OutstandingJudgeOfCharacter

In an earlier post, I lamented the recent passing of one of my inspirations, Robert Anton Wilson. I(thanks be to Tuck) possess an eight tape collection of live appearances and interview material. Titled "Robert Anton Wilson Explains Everything" or (Old Bob Exposes His Ignorance) distributed by Sounds True PO Box 8010 Boulder Colorado 80306 www.soundstrue.com. They also have a toll free number you can call 800-333-9185. I don't work for them or anything, just trying to help out. You and them.

Occasionally I listen to this collection as I'm driving. Especially if it's gonna be a long ride sans familial unit. All the better to emmerse oneself......with...in, whatever. Recently I had the oppurtunity to listen to Bob on a trip to the orthopedist. A moderately lengthy drive taken with only me, myself and Bob.....and the nice interviewer guy.

I listened as Bob talked about his relationship with Dr Timothy Leary. And about Leary's last days and Bob's last conversation with him and wanted to share a small part with you. The collection includes 9 hours of audio, so you just get a coupla seconds from me.

As I don't have a cassette player right here, and I'm too lazy to go listen to it in the car right now, I'll paraphrase....
As Leary lays in the hospital while he and everyone knows he's dying, Bob says to him,"Tim, I've met Buckmister Fuller, and I think you're the smartest person I've ever met. And I've met George Carlin and I think you're the funniest person I've ever met."

Leary looks at Bob with a grin on his face despite his impending demise in who knew how many weeks/days/hours and says, "Bob, I think you're an outstanding judge of character."

On the tape, Bob refers to that as his favorite Leary story, quickly qualifing that by saying he has two favorite Leary stories and relating the following....
A month or so after Leary's death, Bob received an e-mail from him. The e-mail contained basically the following message, "Dear Robert, all is well here although it's not exactly what I expected....too crowded. Tim."

Bob considered it an honor that Leary would go to the trouble to send that message, whether through spiritual means or by technical setup prior to his passing.

Well, Bob's been gone a while now and I have yet to receive a message from him via internet or other means. This is probably due to the fact that I'd never met Bob and I'm gonna assume he never knew I existed.

Although I do get the idea that one should never assume too many things in relation to Robert Anton Wilson.

But Bob, if you're running around out there in the aether and monitoring the world wide web(Bob also speaks of the internet and how it's gonna effect people in the present and future on the 9 hour collection), I'm waiting. And I'll consider it an honor....and a little weird.

Finn