Algis Budrys has been hanging on to dear health for a number of years now. He was a diabetic and in general poor health. Last I saw him was a visit over his home in the middle of a snow-storm in Chicago area (Evanston, IL) in 2005. Bound by a wheelchair, he basically gave up on life. He mentioned to me that he looked at his life as a near monumental failure in terms of doing anything great or meaningful in his published works. On several shelves in the living room area, tho, were books he had done with L .Ron Hubard. He seemed to be proud of those works of his. He had come out to live in Los Angeles a number of years ago to work with writing for the studios, but it didn't pan out well. He had some commercial success in years before that, but this would be his last venture out West.
I called him at home about 3 months ago, but his wife said he was asleep. I said I would write, but didn't. And I feel a bit ashamed of myself. I felt that what I had to say would likely fall on deaf ears, but that was a poor excuse for not writing. Just a few hours before learning of his death, I pulled out a newspaper article pertaining to a fellow I had called about two years ago to get in touch with A.J. pertaining to an article about Lithuanians (Algis was Lithuanian) during the second world war. Algis was just a boy when he recalls seeing Adolph Hitler parade by the front of his home. I was going to call the fellow and ask him if he ever finally published his book, and did A.J. contribute. Seems strange.
A.J's wife was a sweet lady. Very polite and hospitable when I went to visit him. His son had moved in for a while. Another son supposedly had a business on the internet. A.J. even tried his hand at writing his own SF internet magazine called 'Tomorrow'. I first met A.J. in 1973. He was always eager to add encouragement and help. For years he contributed as book editor for 'The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction'. Besides a writer of high adventure in science-fiction, he was also a darn nice fellow and all around good guy. He even contributed a short article to that old space newspaper I published back in the 1970's. He'll be surely missed.
Nard, I remember you writing about Budrys before, but I had forgotten.
I think I only ever read one of his novels (Michaelmas), and a handful of short stories. They tended to have PEOPLE in them, and not just be techie or action-packed.
Mr. Budrys lived, for the last several years, in the Evanston, Illinois area and, until he became ill, was often a guest at WindyCon, the Chicago-area's best known science fiction convention. I vividly remember listening to him read, at a WindyCon in the 1990's, from a novel-in-progress called THE BRIDGE, which he apparently never completed...to my knowledge at least, it has never been published in any form.
I visited him at his home a few years ago but, because he was obviously not feeling well, only stayed for a few minutes. I did have the opportunity at that time to tell him how much I enjoyed his writing. In my personal opinion, he should have been far better known and appreciated for his accomplishments, which include such classic works as ROGUE MOON and WHO?, with the latter novel being one of my all-time favorites.
He was a fine writer and an accomplished editor, as well as a nice gentleman. He will be sorely missed.
I reckon'd you saw this one and paid your respects, BII!
Treat yourselves!! Watch a few clips and marvel at the magnificent entertainment our culture once enjoyed because of the talented performers like Miss Charisse! Now she dances on the clouds.
Strangely enough, my mom was watching Brigadoon when I told her Cyd Charisse had passed away. R. I. P. to a classy, great talent!
18 June 2008, 12:22 PM
patrask
I have watched that portion of Singin' In The Rain many times and each time I see those legs again, I am glad that I was born a man. Kelly and Charisse, what a magnificent couple. I wanted to BE Gene Kelly so I could dance with her!
18 June 2008, 01:23 PM
biplane1
I am wondering since Ray was good friends with Gene, if he had the opportunity to meet Cyd?
I will miss his antiestablishmentarianisms. They would not have been funny, if what he said did not ring true in the listener's ears. What courage to take on the Church and the Establishments everywhere, and what staying power over these many years. And another one bites the dust.
23 June 2008, 04:58 AM
fjp451
A brilliant social satirst and master of the English language - George Carlin. I had caught him on the radio recently, and he had not lost his edge. Hilarious...always poignant.
The Media Police loved him: 1. %)#*& 2. )@*&%+@ 3. )*&@+%!! 4. )(?"@#* 5. +>?!}< 6. )+:"<#& and, of course, 7. +?<|(&W?This message has been edited. Last edited by: fjp451,