I need to watch more than SportsCenter in the morning.

At least I listen to the radio on my drive into work, as short as it is.

But what's the saddest news today?

John Ritter? So young. So sudden. So shocking.

Johnny Cash? If I had known before I left the house, I would've dressed in black. You could even say this was expected, that it was going to come soon, what with his long battle with diabetes and his wife's death not long ago.

And I'm not trying to be funny here, because on any other day this week, this would've been terribly sad and disturbing news, but I just need to mention it. Apparently, lying, cheating scumbag Jayson Blair has a $500,000 book deal. And it's not to be a novelist.

The news of John Ritter, which I heard moments before Johnny Cash, was shocking enough. When the newscaster said "lost a long fight with diabetes," my first thought was Wilfred Brimley. But then I heard about the original Man In Black and felt my face go white sitting at the gas station.

Upon arriving at work, Frank brought up his father's death around the same age: He'd been at a wedding and had just finished a dance with a cousin. A good dancer, Mr. Frank finished off his last Lindy, kissed his cousin, and "stood like he was at attention, and fell backward." My own father survived a heart attack three years ago, and I know at least one close friend's father has also recovered.

I have to do some work, but I may get back to this later.