A Final Word

A little over a year ago, my friend Nancy, one of my favorite people in the world, died of cancer at age 42. Besides their untimely deaths, she and Erin Duffy had a few things in common. Most notably, both were incredibly vivacious people whose passing inspired an impressive outpouring of emotional responses.
After reading the very moving tributes that people wrote about Erin here and on the Newsday/Legacy.com Guest Book, I wanted to re-read some of the things that friends and family had written about Nancy. I was very disappointed to find that those pages are deleted after a year.

It seems unthinkable that all those beautiful words – with all their emotion, poetry, and power, would be so carelessly deleted just like that. But so it goes. I wish I had thought of saving those tributes a year ago, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.

With this in mind, as the final post on this blog, I have copied all the responses that people posted on the other page and posted them here. (I’m not sure if this is really allowed – if someone let’s me know that it isn’t I’ll take them down). This way, as long as WordPress exists, these words can stay here for well beyond a year to provide a touchstone for people who want to remember Erin as she existed in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her.

Erin Halliday Duffy

A person’s death creates concentric circles of mourning and sadness. For those who were very close, the world may well seem to stop, perhaps even to be on the brink of ending. For others, there may be an overwhelming sense of loss that slows everything down and shifts one’s focus and priorities for a while, or perhaps a period of sadness and reflection. But for those in the outer circles – people who didn’t know or barely knew the deceased, the news of the person’s death will at most induce a slight pause and perhaps brief feelings of sympathy and prayers for the family. But inevitably, mundane details and day-to-day demands push themselves to the forefront and life goes on.

Life goes on.

It seems cold and callous that we continue running errands, having fun, arguing over trivial things, making plans, going to work, etc. while at the same time, close by, a group of fellow human beings are in the midst of unspeakable sorrow.

But of course, it has to be that way.

Thousands of people die every day. To grieve them all the way we grieve our own loved ones would turn us into nothing more than perpetual grief machines unable to enjoy life and thus diminishing the value of the very lives we mourn.

And yet…

There are some whose passing touches everyone, inducing a sense of loss as strong as we would have if we actually knew the person. We honor such individuals once they’re gone for who they were in life: for the impact they had, for the lives they touched, for the difference they made.

On August 31, 2007, Erin Halliday Duffy, a teacher at Lincoln Avenue School in Sayville, passed away. She is mourned by her family, her friends, her co-workers, her students and their families, and by everyone fortunate enough to have known her. For myself, I hadn’t seen her in years but I am devastated by the news of her death. I knew her for a relatively short while, but it was enough to get a real sense of who she was. In fact, it took very little time to realize that Erin was truly a rare individual. She was genuine, kind, caring, and selfless. She had an indescribably warm smile that she blessed other people with whether she was feeling happy, stressed, tired, or whatever. She was a dedicated teacher who TRULY devoted herself to the growth, learning, and development of her students.

Being that I wasn’t close to her, it may not be my place to memorialize her. But though it has been years since I saw her, I doubt seriously that her inner essence had changed much, and I think that my distance makes me uniquely qualified to make the point I’m trying to get across.

Certainly anyone with a heart cannot help but be moved by the circumstances of her death – her youth, her promise for the future, the family and the students she leaves behind. But her life deserves more than just brief recognition and passing feelings of sympathy. Erin’s life deserves to be honored and remembered not just by those in the closest circles, but by everyone with a soul. We should all reflect upon not just their loss, but on what we have all lost. There are far too few truly decent people in this world and today there is one less

We can honor her memory by taking a moment today to reflect on what it means to be a good person. Do something nice for somebody or maybe refrain from arguing or fighting with someone, even if they deserve it. Think about it… if we lose one wonderful person but a whole bunch of other people decide to become just a tiny bit nicer, then Erin Duffy is not completely gone.

For anyone who wishes to do something more concrete, please donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in her memory.

I welcome and appreciate any comments below.

I’m not a candidate, but I play one on TV

When I shared with Mrs. Switters my prediction that Fred Thompson would be the next president of the United States, she made what I think is a very interesting observation.

