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I'll write what I cannot eloquently say: Melinda was the sort of person that lived for the moment. If it were not for her, I would never have all the world traveling, concert-going, Morrissey-hunting that I enjoy today.
In the early 90s, before the internet, I did not know too many people that had an interesting in UK music, particularly The Smiths and Morrissey. So when I found out that someone loved Morrissey and also lived in Fresno, through the pages of the Morri'Zine, I was ecstatic. We became really great friends.
For those that don't know, Fresno, where we both lived at the time, it was a small city that most bands skip over when they play in California. So between Mel and I, we'd trek regularly to San Francisco or Los Angeles to see bands - like Gene, Suede, Lush (all the Britpop bands). We often crashed on friends floor or family couches. We often (if in San Francisco), would head over to Berkeley, where a holy trinity of record store goodness (Amoeba, Rasputin, and Mod Lang) awaits us. Man, those were the days. Spending hours shifting through the record section in hopes of finding that one Smiths 7" that we were missing....
She was my guide in my late teenage years, so it was very painful to go through the ceremonial of the interment* in the early morning on May 15th. We met a few family members and friends at the "Last Supper" building at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. I don't think I've ever been to such a massive cemetry (Smiths fans should spot the obvious typo) and I know that we got lost and turned around a few times.
At the public memorial at 4pm that day, Jose Maldonado, of the Sweet and Tender Hooligans, played four songs between remembrances and prayers. I was a little too choked up and in deep memory of Melinda to note all of the songs, but I'm sure he did "There is a Light that Never Goes Out" and "Lost". We were very grateful he could perform for us, but it felt awkward to me as my instinct were to clap after a song. Still, Smiths and Morrissey songs playing at a memorial is exactly the type of service that would make sense for Melinda.
There was a reception in Janes Hall after the memorial and was generally less formal. Lots of Morrissey fans, obviously, and it was really nice to meet many of you. And I apologize if I don't associate/know your real or nick names.
A few of us got together later that night at the English pub, The Cat & Fiddle off of Sunset. There were so many of us that they eventually kick us out of the main bar room and placed us in a private room (Casa Blanca room, I think?). We toast to Mel and thanked her for bringing us together.
The one thing that Mel's sudden death have taught me is that life is much, much too short. We should be doing things that we enjoy and love. It made me think that I should make an effort to travel more and spend less time worrying about the little things.
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* Mel's ashes were placed with her father's ashes (please contact me for location), for those interesting on visiting her final resting place.
Also, thank you to the Hsu family for their hospitality and their kindness. I speak for everyone when I say that we are very sad for their loss.
A few selected photos are here. If you know anyone that does not have a Facebook account or would like higher resolution photos, please contact me and I will gladly take care of it.
In the early 90s, before the internet, I did not know too many people that had an interesting in UK music, particularly The Smiths and Morrissey. So when I found out that someone loved Morrissey and also lived in Fresno, through the pages of the Morri'Zine, I was ecstatic. We became really great friends.
For those that don't know, Fresno, where we both lived at the time, it was a small city that most bands skip over when they play in California. So between Mel and I, we'd trek regularly to San Francisco or Los Angeles to see bands - like Gene, Suede, Lush (all the Britpop bands). We often crashed on friends floor or family couches. We often (if in San Francisco), would head over to Berkeley, where a holy trinity of record store goodness (Amoeba, Rasputin, and Mod Lang) awaits us. Man, those were the days. Spending hours shifting through the record section in hopes of finding that one Smiths 7" that we were missing....
She was my guide in my late teenage years, so it was very painful to go through the ceremonial of the interment* in the early morning on May 15th. We met a few family members and friends at the "Last Supper" building at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. I don't think I've ever been to such a massive cemetry (Smiths fans should spot the obvious typo) and I know that we got lost and turned around a few times.
At the public memorial at 4pm that day, Jose Maldonado, of the Sweet and Tender Hooligans, played four songs between remembrances and prayers. I was a little too choked up and in deep memory of Melinda to note all of the songs, but I'm sure he did "There is a Light that Never Goes Out" and "Lost". We were very grateful he could perform for us, but it felt awkward to me as my instinct were to clap after a song. Still, Smiths and Morrissey songs playing at a memorial is exactly the type of service that would make sense for Melinda.
There was a reception in Janes Hall after the memorial and was generally less formal. Lots of Morrissey fans, obviously, and it was really nice to meet many of you. And I apologize if I don't associate/know your real or nick names.
A few of us got together later that night at the English pub, The Cat & Fiddle off of Sunset. There were so many of us that they eventually kick us out of the main bar room and placed us in a private room (Casa Blanca room, I think?). We toast to Mel and thanked her for bringing us together.
The one thing that Mel's sudden death have taught me is that life is much, much too short. We should be doing things that we enjoy and love. It made me think that I should make an effort to travel more and spend less time worrying about the little things.
---
* Mel's ashes were placed with her father's ashes (please contact me for location), for those interesting on visiting her final resting place.
Also, thank you to the Hsu family for their hospitality and their kindness. I speak for everyone when I say that we are very sad for their loss.
A few selected photos are here. If you know anyone that does not have a Facebook account or would like higher resolution photos, please contact me and I will gladly take care of it.
05/17/2010 08:48:52 ♥ vu (
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