As you might already know, I'm quite fond of Hunter S. Thompson, one of the most ferocious roaring lions of 20th century American literature. He and his words are dearly missed. In fact, might as well note that his ESPN Page 2 column -- one of the first "blogs" before it was called blogging -- was an early push for me to scribble words and pursue a career in this 9-to-5 blogging business. Anyway, here's a picture of a personal check Hunter allegedly wrote in 1979 to mystery novelist Tom Corcoran (who's also the co-writer of Jimmy Buffett's song "Fins") for a bail (or two?) of yayo. It's been popping up around the Internet for the last month or so and it's about time we show it to you.

Of course, we can't prove the authenticity of it, but it could be legit, since, at the time, HST was probably living in Key West with Jimmy Buffett (Buffett talked about this extensively in Alex Gibney's 2008 doc*mentary, "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson"). Total boss move? That doesn't really scratch the surface when describing the badassness of it.

While we're on the subject of all things HST, a few weeks back Laphams Quarterly published this missive from 1979 detailing Hunter's famous "Breakfast of Champions." The man's appetite could certainly be described as "voracious" at the least:

I like to eat breakfast alone, and almost never before noon; anybody with a terminally jangled lifestyle needs at least one psychic anchor every twenty-four hours, and mine is breakfast. In Hong Kong, Dallas, or at home—and regardless of whether or not I have been to bed—breakfast is a personal ritual that can only be properly observed alone, and in a spirit of genuine excess. The food factor should always be massive: four Bloody Marys, two grapefruits, a pot of coffee, Rangoon crêpes, a half-pound of either sausage, bacon, or corned-beef hash with diced chilies, a Spanish omelette or eggs Benedict, a quart of milk, a chopped lemon for random seasoning, and something like a slice of key lime pie, two margaritas and six lines of the best cocaine for dessert…Right, and there should also be two or three newspapers, all mail and messages, a telephone, a notebook for planning the next twenty-four hours, and at least one source of good music…all of which should be dealt with outside, in the warmth of a hot sun, and preferably stone nekked.

The screen adaptation of Hunter's early novel, "The Rum Diary," hits theaters on October 28, starring Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. I'm pretty excited about it and can't wait for the trailer to drop.