Walker Edmiston died yesterday. He was a voice actor and puppeteer, most notably, in all my favorite Saturday morning shows Sid and Marty Krofft produced including “H.R. Pufnstuf”, “Land Of The Lost”, “Sigmund And The Seamonsters” (he voiced Sigmund himself) and my personal favorite “The Bugaloos”.

He was also the voice of Ernie, the ‘Papa Smurf’ of the Keebler tree.

When I broke the news to Hayes, the following conversation ensued:

Me: Ernie the Keebler Elf died.

Hayes: The voice of Ernie? Or did Keebler decide to go a new direction?

(this is when I laughed so hard I interrupted a meeting with a potential new client)

Me: No, the guy who did his voice. That was funny.

Hayes: hehe… I figured as much… Damn, I was hoping to see a commercial with him on his deathbed and then croaking.

Me: Like Yoda.

Hayes: exactly… and they even look similar ;)

Me: “*cough*cough* Sad you not be. Delicious cookies continue will.”

Hayes: hehe. Nice.

Thanks for the fun growing up, Walker.

Listening to: Regina - The Sugarcubes

Coming home from work just now, I got to do something I’ve always wanted to do while driving — to obey the letter of the law and piss off an impatient driver at the same time.

Northbound Colorado Boulevard gets backed up quite easily during the evening rush hour especially between 2nd & 8th and sometimes you have to wait at a green light at 7th because traffic hasn’t quite yet made it through the light at 8th. No biggie. I see that there wasn’t enough room for a car to cross 7th otherwise I’d be blocking the intersection so I stop. You know it’s what you’re supposed to do according to traffic law.

Vehicles start to inch forward and there begins to be enough room for me to move forward through the green light despite the guy in a giant white van wanting to make a right onto Colorado. I took my foot off the brake to go when someone behind me makes sure I know how displeased they are that I wasn’t moving. A split-second check in the mirror reveals an angry-looking, older ‘gentlemen’ in a Volvo. He is still laying in on his horn, so I do what any decent and conscientious driver would do — I stop.

I calmly decide that I’m going to push it even further. The poor guy in the white van looks like he’s been stuck there for quite some time trying to make his right, so with another quick glance in the mirror to make sure my new-found curmudgeon is watching, I wave the van into the lane. The van makes the turn and now there is definitely no room to move forward.

At this point, I start praying that the light would change and I got my wish. We all sit there through a light cycle and then do what any evil and selfish driver would do — I look into the mirror and start laughing like a villain bent on taking over the world. The lovely fellow behind me now looks completely nonplussed and it’s delicious. I couldn’t tell whether he had realized he was being a jerk or was just in utter shock that someone would have the audacity to be patient. Needless to say it felt good proving a point nonaggressively. Of course, that’s what got Ghandi shot, but it was still fun.

Listening to: Danger Ahead - Electric Light Orchestra

The boys over at Best Gay Blogs just published an in-depth interview spotlighting little ole me and — get this — I answer some of the questions seriously. The horror! And in another serious moment, I want to thank the staff over at BGB for the exposure and support they’ve given my crammed condo on the Internet.

Also, welcome to everyone new. You’ll find links to some of my favorite posts in the left-hand column if you would like to check ‘em out.

And in case any of you were wondering after you read the interview:

Dec. 31 - I turn 40 (-38741936 days ago)

Add 6 hours to formulate the release of Spider-Man 3 and to find out when the web slinging begins!

Listening to: Postcard - Texas