Attention All Planets of the Solar Federation.

Bylo Band

Attention all planets of the Solar Federation. Attention all planets of the Solar Federation. We have assumed control. We have assumed control. We have assumed control.



I took this image with 45 seconds to go this morning before going to bed. As a HUGE Rush fan, I just couldn't help myself. I had intended this to be a fun image to share here with all of you as a sort of celebratory banter after the event...

...but then this afternoon I woke up to the news that one of my co-workers was hit and killed by a train, and I've just been so sick to my stomach, numb, and so confused about everything, that I am sharing this now instead to try and bring some joy and happiness to the forums, because I just am incapable of those things right now.

The Line Must Be Drawn, HERE!

Grace Under Pressure, Afterimage

Suddenly, you were gone,
From all the lives you left your mark upon
I remember...

Lalandra

Wow ByloBand I'm so sorry that happened. Seriously heartbreaking news, my condolences.

Shan

I am sorry, ByloBand

Jim Steele

So sorry for your loss. Have a break from the game, reflect and morn. LLAP.
Jim

Dr. Creon (¥SA)

My deepest condolences to you, ByloBand. I tried to come up with something witty to bring some joy to you (as I believe you would appreciate) but I can't seem to summon it at the moment. A quote once told to me in a similar situation might be fitting though...

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” Kahlil Gibran

Bylo Band

Thank you everyone. Going in to work last night was surreal, everyone was in shock. I went in early, parked across the street where the accident happened, got out of my car, and just sat there with my head in my hands for 10 minutes. Then I went inside and lost it for a few moments. It helped to talk with other people at work, but there were constant reminders of his presence, like his name on the schedule, on his locker, etc. There was even an email from him in my inbox which he sent a few days ago while I was on vacation.

Since I found out yesterday afternoon, when I've found the ability, I have successfully lost myself in STT for extended periods as I began to rebuild my chroniton inventory after A Changeling in Time. I even beat a Bartender Guinan in The Gauntlet and smiled briefly.

Thank you again everyone for your kind words It is going to be a rough couple of days.

[DC] Merwinian

I'm so sorry for your loss, Bylo. Take care of yourself while you grieve. Talking about it with people you care about will help, in the long run, even if it hurts right now.

[QH] Captain Ziggy

Deepest condolences Bylo, take care of yourself

[FF] Falken Maze

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Bylo.

{R•PHX}Captain Stupid

Have a stiff drink for you & them and remember the good times you had with them.
Remember, life is precious and unfortunately you can be here one minute, gone the next. So.. live every moment to the best and fullest. I'm sure your departed friend would agree and wouldn't want you to feel like you do now. I know it's going to rough for a few, but we all survive and move on.
Glad you can find some solace in something you love like STT. It's what you need to clear your head.

Bylo Band

I just wanted to give you all an update, since you all took time out of your days to give me words of encouragement. We found out this morning that the authorities had in fact confirmed the identity of the man and it was our friend/co-worker. Not that there was any hope at all because the accident was witnessed by several unfortunate people and by all accounts we already "knew" the truth, but now that it is official it has gotten a bit easier to accept. People have been talking about it non-stop at work for two days/nights now, and other than the couple who witnessed it directly/indirectly, I think the rest of us are starting to work our way back to this new normal.

The pit in my stomach is still there, but it is shrinking. I was actually able to sleep 5 hours this morning/afternoon. I came to the realization last night that part of why it hit me so hard is that I worked directly with this man for 6 years before he moved to a swing shift, and we had become friends, and if something this horrible had happened in different circumstances I would have been talking about it with him, so his absence has been felt two-fold because he was my sounding board.

Still, I think people are accepting it, and that is the important part. For some reason I'm finding it difficult to spend a lot of time lurking on the forums so I am sorry if I have not been as engaging recently, but this may just be my new normal for a time. I did want to check in though and report that I am doing much better, and to say thank you again to everyone for reaching out, this includes those who reached out privately via inbox messages.

Lalandra

Glad you are doing better, it will definitely take time.

Bylo Band

The funeral for my friend was yesterday morning at 10:30 AM local time. It was surreal for several reasons. I will try to explain why.

I grew up and spent my first 19 years of life in a smallish town about about an hour south of Seattle, WA, where we both work(ed). The funeral however was held in my hometown as that is where he went to church, so it was strange in a way to be "back" for something so sad.

It was also strange because we both work(ed) in a facility that is 24/7/365, and I had worked my regular shift of 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM before attending. I had gotten up at 1:30 PM the previous day so other than taking a 50 minute power nap before driving to the funeral, by the time it was over I had been awake for 23 hours, effectively forced to be alert by adrenaline and coffee, so I was not 100% "there". When you work nights this is just a state of being you get used to so I was functioning well, I just found it difficult to really process higher levels of thinking and emotional awareness.

It was also incredibly sad. He was a very popular man and meant a lot to a great number of people, and the church, despite being fairly big for a town, was pretty much full. When they wheeled the coffin in and then back out it was powerfully sad, but I needed to be there and see that, because I still had not fully embraced the reality that he is gone.

It was a strange day for a few more reasons I would rather not rather not detail, but in the end it was a draining day, and by the time it was over I had been up for something like 31 hours straight. Sorry to bump this thread, but I felt I needed to write up an epilogue to the story.

Pol

Putting this in writing is an awesome thing. The Federation awaits for your safe return

Wildstar19

Was so excited to see the Rush reference!

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so surreal at work when you lose someone. I lost one of my crew 5 years ago, and things just didn't seem right for a good while. But the pain and sense of loss will ease in time. LLAP

Lalandra

Sounds like you had a draining day. Im sure his family appreciated the love and thoughtfulness. LLAP & HUGS