and the hippos were boiled in their tanks

I quit smoking. It’s been 48 hours since I last had a cigarette. Today has been one of the worst days of my life. Packed full of miniscule little irritating events that made not smoking almost unbearable.  It was almost humorous even…the insignificant little bits of stormy cloud that passed through my day. I’m sure I’ve had worse days…but it didn’t matter then because I had nicotine on my side.

Yet, all of these minor little flakes of shit didn’t compare to what was in store. What we had awaiting us was a heartbreakingly painful facebook update from our beloved Tea Faerie. Our very own Burning Dan is no longer with us.  

Though I never had the privilege of meeting Dan, I remember the first time I was able to see a clip of his work. The only word that I could think of to describe it was beautiful. That doesn’t seem like the right adjective to describe Dan. He was more than beautiful. He was amazing…mind-blowing….astounding. The way he moved was like music and air and heaven.  He made it seem effortless. He was life.

I can’t accept the news we received today. If the loss of Dan had such an impact on someone who never was able to meet him, I can’t imagine the agony his loved ones are going through right this moment. My heart breaks for everyone who knew him.