Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut, the post-modern Mark Twain, died yesterday after suffering for two weeks of brain injuries related to an accident at his NYC residence.

I have to admit to being ignorant about his work --he's one of many American writers I overlooked during my college years to focus on his Latin American counterparts.

I got how funky he could be through his essays and interviews as well as his constant criticism of the Bush administration. Yet it's his becoming the subject of the Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen urban legend that made him take cool to a whole 'nother level.

The man was what myths are made off.

Here's the brilliant hoax and here is a parody featuring Yoda --yes, The Yoda from the Star Wars movies.

VAYA CON DIOS, Kurt! You were a storyteller, a teacher, and a friend.

You may think you've gotten off easy, my good man! But I promise to infect as many minds as I can with your pearls of nonsense, and recommend your books to every wand'rin child I find. In this way you shall live on. As you ought.

Adios, mi amigo.

And so on.