James Oliver Rigney, Jr.

October 17, 1948 to September 16, 2007

I wanted my 100th post to be a happy, fun post but I found out some sad news today that I want to pass along. James Oliver Rigney, Jr. passed away on September 16, 2007 from complications due to cardiac amyloidosis. To me, he was known as Robert Jordan a bestseller author of the Wheel of Time series. Unfortunately, I was not among the fortunate people who knew him well, or had even met him for that matter.

If his writing alone wasn’t inspirational, his fight and desire to live should be. Instead of saving all his strength and energy to battle his illness, he wrote on his blog whenever possible and he even continued to write the last book in the Wheel of Time series. I am sure his fans are disappointed (at least a little, whether they admit it or not) the Wheel of Time series sits unfinished, as I am, but like me, I am sure they hold James in high regard for not only being true to himself, his friends, his family and his beliefs throughout his sufferings but he also took the time to keep his fans informed. I do not know too many people that would put others, complete strangers even, desires on an equal level to their own needs, if not above them while fighting to live like James did during the past two years.

My Sanity Has Left The Building!

Up until now I thought I was doing okay; I thought I was a sane, coherent individual. Today, my thinking has done a 180 flip and has left me thinking the opposite. I left my desk at work to walk to the photocopier where I had printed some documents. So far things are fairly normal, even if you find it hard to believe I am doing some work. Anyhow, in the copy room there is one printer on the right hand side just inside the doorway and one photocopier that is further into the room on the same side. Upon entering the room, I instinctively looked right and noticed some bright, colourful markings on a sheet of paper resting on the printer. Instead of just ignoring it and putting it out of my mind, like any sane person would do, I made special notice of it and muttered "oooouuu a nice colourful pie chart".

Had I left the thought alone to circle my mind on its way down the inevitable drain of oblivion, I would have thought no more about the comment and I would still be feeling I am a sane person. Today, however, I felt the need to vocalize this observation and express my 'excitement' to the many stacks of paper littered throughout the tiny room. And to make matters worse, instead of just letting it all go and forgetting my temporary glimpse at the wrong side of sanity, I am further compounding this view by telling my story to anyone bored enough to read this.

Man, do I hope the weekend comes soon! Maybe next week will be better than the last. (Now I went and butchered a part of the Counting Crows 'Long December' song, give me a break my sanity is seriously in question. For those who don't know the song, here is the bit of lyric I made use of: "Maybe this year will be better than the last".)

September 2007 Quotes

For fast acting relief, try slowing down. - Lily Tomlin

The teacher stands in front of the classBut the lesson plan he can't recallThe student's eyes don't perceive the liesBouning off every fucking wallHis composure is well keptI guess he fears playing the foolThe complacent students sit and listen to some of thatBullshit that he learned in school
- Rage Against the Machine (Take the Power Back)

When ignorance reigns, life is lost
- Rage Against the machine (Township Rebellion)

And I've been down on Earth and in this town
And I swear there's got to be something better
- Headstones (Three Angels)

Yeah, I'll win now, but sometimes I'll lose.
I've been battered, but I never bruise, it's not so bad.
And I say way-hey-hey, it's just an ordinary day,
And it's all your state of mind.
At the end of the day,
You've just got to say it's all right.
- Great Big Sea (Ordinary Day)

Just as there are no little people or unimportant lives, there is no insignificant work. - Elena Bonner

Wouldn't it be great if no one ever got offended
Wouldn't it be great to say what's really on your mind
- Great Big Sea (Consequence Free)

Same old same old everyday if things don't change you're just gonna rot
'Cause if you do what you've always done you'll always get what you always got
- Aerosmith (Get A Grip)