Rest in Peace...Imemine

Yesterday, I got some news that made me very sad. Someone I have worked with making music passed away suddenly. I have written songs and recorded them with a number of talented musicians from all over the world. I have never met any of them face to face except for Alexander.

The man who passed away went by the artist name Imemine. His real name was Roger. I don't even know his last name. What I knew of Roger was this - he loved his family, worked hard to make a living and that included traveling for work which constantly took him away from that family he loved. He was a grand musician who, because of his work, didn't get nearly enough time to make music. He was funny and enjoyed a good laugh. He was opinionated and didn't shy away from hot topics. He sometimes blew up and would get angry and let people know it. Even though I never met him I considered him a friend, of sorts.

There are many people "in my life" whom I've never really met. My Internet life is full of people that I have come to know and, yes, care about. I wonder how that's even possible. How is it possible to feel grief over someone I've never laid eyes on other than a blurry digital photo on a website. For some of the people I'm "met" on the Internet, I have at least heard their voices either through their music or from chatting. For others, I only know them from their status updates, their tweets and the occasional email. Yet, in some small way, they are my friends. Not the kind I'd feel comfortable with stopping by their house or anything. But I do feel their sadness when they are sad, their joy when they are joyful. And when I heard that Roger died yesterday, I did cry.

Once Roger was flying into Milwaukee and had a short layover for his work. He emailed me that morning and asked me to drive up there to have a beer with him. It was a weekday and I was at work so I couldn't go. I wish I had. I really wish I had. I know Roger was somebody I would have really liked in real life, not just Internet life.

Cheers, brother. Have a beer on me. And thank you for all of the wonderful music, my friend.

30 Letters in 30 Days...Day Eight: my favorite internet friend...

Dear Brady,
First, I have to say that you were probably my first Internet friend. The first I can remember looking forward to chatting with and cracking jokes with and just plain being weird on DMusic with. We had an awful lot of fun, you and I. And we did an awful lot of great music together too. That's one thing I hope we get to do again sometime.

We've also been through a lot in a strange, far away Internet kind of way. We've talked our way through relationships, weird feelings of depression and being down, odd moments of complete joy...yet we have never really met in person. I feel that for that time we were in contact we got to know and trust one another. I still feel that way though we haven't contacted each other in a while. I know we keep track of each other on Facebook. I know that your life has taken some incredibly wonderful turns and, as your distant friend, I am so happy for you! I can tell from your photos that you are completely in love with your new baby and you will be an amazing Daddy! You also know that my life has taken some incredibly wonderful turns and I know you wish Alex and I the best. We both think of you often and wonder how you are.

So, Brady, my vampire friend :), I hope you will always know that I am there for you. If you ever need anything...someone to collaborate with, someone to bounce ideas off of, or just someone to listen, you can count on me. Always.

From my heart,
Mary