RIP DAVID BLOOM: While most of us didn't know David Bloom, I'm sure in recent weeks many of us felt as if we did. I was surprised and saddened to read this morning that Bloom died of an apparent pulmonary embolism. This while molten steel was flying all around his head, and yet threatening him less than his own internal architecture. (I'll wait to read more about how such a malady arises. Can a pulmonary embolism be linked to his recent stresses?).

Another reminder that we never know when or how we're gonna go, and that Evel Knievel is probably more likely to succumb to a heart attack or cancer than a motorcycle jump. Bloom was, as you always hear, too young. And the age cutoff for "too young" continues to increase the older I get.