The Good Doctor

I'm saddened and shocked by the death of the Good Doctor, the main man, Hunter S Thompson. According to his old sparring partner from the glory days of the Kentucky Derby, Ralph Steadman, HST was not in good shape after having both his hips replaced, and did not want to grow old and helpless. So he only had one option. I don't mind growing old myself - in fact I'd quite like to have a 16 year old girlfriend when I'm in my 70s, just to piss off Middle England (Middle Everywhere, come to that) - but the helplessness issue is understandable. I've just been through watching my father become increasingly helpless, and it's not fun. So in a way, HST, that most inspiring and indestructable of people, took the brave decision to end it before he got so bad that he was a shadow of his former self. It was his last work, his exiter book. Raise a glass of JD in his honour. 'We were somewhere on the edge of heaven, when the drugs began to take hold...' Dream well, Hunter. I'll miss you.

Arthur Miller

Just heard that Arthur Miller has died. I will take time off from writing the new book to raise a glass in his honour. I remember the story he told about being married to Marilyn Monroe. She was on location somewhere, and he called her from a phone booth. She told him that she loved him with such intensity that he momentarily fainted in the phone box. Plus he stood up to HUAC. Great man.