Dead at 27

Okay, so lots of famous musicians seem to burn out at the critical age of 27.  I'll be honest, I wasn't a huge Winehouse fan, but like a lot of people, I couldn't turn away from the trainwreck that was her life.  If anything, she was interesting. And she was a public figure.  You might have danced to one of her songs.  Or made out with the cute guy at the end of the bar while "You Know, I'm No Good" played on the jukebox.  Or maybe you ran on the treadmill to "Rehab."  Music has a way of seeping into our subconscious, creating memories that we associate with certain melodies or guitar riffs or lyrics.  It's inescapable.  That's why her death mattered. In some small way, we could relate to something inside of her, not the real her, but the her that she put into song.
Sure, we all could see that the Grim Reaper loomed above her like a cloud of smoke at a Grateful Dead concert.  The girl liked to party.  Like a lot.  There were plenty of pics that documented her demise.  There she is past the point of inebriation with a drink clutched in her skeletal hands. Here's another with her nostrils flaked with cocaine.  There is also her many cancelled shows or the times she would show up, but was so pissed, she couldn't remember the lyrics to her own songs. She punched people.  She went to rehab, despite the catchy "no, no, no" of her infamous and ironic song.  And tragically she died at the young age of 27.

I posted on facebook about her death, as did many people.  One of my friends, who I actually know in person, posted that he wondered why no one mentioned the soldiers who had died in battle in the past few weeks or the people who died in Norway.  He felt that their deaths were more signifcant or noble than Ms. Winehouse's death.  After all, she had it coming with the way she lived her life. 

But don't we all have it coming?  No one here gets out alive. And honestly, it's only really going to matter to those who had a personal connection to us.

Unless you've written a hit song.

Have a Heart

My brother-in-law needs a new heart.  He is 51 years old and was recently placed on the transplant list.  In addition to going about his day to day life, he is anxiously waiting for a phone call to alert him that a donor heart is available.  I don't think I need to spell it out, but I will.  It means that someone has died.  This someone, by being an organ donor, is a very generous person.  This gift of a heart will prolong my brother-in-law's life.  It's an odd situation to be in and I can't imagine the stress that he and his immediate family are under right now as they wait.

His wife is planning a silent auction and fundraising dinner for July 22.  I've contacted some businesses in the area and posted on Facebook to people I know for donations.  We're looking for auction items.  Think gift cards, baskets, art, crafts, tickets to events, etc.  If you want to send something, please send me an email and we'll talk. We're getting some good stuff so far and if you're a heavy metal fan, you just might want to attend the auction.

His oldest daughter recently turned 15.  At her request and as a surprise to her dad, she asked that her friends make a donation to her dad's transplant fund instead of giving her a birthday gift. She raised over $300.  She's a sweet kid.

If you'd like to Donate click on that link.
Also, if you haven't already done so, think about organ donation.  You can sign up here.

Dr. Death Has Left the Building


Dr. Jack Kevorkian is dead.  I was hoping to get an interview with him, but I guess I was a day late and a dollar short.  I contacted his lawyer a couple of months ago and never received a response.  But, this silence is fairly typical when trying to interview people about death.  So, this confirms to me that I'm not going to go the "big name" route with my book.  It's simply going to be a memoir about my experience and the people I met along the way.  I may even self publish.  Oh, the horror! 

I don't really have any feelings about Kevorkian's death.  I didn't know him.  All I know is that he was passionate about end of life issues and people either loved or hated him.  I think he was an important figure of our times and I would put money on it that more states are going to legalize death with dignity acts like they have in Washington and Oregon.

Rest in peace Dr. Death.