hunter s. thompson died 4 years ago today...

of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, on february 20, 2005. sixty-seven years old, hunter s. thompson checked out on his own bizarre terms. this is what he wrote as a suicide note:

"Football Season Is Over"

"No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun — for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax — This won't hurt."

the note was actually written on february 17, 2005 (3 days before he took his life). so putting the gun to his head and pulling the trigger wasn't some spontaneous act of self-destruction.

suicide is a cowardly act. while it may be justified in terminal illness, it's not a realistic answer to life's problems. there is absolutely nothing honorable about it - sorry (the years of catholic school left a mark). even worse, to lamely whine about boredom, "no more fun," cheapens the life you led. i was a huge fan of hunter as a kid. it's very sad that thompson felt the business end of a revolver was the solution to his problems.

last summer i went to see the excellent documentary, "gonzo: the life and work of hunter s. thompson." it was a great film and did an even greater job of capturing his wild times from the 60's and 70's. sadly, however, it managed to avoid the mess his life spiraled down into during the 80's and 90's.

it's worth watching to catch a glimpse of the legend in his prime.