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Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:00 pm
by Johnny 13_Archive
I did not know Michael very well at all, but I had spoken to him now and again, and seen Silkworm many times so I stopped by to pay my respects last night. I did not know who among the large crowd was his family, but I am sure they must have been moved by the obvious affection everyone there has for Michael.
I looked at as many of the posted pictures I came across, and he looked happy in every one. We should all live as well.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:20 pm
by Braden_Archive
BadComrade wrote:I'm sorry for breaking the recent (really beautiful) "vibe" that's been flowing from post to post in this thread, but in trying to also add "info" to it, I was wondering what people thought about this latest statement from the girl's attorney:
Sliwinski's lawyer said his client has had a history of mental problems.
"I can tell you that she's had some mental health problems, and we're going to be talking to those people and exploring more about that," said her attorney, Tom Needham. "But this is a young lady with some real psychiatric health issues."
I fucking hate when an instigator of something like this gets a lawyer who will try and paint - them - as a victim in the press. Like I said in my previous post, he seems to be a well connected low-life type lawyer. Not the kind of lawyer someone's who's truly a "remorseful" person (as she's being painted as) would seek out.
I like what one of the friends said on the news about hoping she doesn't get the death penalty, "...because that's what she wanted and why give her what she wanted?". In Illinois, there is currently a moratorium on executions, so if she did get it, she'll spend life in jail (and I really doubt that's even gonna happen) if it's never over-turned.
It's incredibly sad beyond rational comprehension, but getting yourself angry over details of how lawyers or the justice system treat this woman will serve no other purpose but aggravation. It's sad that she doesn't seem to cherish her own life enough to keep it, and because of that she can't possibly understand what she has done. It's even more sad that she isn't capable of appreciating what greatness others are capable of. Whether this lady ends up in jail for life or gets off scot free doesn't change the fact that we are left with what we are left with. All of us should feel incredibly lucky that John, Doug, and Michael were around in the first place, and left us with far more than most could dream of. Let's use what we have to make the best of every day to come.
Thanks.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:25 pm
by patrick md_Archive
I agree that getting mad wont help anything, but I can't help but feel angry about this during the times I don't feel sad and floored by what occured. It was on my mind a lot at work today.
I don't know what actions may be taken on the sides of the families, but I did want to say, especially to Tim as he has been reading this, that while I'm not a rich man, I'm sure I could find $50 or so to donate out of my check if such a collection was going to take place.
I see this as the murder of three wonderful people, even though Michael was the only one I had met. It's sad when anyone feels their life has gotten to a point they can't go on living, but if this girl wanted to kill herself there was plenty of ways to do it without harming anyone else.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:18 am
by tmidgett_Archive
>>I don't know what actions may be taken on the sides of the families, but I did want to say, especially to Tim as he has been reading this, that while I'm not a rich man, I'm sure I could find $50 or so to donate out of my check if such a collection was going to take place.
i think there will be some kind of suggested donation place at some point. i hope soon. best to do it now, but hard to get it done w/all the other things that need doing (combined w/the general brain fog surrounding us all).
as far as court proceedings etc., there are various family members and friends (incl. heather whinna and andy cohen) who are bent on attending every proceeding they can.
i'm not going to speculate on their views, which probably run the gamut, on what should or shouldn't happen to this young woman.
but i do know that attendance at the proceedings serves to put a living face on someone who should still have one. and i'm grateful the attendees have the desire to go.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:24 am
by bumble_Archive
rachael wrote:I buried my grandfather this Thursday.
Let me tell you something about Michael Fucking Dahlquist. When I came to Chicago a few months ago for that string of Shellac shows, I posted here asking for advice on accomodations. A few people kicked around hotel names, and then I got a PM from a certain forum member named Spoot. Well this gentleman offered me his apartment for the weekend - having NEVER met me - since it would be a more comfortable stay than a hotel, and Silkworm would be touring at that same time.
In the mail he sent me his apartment key and a map of everyplace I needed to go, with reccomendations of his favorite things that he thought I should do and see.
I slept in his bed, drank his Newcastle and listened to his records. I cleaned his kitchen, straightend his cds and took his advice. On Sunday he returned late in the evening, we planned to meet after the Shellac show at the bar he felt was the best little place in Chicago, The Hungry Brain. Here's what Michael said about the Hungry Brain:
"Skip all other bars and go to the Hungry Brain at Belmont and Western (on the South side of Belmont about 1/2 block East of Western - tiny little sign on the side, hard to spot unless you're looking for it). When I first moved to Chicago I went looking for my favorite bar. I'd driven past this one a few times, and stopped in for a drink on a Tuesday night or something. As soon as I walked in I knew it was my favorite, and it still is. I want to give you other suggestions, but I'm having a hard time thinking of any reasonable competition."
I wish I could go there now.
Here, we met for the first time. We drank and laughed, with his brother and brother-in-law. They kicked us out at closing time, so we all went back to his apartment and drank and laughed some more. I had to fly home the next day, and was very sad to go. But I left behind a pair of shoes by accident. It took him forever to send them back, but we had so much nice conversation in the meantime, that it didn't bother me much. He was so excited about his new loft, and he sent photos of it.
One day, a box arrived from Chicago. Inside were my shoes. He sent them back to me with a present of the Jay Ryan TapeOp 2004 Josephson poster, that had Albini on it, playing a snare, wearing a bear suit.
In the package as well was a note that closed with these words:
"....I feel confident that I'll see you again."
Michael was so special.
I've spent a bunch of evenings at the Brain with Michael. I apparently bullied him into going to lots of improv jazz nights there.
Thanks for the wonderful story, Rachael, and thank you for taking the time to write it after what must have been an exhausting week.
I can feel Mister Dahlquist in every word.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:27 am
by Jim_Archive
They had cards at the funeral for Doug saying:
Donations in Memory of Douglas R. Meis may be made to the
Artists of Tomorrow Gifted Scholar Fund
Music Institute of Chicago
300 Green Bay Road
Winnetka, IL 60093-4009
The Gifted Scholar Fund provides financial support and inspiration to students who demonstrate the potential and determination to pursue a professional career in music.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:12 am
by toomanyhelicopters_Archive
tmidgett wrote:as far as court proceedings etc., there are various family members and friends (incl. heather whinna and andy cohen) who are bent on attending every proceeding they can.
i'm hoping someone who's in the know will post info about the dates whenever they are coming up... i would very much like to be there whenever possible.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:18 pm
by tallchris_Archive
Such a tragedy. I'd been away from the internet for a few days, so I didn't find out until yesterday.
I'd never met Michael, John, or Doug, and only had the chance to see Silkworm play once, at the EMP with Mission of Burma. I was up front, and during the Worm's set, one of Michael's sticks fell off the kick drum and rolled in front of me. After the song was over, he sheepisly walked from behind the kit and I handed him the stick. Such an amazing drummer.
Thanks for posting these links, that was my first encounter with Silkworm when I was in junior high in Moscow, Idaho, where I was able to find "In the West" in a pawn shop.
Remembering Michael, Doug, and John (was: not again)
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:38 pm
by choppy_Archive
When we toured west last time, we were in Missoula, and we found this decent music shop. Directly across the street was Hellgate High. I nerded out on the rest of my band. "Look, Hellgate High, like in "Slipstream!" They didn't get it.
