the boat race and more

 

now I missed a yearly tradition I celebrate. Perhaps I was distracted by the affairs of the world right now. A recent one that comes to mind is the cancellation of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and what a tragedy that is. Then moreover that takes me back to 1997 and the tragedy of the same race where countless people were rescued from horrific weather conditions and six people died. More like an avoidable disaster. No one was holding a gun to these peoples heads to participate. When I heard the news come in of deaths it reminded me of another death in 1997. Lady Diana. I remember where was when I heard she died and I really couldn't care less. I felt the same when I heard of these yachting fatalities.

the one I miss celebrating the most is 22nd November 1997. Midday. The Shell service station next to Harvey Norman in South Road Moorabbin. The weather was perfect and not a cloud in the sky. I had just filled up and when I got in the car the news came over the radio that an Australian pop icon had killed himself in a hotel in Sydney. In anticipation I started crying tears - of joy. Could it be true? Tell me I am not dreaming. Then, the news. Michael Hutchence had hung himself in Sydney and this burnt out, drug addled piece of non-creative garbage was finally gone. If it happened three years prior to the date , I still doubt if anyone would care. My only thought was talk about a result! Should have been given a posthumous reward at the next awards ceremony for services to music - by not making any.

I really feel somewhat remiss for not celebrating the anniversary closer to the date. 23 years without this piece of crap. 

Before anyone gets incensed by what I have said tell me of any significant piece of music released beyond 1992. Personally - I can't stand them all. As of that year onward and according to the report of the coroner, his only greatest hits were alcohol, cocaine and Prozac.