawsuit. Take for instance fifty-two year old Macrida Patterson. Her eye was the unfortunate victim to a “defective” v-string thong. While shopping Victoria’s Secret “ “Sexy Little Things” line Patterson picks up a seemingly innocent pair of underwear when the dastardly “decorative metallic detail” pops off and hits her in the eye.

The metallic piece apparently damaged her cornea and she had to “miss work for several days.” Her lawyer claims that there is a “design flaw” with the garment and is suing Victoria’s Secret for an undisclosed sum. He’s definately not exaggerating when he states that the accident will be “affecting her for the rest of her life.”

Uh… yeah. It’s true. She really filed papers in a court of law to petition an actual judge (who by the way has spent years and years studying statutes, pouring over volumes of judicial journals) to hear her case against the sexy lingerie chain. Tsk tsk madame. Tsk tsk. In the words of the wise sage Will Ferrell “That JUST happened!!!” Now move on lady!

We can at least commend Macrida Patterson for one thing, she was looking at appropriate underwear. No granny panties for this fifty-two year old woman. Maybe Paris Hilton can learn something from her elders.

Haute couture Paris was outed on her dirty lil’ $3 granny panty “hi-cut” habit when photographers got a shot of the contents of her car. If she doesn’t have sex appeal… what’s she got left? Hey, at least Paris isn’t the one with instigating frivilous lawsuits. She’s a little too classy for that.

In a recent Vanity Fair article entitled “The Comeback Id,” writer Todd Purdum alleges that former President Bill Clinton was “seeing a lot of women on the road” and “running with a fast crowd,” and claims his behavior was getting so out of control that an assistant considered an intervention.

Um… how does Purdum have proof of this? I don’t think a picture will suffice as all the evidence.

The article focuses primarily on Clinton’s relationships with women, including actress Gina Gershon, billionaire Belinda Stronach, and a “female friend” in Chappaqua.

Clinton responded by unleashing a “tirade” against the former New York Times reporter, calling him “sleazy,” “dishonest,” “slimy,” and a “scumbag.”

Those are some very choice words, Bill. Almost too angry…are you over-compensating in order to hide your guilt? That would make an amazing story, but I don’t think so. This is just an outrageous claim made by the writer.

He also sent out a memo calling the piece “journalism of personal destruction at it’s worst.”

The memo states:

TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Office of President Clinton
RE: Vanity Fair Article on President Clinton
DATE: June 1, 2008

A tawdry, anonymous quote-filled attack piece, published in this month’s Vanity Fair magazine regarding former President Bill Clinton repeats many past attacks on him, ignores much prior positive coverage, includes numerous errors, and ultimately breaks no new ground. It is, in short, journalism of personal destruction at its worst.

Any balanced account of President Clinton’s post-presidency - which other publications have referred to as one of “a great philanthropist;” the face of “the power of philanthropy” and “a major force in fighting the pandemic [HIV/AIDS]” - would recognize that the lion’s share of his work is his multi-million dollar charitable foundation, which works in almost 50 countries around the world. [The Economist, 9/23/06; Fortune Magazine, 9/7/06; The Wall Street Journal, 1/14/04] Vanity Fair, however, has chosen to publish thousands of words on former President Clinton, but to devote only a single paragraph to his enormous charitable accomplishments.

Continue reading the Bill Clinton memo HERE.

Read the entire Vanity Fair article HERE.

Gina Gershon…really?? I think that is a bit far-fetched!

Even though we all kinda know Bill is a ‘ladies man’ of sorts I don’t think it went that far.

I wonder if Hillary is upset?

Poor Bill can never catch a break…

It’s a sad, sad day in the music world.

Bo Diddley, legendary rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist and an overall amazing performer has passed away.

He died of heart failure at his home in Florida.  He was 79.

And he said it best about who he was and what he meant to rock and roll, saying “I was the first dude out there.”

He was the pioneering performer known as “The Originator,” whose shuffling rhythm guitar sound can be found in the hits by everyone from Buddy Holly to George Michael.

“Tell everybody you never get too old to rock ‘n’ roll,” Diddley told National Public Radio in 2007.

He woulda been such a cool grandpa I bet.  And dad, brother, uncle…he was just all around cool.

Here’s to you, Bo Diddley!

Gospel music star Steven Curtis Chapman’s 5 year old daughter Maria Sue Chapman was killed in Nashville yesterday when an SUV driven by her teenage brother hit the youngster in the family driveway.  The incident was witnessed by family members.

This is heartbreaking!!

The young girl was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center where she later died.

Tennessee Highway Patrol officials for Williamson County investigated the accident and ruled it accidental. This is the saddest story I have heard about in a while.

