To Flagg: These Memories Can't Wait
Over the past two days, I have read some wonderful posts from the people here remembering Flagg. Seeing as he touched my life greatly also, it would be remiss if I did not say something.
It would probably not be accurate to describe myself as a very close friend of Flagg. I knew and loved him yes, but we were not kin, not pack. We were however kindred spirits that for some reason, had a tremendous respect for one another. Flagg was one of the people I met at my first TES meeting and he impressed me from the first day. He was hard to read at first, and he probably thought I was just a silly pain in the ass. (He would have been correct.) Still he was always friendly and accessible, and imparted thoughts and wisdom when he could. I remember when we both ran for the board the first time, we had a few dinner meetings to do insidious plotting discuss our goals for the organization. I enjoyed serving with Flagg more than almost anybody. I've mentioned how positive my experience on the board was. The fact is that he was one of the reasons why it was so much fun. Three things I'll mention that I saw as his most positive attributes. Flagg was a man of high integrity and honor, which in the scene can be a truly rare thing. He had a great PRESENCE. While some men would wave their virtual pricks around and act like they were it, he would simply walk in and command the room without saying a word. Finally one thing that was often overlooked. Flagg had a tremendous sense of humor. More than one Ultra-Straight-Domly-Dom would walk away thinking that he had been given Estate cred, not seeing the 'are you fucking kidding me' smile, that we all knew. It turned out we had a mutual friend in Roberto, who had known him many years earlier. It was a real pleasure to reunite them, and subsequently help to get one of Flagg's stories printed in Heavy Metal magazine.
I had a package of books that I was supposed to have sent him over the past few months sitting on my desk. Unfortunately that will not have a chance. I kicked myself for not doing it. To all my friends, if I never have the chance to say it, know you are in my heart. Tell someone you love them and how important they are to you today, because tomorrow you may not have the chance. I'll close with something special. I thought about words to put here in tribute ranging from Conan's oath to a fallen foe to Maria Ouspenskaya's blessing to Larry Talbot. (Flagg always joked about me having 'Integrity on direct and inverse proportion to taste'.) Instead I'll post a song that oddly enough we both loved. I'll probably think of him every time I hear it, which isn't a bad thing.
Memories Can't Wait
written by David Byrne, as recorded by Living Colour
Do you remember here?
No you don't remember anything at all
I'm here flat on my back
Never woke up - had no regrets
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
They party all the time
Gonna party till they drop
Other people can go home
Other people they can split
I can never stop
I can never quit
Take a walk through the land of the shadows
Take a walk through the peaceful meadows
Don't look so disappointed
Isn't what you hoped for is it?
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
I'm stuck here in this seat
And I may not stand up
Other people can go home
Other people they can split
I can never stop
I can never quit
Everything is quiet
Everyone's gone to sleep
I'm wide awake
But these memories
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait...
Last year at TES Fest. He autographed a copy of his book to me: "To Pete, You are a damn good man." I guess it takes one to know one. I'll miss you man.
It would probably not be accurate to describe myself as a very close friend of Flagg. I knew and loved him yes, but we were not kin, not pack. We were however kindred spirits that for some reason, had a tremendous respect for one another. Flagg was one of the people I met at my first TES meeting and he impressed me from the first day. He was hard to read at first, and he probably thought I was just a silly pain in the ass. (He would have been correct.) Still he was always friendly and accessible, and imparted thoughts and wisdom when he could. I remember when we both ran for the board the first time, we had a few dinner meetings to do insidious plotting discuss our goals for the organization. I enjoyed serving with Flagg more than almost anybody. I've mentioned how positive my experience on the board was. The fact is that he was one of the reasons why it was so much fun. Three things I'll mention that I saw as his most positive attributes. Flagg was a man of high integrity and honor, which in the scene can be a truly rare thing. He had a great PRESENCE. While some men would wave their virtual pricks around and act like they were it, he would simply walk in and command the room without saying a word. Finally one thing that was often overlooked. Flagg had a tremendous sense of humor. More than one Ultra-Straight-Domly-Dom would walk away thinking that he had been given Estate cred, not seeing the 'are you fucking kidding me' smile, that we all knew. It turned out we had a mutual friend in Roberto, who had known him many years earlier. It was a real pleasure to reunite them, and subsequently help to get one of Flagg's stories printed in Heavy Metal magazine.
I had a package of books that I was supposed to have sent him over the past few months sitting on my desk. Unfortunately that will not have a chance. I kicked myself for not doing it. To all my friends, if I never have the chance to say it, know you are in my heart. Tell someone you love them and how important they are to you today, because tomorrow you may not have the chance. I'll close with something special. I thought about words to put here in tribute ranging from Conan's oath to a fallen foe to Maria Ouspenskaya's blessing to Larry Talbot. (Flagg always joked about me having 'Integrity on direct and inverse proportion to taste'.) Instead I'll post a song that oddly enough we both loved. I'll probably think of him every time I hear it, which isn't a bad thing.
Memories Can't Wait
written by David Byrne, as recorded by Living Colour
Do you remember here?
No you don't remember anything at all
I'm here flat on my back
Never woke up - had no regrets
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
They party all the time
Gonna party till they drop
Other people can go home
Other people they can split
I can never stop
I can never quit
Take a walk through the land of the shadows
Take a walk through the peaceful meadows
Don't look so disappointed
Isn't what you hoped for is it?
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
I'm stuck here in this seat
And I may not stand up
Other people can go home
Other people they can split
I can never stop
I can never quit
Everything is quiet
Everyone's gone to sleep
I'm wide awake
But these memories
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait...
Last year at TES Fest. He autographed a copy of his book to me: "To Pete, You are a damn good man." I guess it takes one to know one. I'll miss you man.