Let’s face it, we’re a funny little community. Our aggregate quirkiness is off the charts, and I’m sure many a psychoanalyst would have a field day going after the remote, at-a-distance, obsessive nature of many of our transactions. Something about lack of real relatedness, or using that term I really don’t like, “schizoid”.
But you know what, I couldn’t give a shit about all that. Fuck you I say. I personally have deeply enjoyed our community, our esoteric appreciation of wine, obscuriana, and even word play (though I personally don’t really relate to that). And unlike reading, hanging out on WD there is someone on the other end. We have fun, we share, and it is a good thing. The wonder of the web, finding communities and comrades such as ours.
Last week a group of us (slaton, Lou Kessler, Mark Anisman, Mike Dashe, Bob S, Jim Cowan, Jim Hanlon, Mme L, and I) got together to enjoy a visit with Mike and learn of his wines, have lunch, and drink great wines together. We were a funny, diverse crew by personality and temperament. We had such a great time, even though many of us didn’t know each other. It was a highlight of the Mme and my vacation, and we deeply appreciated everyone coming out to welcome the out of towners. A fine community I would say.
I deeply regret not having met Chris in person. I looked forward to his posts, and more than once during his hiati I found myself doing searches for old posts of his to get a fix. He was so good. I always felt a bit of a rush of happiness when he responded to one of my posts. And that was just the little peek into him based on his writing.
I envy the New York community and your connectedness and also I am so sad for you to have lost such a great, close friend. Nothing at-a-distance about that. Obviously it’s been a really tough few years for you, and at least speaking for myself but also I think the rest of the WD community we offer our condolence and support.
Wishing us all the best, and thankful for the fun and life Chris brought to us all, both near and not so near.
