An appropriate memorial for SA?

Gitch · 11-10-2004, 02:21 AM

Like all of us I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Smoking Astronaut's death. I never knew him through the Astrobar, since he had quit posting here by the time I joined. However I remember him well from Trekweb. Funny, irreverant, barking mad - he was all of these. Whether you agreed with his argument or not his posts were consistently funny, witty and passionate.

Anyways, I realise that there is nothing I can do that will help him or his family. Nevertheless I want to do a little something in his memory.

Given his problems and the trouble he had in overcoming them, I felt the most appropriate gesture would be to give a small donation to one of the many charities that seek to help people like SA and give support to both him and his loved ones and I invite others to do the same.

To get the ball rolling I have pulled a couple of links up on the internet - these are just the tip of the iceberg and if anyone has links to any other ones please recommend them.

For those of us in the UK, http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/ accepts donations online.

For those in the US/Canada Just Give has a number of charities which do work throughout North America. http://www.justgive.org/guide/showCh...nsId=&offset=0

Its probably best to let the folks over at TW find out over the next couple of days about his passing, but I wondered if those of you who knew him better than I would regard it as appropriate for me to post something similar over there in a couple of days? Alternately perhaps I could email Steve K and see if it would be possible to get one of his banner ads to link through to a charity.

Thoughts? Comments?

Paul

Bean · 11-11-2004, 01:44 AM

I think that's a very respectable and selfless idea. Something we can all relate to for one reason or another is alcohol abuse. The fact that even our virtual community here is not immune to it is a sign of how serious a problem it is. I think the Astrobar has just been irrevocably changed for all of us.

Cymro · 11-11-2004, 01:50 AM

So are we changing it to the Astrocafe?

Gitch · 11-11-2004, 02:16 AM

I suspect the old man would never forgive us if we did that.

The Lensman · 11-11-2004, 06:24 AM

As for the donation, sounds good to me. I'm trying to decide if I should go online, or do something local.

SA would look unfavorably on us if we changed the name.

We should do something here to remember him by. Idea's?

And not to get on a rant,
It's moment's like these that are especially painful in regards to death. The death of an online friend. I've never met Jake, don't know what he looks like, or what he sounded like, but I'm still in shock over this news. I felt the same way when Ro's girl, Kate, died. And in that case, there was the utter sense of frustration of not being there for a friend, for Ro, even though I'd never met either of them. Apparently, I havn't given the whole "online community" thing as much thought as I thought I had, because I've wanted to let the people around me know that someone has passed away. But none of my offline friends have even heard of Smoking Astronaut.

And it's just so fucking frustrating.

I've seen some old fuckers bemoan how the Internet has made us get to know our neighbors less. Maybe that's true, but the internet has allowed us to get to know people across the fucking globe. And it's some small measure of consolation, I suppose, that there are people in all corners of the globe who will know us, and miss us when we're gone.

And yet it makes it that much harder when we lose people that we care about. I'm having a bitch of a time coming to grips with this, and frankly, I don't have anyone to talk about with except you guys.

I've forgotten over the last year just how much, how important my online friends are. We are a community, and you people, you patrons, mean the world to me.

Cymro · 11-11-2004, 01:07 PM

I think this has hit me worse than when Kate died, probably because I had practically no acctual contact with her, just Ro, but as you know, he, SA and I would converse over MSN on a daily basis for a time, so it's a given. This really came as more of a shock too because I knew that Kate was ill, and if anything I felt like crap for telling Ro that she would be ok. I think most of all, I never expected to feel this way about the death of someone who I only knew online. And this is a really shitty thing to've happened.

As for the nighbors thing, yeah, I agree, but I'd rather know the people on here than most of my neighbors, for one thing, I actually have something in common with you guys.

Cinepixel · 11-11-2004, 02:17 PM

I do not frequent this site, but I have been banned at Trekweb and really wanted to respond to SA's passing.

This is very sad and tragic news.

I know SA and I didn't see eye to eye on politics, but we did have some things in common. He and I shared a love for Space:1999 and old cheesy B-movie sci-fi. His website was wonderful.