Fractals

I just think this is the coolest stuff.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractal 

I know I can share with you guys and you’ll be able to wrap your heads around this.  Trippy and intellectually stimulation. I love it!

zeitgeist the movie

have you guys seen this?

what do you think?

its heavy if nothing else.

Bad Placement

After the words, pictures, etc. are all done, the next most important element for an effective ad is placement.

Rite Aid has ISSUES

Alien Invasion?

This shot was taken outside Thornhill’s today.

Think before you forward

There is (or at least should be) a special place in hell for people who forward alarmist e-mails to everyone they know without bothering to stop and think about the content.

It should not amaze me but it does.

So I went back to college this spring to work on a business finance degree with a minor in accounting at a local community college, Santa Monica College.

A Bit of Perspective

After reading the latest news I had to sit back for a moment and take stock of the important things in life, like the hot cup of coffee on my desk and the air in my lungs.  Seriously though, I’ve been following the account of these coal miners who have been trapped for days with little hope for survival.  I can’t even imagine how horrifying it must be to be trapped in a dark, cold, cramped cave with diminishing air knowing you’re probably not going to make it. 

Reparations

I often take the time to read the opinions of those I disagree with,  to further strengthen my own opinions, and to a lesser extent to open my mind to other points of view.

décapiter

Regular readers of this blog may have noticed that I get a kick out of people who don’t think through their advertising slogans, tag lines, etc.

A Beautiful Sign

The town of Babylon decided to improve the look of the town by cleaning up and planting wildflowers along the RR embankment in Deer Park. It really does look very pretty.

It’s About Time!

Finally, Sayville is getting something it REALLY NEEDS!

An Ode To Lindsay

I normally don’t give a rat’s ass about celebrities and their misdeeds.  I do however, often find myself entertained by their self-destruction, if only because it is self-induced.

What I Didn’t Do on My Summer Vacation

“The more advertising I see, the less I want to buy.” I don’t think a TV commercial has ever been as effective as this one

Local Sayville Events

Hey guys.  I was at Broadway park on Wednesday for kids bingo- it wasn’t bad (it’s bingo).  Those Gillette park gigs are good, too.  I’ll definitely be at the Beatles acoustic show at the end of August.  If you go to any of these events look me up and say hello (If I don’t like you I’ll pretend I never heard of you).  How will you know me?  Not my problem….

 I like that they at least try to put on good quality shows and activities.  Every once in awhile I need a break from the hate.

I want to thank whoever is responsible for liberating me from the joke that is Sayville.com forums.  Why were you guys so easy on ‘Zenturtle’?

 Ok, have a good one all!

What does it take to be “The Best?”

Check out the two stories about Baldwin from today’s Newsday:

Not lovin’ it

I really can’t figure out the point of this ad:

Freecycle Website

Ok, so I have some stuff I’m giving away, stuff that the kids don’t use anymore and maybe people won’t buy.

WTF is ‘Frank Somma’?

Hey all! So I did a Sayville.com drive-by and I see this post from some dude who wants to run for office.

The Real “Two Americas”

When John Edwards talked about “The Two Americas,” I think he missed the point. The great divide in this country is not between the rich and poor, it’s

A New Sayville Forum

Not to take anything away from Switters Blog, but I have made a new forum if anyone wants to partake.  I’d like it to be a place where we can go and have laughs and just not worry about being censored or banned.

A Tale of Two Returns

Different stores tend to handle returns in very different ways.

I Hate it When This Happens

If there ever was any doubt that some of these people are savage animals, then please read this article:

Heretic Vote

Lol- that was funny what you wrote about the corpse……I used a program to get back on briefly and thought you might say something……heheheh..

Last time I looked it was 2 to 1 in my favor, but you know what? I think they’d rather have it go back to the pre-Library discussion days, before my sardonic writing style appeared. Maybe we can start our own Sayville forum, something like ‘The Uncensored Sayville Alternative’. This way we can all speak freely and openly much like we would do in person….uh, then I again I speak like this all the time so that wouldn’t include me…..but you know what I mean……

It’s the Word

Nickelodeon is really hyping their showing of a “classic” 70′s movie musical about the ’50s

Die Hard 4

You may not be aware that they made another Die Hard sequel (in the same way you may not be aware that the Soprano’s ended or that Paris Hilton went to jail, was released, was sent back, and then went home again). I’m not sure if the following is pirated or part of the marketing strategy,

My Next Job

No doubt about it -if I’m changing careers, this is the place I want to work.  This video isn’t exactly funny (I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be) but I like the song and I think it’s pretty cool how they did this.

