That's Odd..

Certain Blogger sites seem to be DOA this morning, while some like mine are still up and running. Must be something with an external filesheet call on certain templates...

QQD - Quick Question of the Day

If you could go back and live one year of your life over again, what year would it be? Why?

Mission: IOA

For pure Universal foolishness and theme park fun, visit The Beast and view his and his brother Rex's (my college roommate)'s film-noir-but-still-in-color masterpiece:

MISSION: IOA

Filmed on location at Universal's Islands of Adventures in Orlando, FL.

It's a riot!

(Put this one on Youtube, guys!)

The Morning After

Whew. I'm glad that's over. Getting through a funeral is tough, but enduring a mass, nationwide funeral once every year is getting to be tedious.

I wish more had been made in the media of the lives of those that were taken, and not the deaths. Instead of so many solemn wreath-laying ceremonies, maybe play a cut from one of Rebecca Lee Koborie's albums? I don't know, maybe somewhere they did but I didn't see it.

I just think it's better the celebrate life instead of mourning death. That's one thing I appreciate about most Methodist funerals I've been to, especially one lately for a young mother of two high school and college age boys I went to recently. She had finally succumbed to a long battle with cancer and while the service was serious and melancholy, it had a warm glow of love and remembrance that celebrated the good things she did during her life. How she was a wonderful wife and mother and teacher, and friend to those who loved her. And all the positive contributions and influences she had on the people around her. That's what helps me heal, and I hope the 2996 Project has helped some people heal as well.

Incidentally, Dale, the creator of the 2996 Project apparently has contracted the flu, and is unemployed and has no health insurance at the moment. His wife had to take over the duties of running the site as well as their kids, dogs, cats, goldfish, etc, so any support you might want to throw their way would be appreciated.

Meanwhile I'm left a bit disappointed at one aspect of the project. I still hope a family member or friend of Rebecca Koborie will eventually contact me. It's almost the feeling of hosting an open house and nobody coming, so you've prepared a big spread but left waiting for guests that never arrive. I'm not talking about the other participants in the project, those who posted tributes and also visited other sites, or the folks who just visited to pay tribute. I'm hoping to connect with someone who knew her directly. But it still hasn't happened. Maybe it will - if anyone wants to get in touch with me, I'm at lasthome@gmail.com.

God Bless.

"A Requiem for Rebecca" - Sept 11

Today is September 11.

I've struggled deciding what to post about Rebecca Lee Koborie on the actual day. I've spent the last several days posting tidbits, remembrances, tributes and anecdotes of her life that have been left in various places online.

One thing that comes up time and time again was Rebecca's obvious love of music and performing. That's something that easily and quickly resonated with me as I have been in love with music my whole life. I continue to be involved a great deal in many different musical expressions, including church music, a band, musical theatre, even just singing with my kids in the car. This evening I discussed with some friends that sometimes I feel I love music so much that I lose sight of God in the notes and words and rhythms. They correctly pointed out to me that in many cases, God is the notes and words and rhythms. His voice reverberates in the songs of a choir, the sound of a marching band, an orchestra, a string quartet, a cabaret band, a soloist, a duet, a pianist, a cellist, a drummer, a harpist. Sometimes most eloquently in the sweet, pure voice of a child singing "Jesus Loves Me."

In Les Miserable the final line of the show is "To love another person is to see the face of God"...I've always firmly believed that to hear music is to hear the voice of God.

Therefore I quickly discovered the fact that Rebecca was randomly assigned to me not by chance, but by some sort of design. Her deep involvement with music allowed her to be one of those lucky folks that convey the voice of God to her brothers and sisters in music.

On September 11, 2001 that particular instrument was stilled.

I never met her, never heard her sing. According to one person she was a mezzo-soprano, which to me is one of the loveliest tones a female vocalist can possess. I also never heard her play the piano, which unlike any other instrument can invoke emotional reactions that audiences never realized they had. I will never hear her play, either.

I thought for a while that this final post would be a rumination on the loss of a musical artist to the world, how her voice would never again inspire, create, emote, or cherish. I thought I could best pay tribute to her by remembering her song.

But then I thought some more, and a deeper meaning came to me.

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.

I Corinthians 13:1

What Paul meant was that one can sing, one can play an instrument, one can create beautiful music - but if there is no love in your heart, the music is hollow and empty.

