Roadsigns I saw in Nova Scotia

Marshy Hope.
Yield Center Lane to Opposing Traffic.
Bridges Freeze Before Roads.
Angus McQuarry Drive.
McLobster.

9/20/2007 | Permalink | 

Rope

9/19/2007 | Permalink | 

R.I.P. Brian Gerard Lyons (1965-2007)

My brother-in-law, Brian Lyons, died on Monday in a motorcycle accident. He leaves behind my sister, Tamara, and their 8-month old son, Asher Francis.

We were all hanging out this weekend in Maryland. Here's a picture of Brian playing with Asher inside an inflatable moonbounce on Sunday night:



The next day my sister and I said goodbye to him around noon when she took me to the bus station. That was the last time she saw him alive. He went out riding with a buddy of his. After they parted ways, he lost control of his motorcycle going around a turn in Fort Meade. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

I'm back down in Maryland now. Tamara is holding up surprisingly well so far. I think the reality of it will take a while to settle in. It all feels like a bad dream. We had a great time this weekend and Brian was so full of life that it just doesn't seem like he could actually be gone.

I remember thinking over the weekend how lucky Tamara was to have found him. He was a great guy who packed a hell of a lot of living into his years. Really smart, kinda kooky, a great chef, a collector of lion paraphernalia, a bizarre dresser, a fireworks connoisseur, equally knowledgeable about punk rock, motorcycles, and computer programming, and a great husband and father. Really sucks that he's gone.

His company's blog is filled today (Sept 4) with tributes to Brian. Here's one of my faves:

Although our world is quite dark right now, somewhere out there shines the newest, brightest light... with the sharpest, shiniest suit, and the best shoes ever. And I mean EVER. No star could possibly compete. Why would they even try?...He taught me the meaning of persistence tempered with patience, and that the only real way to eat crow, and other things bitter, was with a fine glass of red wine and good friends. He taught me intellegence is quiet, but clothes should be loud, and that true power lies in the heart, not the mouth. He taught me that hard work garners respect, but not love, and if you don't take time to find that then nothing else you do will ever really matter... he said it, and he meant it. Every week or so I got great photos - Brian and Tamara showing Asher so many things in a few short months - the Big Apple, Key West, the ocean and yes, even LAS VEGAS! In the last photo, Asher was on booth duty at the AGILE conference, wearing a Number Six blinker — a chip off the old block — and Brian was sure Asher was the reason for all the traffic in our booth! I think he even got a few cards. Brian recounted so many times how he met Tamara and how it was an instant connection - the longest date in history and how they never ran out of things to talk about — a first for him, he told me. I take comfort in knowing that Brian, at the relatively young age of 42, knew what life was really all about, that he earned respect and love from all those who knew him and worked with him — but more importantly I take comfort in the fact that he loved — above all else — Tamara and Asher Francis... and living life to the fullest... everyday. Full tilt. We could all learn a lot walking a mile in his shoes. And of course, look so good doing it! Hi Ho, Silver, Away, Brian. We will always miss you.

9/04/2007 | Permalink | 

Taking it to the streets

9/03/2007 | Permalink |