The son must feel so bad about what happened.

Chapman and his wife are advocates of international adoption and have created Shaohannah’s Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist couples in adoption.  They have awarded 1,700 grants to families since the foundation was started.

Maria Sue was the youngest of the couples six children, three of whom were adopted from China.  The photo above was taken in 2006, and the youngster is being held by her father.

It has not been reported which of her older brothers was at the wheel of the Toyota Land Cruiser when it struck the child.

Chapman has been awarded 5 Grammy’s and 54 Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.  He has sold 10 million albums and has had 44 #1 hit singles.

I can’t even imagine how this family is feeling right now.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chapman family.

Tests performed over the weekend at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston indicated that Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 76, has a type of cancer known as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe, the upper left portion of his brain.

His treatment for the malignant glioma will be decided after more tests but the usual course includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy. Kennedy has been hospitalized in Boston since Saturday, when he was airlifted from Cape Cod after a seizure at his home.

“He has had no further seizures, remains in good overall condition, and is up and walking around the hospital,” said the statement by Dr. Lee Schwamm, vice chairman of the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Larry Ronan, Kennedy’s primary care physician.

They said Kennedy will remain in the hospital “for the next couple of days according to routine protocol.”

Kennedy’s wife and children have been with him each day since he was hospitalized. His son, Patrick Kennedy, a Democratic representative from Rhode Island, plans to stay at the hospital for the time being.

“Obviously it’s tough news for any son to hear,” said spokeswoman Robin Costello. “He’s comforted by the fact that his dad is such a fighter, and if anyone can get through something as challenging as this, it would be his father. So he’s optimistic, he’s hopeful, but obviously he’s concerned.”

President Bush was notified by his staff of Kennedy’s diagnosis at 1:20 p.m.

“He said he was deeply saddened and would keep Senator Kennedy in his prayers,” spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Malignant gliomas are a type of brain cancer diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year — and the most common type among adults. It’s an initial diagnosis: How well patients fare depends on what specific tumor type is determined by further testing.

Average survival can range from less than a year for very advanced and aggressive types — such as glioblastomas — or to about five years for different types that are slower growing.

News of the diagnosis hit hard for his Democratic colleagues, as well as his Republican ones.

Kennedy, the second-longest serving member of the Senate and a dominant figure in national Democratic Party politics, was elected in 1962, filling out the term won by his brother, John F. Kennedy.

He comes from one of the most famous political families. His eldest brother, Joseph, was killed in a World War II airplane crash. President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and his brother Robert was assassinated in 1968.

Kennedy is active for his age, maintaining an aggressive schedule on Capitol Hill and across Massachusetts. He has made several campaign appearances for Senator Barack Obama in February, and most recently last month.

This news came as a surprise to the Kennedy family as well as the rest of the country.  I know that everyone wishes him a fast and successful recovery!

Earlier this week investigators released details about the elaborate underground cellar where Josef Fritzl kept his daughter imprisoned for 24 years, along with three of their children.

The 73-year-old Austrian began building the dungeon as part of an addition to his home in 1978, and simply added the hidden space- which was not recorded in any building plans. It took Fritzl until 1983 to finish the addition, police spokesman Franz Polzer said.

Investigators recently discovered another door to the dungeon prison, which was blocked by a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) steel and concrete door that Fritzl probably stopped using when he later constructed an electronic door for a second entrance, Polzer said.

Fritzl, who police believe was the only one with access to the cellar, had to travel through an elaborate maze to get to the prison.

Anyone else think this is starting to sound like one of those messed up plots from the Saw movies?

“You would have to open up a total of eight doors, and … (for the) last door which would go into this space (where the family was imprisoned), you would also have to use electronic opening apparatus,” Polzer said.

The investigation isn’t over just because they found this secret dungeon either. They will continue to search Fritzl’s house and property to see if anything else is discovered. The thought that there may be more secret hideaways like this is utterly frightening.

Specialists are also searching through the Fritzl home for evidence. Chief investigator Franz Polzer said that in addition to the cellar, Fritzl had deemed several rooms of the vast house off-limits to others.

“We don’t have any concrete reason to suspect there is anything else, but we want to be absolutely sure,” Polzer said.

At least they are going about it the right way and being thorough to make sure another daughter isn’t hidden away in an underground holding cell or something.

While we are all hearing about this, Josef Fritzl is sitting in prison.
Fritzl’s lawyer, Rudolf Mayer, said his client has access to a television and has been watching the coverage of his case. It’s been hard since the discovery to go a day and not hear anything about it. But what I find unsettling about Josef Fritzl is that he doesn’t think he is the man the media is portraying him as.