I have no idea if Rebecca was religious, but I feel certain she would've agreed with this passage. And I feel strongly that while it's a tragedy a great musical talent was lost five years ago, something more important was lost. And the comments on the tribute sites, while almost always mentioning music, consistently mentioned something else. She was a good friend.

She was also a daughter. And a sister. And an aunt.

All the people I've read who offered stories of Rebecca remember her for her kindness, her friendship, her love. If she didn't have these traits, and if these traits didn't come through in her music, few people would've remembered her. She cared about her friends and her family as much or more than she cared about music. The music was simply a way to express her love of life and those around her.

God's voice spoke through her, and used the music to help her express her love and caring.

So while the world lost a wonderful musician that I will never hear, more importantly the world lost what might've one day been a good friend. She lived in New Jersey and worked in New York so it's doubtful we would have ever met, but now that chance is gone forever. And along with the many, many people's whose lives she touched and continues to touch to this day, there are hundreds and maybe thousands of people she will never touch because her life was taken from her too soon.

I miss her. And I never met her. But I'll think about her from time to time when I hear a piano.

I titled this post "Requiem for Rebecca". But it's not a dirge, not a song of sadness. It's not largo or grave. This requiem is full of joy, it's andante, allegro, or cantabile because the lives she touched will always remember her and rejoice because of it. Even if they never knew her.


If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

Self Portrait Challenge - September (Week 2)

This month's Self Portrait Challenge is "with someone...". A couple days ago I posted a long meme about blogging, and one of the topics touched on was the people you meet while blogging.

I'm fortunate to have met some great people while blogging, as well as getting back in touch with folks I haven't seen in a while. So this week's Self Portrait Challenge entry is "with...blogger buddies".

Here's me and Tish after lunch at the Mellow Mushroom on the strip this past Friday.



Then here's me and Big Orange Michael at the UT game yesterday:



And finally here's me and Becky from last year when we she came to Tennessee for a visit:



I may have another couple of "With...blogger buddies" to post soon...

UPDATE: Yep, and here's me and Teresa (Hatamaran):

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 10

Today is September 10.

More about the life of Rebecca Lee Koborie...

• Rebecca sang at the funeral of the mother of Monica Lazor
  
  
• Rebecca inspired an actor she performed with at a converted steamboat called the Showboat Majestic. He was more committed to pursue acting because of her inspiration.
  
  
• Rebecca was remembered in poetry by fellow performer Dave Cremonese:
  

  A soaring voice
  The sound of piano beneath
  I sat at that piano
  As I played, I watched
  And listened to you soar
  As you showered all below
  With the gift of a beautiful voice
  Your spirit, your love
  And every time I sit at the piano
  I feel a bit of that love
  That I felt so long ago
  It's been so long, yet
  I'll never forget you
  God Bless and Keep you
  And all that you left behind
  We miss you

  
  
  
• Rebecca "calmed the rough waves" working at Citibank with Marilyn Monte of Orlando, FL.
  
  
• Rebecca touched the life of Paulette Vandenbrande deeply.
  
  
• Rebecca's life was remembered in the planting of a Blue Spruce by John Lehmus and
  Sue Wallingford of Kennebunk
  

(Stories compiled from tributes submitted at Legacy.com)



If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 9

Today is September 9th.

A continuing look at leaves from the book of Rebecca Lee Koborie:

• Rebecca was a friend and neighbor to Rebecca Vazquez in Guttenburg, NJ. She hung out at the pool and was friend to neighbor Rebecca's daughter.
  
  
• Rebecca was the aunt to a woman named Rachel, who was consoled by her good firend Amy Hackett of Bangor, Maine. Rebecca and Rachel were very close and Rebecca visited them in Maine very often.
  
  
• Rebecca was a friend of San Diegan Diane Rohrbach's sister Linda, who thought she was a very special person.
  
  
• Rebecca performed piano at Casa Dante's restaurant in Jersey City and so impressed one of the patrons, Cary Saccente of West New York, NJ that he left a tip and picked up her business card to remember to return and hear her again. He was never able to hear her again.
  
  
• Rebecca performed with Bob Timmons of New York at the Ocean City Dinner Theatre in Ocean City, MD. He remembers her kindness and amazing talent.
  
  She had a mezzo-soprano voice that he still remembers clearly to this day.
  
  
• Rebecca performed for two years at the Commander Cabaret with Dawn Ovando of Salisbury, MD in the late 70's. Two years later she invited Dawn to visit NYC and they saw Dawn's first Broadway show, "Grease". This experience inspired Dawn to continue a performing career.
  
