Yesterday's "To Vima" newspaper had an article about Forbes' annual list of dead millionaires. These are people who have managed to earn more dead in the last year than we mere mortals are likely to make in a lifetime.
At first sight this doesn't seem quite fair, but then most of us have worked with someone who might as well be dead for all they appear to contribute to their employer (and some who would do less damage). In fact, there was a story a few years ago about an office worker who died at his desk, and it was several working days before anyone noticed, and probably only then because it was his turn to buy the milk.
Some people on the list would perhaps have made a lot less had they still been around. For example, Elvis, John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe (first, second and ninth on the list) might have been penniless has-beens had they not been cut off in their prime (all right, a bit past it in all three cases).
Elvis raked in $49m last year. I know some of you will disagree, but I'm not sure we're getting value for money. There are two deceased millionaires, though, who I think are definitely still making an honest "living". These are Number 5, Albert Einstein, who earned $18 million in the last 12 months, and Number 7, Doctor Seuss ($9m). Both of these men have of course made lasting contributions to humanity.
"Relativity" and "Ten Apples Up on Top!". Albert and Theo: If you are reading this, I'd advise you to ask for a raise...
11 comments:
Elvis' contribution to humanity:
He has kept me sane! (uh... or as sane as can be)
Knowing your love of music, you shouldn't underestimate Elvis' power to the rest of us.
His songs can make me dance, sing, cry, smile, think about relatioships current and past, etc.
I'm sure I'm not the only one... ;o)
I have been to Graceland, wept at Elvis's grave. okay I didn't weep but I looked at it.
I do like some of his music but have never seen an entire Elvis movie, bits & pieces yes.
theo Geisel and his precursor to hooked on phonics 'Cat in the Hat"
will never die
where's that spider? why did you take it down? why are you being so mysterious about it? was it an assignment from your real therapist? What's going on here?
jean knee you are so lucky! [feeling jealous]
I told Andy that's one of the places I want to go before I die and he said that's the last place he wants to go in his life so we have to time it right!
Bee:
I suppose compared to how much some "celebrities" make $49 million probably doesn't work out at a huge amount for each of his fans.
I really want to go to Glenn Gould's grave in Toronto. He left all his money to an animal shelter which must be making a reasonable annual income...
Jean Knee:
Is Elvis still there, or did you scare him away?
I quite like the versions of "popular songs" that he did - Muss I Den, O Sole Mio, etc. Though Caruso sang the Italian ones better.
Spider Card:
It was a Halloween Card, so I had to take it down - it's probably bad luck or something. I realised afterwards that I should have put the other one there as well - which wasn't specifically for Halloween, but which was left in my bed one weekend. It's only got 4 legs, though...
Therapy:
I don't need therapy - humanity just needs to get rid of all the spiders, that's all. We're supposed to be good at killing of species - how hard can it be?
Hop on Pop:
My daughter loved them all, but for some reason "Ten Apples Up on Top!" was always her favourite.
When I was young, we didn't have Dr S. It was Ladybird books of fairly tales and "Janet and John". Not so much fun ;-)
Dr. Seuss huh? Never read 'em, maybe I should buy the books now and make the guy more money.
Bee, how much money have you contributed to Elvis' doughnuts?
BD: Nice to see you making an appearance here!
Dr Seuss is for youngsters, so I'm sure you'll like them ;-)
Whilst you're at it, perhaps you could read Einstein and make him some money too?
BD:
I have bought every CD my little fingers could get ahold of and before CDs tapes and before that records so I've given him tons of dough.
Now with my iPod the music will last forever! [hopefully]
Yeah, read the Dr. S. books they're right for your reading level! :op
uhm, what did you day someone left in your bed? 4 leg? WTF?
My favorite and most annoying to read/recite to others (unless you are 5 or under)"Green Eggs and Ham"! ...would you like them on a tree?
Anonymous:
Would you like them in a house?
Would you like them with a mouse?
I also used to love reading the two tongue twister books - Oh Say Can You Say, and the other - Fox in Sox, I think?
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