We all die the way we live

(LifeWire) -- When George Dello of San Diego was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told he had at best five months to live, he didn't immediately begin the chemotherapy treatments his doctor recommended. Instead, he and his wife, Pam, drove up the California coast and spent a week among the redwoods north of San Francisco.


Expert: Family and friends can help the terminally ill by spending time with them.

"These trees are 5 feet wide and 150 feet tall," said Dello, 43. "They still have another 150 feet to grow and are going to stick around for another 1,000 years. When I thought about that, I'm just a flea on the bark. It's unbelievable."

The trip offered Dello, who worked in the auto repossession business, and his wife a chance to come to terms with the diagnosis in August 2008, and to scratch the trip to the redwood forests off his life "to do" list while he was still relatively healthy.

He died four months later.

The idea that dying well is as important as living well gained cultural currency last year when Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, delivered a final lecture a month after learning that his pancreatic cancer had spread and was inoperable. The lecture was viewed millions of times on the Internet and adapted into a best-selling book.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt," Pausch, who died in July at age 47, told his audience, "just how we play the hand."

"Die the way you live"

Art & John Vacation at Addie's in London

It was a dream come true. We were there for the scene on Friday. Spoke to DJ (TON) and approached the booth when P A and P Jeep were discussing whether or not it's a good idea for us to come the next day and play. Luckily, they said yes. We were so happy!

Saturday 8pm, I arrived at P John's place in Bow Road after getting lost for about 2 hours (I went to Borough). Sounds kinda similar, isn't it? We had some chicken and wine and practice two songs, called a cap and we were on our way to Addie's after our Indian driver raved us up pretty badly. My migrane started again.

The set up was a breeze tho we didn't get the sound we like until the 3rd song. The crowd was excellent! There were more people than we expected (thanks to Muay for your PR). After a few Coronas I felt very comfortable playing and I know it wasn't going to be over easily.

So we played and played and played. We did about four 45-min sets and at the end of the night I didn't know what I was singing anymore. I do remember doing "My name is Mark", my favorite Blue's number satiring our new prime minister who happens to be in London at the same time for the G20 summit (I always see him standing behind Obama when taking pictures to make sure he gets good publicity).

We left absolutely high from the joy of playing, interacting, immersing ourselves to the harmonious energy. I remember P A was so kind giving us money to take a cab home and P Jeep giving us a ride back to Baron's Court.

What an unforgettable experience.

I will surely be back.
Thanks again everyone for your warm and lovely hospitality.
You have written another memorable chapter in my life and I will cherish it.

Meanwhile I'll keep writing new songs and seek for my next opportune moment to perform for you again.

I remain musically yours, London.

Website for Addie's
http://www.addiesthai.co.uk

BTW, if you got any pictures, pls post.

Art Vacation at Morrison's Irish Pub in Cannes

This time I got to play for my friends again on Wednesday night, April 1st, 2009. It was after a soccer match so the bar was packed with people. I was totally drunk on my ass before I even started playing. I remember having some Red Murphy. I recall it was two, then three glasses, then I just lost count. E-AN at the bar told me "No more bloody James Blunt's song this time, Art". I thought that was funny. They hated the song You're Beautiful there. I know why. Because most of the customers are guys, the majority from Ireland, others from Europe and the US so the song is overplayed and the must be sick of it. Rob, the owner came to where I was smoking and said "It's time". I did Unappreciated, I used to, Don't look back in anger and then I lost my memory. At the end of the gig, some guy bought me two beers and I think I finished it with a single gulp. Oh this time, I have to thank the solo guitarist who played with me. Big thanks to my lovely supporters Brendan, Tim, Teck, Richard, Su, Mee+, Johanna. You guys really made my night. See you at MIPCOM in October. I will have some new songs to play next time.