Event 4: Sudden Shopping Sprees, and List 12: Potential Interrupted

I've got 2 posts for you today, my Natemare reading public. This would have been sooner, but I lost the WHOLE FREAKING THING when IE crashed, and I had to retype.

Event 4: The Sudden Shopping Spree
So you've headed off to purchase a new shirt for that interview. Or, you've gone to the store to pick up some milk and eggs. Or, you've gone to the electronics store for a new DVD.

Instead, you come back with a new wardrobe and a maxed credit card. Or, you come back with a significant inventory of Tesco's. Or, you come back with the DVD.... and new DVD player... and new television...

Witness: THE SUDDEN SHOPPING SPREE!

It's happened to all of us. We don't intend to purchase more that what we arrived for, but for whatever reason (mood, a bonus from work, hunger) you end up buying a lot more than intended. I know that it happens to me... there's a reason I don't go to the grocery store on an empty stomach, or to a clothing store unless there is only ONE item I really need and the Virgo is with me (still no guarantee).

True story about the worst for me: about 3 or 4 years ago I went to Best Buy to purchase a DVD. One movie. Just one. I walked in, grabbed the disc... and thought, "hey, since I'm here, I need a new hard drive for the ole computer." Next thing I know, I've got a cart full of computer parts, CDs, DVDs, games, and a $300 bill. It would have been only $20. That's an increase of 1500% over actual want.

I don't know why it happens, but for some reason it is a guilty pleasure to come home with lots of new loot....

List 12: Potential Interrupted
These are the deaths that you hear about over the radio or on the television that make you say, "I can't believe it, that's a shame. They had so much potential."

This isn't a list of tragic deaths, or even the most famous deaths. Some people die tragically, but they are already at their peak or just beyond it (Princess Diana, Jimi Hendrix). Some people live fast and die hard, but their death was really just the conclusion (Marilyn Monroe). Others die when they already are at the top of their potential (President Kennedy).

This list is not in order of the traditional "most famous" or "greatness," but in order of potential. Otherwise, it would shift some.

10. Bradley Nowell, died 1996/Frontman, Sublime - This was the death that actually made me say the words "I can't believe it" when I heard the news. He died the musicians death of the fast life and too many drugs. Sublime had just gone from regional icon (California) to national hit. After his death, they released a couple of unreleased recordings and then disappeared. What a shame.

9.

Jean Harlow, died 1937/Actress - this position was a toss-up between Jean and Carole Lombard... but Jean died at the age of 26, and could have been so much more. She was already nearing the top of the pile, and could have had a long and distiguished career.

8. John Belushi, died 1982/Actor - this one is a real "what if"... he could have had the comedic career that few other than Adam Sandler and Chevy Chase get to experience. Instead, drugs took another life too soon leaving the door open for his brother Jim, who has had to contend with the long shadow of John all of his life.

7.

Selena, died 1995/Latin Pop Star - this one was truly tragic when it hit the national news. She had JUST released her first wide US release, and it was selling incredibly well. Instead of a long career, she was murdered by her manager. Of all things, her movie biopic made J-Lo a star...

6.

River Phoenix, died 1993/Actor - another star taken by drugs. Amazing, but he hadn't really had that BIG starring role... many roles in huge films, but not quite the top yet. But it was coming soon, except that drugs got in the way. His brother Joaquin took over the reins, and he has done quite well without the pitfalls that got his brother.

5.

Robert F Kennedy, died 1968/Senator, brother of President John Kennedy - his death crushed the Democratic party for several years. After the debacle that was Johnson, RFK emerged as the savior of the party and potential savior of the country. Instead, Nixon took the '68 election... and we all know what happened over the next 6 years. His death was slightly overshadowed by...

4.

...Martin Luther King, Jr. died 1968/Pastor, Civil Rights Leader, National Icon - he had been a part of the national conscience for well over a decade, with many more years of work ahead of him. A natural born leader, his 1963 "I have a dream" speech ranks as one of the all time best messages to the citizens of any country, anywhere. He was considering staying in the South to build the next generation of civil rights leaders, and he could have run for office.

3.

Lord Admiral Nelson, died 1805/Admiral of British Navy, Defender of the Empire - This is a somewhat wierd pick as well, but hear me out. He was one of the few to take on Napolean early... and win. He was also a brilliant tactician, who invented many of the tactics used during the following 100 years. And he could have stopped France even more... if he had outlived his crowning achievment, the Battle of Trafalgar.

2.

James Dean, died 1955/Actor - Can you believe that he died at the age of 24? He had already accomplished SO much in his short career... starring roles, media attention, the whole 9 yards. And his death has become the biggest "what if" in entertainment... you see, Marilyn was already many years into her career, and had slid down somewhat. Other actors and actresses that died early were already many years from their debut, whereas James Dean was just starting.

1.

Abraham Lincoln, died 1865/President of the United States - What's this, you say? Already President, you say? True - but he also left a huge hole just when the nation needed him most. The Civil War ended just days earlier, and the entire country - Congress, generals, soldiers, and citizens - were looking for his leadership towards the next steps. Instead, he was killed... and Congress immediately botched the Reconstruction of the South and impeached his successor. A lot of the problems in the following 100 years could have been repaired had he lived to steer the country towards freedom for all and unity above all else.

And with that, I won't depress you any more :-)

Until next time.... THE NATEMARE STRIKES AGAIN!