In the past few weeks the celebrity deaths have kicked the idea of mortality for us non-celebrities right in the canastas!

Most people look at some celebrities with stars in their eyes, or at least admiration.  Starting with David Carradine (72) April 9; then followed by Bea Arthur (86) April 25; Danny Gans (52) May 1;  Dom DeLuise (72) May 4; David Carradine (72) April 9; Ed McMahon June 24 (86) Farrah Fawcett June 25 (62); Michael Jackson June 25 (50); Gale Storm June 27 (87); Billy Mays June 28 (50); Fred Travalena June 28 (66); and Karl Malden July 1 (97).

Now some are to be expected.  Not many of us were surprised of people over 85 dying or from lengthy sickness such as Fawcett but the young ones got us.

My own personal strike was Billy Mays.  I happened to love that pitchman.  During early morning hours he was a stable with Oxyclean, Zorbie cloths, Orange Glo, etc.  I found him both entertaining and a reason to have a good laugh.  You have to give Kudos to anyone that gets so excited over the items he sold.  I also watched his show with Anthony Sullivan "Pitchmen."

Of course the others hit me but some of those celebrities I haven't seen in a long time.  I saw Mays' show every Wednesday on Discovery, and watched his pitches between 4 & 9am every weekend.

I am personally confused over Michael Jackson's death.  I live in California and remember the trials, accusations, Neverland, "Wacko Jacko", the press dismissing him, people interviewed calling him weird, pedophile, the last CD a failure, etc., etc., etc.  Nothing nice has been written about him in years and few people had nice things to say about him.  Now that he is gone he was everyones' idol, someone to look up to, best friend to all.  Did I miss something?

A while back people used to talk about a guy I knew.  No one liked him (including me I'm afraid).  He was truly a nasty man, a bastard to put it bluntly.  When he died the same people who couldn't stand him now cried, praised his goodness, what a stand up guy!  I stood there with my mouth open.  I'm sorry he died - I certainly didn't wish that on anyone, but he was still a bastard and my only memory of his existence is of the people who hated him so much alive said he was their best friend dead.

Just like many, I remembered Michael Jackson since I was a kid.  I remember turning on the AM and hearing nothing but Jackson and the Osmonds.  Us juveniles just adored both groups.  I've enjoyed Jackson's music and have his Thriller album and I loved Man In The Mirror, but folks that's it. 

Something went wrong with him some time back and I feel very sorry for him as he had a great talent that never reached its potential, and I feel sorry for his children but I won't be standing in line to see his memorial nor am I greatly sorrowed by his death. 

The only thing I feel is pity for him.  All his "best friends" and fans came out after his death (praising his integrity to no end) but before he died the entertainer commonly known as "Wacko Jacko" was critized and hated.

Now if someone gave me a ticket to go to Mays' funeral I would've been right there.