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R.i.p. 2008
Climb every mountain, search high and low
Follow every by way, every path you know Climb every mountain, ford every stream Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/20..._470x317,0.jpg Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today. He died this morning at the age of 88. Sir Edmund became the first person to stand on Mt Everest, the world's highest peak, on June 2, 1953 - the day of Queen Elizabeth's coronation. His chance to make his mark in history came when selected for the 1953 British expedition to climb Mt Everest, led by former commando Colonel John Hunt, later Lord Hunt. On the mountain, the first assault team that tried to reach the 8848m summit was driven back by altitude sickness. Hillary, who was renowned for his fitness and speed, was chosen along with Sherpa Tenzing to try next. As he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay descended from the May 29 attempt on the mountain, Hillary told fellow climbers: "We knocked the bastard off." Clark said today that the passing of Hillary was a profound loss to New Zealand. "My thoughts are with Lady Hillary, Sir Edmund's children, wider family, and close friends at this sad time," Clark said in a statement. "Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity." Hillary a 'giant' Acting Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has also paid tribute, describing Sir Edmund Hillary as a giant of New Zealand. "Sir Edmund's name is synonymous with adventure, with achievement, with dreaming and then making those dreams come true," Ms Gillard told Sky News this morning. "I'm sure there will be many Australians today who reflect on his death. "People always looked at him as a man of achievement and I think people today will mark his passing with regret." Ms Gillard said Sir Edmund had led a "long and well-lived life". "For generations to come, people will study what Sir Edmund achieved by being, of course, the first to get to the top of the world and to successfully conquer Everest. "Edmund Hillary was one of New Zealand's giants, of course, and known around the world and someone of whom they were so rightly proud." |
Welcome 2008 version. Such a shame. It wont be long until the very last (That's right, there's only one since october!) Titanic survior passes on. Millvina dean, the survivor, happens to have been the youngest person on the ship at only two months of age. Funny, the youngest at the time survives the longest. IT works right on papaer but usually in practise things aren't like that!
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RIP Sir Edmund. You were a legend to me growing up. Don't know if the quote that's always attributed to you is true or not (Why did you climb Everest? Because it was there.) but it's the archtypical statement of striving to do your best because you can. A great loss.
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R.I.P. Maila Nurmi a.k.a. Vampira
Maila Nurmi aka VampiraA true genre legend has passed on. Maila Nurmi, known to fans as Vampira, passed away in her sleep at the age of 86 due to natural causes. Born Maila Elizabeth Syrjäniemi on December 21, 1921, Nurmi will always be remembered for her classic Gothic look that inspired many of our favorite horror icons including the world famous Elvira. Nobody did it better. Nobody ever will. Her most noted role came in the form of playing "Vampire Girl" in the infamous Ed Wood, Jr., classic Plan 9 from Outer Space. We're sure she, Ed, and Bela are all catching up right now at the big show in the sky. http://myweb.wvnet.edu/e-gor/tvhorro...ix/vampira.jpg |
Ah sweet Maila... terrible/
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Simply Tragic.
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I posted a tribute to Ms. Nurmi on my blog a couple days ago, for those who may be interested:
http://thevaultofhorror.blogspot.com It's a couple posts from the top... |
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Karloff and Phil hartman are telling them to give it a rest. |
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Brad Renfro (BULLY, APT PUPIL, THE CLIENT) - dead at 25
Actor Brad Renfro was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday, according to TMZ.com. The cause of death has not been determined. |
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