It's not a very happy Halloween · 1:15am Nov 1st, 2013
I had planned a big Nightmare Night release, but as with last year, I had to divert my attention to more important matters. Maybe the third time will be the charm.
The good news is that I've recently found new employment, and it will involve many quiet moments, during which I may finally be able to get some writing done. I've got an absolutely killer idea in the works, which will be unlike any pony story you've ever seen—guaranteed.
Now, the bad news.
Today, I found out that my musician friend, whom I've mentioned previously, is having further medical complications. He has stage-four cancer, and his liver is in really bad shape, so chemo can't be done on him.
I recently spoke to his band's bassist, and we privately agreed that we should do all we can to preserve our friend's music, just in case the worst happens. I've made some recordings of their practice sessions, and the bassist is putting together a songbook. Between us, we may be able to pass his work on to other musicians, if our friend is unable to do so so himself. The songs are quite clever and inventive, and I hope that someday, I can share them with you all.
Our friend is a fighter, and the doctors haven't given up on him. Best-case scenario, he beats it. Worst-case scenario, the bassist and I may not be able to save all of his songs.
To be honest, this awful situation could have been avoided if my friend had applied himself years ago. But he partied too hard, and engaged in too much dilettantism. He thought he was a writer and painter as well as a musician, but he never got nearly as good at those things as he is at music.
So if you're going to do something, do it as soon as you can, because you never know how long you've got.
Live well, everyone.
HV
Wow, man. Bombs dropped. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. The spirit to overcome is extremely important. My buddy was diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago and was able to beat it. I hope the same happens with your friend. He also did not have chemo. They gave him some kind of super-pills and they helped him quite a bit.
Sorry your Halloween is ruined, sir. Hope it all turns out okay.
Aw man, I'm sorry
You have my sympathy. That goes without saying, but you especially have my sympathy, for an extremely direct reason: literally three hours ago, one of my two bosses, Chip, died of esophageal cancer. It was stage IV when first discovered. He'd been on that same slow downslope, and this week finally just crumpled all at once. At least I got to say goodbye this week along with his other friends and family.
Take what time with your friend you have left. Good wishes go with you.
I'm sorry to hear that. Best of luck to your friend.
Terribly sorry about your friend, HV. Hope he pulls through.
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Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your words--for real. Moral support helps a lot.
Dilettantism is a cruel mistress. I feel for your friend: if folks liked my music they might look with great suspicion on my poni books, and then there's the dabbling in art and Flash, some of which is so ill-supported that it's barely produced anything at all.
It comes of looking at the world and going 'Why is this not better? This should be better. It should be like SO' and trying to make it happen—everywhere.
Your friend is lucky to have you there taking sides. 'Cos something always wins, when the dust settles, and you might not get to choose what it is but you always get to choose just how much you'll shortchange that one best thing while you tend everyone's garden but your own.