i came in with halley's comet in 1835. it is coming again next year, and i expect to go out with it. it will be the greatest disappointment of my life if i don't go out with halley's comet. the almighty has said, no doubt: 'now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.'
and, indeed, twain died on april 21st, 1910, the day following the comet's subsequent perihelion.
so i withdraw my prior theory.
those of us alive in early 1986 were gypped. halley's 1986 apparition was the least favorable on record, with the worst viewing circumstances for earth observers for the last 2,000 years. assuming we get past 2012, 2061 is supposed to be a nice view.