Goodbye Funky Monkey

The music industry lost a great man today. Adam "MCA" Yauch, died after a three-year battle with cancer. Yauch, 47, was a founding member and key part of the group, The Beastie Boys.

Adam "MCA" Yauch: 1964 - 2012

You didn't grow up in the 80's without being a huge fan of the Beastie Boys. The Beastie Boys soared to the top of the music charts in 1986 with their album, License to Ill. Every teenager from my generation rocked to hits like "Brass Monkey" and "No Sleep till Brooklyn." Their biggest song, "Fight for Your Right" (To Party), became every teenager's anthem.

Fight for Your Right (To Party) Video

Yauch, musically gifted from a young age, was a self taught vocalist and bassist. The Beastie Boys first public debut was at Yauch's 17th birthday party. Yauch, who was the oldest member of the group, grew up as an only child in Brooklyn. The group was just inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month and has sold over 40 million records. Their fame also includes four Number 1 albums and three Grammy Awards.

Mike D and Ad-Rock at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Yauch, who went by the stage name, MCA, founded The Beastie Boys with his two friends; Michael Diamond (Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock.) The trio made a domineering move into the rap industry, which at the time, was primarily dominated by African Americans. These three white, Jewish boys, seemingly overnight, changed the rap world.

The Beastie Boys: Ad-Rock, Mike D, and MCA

What many didn't know about Yauch, is that he traded in his party boy image in the 1990's after a visit to Nepal and listening to a lecture by the esteemed Dalai Lama. He converted to Buddhism (Tibetan Buddhism) and later became a leading advocate for Tibetan Freedom. His strong Buddhist ties paved way for the formation of Milarepa Foundation, which helps raise money and awareness for the cause.  The Milarepa Foundation also raised money for September 11 and continues to aid other charitable causes.

In Yauch's last years, he founded Oscilloscope Pictures. This was founded through his passion and keen aptitude for filmmaking. In 2008, he released his debut film, Gunnin' for that #1 Spot, a basketball documentary. He had since become a strong contender in the independent video sector.

Oscilloscope's Picture's  First Film

MCA will definitely be missed. According to close friends and music colleagues, he wast not just a wonderful musician, but a caring and respected man. Along with millions of other fans, especially those who grew up in the 80's, thank you for making music that fueled our teenage angst. Sometimes, you really do have to fight for your right.

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A Painter of Light

This post is dedicated to Thomas Kinkade. Although I didn't know much about him, I always found joy in his paintings, especially their magnificent light. Included are some of my favorite Kinkade paintings.

Hometown Christmas

Kinkade grew up in Placerville, CA, very near to where I live now. He attended UC Berkeley, as well as the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. After college, he traveled around the U.S. with his college-friend and the duo authored a book called The Artist's Guide to Sketching in 1982. The book's success paved the way to creating the background art for an animated feature, Fire and Ice in 1983.

Indy Excitement

While working on the Fire and Ice, Kinkade was fascinated by depiction of light and imagined worlds, and this is what led to his eventual world-renowned artistic style. His paintings glow with natural highlights and are immersed with pastel colors. Christian themes also became prominent in his work, often depicting a cross or churches.

Beauty and the Beast Falling in Love

Despite his growing popularity, Kinkade was often criticized for the lack of artistic substance in his paintings. Many proclaimed that his art had become too commercialized and more like "mall art." Well aware of his stigma, Kinkade once proclaimed, "I am really the most controversial artist in the world."

The Light of Peace

Kinkade died at home on April 6, 2012. Regardless of his controversial image, his paintings inspired feelings of peace and tranquility in me. Whether people thought he was a world class artist, or just a kitsch artist, there is no doubt that this Painter of Light had a profound impact in the artistic community.

Victorian Christmas

"Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them."

-Thomas Kinkade

Sunset at Riverbend Farm

Sisters in Death

I was really saddened by a news story over the weekend. Three young sorority girls were killed in a head-on collision.

The three girls, members of the sorority Alpha Xi, were leaving Bowling Green, Ohio, on their way to enjoy spring break. There were two other girls in the car, who were seriously injured and the driver of the other car, also died. The other driver, a 69-year-old woman was reportedly going the wrong way on the Interstate for over seven miles. The girls (maybe fortunately) never even knew what hit them.

For the full story, click here.

I was in a sorority and when I look at their pictures, it's like looking at my sorority's portraits. I cannot imagine what their family and friends are going through. To lose a child, a sister, a friend in such a horrific way has to be beyond devastating.

Unfortunately, tragic stories like this happen everyday and you never know what tomorrow holds. So, remember to live life to the fullest and always tell your loved ones that you love them.

You never know when it might be the last thing you ever say to them.