Who says ‘time-outs’ are effective?

As parents, we often struggle with appropriate methods of discipline.  This momma has had enough Dr. Phil and Nanny 911 B.S. and decides to apply her own technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Znpf42HoY

For Pearl Jam Fans

If you’ve ever wondered what Eddie is singing in “Yellow Ledbetter,” the answer is here. You MUST watch this video. It’s so good, it made me fries.

Why I Care About Alex’s Lemonade Stand

Sayville.com readers might be wondering why I’ve expended so much energy to try to convince them to make

Are Sayville.com People Giving?

A few days ago I posted this plea for Sayville.com users to make a contribution to “Alex’s Lemonade Stand,”

Happy Birthday Keeper (G-Rated Version)

McGreggor the Fence Builder

A Scottish old timer in Scotland, in a bar, talkin

Young Heretic

I found a photo of me when I was younger.

what is the sound of one Switters laughing?

I’m NOT a fan of advertising (the more advertising I see the less I want to buy),

Photo Link

Ok, so ‘Derf’ bitches up and they delete the picture I made with the goose on top of the empire state building.  I mean, get a sense of humor and stop whining.  Post a bulletin so someone can find your spine.  Whatever.  I personally think it’s funny….

WAAAAHHHHH WAAAAAAHHHH… leave my picture alone…..WAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Alpha Windows and Siding Company

To all area residents who may use this company: DON”T!!!  They are the most unprofessional, unscrupulous, lying  group of people I have ever dealt with.  My wife and I were completely duped by this company and I would strenuously urge anyone considering using this company to reconsider.  The owner is a Greek guy who has zero inter-personal skills, their salesmen will outright lie to you and then threaten you with legal action when you cancel the job.  Their contractors arrive at your house without any paperwork, they have no idea what needs to be done, weeks behind schedule.  They will tell you anything to get the sale and then try and trick you if you’re not paying attention.

 I don’t know about you guys, but I earn the money I make and I will be damned if I’m gonna fork it over to some falafel eatin’ bastard and his lying cronies.  They have a showroom on Lakeland Avenue in Ronkonkoma.

You have been warned.

What is and what should never be

Some thoughts on the latest sayville.com controversy.

The Don Imus Situation

Ok, I’m a big Imus fan, I’ve been for the last 20 years.  I liked him when he went mainstream with the political stuff.  So now he has caught the wrath of these f_cking loud mouth black activists who have the knack for smelling the blood of a white person and strike quickly.  It seems Imus made a joke about the Rutgers women’s basketball team.  Ok, it was a cutting bit of radio jibe, but not unusual when compared to some other radio hosts.  So I find this bit on the news boards:

Funny Video

I came across this again and I find it hilarious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhq0NDkUViQ

They’re baaaack…..

Once again my neighborhood is teeming with adolescent boys lugging crates of stale candy door to door, ostensibly to benefit some charity or help them pay for college or whatever other crap line their bosses tell them to say.

Taxpayers Beware (Attencion Gringos!)

I was dismayed to read in today’s Newday (yes, I will read it if nothing else is available), that they are now considering creating a taxpayer funded illegal immigrant hiring site.

The Floor is Open

On the Sayville.com Forum I wrote:

Of course, one could make the case that even though the domain “sayville.com” is the private property of Starweb Enterprises that the owners nonetheless have an obligation to obey the demands of the community since the value of the domain name is derived entirely from us.

This deserves its own post

Keeper originally posted this picture on Sayville.com. After they deleted it he put a link to it as a comment on another post, but I think it deserves to stand on its own.

Steve Levy: Goofy AND thin-skinned?

For Star Wars Fans

In response to some comments on another post, and taking advantage of my figuring out how to embed videos, I present one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a while

I’ll see you in hell, Pachelbel!

I first saw this a while ago, but couldn’t find it again until today. It cracked me up so I hope you enjoy it too.