Mixster Mixster/Mick Graves Time has escaped me once again and so too goes a wonderful friend, former host and colleague of mine, Mixster also known as Mick Graves to some. I met him back in 96, of course on MSN where most of us met each other in chat and comic chat. He worked with me as host of Newbies and hosted in the Internet Café as well as Newcomer and other rooms under Hoover Chan. We hit it off immediately and became good friends. Not only sharing things about our hosting but our personal lives as well. He and I were both divorced, and both raising our kids ourselves. He was a real favorite with the ladies. In fact, I can’t think of a gal who didn’t have a secret crush on him. We continued to share stories of our lives and times and talk of parenting and kids. What I remember the most about Mick was his sense of humor. He had such a quick wit. And no wonder… he was a writer for a paper on the Gulf Coast. He shared his articles with me and I honestly can say I was astounded at his command of words. Even though I knew he was brilliant, his professional writing was even so much more. I got an opportunity to talk to him on the telephone a few times over the years. I was surprised by his southern drawl. Not that I didn’t know he was a southerner, hell yes, but the way he wrote, well… I read all his words in Yankee, LoL. Anyway we talked for hours and had fabulous conversations. Mick talked of his sons all the time and his love for them; and of where he lived and how perfect it was there. He loved the Gulf Coast, and he loved life. He was easy going most times, unless you got him angry, and then you heard or read the fire. He was passionate in his beliefs, and was a person of integrity. I didn’t know this until I read in his newspaper tonight, that he also ran a restaurant. I ran across what he wrote for Dacc in her memorial this evening. It seems like yesterday we just all did that for her, doesn’t it? My own words to Mick, pale in comparison to his words to her. There is no villain here to go after or persecute in Mick’s case. After reading Mick’s obituary in the newspaper, I see the family wanted contributions for the memorial for him to go to the Hospice in their area. I can only guess that he had cancer, and spent his final days in hospice. It’s hard online when you don’t actually meet folks and become involved in their offline worlds. You don’t know all the details and maybe that’s the villain I can attack. I can blame the computer life we live here. Or maybe that Pat and I didn’t go down to meet him. We made the assumption that we had plenty of time to do it. Maybe time is the villain here that I can attack. Perhaps better still, it is my own lack of taking time to message him this spring. Perhaps I could have shared some moments with him before he left. I mourn the loss of this man I came to know online that was loved by so many, recognized for his talent by all his readers, and remembered for all he did for so many. I heard him called an “icon of chat” ... Mick, our Mixster is and will always be a legend. And, fortunately for all of us he was one of the few “good stories” out there to be told. Baiser, au barman. -NightShade i still remember the last time we chatted. he remembered me, and was talking about the sweet southern belle with me. he was on another level though. super chatter status. a true oldbie . . . . . like i said, he will be missed. so will the old ways, which he embodied. Mickster The 1st Cro I ever had the wonder to encounter you flexed your arms and tantalized me told me about a tatoo encouraged mine Spoke of serious things in a witty way gave rights to all who wanted to say something about the day Hard to think of you as gone you were always the one to open minds and calm souls. Now you are calm and singing Jimmy Buffet buffeting entrance to true Paradise for those left one of the best chatters ever. he will be missed. always loved and forever thought of Mickster xoxox Kit Mixster Michael Steven Graves Michael Steven "Mick" Graves, 50, an Alabama native and long-time resident of Gulf Shores, died Sunday, July 9, 2006. He was manager of the Shrimp Boat restaurant in Gulf Shores from 1976-1993 and columnist for the Pelican newspaper for more than 10 years. He is survived by his wife, Cherie Graves; two sons, Ryan Graves and Tyler Graves, both of Gulf Shores; his father, Don Graves of Gulf Shores; and a brother, Dean Graves. Visitation will be held 5 to 6 this evening at Pine Rest Funeral Home in Foley. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Mercy Medical Hospice, P.O. Box 1090, Daphne, AL 36526. http://www.al.com/baldwin/obits/index.ssf?/base/news/115269605474970.xml&coll=3 He was a funny man whose wit and charm will be missed by many! -Sniffles 50 is way too young... It's hard to imagine a world without Mick. He taught me a lot and I thank him from from my heart. "I would that my voice could utter, the thoughts that arise in me." - Tennyson Tulp Funny, calm, to the point, always friendly. I agree Kit, he will entertain everybody in heaven. It was great to have known him. Condolances to his family, he will be missed dearly. prip