CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2014

So this is Christmas. And what have we done? Another year over. And a new one just begun. And so this is Christmas. I hope we've had fun. The near and the dear one. The old and the young. Or then again, is this nothing more than a load of b*llocks? Well, lets face it, folks! What the hell have we been doing over the last 365 days? Or to be more specific about it, what have I been doing?

Well, to be absolutely honest with you, my friends, since the death of Robin Williams in August, 2014, I just haven't been feeling myself at all. This tragic loss has just spread out throughout the hemisphere, and is telling me, you, and everyone, that we should be more observant about the mental state of our celebrity culture.

Like many of you, I'm sure, I was -- and still am -- a huge Robin Williams fan. And -- like many of you, again -- I was brought up by watching many of his movies, his stand-up shows, and his television programs. But then, when he tragically passed away, something strange snapped inside my mind. Every night for months on end I started watching everything he was on. Be it a documentary, a You Tube clip, or even a tribute or TV report, day in, day out, I had the need inside myself to try to figure out why this legend ended his own life.

And what did I discover? F*ck all. Nothing. Nish.  Robin was a force of nature I would have loved to have spoken to or at least made contact with. Plus, being a comedy film buff, would have liked to have also tried to tap inside his brain and figure out why he did what he did.

But alas, I don't think I ever will. And why should I? Am I some sort of clairvoyant who has a deeper understanding about mental health issues than other more educated people in the field? No. Of course not. I'm just a minor comic book and movie reviewer who's trying to cope with the loss of one of his idols.

And he was one of my idols, you know. I'm not just saying this because he's no longer with us. I remember as a kid how I would run around my parent's house and shout 'Nanno Nanno' at the top of my lungs. Then there was that one time I threw eggs out of the refrigerator just so I could 'set them free'.

And I'm I free? Hmm? Yeah. I suppose I am. Free enough to now sit down and enjoy what Robin has given to the world in that zany way of his. So please take note of what I'm trying to get at here, dear reader. Try to remember the good times and forget the bad. Life is too short for petty arguments and silly squabbles. We have to make the world a more friendlier place or else the future will be as bleak as... errr... something very bleak.

Damn. I couldn't think of a good way to end that last sentence. Never mind. Merry Christmas, my friends, and I hope you have a good one. Plus the same thing goes double for you Mister Robin Williams. You're a star.