The Dead Beat

Someone I know forwarded a blogger site to me that was written by an obvious fan of obituaries. Birds of a feather would like to get to link each other, but it was found to be impossible to try and leave a comment. No matter, you can still get to the site.

http://www.wherestheseesaw.com/?p=39

The writer is obviously from across the pond. They make reference to The Dead Beat in their blog title and content. They reprint in its entirety what has to be a British obituary on "Count Gottfried von Bismarck, 44...a louche of an aristocrat with a history of being a heroin addict, hell-raising alcoholic...host of homosexual orgies..." who has passed away.

This type of obituary is exactly what Ms. Marilyn Johnson devotes some time to acknowledging in her book. The blogger posted the piece in July 2007, under something that seems to be WordPress.com in construction under a Great Writing section.

Additional leads of other entertaining obituaries are also included in the posting. Perhaps because the posting dates from July 2007, a comment seems impossible to leave. If it were possible I would like to share how reading about Count Gottfried was as good as reading about

British eccentric
Sebastian Horsley, 47

written about in the Cape Cod Times just the other day.

When away, I always buy the local paper and do what I always do with the local paper when I'm home: I read the front page, then head to the obituaries. I've been reading the Cape Cod Times for many years now whenever we cross one of the bridges, as we did this weekend for a wedding. The paper's wholesomeness hasn't changed. It alerts the world to its residents' achievements in birth, death, engagements and weddings, military service and assignments.

They plainly advertise that funeral notices are free for all residents and former residents of the Cape and islands. Knowing what these things can cost, a quick relocation to a Cape town before the final event could save the estate thousands. Something to think about.

But the art form of obituaries it not reserved only for its own dearly departed. Apparently, it seems on a daily basis they bring in an out-of-town story about a non-resident who seems entertaining enough.

How else to explain the imported AP piece on Sebastian Horsley, who was "a self-styled dandy ...who found fame by having himself nailed to a cross in the Philippines." It apparently was a "bungled" crucifixion because something slipped. By all accounts it still counted, however.

People will sometimes describe themselves, or be described as having gotten "nailed" when they've had too much to drink. William Safire one Sunday memorably pointed out the metaphorical and literal slant to phrases. Sebastian was apparently literal about his.

There's no clear Cape Cod Times link to their story, but there are other links to the fellow. The Washington Post has a piece on his life. He was apparently well-known in his own circle. Despite only being 47, he didn't shuffle off without leaving the world his memoirs, "Dandy in the Underground," which described his adventures in drugs, gambling, alcoholism, prostitution and high fashion."

The Cape/AP piece goes on to note that Horsley often complained of being broke, "quipping that he'd invested most of his money on drugs and prostitutes--and squandered the rest."

At least he was not without his priorities.

http://www.onofframp.blogspot.com/