Famed comedian and 50+avid bicyclist Robin Williams found dead at age 63
08-12-14, 02:48 PM
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Yes, he was talented and was quick witted. In school there would be that class clown, the guy who made everyone laugh, at him and with him. But he was a few levels above that. The entertainment industry took notice and matched him up perfectly.
The latest TV series on CBS, I don't know if that would be anything close to what he was. It just didn't seem the same.
The latest TV series on CBS, I don't know if that would be anything close to what he was. It just didn't seem the same.
08-12-14, 02:49 PM
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Yes, he was talented and was quick witted. In school there would be that class clown, the guy who made everyone laugh, at him and with him. But he was a few levels above that. The entertainment industry took notice and matched him up perfectly.
The latest TV series on CBS, I don't know if that would be anything close to what he was. It just didn't seem the same.
The latest TV series on CBS, I don't know if that would be anything close to what he was. It just didn't seem the same.
08-12-14, 03:01 PM
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His death has me trying to get my arms around what it means to be hopelessly mired in clinical depression.
I was chatting it over with my wife last night and remarked that there were times that I wondered if I suffered from depression. I hadn't seriously considered the notion until recently, but the more I thought about it, the more I questioned myself.
She laughed out loud.
"You?!?"
I think there are times we all have one sign or another. Times when you feel like holing up in the house for a few days, doing nothing but watching old re-runs and eating bad food. Times when you mutter to yourself in less than charitable terms, telling yourself that you're not as smart, hard working, compassionate, or creative as you should be. Times when you wonder ... what's the point? Times when all you see in front of you is a long hard decline.
It seems there are a lot of people suffering from depression, and it seems more common with age. I have relatives that have been taking medication for years. Ones that have committed suicide. And I know quite a few friends that also struggle with it. Me too? I wondered.
So I did the best thing I could think of ... took a few of those on-line self-diagnosing quizzes. The result? Most definitely not depressed. At least, they didn't seem to think so. Maybe my bike is the only thing standing between me and the big D. I dunno.
But what it must be like to be so hopelessly and terribly depressed that you take your own life. Is it like the usual occasional hopeless, useless feeling we all get at times, but 1000 times worse? Or is it like losing your spouse, child or other loved one ... but it never eases and never goes away?
I'm curious as hell about most things, but about that one thing, I truly don't want to know what it is like. I think I'll leave it there.
RIP, tortured soul.
I was chatting it over with my wife last night and remarked that there were times that I wondered if I suffered from depression. I hadn't seriously considered the notion until recently, but the more I thought about it, the more I questioned myself.
She laughed out loud.
"You?!?"
I think there are times we all have one sign or another. Times when you feel like holing up in the house for a few days, doing nothing but watching old re-runs and eating bad food. Times when you mutter to yourself in less than charitable terms, telling yourself that you're not as smart, hard working, compassionate, or creative as you should be. Times when you wonder ... what's the point? Times when all you see in front of you is a long hard decline.
It seems there are a lot of people suffering from depression, and it seems more common with age. I have relatives that have been taking medication for years. Ones that have committed suicide. And I know quite a few friends that also struggle with it. Me too? I wondered.
So I did the best thing I could think of ... took a few of those on-line self-diagnosing quizzes. The result? Most definitely not depressed. At least, they didn't seem to think so. Maybe my bike is the only thing standing between me and the big D. I dunno.
But what it must be like to be so hopelessly and terribly depressed that you take your own life. Is it like the usual occasional hopeless, useless feeling we all get at times, but 1000 times worse? Or is it like losing your spouse, child or other loved one ... but it never eases and never goes away?
I'm curious as hell about most things, but about that one thing, I truly don't want to know what it is like. I think I'll leave it there.
RIP, tortured soul.
08-12-14, 03:54 PM
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It's really mind boggling how someone as talented as Robin Williams can be done in by depression. I'm sure he knew how brilliant he was, and how much he was loved. He was obviously very successful. As my partner said, practically the whole world wishes we could have been there yesterday to tell him everything was alright. I really felt like he was ours to keep, darn it, since he was so special.
I've lived in the Bay Area for decades and have seen him around town several times. Rode past him in GG Park a few times, he was jogging. Sigh.
I've lived in the Bay Area for decades and have seen him around town several times. Rode past him in GG Park a few times, he was jogging. Sigh.
