1997 Status

No score yet. So far, Boris Yeltsin made it through his quintuple-bypass surgery and official reports say they expect a full recovery. Likewise, Old Blue Eyes made a trip to the hospital and returned, dismissing rumors of heart trouble, and His Holiness J.P. II came through his appendectomy alright. Looks like the Angel of Life is on top of things.

Cardinal takes out Angel. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago passed away November 14th, putting Andy in the lead with 1 point, and removing our Angel of Life from the game after only two weeks.

Pushing up tulips? Tiny Tim, aka Herbert Khaury, tiptoed his last on November 30th. Bill and Andy are now tied with one point each. Meanwhile, ten different players are on edge as Mother Teresa isn't doing well at all, while the Angel insists she'll recover fully.

Check-out time. Harry Helmsley settled his bill January 4, putting Rob in a three-way tie with Bill and Andy. Meanwhile Mother Teresa announced her retirement, and Sinatra was hospitalized twice this month with heart problems. His doctors say his prognosis is good, though.

Slow boat from China. Two more players (actually, one player and one duo), Greg and Deb-and-Mike, have joined the running when Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping died February 19.

It's been a wonderful life. On July 2, Jimmy Stewart moved on, causing a leap in players' scores. The lead is two points, shared among five players (Rob, Bill, Deb-n-Mike, Greg and Andy.)

Out to Lunch. Yesiree, the Angel of Life went on a professional vacation, and apparently left his Angeling duties at home as well. This is what happens. 83-year-old beatnik William S. Burroughs died on August 2, giving Eric his second point and creating a SIX-way tie.

Remembered by God. The world's oldest person, Jeanne Calment died on August 4 at the well-preserved age of 122. I hope the Angel of Life is having a nice vacation, cause I can't think of anything witty to say, but PDM turns this game into a seven-way tie.

Closer to sainthood. Mother Teresa took the next step towards official canonization on September 5. The world mourns while we feel a little guilty. She was on most player's lists, and we're now down to a four-way tie.

Time enough at last. Just four days later, Burgess Meredith made it official that he won't be appearing in any more Rocky sequels. There are now just two players, Eric and Andy, in the lead with four points apiece.

End of an epic.Eric pulls into the lead during the game's home stretch when James Michener turns over his final leaf October 16. The rest of the month passes quietly, making Eric THE 1997 WINNER with five points. Eric openly admits to 'playing the actuarial tables' to make his list, and this year it's paid off. Congrats!

Page last modified November 5, 1997.