Friday Five

1. What was the last song you heard? Not counting the Sade song playing, it was Punk Rock Girl earlier this morning.

2. What were the last two movies you saw? The American Nightmare and Return of the King

3. What were the last three things you purchased? lunch yesterday, some snacks, gas for the Kia

4. What four things do you need to do this weekend? Alumni gathering, take Rachel to Liberty, go to a party for Rachel, myself, and Lindsey, watch Lost in Translation (so I can return it), play some MTGO (hey, it's been down lately, I've got to get my fix in)

5. Who are the last five people you talked to? Aaron (the boss), Ben, Tony, Linda (in the bookstore), Luc

Gayl Crum, I'll miss you

I haven't talked to Gayl in nearly ten years, but had heard from him through some of our mutual friends.

Gayl was the most hysterically funny person I'd ever met on this conservative Christian campus.

Gayl loved punk, dyeing his hair--it's where I get my desire to dye my hair purple, I think, and did his hair straight up eight inches.

Gayl and my friend Brook were in Mega Hanukkah--the only act in one year's talent show. I forget some of the songs they played, but I remember an eventual project of his called Perineum: The Infectious Grooves of Pelvis Resley (I still have this homemade tape in my desk drawer). The cover band I was eventually involved in was also probably as a result of Gayl's influence.

I never saw any anger or hate in Gayl, despite all the things that he seems to have gone through in his short life.

He died yesterday of liver failure, and will miss him more than I can say. He was only thirty three.

Out of it.

I am so out of it that I didn't even notice my nose was bleeding until a droplet of blood fell onto my keyboard.

After going through my thorough disgust at this, I wondered where it came from, and then felt it on my face.

Odd.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I've had more contact with people I hadn't spoken to in far too long, on the phone, and e-mail, in the last few hours and it's been a good thing. Gayl was much loved, and I even found a reference to both Gayl and Meg Hanukkah at Joe Stewart's site. Joe plans on putting a memorial on his site as well.

Thanks, Joe

Joe Stewart was also a friend of Gayl's and has set up a memorial page here.

Stop by, and take a listen to some Mega Hanukkah MP3s, as well.