Friends, we spend a lot of time joking around on here, and it saddens me that this couldn't just be one of those times, for I've learned that forum regular LouCypher passed away last night, after a long bout with some personal matters. I got the news from a mutual friend, then called the last number I had for him which was answered by someone able to confirm the news, but they sounded distraught so I stopped short of pressing for details. I'll try to find out more in a few days once things have settled down.

The man was a force around here. He was happy enough just showing up to toss the ball around, but when he swung, he swung for the fences. He spoke in a language all his own, and damned if you didn't get it. We'd become fairly close in the last few months, and spoke often, but I'd begun to sense there was something deeper - something troubling - underneath the laughter. We'll never know what those final moments must have been like for him, as his light grew dim, and ceased transmitting.

We can take some small comfort in knowing he's at peace now, somewhere out there on the open seas, among white-tipped waves that blink and sparkle, like waves goodbye.



Gone, but never forgotten.