RIP Brittany Murphy
Wow, this year has been especially unkind to celebrities. =(
8 Mile and Sin City are two movies that I know her best for. She also did voice work in Happy Feet.
Same Name, Different Person
I don't know why there are so many searches of my name coming from Google Malaysia.
I will say this: I am not the "Andrew Chow" that died around yesterday or so. Apparently it was a murder?
IPOH, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- A teenager who sustained severe head and bodily injuries in a fight at a food stall in Puncak Gerbang Meru Indah here yesterday, died this Wednesday's morning.
Perak CID chief, SAC Mohd Dzuraidi Ibrahim said Andrew Chow Kin Mun, 17, succumbed to the injuries around 11am at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, here.
He said the victim was having a drink and chatting with his friends at the food stall at around midnight when a group of men approached them.
"One of the men suddenly hit the victim using a sharp object and that triggered the fight," he told reporters after attending the Ipoh police Aidilfitri celebration, here.
He said police were investigating the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code and did not discount the possibility that the fight resulted from a misunderstanding.
"Several wooden sticks and a machete, believed to be used in the fight, were found at the scene," he said, adding that no arrests were made so far.
This is very freaky, to say the least, because of the coincidence with my name. And it is a reminder that life can end abruptly for anyone, especially with being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Spend time with loved ones while you still can and live fully in the present.
From a fellow "Andrew Chow" to another, may you rest in peace.
Not Always in Threes
This month had a lot of notable deaths that put the media in a frenzy. Many of these people were part of my childhood and teenage memories of TV and movies.
Though many discount the significance of a "celebrity death", do know that entertainers touch the lives of millions. They make sure those long flights aren't boring. They can give hope to the hopeless for those awaiting trial in a lonely cell.
Here are the deaths I encountered over the month in the media:
Billy Mays (July 20, 1958 – June 28, 2009) - The guy from the OxiClean and Orange Glo infomercials. Hypertensive heart disease. 50.
Gale Storm (April 5, 1922 - June 27, 2009) - Of My Little Margie and The Gale Storm Show. Long illness and failing health. 87.
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) - The King of Pop behind "Thriller", "Billie Jean", and "Beat It". Cardiac arrest. 50.
Farrah Fawcett (February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) - American actress of Charlie's Angels fame. Anal cancer. 62.
Ed McMahon (March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009) - Johnny Carson's announcer and sidekick in The Tonight Show. No formal cause, accumulated illness. 86.
Neda Agha-Soltan (1982 – June 20, 2009) - Iranian citizen whose death was captured on video during the 2009 Iranian protests and became a martyr for the movement. Gunshot wound below the neck. 26.
Tomoji Tanabe (18 September 1895 – 19 June 2009) - Oldest living man (for 2 years and 146 days) passes on his title to Henry Allingham. Heart failure. 113 years, 274 days.
David Carradine (December 8, 1936 – June 3, 2009) - From the Kung Fu, and Kill Bill fame. "Accidental" hanging. 72.
With so many celebrity deaths, especially within a week, I fear rates of depression may spike, especially those who are already susceptible. It can be difficult especially for those who hoped so much for Fawcett to come through or for Jackson to make his big comeback. Many are indeed depressed losing an icon they grew up with.
Alas, death happens everyday and I hope I'm not misinterpreted that these lives are worth more than those who die everyday deprived of human rights and basic survival needs.
I'm also well aware of some interpretations of the words "idol" and "icon". Please, please, do not take it upon yourself to be self-righteous as it will only appear foolish and intolerant in the public eye.
"Life is precious but fleeting."
