Copious Free Time

3:30pm: RIP, Rush
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Before Rush Limbaugh, before the band Rush, there was another Rush on the radio: Rush Gook, the son of the family in the whimsical classic 15-minute slice of Americana, "Vic and Sade." Rush was played by Bill Idelson, who went on to write, direct, and produce. He was seen on Dick Van Dyke's classic series from time to time, as Sally's bland boyfriend, Herman. Well, you already know where I'm going with this -- Idelson died a day or so ago, as reported on Mark Evanier's blog, and I had my usual reaction: I didn't know he was alive! He was the youthful voice that called Vic "Guv" for years, and it never occurred to me to wonder about his life after the show.

As a comic character once said, "Somebody give me a kick, right here!" But first, pause to honor another classic, now silent.
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3:37pm: happy new year
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Mark Evanier finds the moment again in a brief report of a drunk-driving incident that brought him out to the street Monday night:

I wasn't wearing a watch. Standing out there in the street, waiting for assistance, none of us knew precisely what time it was. Suddenly, there was an eruption of cheers and a horn or two from the surrounding homes...and far off in the distance, something that may have been a gunshot or fireworks. Which meant it was 12:00. The man in the Buick was still in a lot of pain but he made the effort to lean over, kiss his wife and tell her convincingly and will great assurance, "2008 will be a lot better."

There's more to the story, so follow the link and read it. And have a good year. A better year. Lots better.
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