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dirtbag
climber
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Aug 18, 2013 - 11:37am PT
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Warm thoughts and hugs to everyone involved.
I know from my own experience how hard it is watching someone you love deteriorate, but I also know how much lingering sucks for the person suffering, and that is now over.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Aug 18, 2013 - 01:58pm PT
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karen roseme
Mountain climber
san diego
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Aug 18, 2013 - 03:44pm PT
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I first met Blitzo in 1999 at the Deli in Yosemite Valley. I was there with my boyfriend Russ and he accidentally left his wallet there.
Six hours later after tracking us down he arrived at Josh Hellings house in El Portal with the wallet. We celebrated Blitzo's sleuthing skills and the return of the wallet Russ didn't even know he'd lost with a few beers.
Years later in Joshua Tree we reconnected at Russ and Susan's house and recounted the wallet story.
We ended up working together for 5 remodels of houses in the Joshua Tree area.
Our little crew included Marty Lewis, Russ Walling, Susan Peplow and Steve Belford
Blitzo did the worst jobs, like grinding glue off the concrete floors and digging ditches in 100 degree heat where he earned the nick name of Dust Bowl Boy.
He was a sub man for everyone. Someone would sing out Blooty Blooty Blooty or where's the Bloot? whenever he was needed for some heinous job.
At one point we were hoping he would get more nick names than Boogleman, though I don't think that is really possible.
He stained, painted,sanded and screwed never complained or almost never...always early to the job.
He would almost always run over to Indian Cove before work and solo some easy routes or take a few pictures.
Once in a while we would all take a field trip and actually go climbing.
He enjoyed working and spending his hard earned loot on designer beer, having it delivered by Bev-Mo. then drinking all the fancy beers in one night.
We all partied after long work days, barbecuing, drinking margaritas and beer and telling stories.
I learned a lot about The Bloot during those times. He may not have always made the best choices but he had a full life and a lot of fun too.
The world was a better place with him in it and I am proud to say he was my friend.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The great state of advaita
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Aug 18, 2013 - 04:01pm PT
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There are some of us who never met Blitzo in the flesh and say they didn't "know" him... or did we? His presence here, in his words, his photos, and in the words of others gives some a chance to really know the guy and what a wonderful, interesting, complex spirit that he is. No wonder I keep getting all teared up and moved.
Appreciating all the music folks have shared. As much as these clips are for and about Blitzo, they also reveal something beautiful and profound from the perspective of the poster. These speak volumes about Blitzo, but also of the person posting. It gives us a little light through the window that illuminates who they are.
That said, yah got me Nita, with JT's Fire and Rain. :-)
Here's a couple more that were on my playlist (back to back in fact) as I was reading through the last couple of days worth of posts. Apropos in some kind of "hocus pocus" way (love those words of Blitzo's):
[Click to View YouTube Video]
[Click to View YouTube Video]
In light,
Eric
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susan peplow
climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Aug 18, 2013 - 05:24pm PT
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That was nice Karen although you made me cry again. I still can't wrangle in my feelings well enough to share with the group but appreciate reading those of others. I hadn't heard the wallet story before but it comes as no surprise.
Our remodel crew sometimes also included Bill McChesney (Chez), who also added to the many shenanigans and stories that will forever bond us.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Aug 18, 2013 - 05:53pm PT
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An old country song says that in Heaven there is no beer...
I hope the gods make an exception for this exceptional man.
Rest In Peace and Well Being.
Rick and Dawn
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Crack-N-Up
Big Wall climber
South of the Mason Dixon line
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Aug 18, 2013 - 07:59pm PT
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If a photo is worth a thousand words, Blitzo spoke volumes. R.I.P. Best wishes to all his friends, he is smiling down on all of you!
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Aug 18, 2013 - 09:33pm PT
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That was a pretty sweet tribute, Karen Roseme. BTW, you know my little brother, Keith, and Steve's a friend of mine as well.
Thanks for filling in more of the picture of a guy I didn't know, but wish I had.
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CrazytownIndianCoveAKATheAGENT
Social climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Aug 18, 2013 - 09:42pm PT
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Blitzo always requested this song in my car when driving to lunch. It's not his usual style of music but he seemed to love it so much that I sang this to him several times these last days. It's sort of fitting....I miss you honey.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/qFDDB414p7c ]
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James Wilcox
Boulder climber
The Coast
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Aug 18, 2013 - 10:16pm PT
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Every now and then I think God has to take back some of the creations that gave the most joy. Blitz is needed elsewhere.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Aug 18, 2013 - 10:59pm PT
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There've been a lot of tears shed this weekend. . .
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Aug 18, 2013 - 11:01pm PT
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I am very sorry for the loss of your friend.
I hope you all can find some relief in knowing that he is no longer suffering.
I only climbed and hung out with him a handful of times, so I didn't really know him.
I have heard you can judge a person by the company they keep.
From all the responses here from his many friends, it appeared he was a great man.
I am sure he found great comfort in the last few months by finding out how many people cared for him.
Thank you to everyone who shared their support, love, and stories.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
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Aug 19, 2013 - 02:38am PT
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The last picture I have of Billy and I enjoying life and a good party at Seth's JT spring kick-off at the beginning of April. A month later the cancer came roaring back.
It was a fun night and he enjoyed it to the most.
PS thanks Robert for that picture of you, me and the Bloot. Always good times.
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Sioux Juan
Big Wall climber
Costa mesa
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Aug 19, 2013 - 03:14am PT
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Aug 19, 2013 - 03:49am PT
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Hear Hear! So true! ^^^^^
I missed you today Billie, you used to come over on Sundays for a little watering at the trough.
I'm sure you got ur thirst quenched today in heaven though.
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dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
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Aug 19, 2013 - 01:32pm PT
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Have a great journey on the other side Blitzo, glad your suffering has subsided, you have brought a lot of people together with your passing and that alone says enough about the person you were here on earth. RIP. Hope all Blitzos family/pals are feeling better today.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Aug 19, 2013 - 02:12pm PT
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Words to live by from a man who knew!
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Aug 19, 2013 - 02:33pm PT
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Sioux Juan
Big Wall climber
Costa mesa
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Aug 19, 2013 - 05:50pm PT
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alabamarama
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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Aug 19, 2013 - 06:19pm PT
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Wish I had something meaningful to say. My head isn't there yet.
I just bounce around from relief that he isn't suffering anymore, to anger at him for not staying on top of treatment, to anger at the universe, to fear of aging, to depression that my friend is gone, to celebration of a full life lived on his own terms, to resignment that it's done and I can't change it, to pride in the community for the outpouring of love and support, to wishing I'd taken charge and played advocate between his docs/insurance after the first round.
I question wtf I'm doing with my own life, where is the happy medium between reasonable comfort and security and the freedom to live your passions.
Little things trigger extreme emotional reactions,and I'm not an emotional person - finding his half-completed forms for financial assistance for cancer patients, packets of some bullshit homoepathic tea that claims to help, countless photos, cds he had bought maybe a year ago (the entire white zombie catalog) when I know he was broke as sh#t at the time and probably was subsisting on african famine level foodstuffs to afford the music and beer. Tears, laughter, anger in a repeating cycle. I know it will get better, but that doesn't make it any easier. I'll get my sh#t together and give him the tribute he deserves, but it might be a while.
The last photo on his p&s:
And one from a couple months prior:
We miss you brother, see you on the other side.
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