Paul Newman's Funeral

During my lunch break today, while I was at work, I noticed that I received a couple of messages on my cell phone. One was from a friend, and one was from my mom. A frantic message informing me that Paul Newman had died. Apparently my dad had been warming up the truck and heard the information on the radio. He came back in the house to tell my mom that sad news, then left for the day.

So, being the rational, reasonable, sane person that she is, she gets on the horn and starts calling everyone she knows--Did you hear the news? Paul Newman has died! All the great ones are gone....She was doing some serious lamenting into my voicemail about this. If you told her Heath Ledger has just died, her response would be "Heath who?", but for Paul she is starting to pack her bags to attend the service. Her casserole for Joanne Woodward is already in the oven.

I called Mike during lunch and during our conversation I mentioned, Oh yeah, and I guess Paul Newman died today.

Mike: Yeah she called me too. Funny thing is, there is nothing on the news or the internet about his death. Nothing.

Me: Well, my dad heard it on the radio

Mike (checking the internet): Well here is something saying today is his 83rd birthday...

So I called my mom.

Me: Mom, what exactly did dad say?

Mom: He just heard the tail end of the story--Paul Newman is 83.

Me: Yes, that is because IT IS HIS BIRTHDAY. HE IS NOT DEAD. You can take off the black now, Mom. Paul is still alive and kicking. Quit calling people to tell them Paul Newman has died. He's eating cake right now.

Mom (Laughing): Oh, Whew! Hmmm...maybe I should let your dad know.