I just want to say that Smoking Astronaut will be missed by me just as I know you guys will miss him. He was passionate and genuine in his beliefs (even if we didn't always agree)...and that's something I could always respect about him. I will definitely put him and his family in my prayers -- as my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

For those of us left behind, this is a reminder that life is short. Our time here on Earth is fragile and limited and none of us know how long we have. So, let's -- each of us -- try to make the most of every day and get along. Our differences here mean nothing.

Farewell, and Godspeed Smoking Astronaut. I will miss your posts as well as your sense of humour and honesty (and even our online arguments

).

Oh...and I think the charity donations is an excellent suggestion!

Cinepixel

Gitch · 11-11-2004, 08:33 PM

I think SA would be tickled pink at the effort you've made to express your condolences, so thanks very much for coming over here to let people know how you felt. Its appreciated.

Cinepixel · 11-11-2004, 09:21 PM

Gitch,

I am really shocked by this. I think this would be a good time for us all to put our differences aside and focus on what brings us all together. We all love Trek and other sci-fi...and like I said, life is too short for bunch of bickering.

And again, I'll miss SA.

Take care,
Cinepixel

The Lensman · 11-12-2004, 09:05 AM

" I think most of all, I never expected to feel this way about the death of someone who I only knew online. And this is a really shitty thing to've happened."

I agree. I didn't realize that I would feel this way either. Geographically speaking, Jake was the closest patron to me, being about a 2-3 of hours away, with Milkman being second . It pains me greatly that I never met him face to face, especially considering that he wasn't really that far away.

Cinepixel, I echo what Gitch said. And I agree with the comments you made about life being too short and putting the inconsequential shit aside. It's a sad and tragic flaw in humanity that it often times takes something like death to make us realize just how much useless shit we get wrapped up in. Even more tragic is that over time, we move on and forget that lesson, only to be reminded again later.

11-10-2004, 02:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gitch Consultant Fellationist Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: God's own country merry England Posts: 435	An appropriate memorial for SA? Like all of us I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Smoking Astronaut's death. I never knew him through the Astrobar, since he had quit posting here by the time I joined. However I remember him well from Trekweb. Funny, irreverant, barking mad - he was all of these. Whether you agreed with his argument or not his posts were consistently funny, witty and passionate. Anyways, I realise that there is nothing I can do that will help him or his family. Nevertheless I want to do a little something in his memory. Given his problems and the trouble he had in overcoming them, I felt the most appropriate gesture would be to give a small donation to one of the many charities that seek to help people like SA and give support to both him and his loved ones and I invite others to do the same. To get the ball rolling I have pulled a couple of links up on the internet - these are just the tip of the iceberg and if anyone has links to any other ones please recommend them. For those of us in the UK, http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/ accepts donations online. For those in the US/Canada Just Give has a number of charities which do work throughout North America. http://www.justgive.org/guide/showCh...nsId=&offset=0 Its probably best to let the folks over at TW find out over the next couple of days about his passing, but I wondered if those of you who knew him better than I would regard it as appropriate for me to post something similar over there in a couple of days? Alternately perhaps I could email Steve K and see if it would be possible to get one of his banner ads to link through to a charity. Thoughts? Comments? Paul __________________ If masturbation is self-abuse - you are obviously doing it wrong.

11-11-2004, 01:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bean The Awesome One Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: Canada eh! Posts: 5,055	I think that's a very respectable and selfless idea. Something we can all relate to for one reason or another is alcohol abuse. The fact that even our virtual community here is not immune to it is a sign of how serious a problem it is. I think the Astrobar has just been irrevocably changed for all of us. __________________ "I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing." --James T. Kirk

11-11-2004, 01:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cymro Religious Fanatic Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Shitsville, CF63 Posts: 4,921	So are we changing it to the Astrocafe? __________________ "Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They're a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working. "But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty klingon."

11-11-2004, 02:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
Gitch Consultant Fellationist Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: God's own country merry England Posts: 435	I suspect the old man would never forgive us if we did that. __________________ If masturbation is self-abuse - you are obviously doing it wrong.