  

(Stories compiled from tributes submitted at Legacy.com)



If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

All About Blog

Fellow Self Portrait Challenger Sarah-Jean tagged me on this very interesting meme about blogging. Thanks, SJ!


1) Are you happy/satisfied with your blog’s content and look?

Look: One of the reasons I haven't switched to WordPress is because I like the ability to completely control the design of my page. Actually, I'm pretty satisfied with it, although I've been tired of the ever-changing background and highlight color scheme. I never cease to get snide comments from CERTAIN people when it happens to pop up bright pink.

I like changing out the banner with the seasons. Has anyone noticed that? I'll put the fall one back up (I've gone around the horn!) probably next month, since everyone knows autumn doesn't arrive for real in East Tennessee till mid-October at the earliest.

I'd like to design the page to reflect the cover of this book since the name of the blog is taken from it and its companions, but I haven't been able to really work the blog format into the idea. Maybe I'll buckle down and make the big change when the movie comes out.

Content: For someone with a lot of ideas swirling around in his (muddled) head, I don't seem to be able to put them into the keyboard as well or as often as I'd like. I'm passionate about certain issues, many of those pertaining to children and art, but I think political blogs have ruined to a certain degree the burgeoning art of creative blogging (more about that later). I don't have the writing skills to be a Lileks and make the occasional trip to Target a Pulitzer Prize-winning essay on Americana, nor do I exude poetry from my pores (example: see previous five words) and keep a reading audience spellbound.

Interestingly, I seem to blog more when my mind is relatively untroubled. If you see my posts get few and far between, you know I have something on my mind. If I spew forth with great frequency, things are better. Feel free to check my posting history for my cyber-rhythm.

I hope my content overall is found to people's liking - obviously if you're reading this, you have some interest in my life. I try to touch on theatre, nostalgia, parenting and kids, a few current events, the occasional amusing anecdote, and once in a while I come up with someone so crass I have to run it by my censor first. Thanks, MKS! No, that post will never see the light of day...


2) Does your family know about your blog?

Yes, my wife and my parents all read my site. I think my brother in Austin knows about it, but I don't think he's ever commented. It does make me think twice sometimes about the things I write about, although usually the most I have to filter is my language :) Which isn't that bad in the first place, really, so, no worries mom.


3) Do you feel embarrassed to let your friends know about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?

There aren't many offline friends that know about my blog, and those who do I've told I trust to keep it to themselves. I like to have SOME freedom in the things I write about, since the things that happen in my life often inspire commentary and if there was always a possibility someone I knew read about themselves (however anonymously I put it) and was offended, I'd feel badly about it.

I do avoid talking about work very much, since that kind of thing can really come back and bite you. Nope, don't type about work much at all.

There are a number of offline friends that are also bloggers, so of course we know about each other (Michael, Lane, Teresa, Tish, and "The Beast")


4) Did blogging cause positive changes in your thoughts?

I'm not sure they were all necessary positive, but blogging has certainly opened my mind to a lot of things, especially political and cultural worlds I never knew existed.

I find myself, through blogs, paying more attention to local and national events, forming opinions where before I might've not noticed them. I watch local government and marvel at the duplicity and elitism of it all. I've become more attuned to the mindset of different things our country does, both overseas and at home, and how the citizens react to them. I've gained insight into the many ways couples relate to each other and how they raise their kids. And I've enjoyed seeing new posts from the bloggers that I frequent, and have had fun getting to know people I never would've met otherwise.

I think that's a positive!


5) Do you only open the blogs of those who comment on your blog or do you love to go and discover more by yourself?

There are three or four separate categories of blogs I visit: 1) Rocky Top Brigade bloggers, the loose Tennessee coalition that has been in existence for several years, 2) Local Knoxville bloggers that I have met through various sources, 3) Commenters who come to my site via someone else or a search engine - I typically visit the site of anyone who comments and try to at least give their blog a few days of return visits. If I enjoy what I read, I'll keep coming back. And the latest set, 4) Self Portrait Challenge bloggers - I've made a few new friends via this feature and have added several sites to my daily reads.

So there are several ways I find new sites. I don't always comment (though I try) but I'm there.


6) What does a visitor counter mean to you? Do you like having one on your blog?

I find myself looking at and analyzing my StatTracker all the time. I just recently added Google Analytics to the site as well, and the numbers are a bit different.

