Tuesday – 03 August 2010
Yesterday afternoon, I learned that my friend, Dave Pilkington (a.k.a ) passed away sometime over the weekend.

You might think this an odd picture to put up in a remembrance of a friend… but that’s where you would be mistaken. I looked for – and found – other pictures, but I realized something: This picture is, in fact, the perfect way to remember him: Dave was a huge Cleveland Browns fan. He was also, as some would say, “a bit of a character.” This picture, taken last year at his house, just after a football game, epitomizes both of those.

With me being a Ravens fan, he and I had a friendly rivalry whenever football season rolled around. When our teams played each other, one of us would drive to the other’s home and watch the game.  From pre-game to post-game show, our homes were full of trash talk… and yelling… and bragging about whose team was better than the other.  And all the things that go along with watching a football game with a friend. And drinking. Penalty shots, based on the scores. (There were many games where one of us was too far gone to drive home…) But they were fun times.

Dave was also an avid kayaker and fisherman.  Earlier this year, he had the opportunity of a lifetime to go fishing in Patagonia. He was… nearly giddy… talking about it, days before leaving. When he came back, he gushed about the experience.

He loved his dogs.
He loved his family.
He loved his friends.
And he was always a good friend.

These are the things that I’ll remember – and miss – most about Dave.

After work, SaraRules and I went to the in-laws’ for a bit. One of her aunts is in town and we got to spend a little time with her before she sets off for Idaho tomorning. (We will most likely see her again, in a few weeks, when we head up for the annual camping/fishing trip.) It was nice to have something to smile and laugh about at the end of the day.

Stray Toasters

  • I have no problem saying that I have pretty much had it “up to here” with having to say “goodbye” to friends. Over the past year-and-a-half, four of my friends have died. Four. All of whom were roughly my age. I really wouldn’t mind a breather.

Namaste.