Digital Ink Los Angeles

The dude abides. Lance Armstrong is an exceptionally gifted athlete with an extraordinarily profound path in life.

As the world’s premier cyclist in 1996, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that spread to his lungs and brain. Advanced chemotherapy treatments stabilized the malignant cancer, and he’s been in remission since this time of recovery and rehab.

Lance’s LIVESTRONG Foundation has become an incredible institution in the battle against cancer, with the ubiquitous yellow bands now commonplace in work and school environments.

His “Ride for the Roses” event in Austin, Texas has created a place for his local riders to support and take part in his foundation’s ongoing efforts against cancer.

At 37 years of age, a cancer-stricken Lance Armstrong finished third at the 2009 Tour de France.

This is an otherworldly accomplishment with a perfectly healthy body, much less a 37-year old bag of bones.

Lance Armstrong is a great example of what it means to LIVESTRONG. For this, Lance Armstrong is my hero.

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On the turn from a profile of how celebrity awe can put someone in harm’s way — see ESPN’s Erin Andrews — Digital Ink presents Susan Boyle and her struggles with fame.

Always on the bleeding edge, NBC’s Today Show reporter Meredith Vieira interviewed Susan Boyle this morning to discuss her brief-lived turn in the “Britain’s Got Talent” spotlight.

Susan Boyle described her play with the fame-fire as being hit with something “like a giant demolition ball.” Bam! Susan’s lost her mind.

David Bowie had a great song from his Young Americans album — co-written and recorded with a famous Beatle, John Lennon — called FAME.

Fame, (fame) what you like is in the limo
Fame, (fame) what you get is no tomorrow
Fame, (fame) what you need you have to borrow
Fame (fame)

Check out hottie judge Amanda Holden cooing and crying over Ms. Boyle’s now-famous rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables:

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When Tim Lincecum showed up at AT&T Park in San Francisco for his 2007 Major League Baseball debut, the grounds crew and security staff thought he was the new bat boy. He went 7-5 with a 4.00 ERA in his rookie campaign, and he was no longer mistaken for the bat boy.

In his 2008 sophomore campaign with the SF Giants, Lincecum snake-charmed hitters into going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA, giving him his first CY Young Award.

So far, in 2009, he is 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA, and he’s getting stronger with every start.

Lincecum is a throwback to the days of Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, and Gaylord Perry, with his child-like approach to the game and thunderous stuff in his arm combining to destroy Major League Baseball hitter’s dreams.

#55 Tim Lincecum is a kid playing a man’s game, but he wins — alot.

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Ernie Barnes was an artist and a football player. His “Sugar Shack” painting to the left is famous from the TV show “Good Times” and as the album art for Marvin Gaye’s I Want You.

Born Ernest Barnes, Jr. on July 15, 1938, to Ernest Sr. and Fannie Barnes during the Jim Crow era in Durham, North Carolina, his mother worked as a home helper to a wealthy lawyer’s family.

Ernie got through college on a football scholarship to the all-black North Carolina Central University, majoring in art.

According to the Ernie Barnes.com website, “The Company of Art“:

He was drafted by the then-World Champion Baltimore Colts football team. He then spent the next five seasons as an offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. In 1965, New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin recognized Barnes’ artistic potential and replaced his football salary for one season so he could devote himself “to just paint.”

One year later, Barnes made his debut in a critically acclaimed solo exhibition at Grand Central Art Galleries in Manhattan and retired from football. His autobiography “From Pads to Palette” chronicles his transition from athlete to artist.

Ernie Barnes’ first professional exhibition was a sell-out, beginning an ongoing, long relationship with the Grand Central Art Galleries, as well as the McKenzie and Heritage Galleries in Los Angeles.

Ernie Barnes: Born July 15, 1938 – Died April 27, 2009

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When he first came across the unfinished National Cathedral on July 1, 1939 — at the spry age of 14 — he was stricken with awe and his divine calling.  Rowan LeCompte is this nation’s finest stained-glass artisan.

His devotion to his craft is legendary, and his beatitude is something of the saintly.

When asked if he believes in God, Mr. LeCompte responds, “I believe in kindness and love, if that is God, then, yes.”

In the later years of life, now entering his 85th year, the man is a consummate bolt of gracious piety:  “I’m not long for this world, as I’ve been diagnosed with a difficulty, but I wish churches would have more kindness.”

On this Good Saturday, it is an honor to place a wreath at the feet of Rowan LeCompte — a man who’s come as close to heaven-on-earth as we mortals might imagine.

You can view the full National Public Radio report (NPR) at this link here.

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