This world became less intelligent and less funny when George Carlin died on June 22, 2008. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I received word of his death. I had just woken up and turned on my “morning radio silly guys,” and they were discussing the news. I thought I was hearing things and wasn’t quite awake yet, but, soon enough via net surfing and Hubby turning on the television, I quickly realized I wasn’t hearing things and immediately began crying.
I was fortunate enough to see George Carlin live twice, and, the second time, he affected my life more than he could’ve realized at a time in my life when I’d never been so afraid, so angry, and so sad. In January 2004, after what we believed was simply difficulty in getting over the flu, my husband and I instead found out that he was HIV+. He was exposed through plasma treatments for another serious illness in 1993. Blood was being screened in those days; however, plasma was not. I knew I had to be tested immediately. Around a month later & a miracle HIV – diagnosis (still am HIV - ), a friend of my husband’s gave us his 2 tickets to see George Carlin at nearby Clowes Hall on the Butler University campus; he figured we needed the laughs in our lives more at that point than he did, and he knew especially I was a huge fan.
That night, he opened his show with “Modern Man.”
For the first time in over a month, my husband & I didn’t think about doctors, reactions to medication, thoughts of mortality, etc., and WE LAUGHED.
George Carlin, of course, “lives on” through CDs and videos/DVDS/etc. of his shows. There is now another way you can help George Carlin “live forever!” Efforts are underway, spear headed by comedian Kevin Bartini, to name the block of New York City where George Carlin lived for 25 years “George Carlin Way.” To quote George Carlin’s words from his website,
First everything occurs here: sex, drugs, rhythm & blues.
After getting permission from George Carlin’s daughter,
Kelly, the effort began literally with boots on the ground. Kevin began a petition, pounded the pavement, and actually garnered around 500 signatures – approximately 50 from residents on the actual area in question! Since the petition appeared online, and a Facebook page was devoted to the effort, around 8200 signatures have been collected from all over the country and in and around New York City.
Once publicity began to generate, however, opposition came from a “familiar” source, and this point is where YOUR HELP will be incredibly valuable!
The Catholic church descended 30 – 40 strong on the local committee meeting that gives the initial approval before the decision to rename the street goes to the full New York City Council; most of this Catholic opposition was from outside of New York City. What’s REALLY needed now is your support, your signatures on the online petition, participation on the Facebook page activated for the effort, and, especially if you live in or around New York City, more boots on the ground to gather “home town” signatures that could have an immense positive impact on the subcommittee at their next meeting in early April. Please contact Kevin Bartini if you’re on Twitter or send an email to GeorgeCarlinWay@gmail.com.
Thank you so much! There can never be too much praise for George Carlin, so your efforts in renaming a part of New York City that he proudly called home are SO APPRECIATED. Please feel free to offer remembrances of seeing George Carlin, favorite routines, etc., in the comments.