I'd love to see tons of visits every day, but I usually only average about 80 or so. I don't think my content is edgy, controversial, or eloquent enough to garner a lot of interest, but those who do come because we're friends or you enjoy the things I have to say (i.e. you who are reading this now) I humbly thank you :)


7) Did you try to imagine your fellow bloggers and give them real pictures?

I don't think I've tried that but I really for bloggers to have a photo of themselves on their site somewhere, so I can place a face with a writing style. It just makes it a lot easier to imagine the words percolating through a brain if I can picture the facial expressions and body language.


8) Admit it. Do you think there is any real benefit in blogging?

I think it means different things for different people. I don't think you should blog if you have nothing really to say except to parrot what other people are saying. You shouldn't try to be controversial for controversy's sake. And don't be a flamer disguised as a "free thinking" site. You're not fooling anybody.

As I said above, blogging helps folks make contact with others they might not normally meet in real life - although that's true of almost any online community. But blogging opens people up, lets them talk about themselves and their lives in a manner they might not with even their best friends. Opinions, thoughts, fears, emotions, prejudices, whatever...they can be posted on a blog and an instant family of readers has access to comment and offer feedback and support.

Our world has an epidemic of loneliness and an increasing amount of separation from each other, even as our communication technology connects every square millimiter of the globe. Anything to bring people together and create real communication is of great benefit.


9) Do you think that blogger’s society is isolated from the real world or interaction with events?

I do think political bloggers think a lot more highly of themselves and of their impact on the rest of the world than is warranted. I also think bloggers who primarily post about current events, politics, and other "serious" material tend to look down on those who mainly blog about their own lives and their own worlds. I'm not sure where that comes from, I think mainly because they tend to see themselves as crusaders and mavericks ready to take on the establishment, which to some is a very noble calling and deserving of respect and admiration.

Whatever.

Anyway, I do however believe that blogging is becoming more a part of society in general, but it's still a niche and not an overwhelming amount of people understand what it is or what it does.



10) Does criticism annoy you or do you feel it’s a normal thing?

I've had one major criticism incident while blogging - long time readers may remember the "concealed weapon carry" incident. I won't go into it here (feel free to explore the link) but suffice to say a stray comment on another site ignited a bit of a firestorm and spilled over to my site. I felt the need to respond and the furor died down soon after. It bothered me for a good while, because while blogs offer the freedom to speak your mind, you also have to accept the possibility (and in some cases the inevitabilty) of being attacked for your views. Healthy debate is great, unjust name-calling and criticizing is not.

While it's normal, it's not healthy and has little place in the online community. Well, outside of those certain dark places where no good and no light can ever come. You know, like University of Florida football...


11) Do you fear some political blogs and avoid them?

Fear them? Ha. I laugh in the face of danger. Ha ha ha ha ha...

Actually, I covered this a bit above. I don't avoid political blogs per se, but I do avoid those that profess particular allegience to a political party (any of them) because the kind of blind obedience to a party and platform is one of the biggest problems facing the country today. So I don't support or patronize those sites.


12) Were you shocked by the arrest of some bloggers?

What? Who got arrested? I missed it...

Ok, Doug, what did you hack into?


13) What do you think will happen to your blog after you die?

It will be bronzed and put on a shelf in the Smithsonian Institution between Max Klinger's dress and Kermit the Frog.

14) What song do you like to hear? What song would you like to link to on your blog?

Wow, these questions kind of got totally random, didn't they?

Um, any song's of - especially if they're by the Atomic Horns (coming soon to a Knoxville area venue near you!).


15) The next “victims”?

Hmm.. Since I got this from an SPC participant, I'll pass along the favor...

1. Nikki
2. Georgia
3. Deb R
4. And what the heck, Tish.

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 7

Today is September 7th.

Here's the quilt I mentioned in the post for September 5:



I love how music played such a central role in her life. I wonder what her favorite artist was, her favorite style, who was her favorite composer...

(thanks to Kim Monins from www.unitedinmemory.net)


If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 6

More accolades and remembrances:

A dedication to a dear friend of mine.
Dear Rebecca,
I knew you for three years thats why when i found out about you it brought me to tears. You were a brief friend that i met through the doctors office. The last time i saw you i was actually drawing your blood the thursaday right before that tragedy occured on Tuesday September 11,2001. May God Bless you and keep you in his GLORY.
Love For Ever And For Always
Rachel Cepeda

I didnt know who you were but I wanted to send my prayers to your family and all the other familys who lost a love one. I joined the army sept 14th 2001 and I am sorry I could not do more but I tried, again we all will keep you in our memories forever
PFC Scott MacDougal

(My thanks to SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 VICTIMS)


If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 5

www.unitedinmemory.net put together an interesting project - creating quilts.

