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Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 14:59
by Phil T
Hi Alan, thank you for coming on BCB, an emotionally brave move at this terrible time. As the father of two children only slightly younger than Alastair, I can truly sympathise. What a terrible tragedy.

All I can simply say is that we are thinking of you and your family right now.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 15:04
by The Modernist
I can only echo what others have said and all our wishes and prayers go out to you, Joy and Iain in this terrible time for you.
I'm also sorry for sending off a rather panicky pm when I saw the username on screen, I hope it wasn't taken as too insensitive. :oops:

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 15:12
by Diamond Dog
Tom Violence wrote:For those who may be confused this is Alastairs father, Alan. I dont know how the system works so my apologies if there is duplication. We received Janes kind and touching letter this morning and we are overcome by the correspondance we have read. Joy (mum) and Iain (brother) and I have struggled to come to terms with this tragedy but we are grateful for the 25 years Ali gave us. It is comforting to know he had so many friends on BCB. I have noticed donations on the Justgiving website and I thank you for those too. We will all miss him


Well, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that's the bravest post I've ever seen on here -and the most heartwarming, in its own way.

Take care Alan, Joy & Iain - and, as already suggested, don't hesitate to ask if there's anything we can do. I hope you get some idea of the regard your son was held in, on BCB.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 16:16
by no one
Diamond Dog wrote:Well, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that's the bravest post I've ever seen on here -and the most heartwarming, in its own way.


yes, it is and you do speak for me, definitely......just this morning, i got into another discussion with my mother, who can't understand this whole 'Internet thing'....no matter how i try to explain to her that there are real people typing these words onto this webpage, and that we do meet up in 3D which proves that we're not simply typing mannequins and that it's easy to care for the screen names you see in front of you, she just can't grasp the concept; she balks....so it moves me deeply to see this parent - who has just suffered an unimaginable loss so recently - log onto his son's account to acknowledge the rest of us here....

Alan, i hope that you find enjoyment reading your son's posts and can get a chuckle out of some of the things he's said on here....it's clear to see how passionate he was about music, and he knew what he liked and disliked...you and your family have my deepest condolences....

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 17:12
by Piggly Wiggly
I'm horribly sorry, Alan.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 19:16
by ConnyOlivetti
I'm really proud to be a member of this board
reading all this and trying to understand...
and comprehend the terrible fact of life
I'm really moved by all this and reading this again,
and this recent post from Alan makes me going in to tears again.
dont know why I'm so moved by it all
but it says a lot of this board, the connection you get without
really knowing any of you all.

take care friends
and I'm terribly sorry for your lost Alan

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 19:39
by Uncle Spellbinder
I just heard the news from Dick Of BCB. I'm at a loss for words. Condolences to the family.
He will be missed greatly by his extended BCB family. I'm quite speechless.....

:cry:

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 22:21
by Jock
Alan
Please keep in touch. I knew Ali only briefly through the Neon Tetra board, and i gave him the nod about BCB. I'm glad he took me up on it, because I knew he was a real music buff, and he would be right at home. I just wish i'd been at some of the JU's he attended. He was a real pal. I'm 53 years old. Maybe older than yourselves?

Jock

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 30 Aug 2008, 22:26
by yomptepi
God this thread is so sad.....

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 31 Aug 2008, 00:19
by Leg of lamb
I too remember him very fondly. He had such gentle wit and tremendous honesty. He knew what he liked and I often found his posts a refreshing alternative to those from slightly older people on BCB. I remember a thread of his asking about Green Day, Blink 182 and all those other skate punk bands who were bound to get short thrift on a board like this. But he wasn't satisfied with received opinion - he really wanted to probe into them, in case he missed out on something that he might love as much as the Buzzcocks.

I loved the way he referred to albums with marks out of 10. You could tell that he had his thoughts very worked out - yet he was never overbearing or aggressive in giving his opinion. Sadly, I can only imagine how great his company would be over a pint at the York JU.

Also - and I hope that this isn't too self-indulgent - but this has hit me hard because Ali was one of the few people on BCB who I felt was of my generation. There's only about ten of us on here perhaps, and we find a great, stimulating place to exchange opinions and banter with adults. We're never patronised (or at least very rarely) - you have to hold your own and muck in, and you're only going to get something out of the place if you're a bright and witty person. As Ali so clearly was.

So many of my thoughts are about thwarted opportunity right now. I know nothing about depression; I can only imagine its cold, harsh hold on sufferers and their loved ones. He had so much potential and it was just quashed by shitty circumstances.

Rest in peace mate. I'm so gutted that I never got to call you Ali and that you've only fully opened up to me as a person in hindsight. I think we could have been great mates.

God bless to you, Alan and family. Please take care.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 31 Aug 2008, 20:41
by 50 Shades Of Blue
Logged on today for the first time in a while.

This has completely taken the wind out my sails.
Have read through the many many thoughtful posts which say it all.

What a waste of such a young life and what a tragedy for his loving parents and brother.
Ali R.I.P.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 01 Sep 2008, 00:20
by meetthesonics
Just ran across this post. Wow. What a terrible, sad development. I didn't know Alastair past reading his posts. It's a small measure of little importance, but I hope this board gave him some of the same joy its given me through the years. Not much else to say really. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the BCB community tonight.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 01 Sep 2008, 21:18
by petulant clarksville
Diamond Dog wrote:Well, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that's the bravest post I've ever seen on here -and the most heartwarming, in its own way.

Take care Alan, Joy & Iain - and, as already suggested, don't hesitate to ask if there's anything we can do. I hope you get some idea of the regard your son was held in, on BCB.

Precisely.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 01 Sep 2008, 21:50
by Tom Violence
Once again many thanks for all your comments and kindness. It has been an enormous support during difficult days. Ali was a treasure and he had a lot of lovely friends.

Alan

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 02 Sep 2008, 22:02
by Guy E
Somehow I missed the significance of this thread title in the past week. This is so tragic and shocking. As a parent with children either side of his age I can't imagine the pain his family is suffering.

I shared some music with Alister a few years ago and he was extremely warm-hearted about it. His opinions here were always firm, informed and good-humored.

Rest In Peace. I wish his family strength and patience.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 03 Sep 2008, 13:36
by Chestnuts roasting on an open Fireplug
I've been away myself and I've just noticed this tragic news. My deepest condolences to his family -- he will be missed.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 03 Sep 2008, 19:56
by Gus
Another one who's been on extended leave (I've been stalking PUMAs on the US blogosphere - scary, and in the face of news like this, more than a bit trivial).

I've only been a member here a short while, but valued his posts and had looked forward to getting to know him more.

My condolences to you all.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 04 Sep 2008, 22:24
by yomptepi
The Smamfy wrote:To keep everyone who has Paypalled me up to speed, I am writing a cheque out tomorrow morning for The Samaritans. Thank you, and may this not have to happen to us again for a good long while.


Good work Sam, and well said. We have had a little too much real life here lately. Where can we escape to now...

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 05 Sep 2008, 05:11
by trans-chigley express
Just got back from holiday to see this shocking news. A tragedy like this makes this little virtual world seem all too real. So desperately sad.

Re: Pretty Boy Floyd R.I.P.

Posted: 05 Sep 2008, 18:30
by Tom Violence
Please could you let me know how much you have raised. The "just giving" site and other events for the Samaritans may raise a lot of money. If that helps save one life it will be worth it. I will let you all know, if you wish, what has been raised in due course. You may wish to keep that information to yourselves and I understand and respect that.
I also agree that it may be time you all moved on. Please keep a little happy thought of our son. You have all been so kind