Celebrity boomers: living wishes
They aren’t dying wishes, because they’re still alive. So here are a few selections, with commentary, from the “living wishes” of what some prominent baby boomer celebrities would like to do before they die, as posted on MSNBC.com:
STEPHEN KING, Author, 59 (Above)
One of the world’s best-selling novelists, with more than 25 top sellers under his belt, King has built a loyal fan base of millions by consistently scaring them. His latest, “Lisey’s Story,” came out in October last year.“I’d like to outlast George W. Bush’s second term of office.”
TO-DO LIST
1. To live to see George W. Bush tried for crimes against humanity.
2. To fly in space—orbital would be fine—and to write about it.
3. To see “American Idol” canceled.
I don’t care about #3, but I’ll join him in the other two.
JOAN JETT, Rocker, 48
A member of the Runaways when she was only 15 and lead singer of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Jett is one of the original bad girls of rock and roll—who doesn’t drink or smoke, is a vegetarian and reads ancient Hindu philosophy in her downtime. Her record “Sinner” came out in June.“Accept what is going on and grow with it and adjust to it.”
TO-DO LIST:
1. I’d like to go to India and Africa, do some serious traveling.
2. To somehow combine my love for animals, nature and children.
3. To learn a language. I took French in school, but I didn’t like the teacher so I learned nothing.
Nothing stopping her from doing #1 — just book a show or two in those regions and more than pay for it. No problem with #3; she already knows a language: English. (Unless she means learn another language.) As for #2, perhaps she could combine these things by taking my kids and dog to the park on Sunday. That would “somehow” combine her interests. In fact, if Joan is going, not only will I go as well, I’ll even drive and pack lunches. Joan: Email me. I speak your language.
ERIC BOGOSIAN, Playwright, 53
This monologist and playwright became a household name in the late ’80s with the movie version of his play “Talk Radio,” then buffed up his Angry Young Man status with stinging monologues like “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” and “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee.” Fast-forward 20 years. Eric Bogosian still writes plays and dabbles in Hollywood movies, off-Broadway productions and TV, lately as Capt. Danny Ross on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” His work is speaking to a new generation: “SubUrbia” got revived last fall and “Talk Radio” starring Liev Schreiber opens on Broadway next month.TO-DO LIST:
1. Learn to speak Armenian.
2. Master the yoga posture Eka Pada Koundinyasana.
3. Read The New York Times headline US FORCES LEAVE IRAQ TODAY.
While I’m thrilled to see a playwright on this list, I’m unconvinced that Eric Bogosian is — or ever was — a “household name.” Perhaps in his own household. The households of others? Not so much. What I like about his list is its specificity (plus, I like saying “specificity” in my head while writing): unlike Joan, he doesn’t want to learn “a” language; realizing that he already knows at least one language, he wants to learn Armenian. He doesn’t just want to take up yoga; he wants to master a certain position. He isn’t waiting for nebulously defined charges against the quote unquote president, he wants a definite action with legitimate reporting of it. Given his mindset (concrete actions and goals), Bogosian should be in business. Or running the government.
Speaking of someone who once ran the government, or at least part of it, here’s the list of doctor-by-telepathy Bill Frist, who once inaccurately diagnosed Terri Schiavo over a video feed so that he could wring political capital from it:
BILL FRIST, Former Senator, 54
Frist served two terms as Senate majority leader before relinquishing his seat in November. A physician for 20 years, the Tennessee native has traveled to Afri-can nations to set up a hospital and provide medical care since 1997. He plans to leave for his next trip—to Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Sudan—on Jan. 30.“Medicine as a currency for peace—it’s not just a mantra, it’s something I live.”
TO-DO LIST:
1. Continue yearly trip to African regions without health care to perform needed surgery.
2. Fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and work to provide clean drinking water to poor areas.
3. Treat heart problems in gorillas at D.C.’s National Zoo.
Bill, I am with you on #2. If you can find some way to do that in what we euphemistically call “developing” countries without 90% or more of the aid going to strongarm thugs with submachine guns who hide under the rubric of “government,” all the better. Because sadly, I think that’s job number one in most of these areas. With regard to #3, I share your concern about these gorillas as well as their gorilla kin and indeed the entire ecosystem that supports them, in the wild or not. But I don’t remember you as much of an environmentalist. Have you had a change of heart (no pun intended), now that you’re so far removed from the levers of power? Wish you’d had it sooner.
With regard to #1 on your list, though, there is simply nothing anyone can do about it. You say you’d like to “continue yearly trip to African regions without health care to perform needed surgery.” Sadly, as a former Senator it doesn’t matter where you go, you’ll have health care. I wish we could make this dream come true for you by taking it away, but you’ve got it for life (just as the benefits and entitlements due convicted felons who happened at one time to be in Congress continue to roll on). If it’s any comfort, there are 45.8 million Americans without health care; I only wish you were one of them.