For Munroe

Hard to believe, but a third friend has died this year.  It's been rough having to see those who we love die around you, but this was truly unexpected.  Just last Saturday night, I was in Munroe's presence at the first Halloween party of the season and he was perfectly fine.  Bedecked in hip hop clothes, a sideways baseball cap and plastic, fake gold jewelry, he looked hilariously age inappropriate as a man in his early sixties.  We talked about nothing, or we talked about everything, or just how good the cupcakes tasted and he showed me he had brought a jug of vodka as it was a BYOB party.  And then, only two days later, he died of a heart attack (although not confirmed as the autopsy is not back yet as of this writing).

Munroe was part of the Tremont scene, a staple at the main bar, Edison's (a.k.a. The Office).  He was an artist with a definite sing song quality about his voice, and he managed to be artistic without being pretentious about it.  He was a partier like we all are/were at some point, dedicated to having as much fun as possible and keeping up until the wee hours.  He was usually found on the back patio tables at Edison's holding court, and he had just built a lovely pond for the goldfish back there complete with waterfall.  His sense of humor was all about the ridiculous and the silliness, he said he liked talking to me because I was his informed and scientific counterpart.  When I told him I had just earned my brown belt in karate, he asked "Was it a beautiful brown mahogany or dull baby poop?"  Munroe was always a wonderful photographer, painter and sculptor, and he also grew many a lovely flower and vegetable in his backyard.  There we had many summer days and nights floating in his swimming pool and chats about just as much.  He had many friends all across America who came to visit, and he was creating all kinds of stuff which he carted around in his self titled lesbian sedan car.  A fireworks and firearms enthusiast, he was the man who never seemed to stop the party even when we didn't feel like it. 

He was the life of the party among a group of party people, the light in Tremont will be a little dimmer now.  Once I heard of his death, I had a reaction, which was to keep on creating my own art (at the moment, anime landscapes which will relate to Duran Duran in light of the other weekend's fan convention in Chicago).  Blue skies wherever you are, Munroe.  Meet Tony and Ted up in heaven who went earlier this year and eventually we'll all be up there with you.  In the meantime, we will respect the pond.