Nixta Sinks

At this festive time of the year people turn their minds to death and deprivation, despondently dismembering the year to rollick in a strained impersonation of Mr. I. Givadamn, claiming how much the people who passed on meant to them and what a shame it was that they died. So much to give... It wasn't their time... How unfair! Except Greg, who's post-Arafat spring is still very noticeably a part of his step. Good man. Too many would have feigned sympathy.

A few weeks back I accidentally found myself part of a drunken conversation about who had died this year, and although I proudly recalled a few that others had forgotten (Ronald Reagan, Marlon Brando, Peter Ustinov), I had forgotten many that others could recall. Why did I only remember actors? The beeb's list is right now supplemented by its very own front page. Don't forget the others though: ODB, "Fuck Legend" Rick James, Ray Charles. Still. They're American and black though so that's hardly important now, is it? To balance it out and at the same time spoil my accuastion on the spot, they also missed out Norris McWhirter and Alistair Cooke.

Curiously though, I was certain that two-year veteran of the grave, Joe Strummer, was on this year's list. Oh well. Time flies and all that. I am also glad that the beeb selected Julia Child for their short-list.

Who's on your Obituary wish list for 2005? Jonathan Ross? Martha Stewart (whose eye-opening time in prison seems to be a re-run of that lovable old fart Lord Archer's, if his book's to be believed - page after page I'm amazed by how surprised Archer was at things he experienced in prison, the poor poppet).

[ PS Why am I ignoring the horrific headlines at the moment? Because other people are doing a great job of covering it and providing useful links. It's appalling proof that no matter how much we fuck each other up, God's always got one up on us. I have donated as much as I can right now to the Red Cross (roll on payday), but I have nothing to say about it that will help. I'm not washing my hands of the responsibility of covering this - I had none in the first place. ]