I have lost something very dear to me.
I have only had 2 real mentors in my life. 2 real people who i think i can really thank to making me who i am, or rather, making me unafraid to be who i really am. I met them both around the same time - my freshman year of highschool, the most impressionable time of my life. The first was named Rob Lumbre. He was a death metal guitarist for many bands, a few i've even seen shirts for in hot topic. not a day goes by that i dont think of him and how proud he would be of me in some way. he was killed by a drunk driver 5 years ago. i didnt find out until months later. and i was totally devistated. but his short time in my life made a huge impact. The second was named Jim Dunlap, an english teacher my freshman year who was filling in for another on maternity leave. We actually met the first day of school because he was expressing his deep seeded hatred for the hot topic generation. This man was really someone unique. I've never met another person with music knowledge as extensive as his. And the way he carried himself was just amazing. He was so cynical, but you knew if he took a liking to you or not. He is well known in the jersey DJ circuit, he's been everywhere, including QXT's. He could even been seen at the stress factory in new brunswick. He was also an amazing artist, he had a particular liking for comic books. We shared many a afterschool conversation. He was the first adult i was ever on a first name basis with. I talked to him a few months back via livejournal, he wanted to see how i was, we had fallen out of touch, he said i need to make it out to one of my gigs to really appreciate all the stories he's told me, and all the things i've read.
Sadly, i never did make it out to anything. In fact, i found out today that he had passed on friday. I went to his livejournal and his last entry was just days before, promoting an event he was doing.
I am deeply depressed by this.The world has really lost a wonderful, unique gem. His wake is tomorrow in new brunswick and i am making it a point to see him one last time because i feel i really owe the man that much and so much more
I am really going to miss you Jim
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.
--Gilda Radner
I have only had 2 real mentors in my life. 2 real people who i think i can really thank to making me who i am, or rather, making me unafraid to be who i really am. I met them both around the same time - my freshman year of highschool, the most impressionable time of my life. The first was named Rob Lumbre. He was a death metal guitarist for many bands, a few i've even seen shirts for in hot topic. not a day goes by that i dont think of him and how proud he would be of me in some way. he was killed by a drunk driver 5 years ago. i didnt find out until months later. and i was totally devistated. but his short time in my life made a huge impact. The second was named Jim Dunlap, an english teacher my freshman year who was filling in for another on maternity leave. We actually met the first day of school because he was expressing his deep seeded hatred for the hot topic generation. This man was really someone unique. I've never met another person with music knowledge as extensive as his. And the way he carried himself was just amazing. He was so cynical, but you knew if he took a liking to you or not. He is well known in the jersey DJ circuit, he's been everywhere, including QXT's. He could even been seen at the stress factory in new brunswick. He was also an amazing artist, he had a particular liking for comic books. We shared many a afterschool conversation. He was the first adult i was ever on a first name basis with. I talked to him a few months back via livejournal, he wanted to see how i was, we had fallen out of touch, he said i need to make it out to one of my gigs to really appreciate all the stories he's told me, and all the things i've read.
Sadly, i never did make it out to anything. In fact, i found out today that he had passed on friday. I went to his livejournal and his last entry was just days before, promoting an event he was doing.
I am deeply depressed by this.The world has really lost a wonderful, unique gem. His wake is tomorrow in new brunswick and i am making it a point to see him one last time because i feel i really owe the man that much and so much more
I am really going to miss you Jim
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.
--Gilda Radner
He was such a smart amazing man, able to converse on the widest variety of topics.
I don't think that I ever at all my times at the Melody ever asked him for something that he didn't have with him, that he didn't have at home and bring for me next time.
You are so lucky to have known him as a teacher, those are the kind of influences that change your life.
I am so sorry to hear about it.
-Cat
(what a small world we live in)