In passing, I have some requests. I’d like to visit Woody Farm one day. I won’t touch anything, and would actually be happy to drive up the driveway without getting shot at, and park. Then, I will go. I’d like to see ‘Polo is my Life’ finally get published. This sex book has been at least 10 years in the making. I know that because I got to ask you that question 8 years ago and you fed me some bullshit about it being published. I know there was a piece in RS with that title… but that isn’t. We are men of action, Hunter, and lies do not become us. In fact, isn’t ‘Polo is my Life’ the reason that Palmer Slater came over and the whole lawsuit thing started?
by the way, nice touch on that. I found the article. Here is what they found on their marathon search:
suspected drug paraphernalia
suspicious white powder
pills
a few ounces marijuana
a few sticks of dynamite
a jar of mushrooms
a tape labeled ‘child porn’
39 hits of LSD
Normally, I would hyperlink this to a reference. However, this is from an actual hardcopy of the newspaper - from the actual saved article I have. Sunday, May 6th 1990 – Arizona Republic.
That isn’t what is great, though. After reading you for 20 years, that is about what I expected. What is great is that you got all those charges dropped and went scot-free. I mean, I think we all feel the sexual assault charge was bullshit. Also, we understand the warrant then becomes somewhat unjustified… but seriously:
how the fuck did you get caught with cocaine, pot, pills, acid, and dynamite… and walk free? In fact, you probably had the balls to demand it all back since it was seized illegally. You were fucking nuts, and I think that is why I worshipped you. I lived vicariously through your bad judgment and good friends.
Article comments
1 - Johno
Fantastic, Lono.
A few years ago I "growed up," which seemed to consist in large part of shedding most of my tendencies to mayhem. Most of those tendencies were shaped in the crucible of Hunter Thompson's writing back when I was young and impressionable and invulnerable.
If it weren't for HST I'd 'a never spent two years of college wearing a fishing cap and smoking Winstons through a filter-tip holder, staying up all night drinking mickey's bigmouths and cranking out stream-of-consciousness A papers for class. If it weren't for HST I'd 'a never gotten my first gig freelancing, much less never become a writer in the first place. If it weren't for HST I'd 'a never learned that the best writing I can do places me in the middle of my subject, embracing rather than avoiding my biases and my impact on events. If it weren't for HST I'd 'a never found myself in the middle of that lake at 3 AM, heavily embeered and hemmed in by fog, staring at the infinite blanket of stars among me, wondering if I would drift there in the boat forever or whether I'd make it back to land. Before Hunter I was a good kid with a mullet and an overactive conscience. After Hunter I was... different.
I don't do the crazy stuff any more with the beers and the stunts and the life-threatening hijinks, and it always made me a little worried that Hunter didn't knock it off as he got older. I guess the Reaper didn't come check in on him on occasion like he does for others. (Or maybe Hunter just told him to fuck off.)
His effect on people of a certain mindset was profound - life-changing or life-affirming even (Christ, Lono!) - and its a shitty shame he punched his own ticket like he did. I hope his afterlife is a great big load of nothing, because he could use the rest after the DIY heaven and hell he made of his life on Earth.
Thanks a million, Lono, for this heartfelt and moving tribute.
2 - Lono
For those who might be going to Woody Creek regardless, the funeral explosion and subsequent fireworks are set for exactly at sunset (which is around 8 pm down here in Denver). That is official news from the family.
other comments from the same article:
But Moseley noted that interest in the event is "off the charts" and people from around the country are driving into town.
The funeral includes private security. DiSalvo said his office had no "intel" that hordes of uninvited - whom he referred to as pilgrims - would descend on the Aspen area.
"What we're basically gearing up for is any traffic, or any pilgrims who might be going up to the event," he said.
Sheriff's deputies will post "no stopping" signs in the area and increase their presence from a standard three or four officers in the Woody Creek area to about a dozen at least on Saturday, DiSalvo added.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8995665/
3 - Lono
I will be posting constant updates to my website throughout the weekend. Also, I expect to have a photo somehow of that cannon by early next week. Check in over there (my site), as it is easier for me to update there than to constantly post here.
I already have 3 new articles up as of Thursday morning
http://www.iamcorrect.com/
4 - Self-Righteous Bonobo
We weren't given any reason to feel sorry for old broken crippled and diseased Hunter. There are no tears to be wasted, only celebration.