Mortality SUCKS!
Music: Crazy:Patsy Cline
Thoughts: The biggest loss....
I lost my best friend yesterday, and I still am in a state of shock as I write this.
Randy Lee Prinslow was actually more than a friend to me. He was my inspiring force, my co-creator and my evil twin. And he was my brother, not in blood but in mind and creativity.
Randy was the creator of Psychic Stripper,co-creator of our bizarre character(s) The Basher Boys From East Berlin, my best writer for my book HMM?('Twas HE responsible for the Batman article...not Kane!) and never got a chance to finish his own books The Shadowfool and Killer Kat. Randy never really pursued the same self publishing avenues that I did. He was always the individual creator, concentrating on his art and never really developing a plan for it.
Up until a couple of years ago he was involved in the SCA, the
Society for Creative Anachronisms that I liked to call the Semi Conscious Adventurers , a group dedicated to the preservation of living in medieval times. I would always make fun of the group but appreciated Randy's dedication to the House Daos(one of the branches of the SCA). he took me to many a great party and many a lame one put on by these people. I was never really into the group, and maybe that's why Randy hung out with them less and less.
I talked to Randy a few weeks ago, and the last couple of times we spoke he mentioned his health only in passing, said he had trouble with his liver and that he was on medication so I figured he had it under control and I didn't worry too much. We were scheduled to share a table at the Stumptown show October 1st, and again I mocked him as I always did because here I was frantically getting ready to have a full table of t-shirts,comics, zines and other stuff and when I asked Randy what he is placing on HIS table (I got us a table and a half...Randy got the half), all he said was a few prints and a mailing list. I was to stay at Randy's the night before and then we would go to the show together. The last time I tried to stay the night at Randy's his sister passed away from cancer...so he did it to me again. That was the sign of TRUE friendship, I would diss him and he would diss me...and we both knew it was all in fun, so no one got hurt. We both respected each other's creativity and talent so we worked well together. The best example of this is from HMM? #1. Randy wrote a fake ad where you could own your own dead celebrity, and since he was a HUGE pop culture junkie (moreso than me...Randy could tell you ANYTHING you wanted to know when it came to just about anything...he loved pop culture!), he picked one of his idols Jack Lord. He gave me the text and I turned it into a franklin mint type ad and the result was beautiful....twisted, but beautiful. That's how we worked so well, we definitely played off each other.
Luckily I have alot of the Prinslow artwork in my possession and once I fix my computer (it's not reading some discs), I'll be putting out a tribute book or prints for my pal. He deserved alot more exposure than he got, but luckily I was fortunate to get stuff from him for HMM?, both Altered Fates Yearbooks and Sgt. Roadkil's Fanboy Journal. I'm keeping Randy's table for Stumptown and in honor, I'll try and print up some of his pieces and of course, there will be a mailing list.
Randy's liver gave out Wednesday evening I guess. Luckily through the internet I was able to
get a number for his sister, his closest relative and she gave me the lowdown. Apparently Randy WAS sicker than he let on, he had been hospitalized 2 or 3 times, once with internal bleeding that took the doctors 24 hours to stop. But as he was getting weaker, he was still the same old Randy, always joking and making people laugh right up to the end. Apparently somewhere along the way he also caught HIV, which was almost as much as a shock to me as his death, because we always kidded Randy about not having a girlfriend or trying to break up with any that he DID have. True, he was a cad, but never really did much with the ladies...only having the occasional "con fling" here and there. Somewhere though, it caught up with him and may have contributed to his demise.
I'm still not believing it, but reality has to set in and I must carry on. It's so damned hard to lose someone and right now I can barely see the keys in front of me I'm crying so hard....guess I needed that though...gotta clean out the ducts. The Show Must Go On....this one's for you Randy, 'cause I KNOW you're getting a kick out of this somewhere...you bastard! (oh, and don't worry...that's my pet name for him...and he knows it).
F
Thoughts: The biggest loss....
I lost my best friend yesterday, and I still am in a state of shock as I write this.
Randy Lee Prinslow was actually more than a friend to me. He was my inspiring force, my co-creator and my evil twin. And he was my brother, not in blood but in mind and creativity.
Randy was the creator of Psychic Stripper,co-creator of our bizarre character(s) The Basher Boys From East Berlin, my best writer for my book HMM?('Twas HE responsible for the Batman article...not Kane!) and never got a chance to finish his own books The Shadowfool and Killer Kat. Randy never really pursued the same self publishing avenues that I did. He was always the individual creator, concentrating on his art and never really developing a plan for it.
Up until a couple of years ago he was involved in the SCA, the
Society for Creative Anachronisms that I liked to call the Semi Conscious Adventurers , a group dedicated to the preservation of living in medieval times. I would always make fun of the group but appreciated Randy's dedication to the House Daos(one of the branches of the SCA). he took me to many a great party and many a lame one put on by these people. I was never really into the group, and maybe that's why Randy hung out with them less and less.I talked to Randy a few weeks ago, and the last couple of times we spoke he mentioned his health only in passing, said he had trouble with his liver and that he was on medication so I figured he had it under control and I didn't worry too much. We were scheduled to share a table at the Stumptown show October 1st, and again I mocked him as I always did because here I was frantically getting ready to have a full table of t-shirts,comics, zines and other stuff and when I asked Randy what he is placing on HIS table (I got us a table and a half...Randy got the half), all he said was a few prints and a mailing list. I was to stay at Randy's the night before and then we would go to the show together. The last time I tried to stay the night at Randy's his sister passed away from cancer...so he did it to me again. That was the sign of TRUE friendship, I would diss him and he would diss me...and we both knew it was all in fun, so no one got hurt. We both respected each other's creativity and talent so we worked well together. The best example of this is from HMM? #1. Randy wrote a fake ad where you could own your own dead celebrity, and since he was a HUGE pop culture junkie (moreso than me...Randy could tell you ANYTHING you wanted to know when it came to just about anything...he loved pop culture!), he picked one of his idols Jack Lord. He gave me the text and I turned it into a franklin mint type ad and the result was beautiful....twisted, but beautiful. That's how we worked so well, we definitely played off each other.
Luckily I have alot of the Prinslow artwork in my possession and once I fix my computer (it's not reading some discs), I'll be putting out a tribute book or prints for my pal. He deserved alot more exposure than he got, but luckily I was fortunate to get stuff from him for HMM?, both Altered Fates Yearbooks and Sgt. Roadkil's Fanboy Journal. I'm keeping Randy's table for Stumptown and in honor, I'll try and print up some of his pieces and of course, there will be a mailing list.
Randy's liver gave out Wednesday evening I guess. Luckily through the internet I was able to
get a number for his sister, his closest relative and she gave me the lowdown. Apparently Randy WAS sicker than he let on, he had been hospitalized 2 or 3 times, once with internal bleeding that took the doctors 24 hours to stop. But as he was getting weaker, he was still the same old Randy, always joking and making people laugh right up to the end. Apparently somewhere along the way he also caught HIV, which was almost as much as a shock to me as his death, because we always kidded Randy about not having a girlfriend or trying to break up with any that he DID have. True, he was a cad, but never really did much with the ladies...only having the occasional "con fling" here and there. Somewhere though, it caught up with him and may have contributed to his demise.I'm still not believing it, but reality has to set in and I must carry on. It's so damned hard to lose someone and right now I can barely see the keys in front of me I'm crying so hard....guess I needed that though...gotta clean out the ducts. The Show Must Go On....this one's for you Randy, 'cause I KNOW you're getting a kick out of this somewhere...you bastard! (oh, and don't worry...that's my pet name for him...and he knows it).
F
posted by Uncle Flod at 1:57 AM
9 Comments:
Floyd,
My deepest sympathies at the loss of your friend. No death is easy to take but when it's someone so close like Randy was to you, then it's infinitely harder.
It makes me think of my own mortality and how many unfinished projects are stacked on my desk. There's always a reason to put something off. "It's been a hard day," or "I'm too tired, I'll do it tomorrow". Then something like this happens and reminds you that we all only have a certain alloted time here and every day brings us closer to the time when those projects will never be finished.
Stay strong, my friend, and keep Randy's memory and work alive in your own publications.
Don't worry Sam, I intend to do just that...thanks for your words, it'll take me awhile, but hopefully I can come to grips.
F
Thanks krissy(or is it Tina?), Randy's mentioned Jeff quite a bit and I appreciate the comment. The first few days were the roughest and I'm finally coming to grips with this great loss. Randy will live on in our hearts and luckily since he was such a talented individual, he left the legacy of his art as well. I hope to keep his memory alive through his many sketches and drawings as well.
hugs back atcha,
F
We're all supremely sad to have lost this wonderful man. Through these experieces we only become stronger. I lost my mother to HIV when in 1992 she died of total systems failure, so I know what loosing a loved one is like.
Keep working on your art— it's what will keep you going.
As a point of clarification, House Daos is not affiliated with the SCA. It's a Household that attends some SCA events. Randy was a founding member, and is in all likelyhood going to be voted in as the first Daosian Saint.
Thanks Damon, I'm glad The Holy Fool will have his eternal place in the Doas history. I was never to clear on just what you guys were up to, so I appreciate the clarification.
It's still a senseless loss, but time will heal the wound, and my time with Randy will live inside me forever.
F
oh my god. i dont know if you still blog here or check comments but, my name is jessica, and I happened to run a search on Randy, cause I wanted to find out what he is doing now.
Anyway, I found your blog, and just about fell apart.
I lived in Grants Pass, and I was never a member of the House of Dao, but I was a frequent visitor. I always had a great time being Randy's designated drinker. Me and my best friend Trinity.
I loved that man like there was no tomorrow without him. One summer, I took a greyhound and stayed with him, Dave Gembala, and the other guy...whats his name again? That must have been like 1995ish.
I am floored to hear that he passed and deeply regretful that I am getting the news 2 years later. If you have a site for his artwork, and maybe some photos of him, I would like to see it.
Wow this is so crushing :( Randy meant alot to me. Back then, everything was just fun and games though so I never told him how much I loved him. :( :(
Please contact me - princessamythyst@hotmail.com
Thanks :)
Hi there
My name is Cristie and I knew Randy years ago when we both played in the SCA. His house (Daos) and mine used to get together. I moved to Alaska in 2005 and have not been able to find Randy. Now I know. Randy was always so much fun and full of life. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I was looking for anything on him online today and found your blog. Thank you.
Kind regards
Cristie
Add me to the list of people who have come across this years later and are shocked to hear this news. I dated Randy for some months many years ago. I was wondering what wonderfully quirky escapades he was up to now and never imagined this. I should have kept better track over the years.
Hi. My name is Sandi and I knew Randy from the SCA many years ago. I had been looking for him for a while and I have no idea why I never just looked for him outright until today. I never imagined this is what I would find.
I'm so sorry to hear this news and for your loss. Randy was a darling man and I have missed him terribly and will continue to do so. I hope that five years later the pain has lessened and that Randy is still with you in spirit and in your heart.
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