Goodnight Vietnam

[vic-k]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... oken-world
What a fragile species we are. How many Robin Williams', do we pass on the street each day without realizing it?

Bon Voyage Robin

[Briar Kit]

A man who made so many people laugh, but who left so many in tears.

Sad he died. Sadder still because he didn't "need" to die.

Really like the clip below (despite it being an ad).

A terrible and beautiful resonance..."these are what we stay alive for".

http://t.co/dOehOeFuoI

We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute.
We read and write poetry, because we are members of the human race…and the human race is filled with passion.

Medicine, law, business, engineering…these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life.

But poetry, beauty, romance, love…these are what we stay alive for.

To quote from Whitman:

‘O me, O life of the questions of these recurring.
Of the endless trains of the faithless.
Of cities filled with the foolish.
What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer…that you are here.
That life exists and identity.
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.’

What will your verse be?

[Jaysen]

15 minutes of deleting my inadequate use words to express my thoughts. I guess I'm not ready to talk about this.

Which I think says as much as can be said considering I never met the man in person.

[robertdguthrie]

It breaks my heart that someone who brought so much laughter into this world suffered so much.

I'll never again see that blue genie, or that army radio host, nor the homeless knight errant in the same light again. The prep school teacher, the desperate cross-dressing father, the cabaret owner... they all brought the laughter I expected, and the quiet moments of gravitas I wasn't, but now? Now I cant see any of them without feeling the absence of Robin. It's like I've lost my hilarious uncle.

[Jaysen]

It's like I've lost my hilarious uncle.

This.

Thank you for making it clear.

[nom]

When times are darkest, it's hard to believe that the light will return. From what I have read, it seems that Robin Williams reached a point where he no longer believed the light would come. It happens daily, but to see it in one so famously full of energy and life hits hard.

For anyone reading who feels trapped in the darkness of depression, please speak to someone, anyone: a doctor, psychologist, counsellor, family member or trusted friend. Know that it doesn't need to be like that this and the pain does recede. There is help available. People do care.

If you know someone you suspect is struggling with depression, but don't know what to do, consider calling them just to ask how they are. Invite them out for a walk, a coffee, a talk, a movie. Let them know you care.

In Australia there are organisations like BeyondBlue for information and resources. For direct support there are organisations like LifeLine and KidsHelpLine for support amongst others. I know that other countries have equivalents.

To Robin Williams—a comedic genius, actor of enormous range and startling originality, a father, a husband, a friend to many and an inspiration to millions—I say, rest in peace. We wish you had stayed a little longer to experience the return of the love you shared with the world.

[vic-k]

People do care.

Like John Keating did:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U91Wl2YpkD8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdXhWS7lLvs

Well said Nom.

[PJS]

Took off a couple hours this morning, tracked down The Fisher King. Often happens that favorite old films -- even more so than novels -- lose luster as they age, or perhaps as I age. This one did not. It was even better than remembered. It always seemed that, of all his films, this best captured who he was, what he could do. Cannot imagine anyone else in that role.

Apple itself has a tribute. http://www.apple.com/remembering-robin-williams/

[Sin]

It was such a shame to hear the news. Robin Williams won the hearts of fans across many generations. I will miss him.

Sadly, this also debunks my suspicions that Vic-k and Robin Williams were the same person.

[vic-k]

Careful young 'n!! Careful!!

[Jaysen]

Sadly, this also debunks my suspicions that Vic-k and Robin Williams were the same person.

That would have been AMAZING!

But I've met Mr K in person. And though I haven't met Mr W I can tell you that the world is much better having had both of them existing as separate entities. Could you imagine them both in the room at the same time?

[Sin]

Careful young 'n!! Careful!!

What? Too soon?

That would have been AMAZING!

But I've met Mr K in person. And though I haven't met Mr W I can tell you that the world is much better having had both of them existing as separate entities. Could you imagine them both in the room at the same time?

I wouldn't be able to breathe from all the joy and laughter.

[vic-k]

What? Too soon?

close your eyes, and imagine a Robin Williams walking away from you.

Sadly, this also debunks my suspicions that Vic-k and Robin Williams were the same person.

He hears you say this, then spins around and lets fly with a million words a minute riposte, that has you doubled up with belly aching laughter.

Could you imagine them both in the room at the same time?

Pushing the envelope a bit, aren't y'?

I wouldn't be able to breathe from all the joy and laughter.

So you've gorra bad chest too, eh, young 'n?

[exegete77]

Nom, I appreciate your words above. Thank you.

As one who has battled depression for decades, this is close to home. I had actually written a blog post when I flying to Chicago the day before Robin Williams committed suicide. The title of my article was “Depression-seeking help.” Then on Aug 13, I stayed in the home of a couple. He has severe depression. We talked long about all that, very timely. But I didn’t expect to deal with it all in the same week.

Still too close to home in many ways. Certainly sad.

[nom]

Nom, I appreciate your words above. Thank you.

As one who has battled depression for decades, this is close to home. I had actually written a blog post when I flying to Chicago the day before Robin Williams committed suicide. The title of my article was “Depression-seeking help.” Then on Aug 13, I stayed in the home of a couple. He has severe depression. We talked long about all that, very timely. But I didn’t expect to deal with it all in the same week.

Still too close to home in many ways. Certainly sad.

Thanks for the kind words. Glad that you were able to talk with your host at a time that may have been difficult. From what I understand (from a distance) the reporting of Robin Williams's death was far more detailed and graphic in the USA than here*. Although troubling for anyone, for those whose thoughts get pulled that way like a morbid magnet, the extra detail can be incredibly confronting (and, sadly for some, simultaneously enticing).

If it's not too much to ask, would you mind sharing a link to your blog post?

*In Australia, the media abide by a code of conduct (which, to their rare credit, is both voluntary and upheld) that recommends that when death by suicide is reported, no details regarding the method of death be disclosed.