Wear a funny hat on Wednesday

I've been out of town on business and didn't hear about Ed the Tuba Guy until last night, but I've been in a state of shock and horrendous disappointment in the human race over what happened to him. My family and I once had the opportunity to stand in line with him for 3 hours waiting for Buhner Buzz Cut Night, and ever since I've looked for him at every Seattle sporting event I've been to. My little brother (who was all of 10 at the time) is a great impressionist and has joked for a decade "So, you wanna hear 'Little Rascals'? Well money talks!" in his trademark drawl.

That this would happen to someone who brought so much joy to so many is the definition of atrocity. To show our respects tomorrow on the day of his memorial it's been suggested in the local media that any Seattleite who has appreciated Ed's presence, fandom, and music wear a funny hat on Wednesday. I work in a corporate office where this sort of thing won't fly regularly, but I'm rocking a bell-tipped jester hat tomorrow. I hope everyone who crosses me asks about it, so I can share with each and every one of them how deeply saddened I am with this terrible tragedy.

(Home) Opening Day in April will be an extremely bittersweet event for the first time in my life, because the joy I've always felt in the return of Mariners baseball won't be the same knowing that I won't hear Ed's tuba outside the gates. I know that this topic has already been brought up on here, but my grief needs an outlet and I know that if anyone out there associates with the sorrow I feel it will likely be someone here. Please wear a funny hat tomorrow, and please don't forget Ed.