A GENUINE ONE IS LOST, THE LUNATIC THROWS SHADE

To the wise, avoid travelling with people you don’t know. This story starts in Vancouver, BC. I chose to live in this city for most of my adult life because of its mild winters. I met this musician named Roache and went on a few dates. The second time we hung out, Roche mentioned his friend balled on a punk rock cruise out of Miami, and he had an extra pass. He said, ” I know it’s a long shot, but would you be interested in taking his place as he cannot come.” My intuition was screaming at me to decline the offer. But my overwhelming want to get out of the city overruled this. But if I hadn’t made this call, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet such a fantastic group of people. The ticket was $1000 for a three-day cruise, everything included. I told him I couldn’t cover everything all at once. So he offered to let me pay him back the ticket cost later, and I could purchase my flight for now. I agreed; it sounded like a potentially great trip. The Flogging Molly Salty Dog Cruise is one of the most sought-after crusades among the punk rock community.

The cheapest flight I found would arrive in Miami 5 hours after his. We arranged to meet at a bar called Churchill’s. Unfortunately, this pub has permanently closed its doors due to complications during the plandemic. If you want to know more about what happened, you can find court transcripts and more on the history of this iconic bar on their website. Churchill’s was one of my all-time favourite spots! They had rockabilly, punk, death metal, and boudoir shows. You could drink beer outside while you smoked; the vibe was on point: cheap drinks and pool tables with a grungy, laid-back environment. When I got to the pub, a grindcore band was playing.

Although I have occasionally enjoyed the odd grindcore and death metal show, I wasn’t nearly drunk enough, having just arrived. Upon entry,  I said hi to Roache, grabbed a drink from the bar, and went back outside. I was having a great time; I recall only five women out of around fifty people. So, as it were, I was talking to a group of guys. This guy comes out, walks up to me, and yells, “DID YOU COME TO HANG WITH THESE GUYS OR ME!?” I told him I was outside because it was loud. He scoffed and asked me for a smoke. I told him I was out. We walked to the store across the street, and I got a new pack. Roache is a full-time smoker but doesn’t buy any. So I lit a cigarette and asked if he would like one of mine. I want to say I wasn’t poking the bear at this point, but I was. After all, I was meant to stay in the same room as him on a boat. He responds in a fury and says, “YES! ARE YOU GONNA MAKE ME BEG FOR IT?” I learned when I was young that making a scene rarely gets you what you desire. This demonstration is an excellent example of this. Although he did receive the cigarette he was looking for, he had lost his date and the person who would pay for the unused ticket.

By this point,  I am naturally concerned about this man’s mental state. It is now nearing the end of the night, and the bar is closing soon. I decided this was the best time to ditch the cruise entirely. Boats are excellent, but you can’t get off of them. I didn’t want to deal with more drama that would most certainly come to be. I figured this was the best time to cut and run. I hid in the women’s bathroom for about 30 minutes. Once one of the staff came into the restroom, I left. Now, I was standing alone in Little Haidi at night. I noticed a man in the shadows to my immediate right was smoking what appeared to be homeless. The neighbourhood was quickly turning into a sketch ville. A few cars were leaving; one stopped and rolled down the window. My friend Piero said, “Hey, I saw what happened with that guy. Are you okay?” I told him I was alright and barely knew him.” Piero invited me to chill at his place. He said he has musicians crash at his place all the time, and it was only a block away. I went with my gut and accepted his invitation. Piero and I instantly became friends, and he introduced me to a fantastic group of people.

A small after-party was on the go when we got to Piero’s place. Everyone was super cool: artists, musicians, salt-of-the-earth people. Roache wouldn’t stop calling and texting me, trying to defuse the situation. He told me all the “right” things you’re supposed to say. But there was no way I was signing up for that shit show. I refuse to play into behaviour like this; there is no point. We all have insecurities and trauma that reflect differently in our adult lives. Some situations may trigger a reaction. It is expected to get frustrated with people occasionally, even angry; these emotions are normal and completely okay. The important thing is to pause so as not to overreact. A lot of this bullshit can be defused by merely speaking about it. So many people are unaware of how their insecurities and childhood trauma affect them. Many will never get the help they need. Unfortunately, they will suffer as a result. The most essential beautiful thing in life is love. Being unable to sustain relationships will ensure a lonely existence. I would not call myself religious by any stretch of the word. But I am a spiritual person. Dark spirits attach themselves to the living, often people that vibrate at a lower frequency. This tends to play up whatever addiction they have chosen to numb the pain. Overall, this plays into their pitfalls and insecurities. Rochae might have been able to hold it together and remain composed if he hadn’t been drinking. “forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I may have forgiven, but standing by is not an option.

