New Years Resolutions

In my family we have learnt not to make New Year Resolutions because between prevalent Alzheimers and a distinct and genetic lack of self will - none of us will remember what we have resolved by January the 2nd. Write it down - I here you say - same lack of discipline and medical conditions apply - we will lose the piece of paper - so we do something I invented when I was a nipper and which has been an annual event ever since. The prize is a bottle of port my Father laid down in his heydey - Actually he just bought a number of cases because they were going cheap - laying down affords rather more cachet to a somewhat humble situation that it deserves -anyway Port is the prize.

Here is what we do.

Each of us ( 15 brothers in total - halves and steps alike ) and their assorted spouses, significant other halves and offspring makes a list of the ten prominent people (excluding family as thats just plain not nice) they think will kick off this mortal coil in the coming year. Prominence can be from any field of life from Actors, Politicians, Writers and the like - the only proviso being that we must all have heard of them when the lists are submitted ( to my eldest brother who is in his nineties and if he hasn't learnt how adjudicate and arbitrate in a family of 15 brothers by now then I don't know who else would be a good choice)

Whoever gets the most - wins the port - in the event of a tie then chronological decease take precedence ( ie. if my list dies off before my Brother's list but we end up with the same number then I win )

I am struggling this year

These are my nominations so far

Prince Philip (Consort and bumbling Greek but quite funny companion to the Queen )
Lady Thatcher (Ex UK Prime Minster )
Jimmy Carter ( ex US President )
Nigel Lawson ( ex UK Chancellor )
Angela Lansbury ( Actress )
Kim Jong Il ( is that the bloke who runs North Korea? He seems like a good bet!)
Elizabeth Taylor (Actress)
Nelson Mandela ( Politician and ex freedom activist )
Doris Day (Actress)
Mohammed Ali (Boxer)

Outside runners

Lester Piggott ( Ex Jockey )
Kirk Douglas (Actor)
Brigit Bardot (Sex Symbol, model, Actress and campaigner for animal rights )
Henry Cooper (British boxer)
Amy Winehouse (Chanteuse)