The United in Memory 9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt™, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to keep alive the memories of the victims of September 11, 2001 through the United in Memory 9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt™.

This organization is committed to honoring the victims and comforting the world by making the quilt available for public viewing throughout the nation and around the world.

This organization also strives to honor with courage and compassion the thousands of surviving families, those who risked their lives to save others, and those who supported the United States of America in its darkest hours. May their lives serve as a healing balm to our wounded spirits and as eternal beacons, reaffirming our respect for life and freedom and inspiring an end to hatred, bigotry, ignorance, and intolerance.

The quilt will be exhibited in Staten Island, NY Sept. 9-11 and in Radnor, PA Sept. 15-17.

Here's a link to the quilt for Rebecca Lee Koborie.

I'm going to try and get permission to post a photo of the quilt on the site, but please click on the link and take a look - it's quite beautiful.


If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

Good on ya, mate

I'm totally bummed.

Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin

Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.

Steve Irwin was always a favorite in our house, and his exploits will be greatly missed. Daredevil or not, he loved animals and loved nature and showed more respect to both in one day than some people show in a lifetime.

Fair dinkum, cobber.

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 3

Today is the 3rd of September.

Rebecca Lee Koborie Music Scholarship Fund

The Koborie family has established the Shenango Valley Community Foundation in memory of Rebecca to further education in the field of music and the Rebecca Lee Koborie Music Memorial Foundation. Donations may be sent to 39 Chestnut Street, Sharon, PA 16146.

More information about the fund here and here. Apply for the scholarship here.


If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 2

Today is the 2nd of September.

Rebecca was my neighbor, living in the same building where I live. Rebecca was a very talented singer and musician. She had a beautiful voice. For a while she sang and played the piano at the Italian restaurant in the Galaxy mall. She had a warm personality, with always a smile on her face and had a outgoing personality.

*** Posted by Mimi on 2006-06-04 ***

I am in the 10th grade and I'm doing a project for my Drama class. When I came arcoss Rebecca's name and read about her some I knew she was a good person so I decided to do my project on her out of the other 3000 people in the book i had. She seems like a very nice person and should not have had happen to her what did.

*** Posted by Amber Whiting on 2005-08-23 ***

Hearing Rebecca was a musician was especially meaningful for me, and I would like to have been able to hear her play and sing. I would imagine she made a lot of people happy.

Source: http://www.9-11heroes.us/v/Rebecca_Lee_Koborie.php


If you knew Rebecca, or had some connection and would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com. I'd especially love to hear from family members and friends who can tell me more about her musical interests and history with music.

Oh Please, Don't Let It Be Like Last Year

IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!

Score Prediction
Tennessee: 20
California: 17

Self Portrait Challenge - September (Week 1)

This month the challenge is "with someone". I've got some good ideas for this month, including "with" other bloggers, my family, and who knows who else. But for the first one I'm going to go back in time.

In 1972 I was 5 years old, and two of my absolute favorite things to do in the world were watch H.R. Pufnstuf and Lidsville on Saturday mornings, and to go to Six Flags over Georgia in Atlanta every summer with my family.

For a few years, those worlds collided. Sid & Marty Krofft, creators of H.R. Pufnstuf and Lidsville had a Puppet Theatre in Six Flags, and joy of joys, the characters from the shows would occasionally walk around the park.

Here I am with my hero, the Mayor of Living Island himself, H.R. Pufnstuf.



That's me in the red shirt and white hat. Also seen "horning" in on the action is Ms. Party Hat from Lidsville.

I also got pretty chummy with The Colonel from Lidsville as well.



Apparently I had one pose for all pictures. I remember good ole' Colonel scaring the good old' bejeebus out of me, so I stood as far from him as I could but still stay in the shot.

You know, watching those guys on TV is great. Seeing them in person, they just look like misshapen mutants...

Anyway.

I'm happy my parents kept the old photos, and transferred them to CD so I can enjoy them forever.

Since I'm in a charitable, nostalgic mood, here's a picture I found just for my former roommate Gary and and his brother Phillip:



Magic World in Pigeon Forge, circa 1976. Eat your hearts out, guys...I was there first.