08-12-14, 05:00 PM
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I'm very sad. Robin Williams seemed ageless, always quick and brilliant no matter the decade. His humour had so much empathy, and his dramatic performances were wonderful.
08-13-14, 02:35 AM
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He just went back into rehab last month. I think his failures to beat his problems were no longer a joking matter to him. I think this his last statement on the matter.
And his problems were, no doubt, related to depression and more money than people with addictions need.
Early Robin
And his problems were, no doubt, related to depression and more money than people with addictions need.
Early Robin
Last edited by Zinger; 08-13-14 at 11:35 PM.
08-13-14, 05:34 AM
#32
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Not Lauren Bacall too!
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
08-13-14, 10:46 PM
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Back when Lance was winning TDF's and riding with Robbin, I attended a conference in Las Vegas and rented a mountain bike to ride in the Red Rocks area over the weekend. A few days previously, Lance and Robbin were in the Red Rocks area riding road bikes together and it was all anyone could talk about in the cycling community. Their ride was the answer to "If you could pick any two people to go for a bike ride with, who would they be?". A tragic loss.
08-14-14, 01:57 PM
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Widow reports Robin Williams was suffering with Parkinson's Disease, Depression.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28796277
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28796277
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 08-14-14 at 02:03 PM.
08-14-14, 06:47 PM
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Widow reports Robin Williams was suffering with Parkinson's Disease, Depression.
BBC News - Robin Williams 'had Parkinson's' when he died
BBC News - Robin Williams 'had Parkinson's' when he died
08-15-14, 07:31 AM
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WSJ had a great article yesterday about him and his bicycle obsession.
Robin Williams and Dario Pegoretti: The Comedian and the Bike Builder - WSJ
"Closest you can get to flying" ...definitely a kindred spirit.
Robin Williams and Dario Pegoretti: The Comedian and the Bike Builder - WSJ
"Closest you can get to flying" ...definitely a kindred spirit.
Last edited by dbg; 08-15-14 at 07:35 AM.
08-15-14, 09:45 AM
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Local bike fitter posted this the other day:
08-15-14, 10:04 AM
#41
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Heard an interview with another SF stand up comic ... the adrenaline high coming off stage and trying to sleep that night
is part of the why there is so often drink and drug abuse amongst performers.
is part of the why there is so often drink and drug abuse amongst performers.
08-15-14, 01:54 PM
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08-16-14, 12:19 AM
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Rumor is that he feared Parkinson's would stop him frm riding
Robin Williams feared Parkinson?s disease would stop him cycling and lead him to back addiction, says friend | News.com.au
Robin Williams feared Parkinson?s disease would stop him cycling and lead him to back addiction, says friend | News.com.au
08-16-14, 05:07 PM
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08-17-14, 01:22 AM
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Sad news. Robin was also in the early stages of Parkinson's and had a great deal of difficulty with that-- according to his widow.
08-17-14, 01:54 PM
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I can understand how having severe depression, substance abuse in his past and Parkinson's now coming in the picture could cause him the depression deepening about his riding loss possibility. Its quite a jolt getting in the PD picture, when riding means as much as it can to someone needing a ride to keep things "somewhat normal" in their mind. I understand he had some serious money issues from alimony and the latest television being canceled probably weighed heavy on him, along with a PD diagnosis. I can relate, fully, save the alimony, thankfully.
Bill
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
08-17-14, 03:23 PM
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Yes, strangely, I also empathise with Robin Williams. May he rest in peace.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
08-23-14, 05:04 PM
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A lot of people I know, including myself, are very upset by Williams' death, more than we would think. A friend suggested that his death hits us hard because it represents the loss of an archetype, The Fool. Similar to Diana's death, being the loss of the Princess archetype. Seems to make sense to me.
I also see the high level of success in his life, and his leaving of it, and wonder what that means for those of us struggling along with less gifts?
I also see the high level of success in his life, and his leaving of it, and wonder what that means for those of us struggling along with less gifts?
08-25-14, 08:04 AM
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As I was driving in to work this morning listening to some Big Band music, up came "Take the A Train" which has always reminded me of Robin Williams in "Moscow on the Hudson" so he was on my mind this morning.
As sad as his passing is, I am glad he left us so much to remember him by.
As sad as his passing is, I am glad he left us so much to remember him by.
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People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson