Grateful Dead

Hey folks.It's about 5am and I can't sleep. Feeling a little sentimental. A weird thing happened the other night; I went to this loft / art space / gallery on the fifth floor of some old rundown building downtown Detroit, and the minute I walked in, I'm thinking, man, I've been here before. As I made my way in and looked around, I was sure of it. I had been there, about 15 years ago now, when my friend Jason and a bunch of other folks were living there just after high school. Anyone who went to shows from 92-95 might remember Jason - he stuck out in any crowd, even a lot full of freaks (and I use that term in the most endearing sense). Tall and skinny, always wearing big ol' clunky army boots as he swaggered around, gesturing wildly and talking loudly and enthusiastically to everyone about everything. He was constantly coming up with stupid sayings that would make the rest of us shrug and roll our eyes, though in retrospect I think it was certainly some form of wild-eyed Zen. And we'd always laugh. Some people didn't like Jason, not at first anyway; they'd get turned off by his loud and often obnoxious behavior and mannerisms. But anyone who took about 5 minutes to get to know him loved him. He really had a heart of gold. This was a guy who'd give anything he owned to anybody he thought needed it, or even just kind of liked it. He gave me my first instrument, back in high school, practically demanding I take his bass when I showed an interest in it. It lived with me for over a year while I got a handle on it. Jason's ten years gone now, though sometimes it feels like we were still palling around just yesterday. Other times it feels like several lifetimes ago. I guess the car he was in (as a passenger) slid off of a snowy Colorado mountain road and wrapped itself around a tree. Man, I sure do miss that guy.

A real example of history repeating itself? The four students gunned down during the Vietnam-Cambodia war protest held in Kent Ohio, on the campus of Kent State University. I remember it vividly, being a high school senior 30 miles away. I compare this memory frequently with the current administrations efforts in the Middle East. One interesting difference today is that there is little student protest. Toss on some Crosby, Stills, and Nash to honor those who have died, not just for all of our freedoms, but especially for the freedom to express ones views. He's gone.. ..and nothin's gonna bring him back...

The memory of Kent State sends a chill up my spine. Peace Now. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,We're finally on our own. This summer I hear the drumming, Four dead in Ohio. Gotta get down to it Soldiers are cutting us down Should have been done long ago. What if you knew her And found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know?

The more time that passes, the harder it is for me to understand the events at Kent State. Senseless tragedy in the name of patriotism, it seemed then and now, to me. If there was a military draft these daze, I think we'd be seeing this same scenario being played out again, unfortunately. This incident also illustrates that the price a society pays for any freedom goes far beyond military actions, abroad.

RIP Alton Kelly 6-17-1940>6-1-2008RIP Bo Diddly 12-30-1928>6-2-2008 Our love is real, not fade away, not fade away!

He lived here in Spokane, WA for a period. Utah Phillips - singer, songwriter, activist, raconteur and unionist Aidin Vaziri, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Bruce "U. Utah" Phillips, the Grammy-nominated folk singer known for his bushy white beard, tireless tour schedule and equally tireless work for social justice, died of congestive heart failure Friday at his home in Nevada City. He was 73 and had been having health problems in recent years. San Francisco Chronicle article If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake

Rest in peace John, and may the fore winds blow you safely home. Good friend passed away he was 46. He left behind a wife and 2 special kids.

our beautiful girl- two weeks shy of her high school graduation- just barely 18- was killed by a drunk driver may 18, 2008. mimi was a wonderful girl- she had dreams and ideas and a wicked sense of humor. she was going places and becoming and evolving... now she's a box of ashes and a tombstone and a hole in our lives... here we are, 41 and our shining star gone... our child, our hope of grandchildren- our hope for her life will remain unresolved and unfulfilled... oh, the waste and the tragedy of it.... all because some kid was drunk... our lives are forever altered by the selfish behavior of one drunk kid and by the terrible decision-making of the adults who provided alcohol for their party. don't provide kids with alcohol. the law isn't there just to make teenage life miserable and to make some parents 'cooler' than others- the teenage brain (as plenty of brain research will demonstrate) is not capapble of handling alcohol! don't be your kid's friend- be his parent: don't give alcohol to kids! make it really hard for them to get their hands on alcohol! we tried to teach her, and we knew she'd try it out amd that her friends would too- of course we did- we were teenagers once too ( and a deadhead to boot!)-- we knew the danger still lurked. we knew... but oh, my dear God help us cope with this... i know by logic we did all we could, but logic isn't part of the calculation anymore... so, now we are statistics. and we are broken hearted. right now, i can't listen to 'birdsong' --that was her song-- but i hope someday i will again-- caroline

Steve-O, sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for John's family and friends.Caroline, no words can describe what I felt while reading your post. I can only hope you can hear Birdsong again someday. So sorry.

Steve-O so sorry for the loss of your friend. May the four winds blow him safely home. Caroline, Reading your post broke my heart. May you someday be able to listen to Birdsong and have only sweet memories of your daughter Mimi. Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell, Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul. May they rest in peace, Gigi

Caroline, my heart goes out to you and all those who love Mimi. Thanks for writing so we can all know her a little.

I am so sorry for your loss. I echo what badger just wrote. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake

Caroline. Is hard to know what to say about your tragic story, other than am sending you the strongest support beams that I can manage. ********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens

I'm sorry. "Where does the time go?"

am so sorry for your loss ,, i can`t even think of the words to say right now ... may peace be with all who has lost loved ones ,,, am sending out beams of strength to help you through .... the sun will shine again for you someday ,, it always does ... try to stay strong ,, we are all here for you ....

I'm sorry for your loss. Peace to you.

