Coffin for Head of State

In recent weeks "we" have lost leaders both bad--Hussein, Pinochet, mediocre--Ford, and exalted--Brown. Me, I'll just mourn J.B. and think bad thoughts about Hussein and Pinochet while listening to Fela Kuti (a J.B. disciple) sing "Coffin for Head of State." Also, I'll remain mystified why Gerald Ford is now remembered as a calming influence after Nixon left office, when I recall him as a mediocre dolt back in the '70's. Both views are probably simplistic. Anyway, let's mourn the death of J.B. as well as Fela's Kalakuta Republic. But mainly, let's celebrate the lives of James and Fela in this '07 (Fela died a decade ago).

In this year I'll try to finish the Alphabetical Listening Project, listen to more Brahms, and temper my sarcasm. I'll probably accomplish two of these three goals. Also, I'll read the complete works of Chekhov, submit more pieces of writing to magazines, websites, etc.(I submitted one thing last year). Finally, I'll watch a lot of Laurel and Hardy movies.