That was the tagline from one of my all-time favorite movies: Superman. It propelled an unknown actor named Christopher Reeve into international stardom. And, in the summer of 1978, I did believe that a man could fly.

He returned to the nation’s eye in 1995 when he was paralyzed after being thrown from his horse in an equestrian competition. He became a proponent of new research for paralysis research, including stem cell research. He was a firm believer that a breakthrough would be found and that he would someday walk again. He and his wife, Dana, opened the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, U.S.’s first center devoted to teaching paralyzed people to live more independently, in May 2002.

More recently, Reeve was added to the cast of Smallville as Dr. Virgil Swann, a scientist with knowledge of Krypton… and Clark Kent’s ties to it. He was supposed to appear in more episodes this season, along with his Superman co-stars Annette O’Toole and new cast addition Margot Kidder.

I just found heard that Christopher Reeve died (1, 2). He fell into a coma on Saturday after going into cardiac arrest; he passed away Sunday.

Christopher Reeve made us believe that a man can fly.
More importantly, he showed us that a man can inspire.

Rest in peace.

Football
Baltimore at Washington

17 – 10


The Ravens played sixty minutes of hard scrabble defensive football tonight.

The Ravens went into halftime down 0 – 10. It looked pretty bleak. There were three back to back to back interceptions for the Ravens; although, Ravens QB wasn’t responsible for the first pick. Jamal Lewis couldn’t find a run lane. And the passing game? Non-existent. The second half, however… That was a totally different story. Ed Reed forced a fumble by ‘Skins QB Mark Brunell. B.J. Sams ran back a punt for a touchdown. And Jamal Lewis found holes in the Washington Defense; in fact, he rushed for 116 yards… more than the Redskins’ combined yardage.

But the bottom line: It was a win.

Stray Toasters

  • Jess and I were enjoying a leisurely loop of the city on I-215 when Copacabana came on the radio. I wasn’t driving, so I chair-danced madly while singing along. I’m sure that other drivers/riders must have been amused by my antics. But, I don’t care… it was fun.
  • I like Jaguar’s new “7 Sins” commercial for the XJ8.
  • For the first time in a while, Jess and I went to the mall. I had forgotten how amusing mall patrons can be. And that does not even include the Hot Dog on a Stick lemonade-making antics.
  • Sean Howard, the creator of A Modest Destiny and The Starship Destiny had a few interesting points about Star Trek: TOS in his latest blog.
  • I held a copy of both X-Men Legends and Fable in my hands this afternoon. I think that one of them might be my birthday present to myself.
  • Perry and Max are coming over tomorrow to play.
  • By way of Slashdot: Scientists Define Murphy’s Law
  • Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
    Walla walla, bing bang

  • I cooked bratwursts and burgers on the grill (again) today. I’m sure that our neighbors must wonder why it is that I cook out so much. *shrug* Let ’em wonder.
  • “Why are you talking stupid?”

  • If you get The Travel Channel, check out Vegas Revealed. It’s an interesting and informative show.

Namaste.