Farewells; Winter
(I know I said I probably wouldn't post, but I just couldn't stop thinking about this, and it is best said now. It didn't take too much time to write it down either.)
Last night while browsing through fursuitlounge I stumbled upon the news about num8. Terribly sad. :'( I've never known the guy, but these kinds of things always get to me. I had a hard time falling asleep after reading about it (and watching the latest on YouTube).
He should be on the last part of his trip right now and I sure hope he is having a great time, whether he's in Las Vegas or San Fran. We are all lucky to be part of such a generous and supportive community, with caring and dedicated individuals like yappyfox and dukefawks to make wishes come true.
If he's in Las Vegas I think the dancing fountains at Bellagio could make a big impression on him. They were certainly the defining Vegas moment when I first visited the place in 2001; I passed by on the strip and saw the fountains do "Time to Say Goodbye" by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Up until that point I was very sceptical of the whole thing, but I changed my mind right there and then. I'm still reminded of Vegas every time I hear the song.
But there's more: a couple of years ago the father of a friend told me about his trip to Vegas with a dying relative. "Time to Say Goodbye" is a song of farewell, and takes on a special meaning at such times. He said it was very emotional to hear it sung just as their trip was coming to an end and everyone was preparing to go back home. This story, and my personal memories, are both an integral part of Vegas to me now. Maybe num8 and those travelling with him will get to experience something similar.
Edit: It appears we've been had.
Yesterday the cold but dry (and bare) spell we've endured for a while was broken by a majestic snowfall. On my way to work this morning I found everything transformed into a white fairy tale landscape of little houses and trees draped in a thick blanket of snow. Quite beautiful. There's also a tinge of enchantment to it all, making people talk in hushed voices, everyone careful not to break the magic. As the the temperature has hovered around or slightly below freezing today it might just last a little longer, too.
Not everyone likes this weather, of course. Several people complained about how difficult it had been to bike to work in the morning. My boss even took his bike into the shower(!) to rinse off all the stuck snow right after he came in.
Last night while browsing through fursuitlounge I stumbled upon the news about num8. Terribly sad. :'( I've never known the guy, but these kinds of things always get to me. I had a hard time falling asleep after reading about it (and watching the latest on YouTube).
He should be on the last part of his trip right now and I sure hope he is having a great time, whether he's in Las Vegas or San Fran. We are all lucky to be part of such a generous and supportive community, with caring and dedicated individuals like yappyfox and dukefawks to make wishes come true.
If he's in Las Vegas I think the dancing fountains at Bellagio could make a big impression on him. They were certainly the defining Vegas moment when I first visited the place in 2001; I passed by on the strip and saw the fountains do "Time to Say Goodbye" by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Up until that point I was very sceptical of the whole thing, but I changed my mind right there and then. I'm still reminded of Vegas every time I hear the song.
But there's more: a couple of years ago the father of a friend told me about his trip to Vegas with a dying relative. "Time to Say Goodbye" is a song of farewell, and takes on a special meaning at such times. He said it was very emotional to hear it sung just as their trip was coming to an end and everyone was preparing to go back home. This story, and my personal memories, are both an integral part of Vegas to me now. Maybe num8 and those travelling with him will get to experience something similar.
Edit: It appears we've been had.
Yesterday the cold but dry (and bare) spell we've endured for a while was broken by a majestic snowfall. On my way to work this morning I found everything transformed into a white fairy tale landscape of little houses and trees draped in a thick blanket of snow. Quite beautiful. There's also a tinge of enchantment to it all, making people talk in hushed voices, everyone careful not to break the magic. As the the temperature has hovered around or slightly below freezing today it might just last a little longer, too.
Not everyone likes this weather, of course. Several people complained about how difficult it had been to bike to work in the morning. My boss even took his bike into the shower(!) to rinse off all the stuck snow right after he came in.