On the Stygian ferry

I know, it's a bit morbid to reflect on the good and the great who died in 2007 on the New Year's Eve of all days, but there you go. For other relevant deaths, there's the fine Dead People Server website.

Speaking of death & dying, I've always believed that when mourning we actually feel sorry for ourselves as other people's deaths only bring greater awareness of our own imminent passing. Very selfish exercise, when you come to think of it, but it must have some redeeming quality.

Kurt Vonnegut (b. 1922), writer











Mstislav Rostropovich (b. 1927), cellist & conductor












Tammy Faye (b. 1942), televangelist










Ingmar Bergman (b. 1918), director








Benazir Bhutto (b. 1953), politician