Hugs to you both. Makes me think of RosaLee McFall Healing Beams... PEACE

though i have lost a dear friend in my brother to a drunk driver. i cant even to begine to kinow what ur pain is for no parent should have to bury a child.i can only say that we as a ppl n a family can stop these sensless tradgeties by not letting the ones we love n even the ones we dont from gettin b hind the wheel after a few drinks.cause only heart ach can come of it . so the strongest of well beams n vibes n many many many prayres to u n your family. bear

sorry to read of the loss of your friend, john.. and loss of a father and companion to his family, so very sad...Fare you well, fare you well you mean more than words can tell Listen to the river sing sweet songs To rest your soul.. peace

as a parent i can not think of the amout of loss you are feeling, i'm very sorry for you and your other...Such a long, long time to be gone and a short time to be there peace

Your condolences mean alot, and I'll surely pass them on to John's family. The funeral was very sad, but the wake was awesome and I'm sure he was there for it!! Peace brother!!! Caroline, Words can't describe the sadness and emptyness you must be feeling. Well beams and healing vibes to you and your family. Peace

My Grand Daddy he was beutiful and Jerry I never knew him i wish i did but his sprit was ment to fly on to the terripan station May there be love in your hearts and dead in your heads!

thank you all- some days we feel very alone, and then mornings like this when it is just me in the house and i am drinking coffee and wandering from room to room- and i remember i can check in on the forums and find someone has been sending us vibes for our girl. it feels so much better to not feel so empty if even for a quarter of an hour... thank you- caroline

You are not alone!!! We are all here with you. If gets real bad, and you want to-send a pm-I will answer. My sister had the same dramatic misfortune as you, last march (well was no drunken driver, but her 18 year old daughter died in a car crash) and have some vague idea how she suffered(s) from the novels of mails she wrote, while trying to process and keep sane. HUG! ********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens

Condolences to John's family, and Steve-O, may you remember your good times together. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake

Condolences to you for the loss of your friend man.....I hope for peace and healing for his wife and 2 children.....

I'm touched by your story, and I promise to keep it with me, and take something from it as a parent myself.....I'm truly sorry and my heart goes out to you and your family....please please please feel the peace and warmth and healing wishes being sent your way, I cannot imagine what it must be like. I'm incredibly sorry for your loss.

shit, I just heard from a friend, George Carlin passed away in Santa Monica... one of the funniest of the great funnymen. a real original. RIP, George. may the four winds blow you safely home. peace.

RIP george carllin, 5-12-1937>6-22-2008 go tell jerry and pig a joke, and use all seven words peace out

OMG I had to look it up... he had a heart attack ,How F@#$king sad, he was so funny I just saw him in Pitman alittle while ago, he was grate and dirty!!! Always made me laugh...how sad! RIP George

Just before i reached his cellLet my leash carrying friend sing my request bad day :( my dog archer passed over run free and watch out for the hot-air ballons

Yes, marye. The loss of this and other small independent book stores is a very sad monment indeed. My local one struggles as do most. These stores are very important for intellectual freedom and growth and the exchange of ideas. And for me as book nut they hold a special place of mystery and excitement, you never know what book or journal you may stumble upon or who you will meet or what conversation will ensue. Many also support readings by very independent authors. Folks please support your local independent bookstore. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake

Sorry about the loss of your dog Archer. Take care. Peace to you and his spirit, If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake

... to hear of the loss of your friend Archer. May your broken heart heal fast...

So sorry to hear that your doggie archer passed so sad....

heavan is the place where all of the dogs (and other pets and people and plants) you have ever loved are.

4 all your kind words, showed my daughter, she appreciated them alot (who r these people, do u know them?she asked). happy trails tc

I wish to Inform the Deadhead community that my Best Friend in the entire world as passed and any fellow heads that would know him (and there were many, many heads)should know that this happened, particularily Tony in Portland that i do not know how to contact but I saw at the 2004 show there with the Dead. Andy was a model deadhead in his belief system or principals. Jerry would of have been proud to call him friend , he never wanted to be a typical fan or hassle anyone at anytime. He was my music partner we went to so many shows together , the ones on my profile is a small sampling. His knowledge of the music and the Dead plus numerous other band community was like a library of knowledge , The vault people could of used Andy. The following is his Obit and the DEADHEADS worldwide weather you knew him or not, should heed to his passing. His story is 30 years plus and amazing. It would take more space than I'm provided to tell the story from beginning to end. I have been given his music collection , which is quite extensive in tapes as well as CD's , Probably more than 3000 pieces or more. I will be cataloging this collection of live shows and all. The following is the OBIT , My Tears have flown for three days now since I found out. Yesterday was the big day for the furneral and being with his family. I have known Andy since we were 15 years old. John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko of Libertyville Visitation for John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko, 45, will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the services at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville, with Pastor Robert Davis officiating. Born Aug. 18, 1962, in Libertyville, he passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Andy had lived in the Libertyville-Mundelein area all his life. He was a 1980 graduate of Libertyville High School, received an associates degree from the College of Lake County and attended Illinois State University. He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Libertyville and was employed as a cook at Winchester House for many years. Andy enjoyed music, model trains, the outdoors, various pets and cooking. Surviving are his parents, Gerald and Delores Vojtko of Libertyville; two sisters, Jane (Charles) Binning of Cornville, Ariz. and Lynne (Darren) Rogers of Wauconda; and his favorite nephew and niece, Ethan and Brianna Rogers. Memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements were made by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, Libertyville, 847-362-3009. Published in the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on 6/27/2008.

Very sorry to hear of this. Did not know him but he sounds like a wonderful man. Will be thinking of him and his family. Fare thee well fellow deadhead,we will miss you. peace,pk

Healing Beams Heading to Andy's friends & family, 'May the four winds blow you safely home.." PEACE