Caitlyn R.I.P.
So, i recieved the news from Marja yesterday, that my friend Caitlyn passed away. She had epilepsy and had a really bad seizure. She was a week shy of turning 19.
I have been thinking about it all day. I didn't know her that well, but she was still a friend and a good one at that. Last time I spoke to her was a few days back last week, she was pestering for me to call her, but I told her I couldn't afford the long distance charges. Felt like shit now, that I didn't call her.
She lived in a small mountain town called Nelson BC. We met her the first time the Brats ever played there. He older sister was the guitar player from the infamous, now defunct Ten string panel box. We briefly spoke at our first show, but kept in contact through the band. Every time the Brats came through town, we hung out. Marja and her had a crush on me, and would compete for my attention, very betty and veronica.
Marja in the end won the battle, so she was always pesturing the other band members, first it was Johnny, then Jesse, then finally Dustin ( according to Marja).
We played Nelson more than anywhere else on any of our tours, as it was like a 2nd home to me. We would hang out with the crew there, go swimming, play hide n seek in the streets. Jord, his mom Mary (who always made us food and let us sleep on her floor, even days at a time, she told us that she was our road mom), Marja, and Caitlyn.
Nelson is a small hippy mecca, its where i would like to retire too when i am older. Lots of worker co ops and vegan food places. The city is small and everyone is very friendly.
Caitlyn was going to do our next show there.
Long time ago, in a fight with Lauren, she told me that meeting people on the road is like single serving friends i.e. fight club. That they are meaningless friendships.
I disagreed with her. Tho, most people we meet on the road only know us for a short time, doesn't make it any less important. These are the people that keep us fed, alive and helping us out when times get tough. These are the people that come to shows time and time again. It's the reason why I love touring. Showing people you barely know kindness, generosity and love. IT's what gives me hope that things will change, that we are capable of helping out strangers in times of need.
Caitlyn made us food, took us out for food when we had nothing. She was a kind soul. Caring giving. I am going to miss her, especially next time I am there. It will be one less person we hang out with, to party with after the show.
I have been thinking about it all day. I didn't know her that well, but she was still a friend and a good one at that. Last time I spoke to her was a few days back last week, she was pestering for me to call her, but I told her I couldn't afford the long distance charges. Felt like shit now, that I didn't call her.
She lived in a small mountain town called Nelson BC. We met her the first time the Brats ever played there. He older sister was the guitar player from the infamous, now defunct Ten string panel box. We briefly spoke at our first show, but kept in contact through the band. Every time the Brats came through town, we hung out. Marja and her had a crush on me, and would compete for my attention, very betty and veronica.
Marja in the end won the battle, so she was always pesturing the other band members, first it was Johnny, then Jesse, then finally Dustin ( according to Marja).
We played Nelson more than anywhere else on any of our tours, as it was like a 2nd home to me. We would hang out with the crew there, go swimming, play hide n seek in the streets. Jord, his mom Mary (who always made us food and let us sleep on her floor, even days at a time, she told us that she was our road mom), Marja, and Caitlyn.
Nelson is a small hippy mecca, its where i would like to retire too when i am older. Lots of worker co ops and vegan food places. The city is small and everyone is very friendly.
Caitlyn was going to do our next show there.
Long time ago, in a fight with Lauren, she told me that meeting people on the road is like single serving friends i.e. fight club. That they are meaningless friendships.
I disagreed with her. Tho, most people we meet on the road only know us for a short time, doesn't make it any less important. These are the people that keep us fed, alive and helping us out when times get tough. These are the people that come to shows time and time again. It's the reason why I love touring. Showing people you barely know kindness, generosity and love. IT's what gives me hope that things will change, that we are capable of helping out strangers in times of need.
Caitlyn made us food, took us out for food when we had nothing. She was a kind soul. Caring giving. I am going to miss her, especially next time I am there. It will be one less person we hang out with, to party with after the show.