Dennis Hopper

Ride easy Dennis Hopper, your journey's done. Andy, Holly and Kevin benefit and have decided to celebrate by huffing nitrous oxide.

WWW DOA

Neglected the passing of last-of-the-Kennedy-cabinet William Williard Wirtz who puts Bob on the board for 6, and bumps me into second with 10. This leaves just Danny and Betsy as the Angels of Prolonged Life.

Umaru Yar'Adua

President Umaru Yar'Adua (say that 10 times fast) of Nigeria has sloughed off this mortal coil. Good luck to new Pres. Goodluck Jonathan (really)...and also for Andy, who scores 7 on the transition.

McLaren

If I'd been following last year's strategy, he would've been a prime pick.

Pushin' Up Rye

J.D. Salinger has come out of hiding to award points to John, Emily and Kevin. Holly's lead shrinks to two.

Right Outta the Gates!

Ok, so we were off to a slow start this year, compounded by a short deadline extension. But Chemical Ali cuddled up with the fank during said extension and I'm using my powers as organizer person to allow that death.

So Holly is on the board with seven points.

Please take some time to review our list and make sure I made no mistakes. One of our angels, Betsy, needs to pick one of her two alternates since she only submitted nine choices.

Right now, I have the highest point potential, though I think Betsy will surpass me once her final pick is in. Bob has the lowest point potential, with only two of his ten picks unshared with other players.

Five Days to the Submit Your Picks

A few folks have verbally committed, but I've not yet gotten any picks. Please send them in before January 22. So far this year, we've lost:

• Teddy Pendergrass, 1/13
• Miep Gies, 1/11
• Art Clokey, 1/8

And today, Chemical Ali got yet another death sentence.