A letter to George
George,
I don't think anyone is ever ready for the loss of a good friend. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye or to tell you how much I appreciated and loved you. You were one of my first friends in Washington, DC in 2001. I remember meeting you when I started volunteering for a local Asian American theater production. I can't remember the play. It was pretty mediocre, but I remember meeting you and feeling relieved that I finally met someone I could just be myself with, and just be goofy with in DC.
You helped me get acclimated to DC and to meet more people, so I wouldn't feel so lonely. When you found out when my birthday was, you put together a little dinner for me telling me that no one should pass a birthday without celebrating some how. Dinner was at Penang in Bethesda. It was my first taste of Malaysian food. It was also the night that the Patriots beat Oakland to go on to the Superbowl in 2002. [By the way, Brady's arm was in forward motion!]. I remember you drove that night, and as we careened down Rock Creek Parkway at about 75 mph (that was one crazy ride!), I mentioned that you were driving a little fast in that rickety Saab of yours. You just told me, "Don't worry, I drive down this road like this all the time." It was one of your favorite things in DC. Then you told me how you once got pulled over, but you got out of the ticket just by being yourself! You told me, "All you have to do is be respectful. The cops just want to know that you know you're in the wrong." I'm still amazed by how you got away with going 70+ in a 45 mph zone. Even the police officer fell in love with you!
You would invite me to help you out with the APA Film Festival, your baby. Always modest, you rarely let on that you started the APA Film Festival in DC. In a town full of stiff suits you were able to do the impossible and get a film festival started. It still goes on today. Back then you were still a forensics scientist for the military. I made fun of you for working for "the man." When I'd ask you what exactly you did for the military, you'd tell me, "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." And we'd laugh, but then you'd talk to me about your dreams of leaving the science world and DC (You hated it!) to go into the arts full time somewhere in California. I thought it would be awesome if you did, but secretly I wondered if you really would. But you were the first to point out shooting stars to me (I'd never seen shooting stars before)... in Arlington, VA of all places, so I figured you could probably do anything.
And you did. You left DC, not long after I left, for San Diego to work part-time for the San Diego Asian Film Festival and eventually full time in arts management and community activism. You invited me down to hang out with you at the Festival in 2003. It was probably one of the best times I've ever had. It was crazy fun, and I was happy to see that you really seemed happy. You had found the community you were looking for, and you were contributing to the growth of AAPI film. The AAPI film world is definitely missing you... organizer, producer, promoter.
After DC we rarely saw each other. You lived in San Diego. I lived in the Bay area or LA. I'd come down occasionally for conferences, the festival, and other things. You were always gracious in showing me around San Diego, especially to all the good eats. My first fish taco was with you. You brought me to Super Cocina
, where I learned that Mexican food wasn't just tacos and burritos. You were especially excited to share that Super Cocina was a community-based restaurant, teaching recent immigrant women from Latin America how to run a restaurant. The women, you told me, would cook what they would cook at home. You always wondered out loud everytime we were there, "Why can't we Asians get it together and help each other out too?"
You were always gracious at every festival with me. On the AAPI festival circuit, you were something of a mover and shaker.
You'd get me VIP passes for them, so I could see all the hottest movies with you and go to all the VIP events and meet the stars. In San Francisco, you let me crash with you at the Miyako at the SFIAFF in 2004. You were there for my first date with Sid. You were one of those friends who, even though we weren't in communication all the time, was always there. No matter how much time had passed it was like no time had passed. So much so, that you were the only guy friend I had that made Sid just a little bit jealous. I guess it was because the way you and I got along... it made other people feel kinda left out, but hey... we rarely saw each other and when we did we'd have to make up for lost time. You were the only person who could say the wackest of wack political stuff and I wouldn't get mad. I knew you were joking and wanted to get a rise out of me... and most times you did... but that was you. You had the craziest sense of humor. Can't believe you still have a Friendster profile. Did I corrupt you? :)
Thank you for always encouraging me in my endeavors, being silly with me to remind me never to be too serious, picking me up when I was down, being an activist, inspiring community, being a fighter, and for having been in my life.
I miss you George Lin (1971-2008). I'll see you again some day, and we can make up for lost time again. Rest in peace friend.