Note: In searching the CD's for these particular pictures, I found a bunch of 1982 World's Fair pictures. I'll be posting them on my 25th Anniversary Site soon.

Red Skelton at the World's Fair

Read my post recalling a performance of Red Skelton at the 1982 Worlds Fair on my World's Fair 25th site.

Remembering Rebecca Lee Koborie - Sept 1.

Today is the 1st of September. On the 11th of September 2001, Rebecca Lee Koborie was murdered in downtown New York. Each days counting down to 9/11/06 I'm going to introduce you to Rebecca, tell you a little about her life, dreams, career, friends, family and talents.

I won't tell you about her death, because that we already know. We've spent almost five years trying to ensure it doesn't happen again. This is the last moment I'll say anything about the tragedy.

But that's not what the 2996 project is about. It's about celebrating life, and rejoicing over the time Rebecca spent on the Earth. To me it's about meeting a person who's been gone for five years, through the thoughts and words of the people that knew her. It's about understanding the precious nature of the people we sometimes take for granted. It's about understanding the diversity in us all, and how we come together to make a nation that's stronger than it's individual parts. It's about all of us, and how one person made a difference in the lives of others.

I'd like to humbly ask permission from each of the websites I will be pulling information from about Rebecca and the lives the touched. I will do my best to attribute photos and info to the various sites I pull content from. I can't ask each person individually, but I can assure her friends and family that I will pay tribute to her with utmost respect and dignity. If anyone that knew her would like to contact me with personal stories or anecdotes, please email me at lasthome@gmail.com - I've set up a special Gmail account for that correspondence.

Rebecca Lee Koborie was 48 years old and lived in Guttenberg, N.J.

She was an executive secretary at Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. in the World Trade Center.

She left behind a father, mother, two brothers and a sister.

Top Photo and information
Bottom Photo and information

Friday's Feast

Friday, September 01, 2006 - Feast One Hundred & Nine

Appetizer - What are some lyrics you have misheard (such as, instead of "Gettin' Jiggy With It" you heard "Kick a chicken with it")?

I can't think of any misheard lyrics at the moment, but for years and years I thought the song "Afternoon Delight" was about a couple getting together on a picnic blanket on the hillside watching fireworks on a nice afternoon. It never occured to me to ask why they'd be watching fireworks in the middle of the day.

"Oh, that's what an afternoon delight is...


Soup - What is the worst movie you have ever seen?

Repeat - Oh boy.. well, for years the worst movie I'd ever seen was "The Stuff" with Michael Moriarty. I don't remember much about it, but it came out during the time I worked as an usher at a movie theatre, and several of us would stay late to watch movies. I watched more movies during those 2-1/2 years or so than I have since. The reason I remember that one being bad was a) Michael Moriarty's horrible, horrible dead-pan performance. I can't stand to watch him in anything now - I turn the channel if I happen across an old Law and Order rerun... and 2) every of my coworkers panned it as well, and we made fun of it the rest of the year.

Of more modern movies...there was the late-night Target caper "Career Opportunities" - yes, you know the one with Jennifer Connely riding the mechanical kid's horse after hours...in the department store...with the tight, tight tank top shirt.....(sorry, mind wandered there for a second). I went to see it with Laura at the theatre and actually paid full price for it. We were expecting something a little more..cerebral. I was actually uncomfortable watching the horse-riding scene, with my wife sitting next to me, because it's so blatantly sensual I almost felt I needed to wash my hands afterwards. Anyway, the movie itself was written by John Hughes in a desperate attempt to find another Home Alone success. Bzzzzzt.


Salad - Using the letters from your favorite number, write a sentence. Example: Tomorrow has really easy experiences.

Fire is very exciting.


Main Course - What was the most interesting news story you have heard this week?

If by "interesting" you mean "idiotic" it's the decision to demote Pluto from the rank of planets. I devoted some considerable attention to this one.

I think it's fine that scientists want to nail down the definition of a planet. I think it's fine to debate what the scientific vs. cultural definition of a planet. But we've all grown up with 9 planets in the solar system. If you want to add more, add more. But don't take away a constant mininum that's been part of our lives since the first science class.


Dessert - Which word(s) would you choose to describe your wardrobe?

Brown. I have a very brown wardrobe. My pants are mostly all different shades of khaki, and a number of my shirts are different shades of tan or brown. I basically mix and match the opposite shades on different days. I have a few color shirts I wear from time to time, though.