Hanging out with Piero for the week was lovely. He was the best tour guide and a real treat of a human. He worked at a brewery called MIA. If you have yet to go to this place, put it on the list! They have 54 draft lines, and the food is delicious. This is no surprise, as you can often find Robert slaying in the kitchen. I spent a lot of time with the crew there. Most of their beer is made in-house, and the staff is rad. If you are in Miami, check these guys out. You won’t be disappointed! You can even bring home some of their famous brews, as they also have off-sale available.

Going on week-long vacations has never been my thing. You don’t get a feeling for a place unless you stay at least three months. So, I decided to return to Miami to get a chance to spend time with my new friends. I worked for a few months tattooing and headed back to Miami. I returned and stayed with Piero until I found a room. In Miami, stray cats are a massive problem. It was unfortunate to see them dead on the road all the time, one of the most depressing things about the city. The city now considers cats vermin as the problem has grown significantly. I tried to do as much as possible for the strays when I was there. But there are just so many; more is needed. I would love to have the chance to open shelters there. Unfortunately, all the rescue centers were at capacity and not accepting new cats. Being a cat lover, this was one of the most shattering realities of the city. I have a massive place in my heart for stray animals, an issue in many areas. Mexico, Greece and Miami are the worst I’ve seen to date.

Piero was one of the good ones; he was hilarious and showed everyone compassion with the utmost grace. I got to hang out with him and his son on several occasions. Piero was a phenomenal father; his son meant the world to him. He was very close with his family and friends and made lasting, meaningful impressions on those who came to know him. Unfortunately, about three weeks into the trip, Piero died in a car accident. Piero’s death devastated his family and friends, leaving the community with heavy hearts. Everyone loved this man so much; he was one of those people who could light up a room. I felt sick to my stomach upon hearing the news. I can not explain the amount of grief and sadness I endured in the months to come. I slipped into a minor depressive state and mostly stayed home and played video games if I wasn’t drinking and parting. Piero and I became pretty close quickly. Although we were never more than friends, I felt immense love for this human.

Almost everyone I know has had to deal with tremendous loss. So many of us are coping with the grief of losing multiple friends. The number of people who have passed in the last four years is harrowing. My heart goes out to you if you are dealing with this. We all manage it differently, but maintaining self-love is essential. I’m no stranger to putting myself on the back burner when I am depressed. I know at times, continuing without your loved one can seem hopeless. But keep going. You are loved and meant to be here. Life can be challenging, and managing the added trauma can be difficult. Don’t get me wrong, Piero loved life; this unfortunate accident was not intentional. I am merely touching on mental health because it is a substantial underlying cause of many accidental and deliberate deaths. If you suffer from depression, do not be afraid to reach out to loved ones or seek therapy. There are many free programs and resources available to you out there.

More than 300 people showed up to Piero’s celebration of life. All of us banded together and leaned on each other for support. It was an extremely emotional time. I could barely say hi to his son without bursting into tears. He was one of those who impacted so many people’s lives. It was a tremendously heartbreaking affair to witness. Robert and I became close during this time of grief. I remember feeling sad and then very angry. We all did a lot of parting to numb ourselves from the pain. I ate Michelina’s pasta and drowned myself in Diablo; I slept a lot. Robbert and I bonded over losing our friend; we played chess often. The last few months were quite sad; I didn’t feel like doing much of anything. Time stood still as I slipped into a bubble, and the world disappeared. Following the loss of Piero, it felt like the world got a bit darker. I can’t even comprehend what his son Rebel must have gone through. Nothing and no one can ever replace his dad. However, at the very least, donations from the community would help the family through this tough time and elevate some financial stress off his mother. I am confident Rebel will grow up to share his light with the world just as his father once did.

I spent a minute in Fort Lauderdale before leaving Florida. I enjoyed living away from Miami; the vibe is quite different. It’s more laid back and relaxed; many prefer it over the city. If you’re not a Miami Beach person, Lauderdale will be more your speed. However, after dealing with depression and feeling a bit homesick. I returned to Canada. I did end up returning to Miami last year. My friend and I went to visit Robbert for a weekend. Robbert is one of those people who makes your heart smile (I know it’s so cheesy, but it’s true). He is an absolute gem of a human being and someone I am grateful to know. I love the type of people you can not see for years and pick up right where you dropped off, not skipping a beat. Hope to see you again soon, my friend.

I dedicate this article to all our loved ones now resting in power. We will keep your memory with us and always remember the impact you made on our lives as we use your light to illuminate our paths. You are forever with us and in our hearts until we meet again.