Mayer said Fritzl was bothered by the fact that he was being made out to be a monster. He said Fritzl told him, “I’m only being portrayed as a monster and not as someone who committed monstrous acts.”

I don’t know how it is in Austria, but anyone who commits a crime a fraction as horrendous his was is a monster. To think this man has the audacity to claim he should be seen differently is ludicrious.

He needs to be put away in jail for a long time! YUCK!

Sex. Drugs. Rock ‘n’ Roll?San Diego State University really didn’t need any help solidifying their reputation as a party school, but it looks like these recent events only reinforce the Southern California University’s drug rep.

Some 75 San Diego State University students were arrested after a sweeping drug investigation found that some fraternity members openly dealt drugs. One even had the cajones to send a mass text message advertising cocaine, authorities said Tuesday.

Two kilograms of cocaine were seized, along with 350 Ecstasy pills, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, hash oil, methamphetamine, illicit prescription drugs, several guns and at least $60,000 in cash, authorities said. Damn! These kids really knew how to work! Maybe they should have used their ‘talents’ in other legal areas- too late for that though!

In total, 96 people were arrested. Eighteen of the 75 students were arrested Tuesday when nine search warrants were executed at various locations including fraternities, said Jesse Rodriguez, San Diego County assistant district attorney.

It turns out that this whole undercover operation stemmed from multiple cocaine overdose deaths at SDSU. How sad. The probe was called ‘Operation Sudden Fall’, and lasted five months.

Those arrested included a student who was about to receive a criminal justice degree and another who was to receive a master’s degree in homeland security. Talk about really ruining your future. But I definitely don’t feel sorry for all the students who were arrested. I hope there won’t be any more drug related deaths on that campus for a long time. Jeez, doesn’t anyone remember the D.A.R.E. programs these days?!

DNA tests taken on Monday, April 28th, confirm the recent news story that seems too horrific to be possible - 73-year-old Josef Fritzl, who held his daughter captive for 24 years in his cellar, is the biological father of their six children. (The seventh died after birth, Fritz is allegedly being charged for “murder through failure to act” for this infant’s death).

Authorities are looking into the possibility of accomplices, seeing as though keeping an entire family nourished and hidden in a cellar without anyone’s knowledge or help seems unfathomable, especially for a man who took long trips with friends. According to reports, Fritzl admitted to raping his daughter, but insisted that he did not torture her and only locked her up to “protect” her, since she was a difficult child.

When asked why he brought the three children whom him and his wife ended up adopting out of the cellar, Fritzl explained that they were sickly and he did not want them to be heard by anyone from the outside world. The social worker who worked with them during this adoption process claimed to have no idea and did not notice anything out of the ordinary about the Fritzls.

As for Elisabeth and her children, medical authorities are considering some sort of a “witness protection” type scenario to protect this psychologically wounded family from the media and build a new life separate from their torrid past.

A story like this is hard to write, it’s so sad and unimaginable that we live amongst people who would do this sort of thing.

In an Austrian incest case revealed Monday morning, 42-year-old Elisabeth Fritzi, who has been considered missing for the past 24 years, was found captive in a windowless cellar, where her father has kept her imprisoned since her disappearance on August 24, 1984.

Elisabeth’s father, 73-year-old Josef Fritzi, started sexually abusing her when she was 11 and, seven years later, handcuffed and locked her in their cellar. A letter later arrived at the Fritzi’s doorstep, supposedly from Elisabeth, stating that her parents should not look for her. Elisabeth’s mother figured that she had disappeared at her own will, completely unaware that her daughter was being held prisoner in the cellar. She was also unaware that Josef fathered seven children with his daughter during these 24 years.

Three of Elisabeth’s children have been living in the cellar with Elisabeth, never emerging to see the light of day. Three others were left on the doorstep of Josef and his wife, one after the other, with a note from “Elisabeth” stating she could not care for them herself. Josef and his wife cared for these children, his wife unaware of the truth. The seventh child died after birth. Josef burned the infant’s body.

This case came to the attention of the authorities Saturday evening in the town of Amstetten, after one of the children locked in the cellar was taken to the hospital, said to be very ill. Josef then admitted to the horrifying acts and led the police to the cellar, unlocking its solid, electronically keyless, concrete doors, to reveal his captives.

DNA tests are currently being conducted to confirm that Josef fathered these children. Elisabeth and her children who were held captive in the cellar are now under medical treatment and surveillance. Josef is being held in custody and is expected to appear in court later today. Their 19-year-old daughter, whose hospitalization led to this discovery, is still said to be in critical condition.