Death and Transfiguration

I'm sorry I didn't post much at all since my last update in May.  I had a wonderful time in Germany and would love to go into detail about it, but right now, I can't.

It is with a heavy heart that I post this.  One of my closest friends, and the friend with whom I collaborated in the video I posted earlier in the year, Viridian, has tragically passed away.  Early in the morning hours of Saturday, September 8, 2012, Doug B. Horak took his own life.  His obituary can be read here.

Doug was one of my closest friends, and somebody who I was excited to see succeed in his field.  He was a fantastic talent with many skills, and was achieving one triumph after another.  Unbeknownst to most of his friends, however, he was suffering from depression.  I can only assume it was this lurking darkness that pushed him to make his decision.

In a strange turn of events, I've just started an artist diploma at the Yale School of Music.  I'm glad Doug decided to stay with us long enough to wait for me to come home and help me move in and get settled.  However, losing him has had an irreversible effect on me.  Doug left us one day after classes started, and three days after my birthday.  I can't imagine I'll ever be able to reflect on this particular period of time fondly, and celebrating my own birthday will never quite be the same.

I miss you, Doug.  I wish there was something I could have done to help.  We all do.  I wish you came over Saturday night, like we had planned.  I wish I could watch you create amazing art in your final year at Savannah School of Art and Design.  I wish I could look forward to our next collaboration.  Now, all I can do is enjoy the art you left us, and be glad that we shared the experiences we did.

Rest in peace, my friend.  I wish you had made a different choice, but I respect it because it was yours.  I just hope you enjoyed our friendship as much as I did.

See you in another life, brother.