11-11-2004, 06:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Lensman The Original Patron Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: Earth, Sol, Milky Way Posts: 269	As for the donation, sounds good to me. I'm trying to decide if I should go online, or do something local. SA would look unfavorably on us if we changed the name. We should do something here to remember him by. Idea's? And not to get on a rant, It's moment's like these that are especially painful in regards to death. The death of an online friend. I've never met Jake, don't know what he looks like, or what he sounded like, but I'm still in shock over this news. I felt the same way when Ro's girl, Kate, died. And in that case, there was the utter sense of frustration of not being there for a friend, for Ro, even though I'd never met either of them. Apparently, I havn't given the whole "online community" thing as much thought as I thought I had, because I've wanted to let the people around me know that someone has passed away. But none of my offline friends have even heard of Smoking Astronaut. And it's just so fucking frustrating. I've seen some old fuckers bemoan how the Internet has made us get to know our neighbors less. Maybe that's true, but the internet has allowed us to get to know people across the fucking globe. And it's some small measure of consolation, I suppose, that there are people in all corners of the globe who will know us, and miss us when we're gone. And yet it makes it that much harder when we lose people that we care about. I'm having a bitch of a time coming to grips with this, and frankly, I don't have anyone to talk about with except you guys. I've forgotten over the last year just how much, how important my online friends are. We are a community, and you people, you patrons, mean the world to me. __________________ Everyone Booze Up And Riot!!! Milk and Cheese

11-11-2004, 01:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cymro Religious Fanatic Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Shitsville, CF63 Posts: 4,921	I think this has hit me worse than when Kate died, probably because I had practically no acctual contact with her, just Ro, but as you know, he, SA and I would converse over MSN on a daily basis for a time, so it's a given. This really came as more of a shock too because I knew that Kate was ill, and if anything I felt like crap for telling Ro that she would be ok. I think most of all, I never expected to feel this way about the death of someone who I only knew online. And this is a really shitty thing to've happened. As for the nighbors thing, yeah, I agree, but I'd rather know the people on here than most of my neighbors, for one thing, I actually have something in common with you guys. __________________ "Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They're a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working. "But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty klingon."

11-11-2004, 02:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cinepixel Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 7	I do not frequent this site, but I have been banned at Trekweb and really wanted to respond to SA's passing. This is very sad and tragic news. I know SA and I didn't see eye to eye on politics, but we did have some things in common. He and I shared a love for Space:1999 and old cheesy B-movie sci-fi. His website was wonderful. I just want to say that Smoking Astronaut will be missed by me just as I know you guys will miss him. He was passionate and genuine in his beliefs (even if we didn't always agree)...and that's something I could always respect about him. I will definitely put him and his family in my prayers -- as my thoughts are with them at this difficult time. For those of us left behind, this is a reminder that life is short. Our time here on Earth is fragile and limited and none of us know how long we have. So, let's -- each of us -- try to make the most of every day and get along. Our differences here mean nothing. Farewell, and Godspeed Smoking Astronaut. I will miss your posts as well as your sense of humour and honesty (and even our online arguments ). Oh...and I think the charity donations is an excellent suggestion! Cinepixel

11-11-2004, 08:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gitch Consultant Fellationist Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: God's own country merry England Posts: 435	I think SA would be tickled pink at the effort you've made to express your condolences, so thanks very much for coming over here to let people know how you felt. Its appreciated. __________________ If masturbation is self-abuse - you are obviously doing it wrong.

11-11-2004, 09:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cinepixel Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 7	Gitch, I am really shocked by this. I think this would be a good time for us all to put our differences aside and focus on what brings us all together. We all love Trek and other sci-fi...and like I said, life is too short for bunch of bickering. And again, I'll miss SA. Take care, Cinepixel

11-12-2004, 09:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
The Lensman The Original Patron Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: Earth, Sol, Milky Way Posts: 269	" I think most of all, I never expected to feel this way about the death of someone who I only knew online. And this is a really shitty thing to've happened." I agree. I didn't realize that I would feel this way either. Geographically speaking, Jake was the closest patron to me, being about a 2-3 of hours away, with Milkman being second . It pains me greatly that I never met him face to face, especially considering that he wasn't really that far away. Cinepixel, I echo what Gitch said. And I agree with the comments you made about life being too short and putting the inconsequential shit aside. It's a sad and tragic flaw in humanity that it often times takes something like death to make us realize just how much useless shit we get wrapped up in. Even more tragic is that over time, we move on and forget that lesson, only to be reminded again later. __________________ Everyone Booze Up And Riot!!! Milk and Cheese

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