News of the weird

Hmm, actually quite a bit going on in the world of Matty lately, but none of it too glamorous. Anyone with leads on jobs or cheap two-bedroom apartments should still let me know, but in the meantime, this was too weird not to pass on.

From the "Belongs in the Onion" category: Family has unique viewing at funeral home"

The Samuel E. Coston Funeral Home erected a small stage in a viewing room, and arranged furniture on it much as it was in Smith's home on game day Sundays.

[James Henry] Smith's body was on the recliner, his feet crossed and a remote in his hand. He wore black and gold silk pajamas, slippers and a robe. A pack of cigarettes and a beer were at his side, while a high-definition TV played a continuous loop of Steelers highlights.

"I couldn't stop crying after looking at the Steeler blanket in his lap," said his sister, MaryAnn Nails, 58. "He loved football and nobody did [anything] until the game went off. It was just like he was at home."

Longtime friend Mary Jones called the viewing "a celebration."

So what would be your "unique" funeral setup? I think I'd like mine to be a hodgepodge of my life. So, like, my cadaver — sans organs donated to science, of course — sitting in a swimming pool wearing my Ginobili jersey, with a plate of chicken fried steak sitting on the ledge next to me, while I was posed with an E.B. White book in one hand and a P-500 for underlining in the other. Next to me on a tripod, a camera would be taking pictures of all those gathered to pay their respects.

Is that strange? Yes. Yes it is.