11 things you think about

when you hear that George Michael has passed away

That he died right at Christmas is quite a bizarre fate. George Michael. Suddenly, he joins the ranks of Bowie, Prince, and Leonard Cohen. Of all of them, this one hits me the hardest. Bowie was sick, I wasn't surprised by Prince for some reason (I mean: he had already consumed all his energy and had packed thirty-six lives into one) and Leonard Cohen was old. But George, we didn't see that coming. And that's why, even though it's the day after Christmas, we need to talk therapeutically together. Here are the 11 things that crossed my mind.

1. Has Geri said anything yet?

Geri Halliwell is actually George's best friend. And it seems so horrifically terrible if your best friend is suddenly no longer there. And yes, Geri writes on Twitter (as Geri Horner, because she is married to Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner, the boss of Max Verstappen): ‘So, so sad, RIP George, a dear friend, the kindest, most generous & talented person. My thoughts are with his family.’

2. This is the first time in years that I played ‘Last Christmas’.

Let's be honest: we couldn't really handle that song anymore, could we? We had an enormous overdose of it from love. And now I wanted to absorb every note.

3. That you have to explain to your mother who George Michael was.

And that you can't imagine that there is anyone in the world who doesn't know George Michael. And that that someone is also your mother.

4. That you really regret never having met him.

Not even been to a concert, nothing. And now it can't happen anymore. And I regret that.

5. That you think George was really a nice guy

I really think so. That we would all have a great time with him. Warm, loving, talented, not over the top, happily living in England, no delusions of grandeur and not averse to a cheeky romp in a public toilet.

6. That I wonder why I was in love with Andrew and not with George.

I mean: gay or not (we didn't all know that back then), George must have been more fun.

7. Andrew!

How is all of this for Andrew?

8. Who is coming to the funeral?

9. Is it very bad that I would really like to be there?

 Just to see who is talking/singing/there.
 

10. Was he actually happy in love?

11. Was he happy?

Because if he was happy, then it's something, something, something a little less bad.

Okay, I'm going to play ‘Outside’ now. And then ‘Club Tropicana’, and then ‘Careless Whisper’. All day long.