Classic Rant #812 (September 27, 2012): Yom Kippur and Moon River

Somehow, I am going to try to weave two disparate items together into one.

Please hear me out before you slide over to another site.

Last night marked the end of Yom Kippur, the highest of the holy days for Jews around the world.

For the first time in my life, I worked on the holiday. I had to, because weeks before, when I first was diagnosed with a pinched nerve, I took a week off from work due to the rest that was prescribed by my doctor.

I needed to make up the time, so this year, I worked on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

It felt kind of weird working on the holiday yesterday, and not fasting to boot.

Some people at work actually asked me why I was there, and I told them that I felt funny being there, but circumstances dictated what I did.

And while I was at work, I found out that Andy Williams, one of the all-time and longest-lasting crooners in music history, had passed away after fighting bladder cancer for years.

I was never a fan of Williams' style, which was so laid back that I am surprised he never fell over.

He had many, many hits, and was really the last of the non-rock and rollers to continue to have hits through the first 20 years of the rock era.

"Moon River" was, of course, probably his most famous song, but, ironically, it was never released as a single.

Other hits he had included "Canadian Sunset," "Lonely Street," and probably my favorite song of his, "Can't Get Used to Losing You" from 1963.

He was a major presence on television, and his long-running TV show--along with his annual Christmas specials--always drew high ratings.

He lived pretty much a clean life, except for his relationship with the notorious Claudine Longet, his former wife. During her trial for the murder of skier Spider Sabich, he stood by his ex-wife's side like old gum sticks to your shoe.

And he was a friend of the Kennedy's, often seen escorting Ethel Kennedy around town.

He will be missed.

And I miss the old-time Yom Kippur for me.

Maybe next year, when I am better, I can participate like I want to, and not be forced to pretty much ignore the holiday because of my own circumstance.

Well ... I did tie the two together, didn't I?