I guess this is how I process things. Forgive me if this is a bit free-formed, because although by the time anyone reads this, the sour news I’m about to write about will be common knowledge in the circles where it’s important. For some, this will be old news.
I’m still processing this I guess, but my boss, mentor, and guy I most want to be like when I grow up, Doug Elash, passed away a couple weeks ago.
Doug was a bomb-ass bass player, the coolest guy you’d ever meet, and an inspiring character at work and on-stage. I talked to him almost every day. Even today there were things I wanted to call him about that I just couldn’t and that fucking sucks.
After spending my whole day on the phone, distracted by having to break this news to people all over the prairies, I finally get to sit down with my own grief and frustration around the situation.
It’s messy and sad. I’m proud I got to work along side him, and I’m proud that he saw potential in me, and put me in the leadership position I’m in now.
Seriously the best dude.
Way too young to be peacin’ out of this plain.
Sigh.
When I’m faced with these things, I write.
I’ve been faced with these things before and I’ll be faced with these things again, and I won’t be able to attend the funeral… so I guess I get to have this space to share.
When I first found out, the message that was placed on me as the news washed over me was that life won’t wait for you to get off your ass and live it. I am by no means saying that Doug lived in any regrettably safe way – this message was for ME, not for him – I don’t even think it was from him, but nonetheless I feel it deep in my chest and as I was driving home from Saskatoon when I got the call with this news, I felt it grow. The message was followed by a song – a song handed to me on a silver platter – 3 verses and a chorus that I couldn’t get out fast enough, so I talk-to-texted them to myself and when I was done I hit send.
What’s strange is that is wasn’t a sad song or a particularly heartfelt song. It was kinda dumb, and fun rock & roll song that tells a fictional story – not unlike Jerry Reed’s ‘Guitar Man’ or something Chuck Berry would have penned 70 years ago. It comes out the way I talk and it’s a harmless, fun, nonsense story that touches lightly on the same ‘life wont wait’ theme, but as silly as it might seem if & when it comes out, it’s kinda important to me… and it’s even got a dumb title that’ll no doubt kind it’s way to a bumper sticker or a t-shirt.
It’ll be forever dedicated to Doug, who touched so many people’s lives for the good, was always super up-beat, who wasn’t afraid to take the long way around a story, and who will be sorely missed.
Thanks is a gross understatement, but regardless, thanks for everything, Doug.
Much love.
The Conscious Pilgrim 