41 Comments
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James Coyote's avatar

Nice. I’ve been thinking a lot about this idea of how we reconcile the lives of our parents once they die with our history with them, and who they really were given their circumstances … this is a nice short exploration of that idea.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

My mom died yesterday.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Sorry to hear that Jimmy. It takes a while to come to terms with something like that. We would all be just fine with you taking a few days off from this. You're already the world champ. Loved the story man.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I'm going to do my damnedest to not take days off. If I do in the next 3 it will be film and not bereavement related. 12 hour night shoots, and no clue how my internet is gonna be where I'm going.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Be good. You're strong. We're behind you.

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Steve's avatar

Oh man, so sorry. Take the time you need. We'll be here when you're ready. Peace.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I'm happy to keep writing. Thanks.

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Steve's avatar

I've been off here a few days, Mez sent me link to freep. My condolences.

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Lisa Kuznak's avatar

Sorry to hear that man. My dad passed a few years ago, my sister a few years before that, and I'm still trying to process it all. Writing is a great way to do it.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Never met my dad. I'm sure losing a sibling is brutal. A dear friend also lost her sister young. I can't imagine. My mom was so old her social security number was 4.

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Lisa Kuznak's avatar

My sister and I weren't super close, but grief sucks. And it can sneak up in you. Just trying to buy groceries or whatever and bam! Random memory! And now you're bawling in the condiment aisle.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I bawl in the condiment aisle when they're out of spicy mustard.

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Lisa Kuznak's avatar

A valid reason!

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Karlyn's avatar

Hey dear friend. Sending you hugs and love. Despite whatever dynamics played in the parent/kid relationship, when a parent dies it just sucks. I am thinking of you. I am thinking of this story. XO

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I'm very happy you're here reading my stories.

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Darrow Woods's avatar

My condolences. I hope you had a good relationship with your mom.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

It wasn't the best. She, at times, was a good drinking buddy. I have plenty of fond memories. Thank you.

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Michael Mohr's avatar

I’m sorry for your loss, man.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thanks. She lived to be 92. No one can complain about that.

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James Coyote's avatar

Ahh, thus the inspiration. Sorry for your loss bro… between ages of 18 and 20 I did a lot of LSD with a lot of punks. For some reason people want to pour out their hearts to me everywhere I go. I’m the guy where the grandmother next to me in the grocery store starts telling me about her hysterectomy.

Anyway, The stories I got as a late teenager dropping acid with punk rockers were mostly about their childhood history with their parents. I had my own history, and at 58 years old I’m still barely working it out. I feel like there is a lot of fertile ground for stories like this. Good job on this one Jimmy.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Write the fucking stories. Really.

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James Coyote's avatar

I have written a few. The reason I started looking at your stuff though, is that I tend to write longer stories and over edit—until I’m sick of them. I like your ability to just put it down and move on… The short story is really a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. I think I’m more of a novel kind of guy… our friend Eddy Deutsche told me to write about my experience as a cannabis grower, and that’s kind of what I’m focused on right now. Cheers!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Eddy made his own dream come true, and the cannabis world is fascinating. I know people wanna hear that stuff

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Yeah, we have a ton in common. My band opened for Social Distortion twice. I actually relapsed on their bus in Ann Arbor once, years before I figured it out for real. A few seconds before I saw your message I saw a picture of the last day I drank ( while looking for something totally unrelated). So many of the bands you listed I have some sort of connection to. Punk Rock really did save my life.

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James Coyote's avatar

Nice biography via music. I was in the hardcore punk scene from 81 through 85 up in Northern California, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver BC. I’m not in the scene anymore, but I’ll always be a punk – Interesting for me to hear how the seeds we planted blossomed in your life two decades later… or should I say the “weeds” we planted!

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James Ron's avatar

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, Jimmy. I hope things were ok between you both. Another fine story!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

It's cool. She had a long run. I bought her her final bottle of wine. That was an honor.

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Darrow Woods's avatar

My favourite bits were the many pages of court argument about what happens to the land, tied neatly to the white knuckles waiting for the rail bed to become a bike trail.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I try to make the nuances both entertaining and authentic. Thanks for letting me know you dig it.

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Michael Mohr's avatar

I like the story. Made me think of Bukowski.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I'll always like that comparison

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Jeremy Ian Harvey's avatar

All the best Jimmy. So sorry about your mom and the story stayed with me all day. Beautiful work

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I'm glad when they have some sustain.

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Carol Angel's avatar

So sorry for your loss. The loss of your mom whether it be good, bad or otherwise is not easy. It sounds like your mom had problems, so that means you had her problems. My mom had mental problems and I dealt with her problems. When she passed, I felt a release. Mom will always in our heart no matter what the relationship was, good, bad or otherwise. Loved your story.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

There really are some elements of relief

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Luke's avatar

Great exploration of taking over the legacy from the parent and all that comes with it.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

There was a Bandaid effect writing this one.

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