So long, Hunter

[Gadfly2317]

Hey, I don't care if this is Videogames and not some literary forum. . . one thing we all have in common is we write; I don't know if you guys consider yourselves writers, but you are. You come here and write about things that fire your passion and imagination. Some of you are damn near Gonzo in your gaming commentary.

One of the best writers of the last 50 years left the planet yesterday, and I'm here to say goodbye.

Hunter, you've been an incredible inspiration, and a source of joy, humor, and the fire to fight the greedheads and agents of stupidity since I was a brat kid sneaking your books into class; always reading what was not on the required reading list.

You punched your own time card yesterday, leaving Planet Stupid a tad early and leaving lots of undone work for the rest of us, you big slacker . . .you weren't nearly through with Richard Nixon part 2. But that's your choice--I'm sure you had your reasons--you crazy old scurvy bastard gun nut. I love you anyway, and thanks for all the great books.

Gadfly

[Glockstar]

Sorry man, I'm only vaguely familiar with him - and that's only thru Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas the movie.

I still can't believe that was Johnny Depp tho'!

[Fivespot]

I'm a huge fan and are saddened by the news. I especially enjoyed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas & Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail (w/Nixon).

Gonzo will live on forever.

[Gadfly2317]

I'm a huge fan and are saddened by the news. I especially enjoyed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas & Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail (w/Nixon).

Gonzo will live on forever.

I also really enjoyed Better Than Sex following the '92 election, as well as his book about his time on the road with the Hells Angles. And his collected letters and other correspondences. Even his ESPN articles last year (he covered sports as well as politics) were pretty damned good.

And for any non-readers who still want a sense of what they are missing. . .BUY the Criterion Collection version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas with Johnny Depp. It'll run you about $20 more than the regular edition, but its worth every penny (all Criterion releases are.) Not only do you get the great Terry Gilliam film, but you also get a British documentary about Hunter, Depp doing readings of Hunters work, and a lot of other stuff.

It's perfectly OK to get into somebody you never heard about until they died. That happened with me and Warren Zevon's music last year. Never heard of the guy 'til he died, and it was like a whole new musical world to explore. Hopefuly others who don't really know Hunter will be inspired to pick up a book. (an extra FYI to anyone who doesn't know, Hunter was the basis for the Duke character in Doonsbury.)

The world feels just a little more empty without Hunter, but at the same time, I don't really feel sad either, or surprised. He lived a flat-out insane life, burning the candle brightly. . . which is why I think he could see so well. His wasn't the cheap, early cop-out of Cobain; the man was nearly 70, and the hard-living, well, lets say he was living with a lot of pain. He treated life like a cigarette, smoked it right down to the butt, and flicked it in the ashtray when he was done. He lived with such energetic vitality that you just couldn't seem him rotting away in a nursing home with tubes shoved up his butt and down his throat.

So he if was ready for a fatal taste of that vintage metal he was so fond of, I can't do much more than toast the man farewell with a sip of Wild Turkey.

Damn I loved that man's work.

[Fivespot]

Oh, yes. I forgot about the Hell's Angels book but that was also a great read. I'm not familiar with any of his later articles like the '92 book or his articles in ESPN (I wish I would of known about those but I admit I haven't sought him out lately). I kind of assumed he was holed up somewhere expanding his mind and shootin off his gun in the backyard.

The Criterion DVD is fantastic. Have you seen Where the Buffalo Roam w/Bill Murray? That was an earlier film on Hunter.

[The Prince of Darkness]

Oh, yes. I forgot about the Hell's Angels book but that was also a great read. I'm not familiar with any of his later articles like the '92 book or his articles in ESPN (I wish I would of known about those but I admit I haven't sought him out lately). I kind of assumed he was holed up somewhere expanding his mind and shootin off his gun in the backyard.

The Criterion DVD is fantastic. Have you seen Where the Buffalo Roam w/Bill Murray? That was an earlier film on Hunter.

That was the best movie about HST. Bill Murray did an awesome job of capturing the crazy side of Hunter.