Tonight we came home and found out that one of the bright lights of New Orleans is gone. Doctor Ashley Morris died yesterday in Florida.
His wit, thought, sarcasm and the ability to do strange, but appropriate, things with expletives boggles the mind. Often I would wake, power up the monitor and bust out laughing over his latest piece. One never knew what was going to appear on those pages.
In person Ashley was a person that could make you feel good about yourself even when you couldn’t see it. He was energy, good pure “juice”. He loved New Orleans and his family. He also had many good friends. The NOLA Blogosphere is somewhat reeling right now: our drummer is gone.
Of all the things I remember about Ashley (not counting the cigars) was the time I referred to the streetcars running here again as “trolleys”. Ashley lost no time in informing me that I had spent too many years living in San Francisco, and that in New Orleans they were “streetcars”. I still giggle when I think of that comment.
Ashley, Great Mime? Rock the Summer Country Darlin’!
Namaste
Update- Adrastos has a few great pics up of the “Perfesser”.
I read about Ashley last night and after my shock and sadness my first thought was of you. I just wanted to stop by and say hi. Vulcan’s Witches somehow just go together in my mind, don’t know why.
Ashley’s passing reminds me to stay in touch with all the cool people I know because you never know how long they will be around.
When you go to the memorial please pass on my condolences to his family.
Here is my comment that I left at Scout’s page.
And “F*ck you, you f*cking f*cks.” Wasn’t just legendary in the NOLA blogosphere, it was legendary in the entire left blogosphere. I rarely swear and don’t even like to write the term, but sometimes it’s just the thing. He used it with skill and power.
That post reminded me of my favorite episode of The Wire with Bunk and Jimmy where they looked at a crime scene and that was the only word they used.
We honor our heroes by remembering them and noting what they fought for. Ashley showed the fierce determination to rebuild that I believe the rest of America should know about, especially the ones who don’t get how much the city means to people beyond it’s tourist spots.
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
The shock is ending for me right now… I’ve seen too many of the good pass on from this World in my life. Way too many for my likings.
I’m tickled you thought of me last night: I guess I’m in the Top 5 of the Ranters here in the swamps. Ashley was, and still is, one of my heroes, and if he thought you had a good screaming fit going down in Cyber, he’d let you know.
Never again will I see the message, “That was good” from him again.
So shock is fading, sorrow is still here, but there’s a determination building inside of me right now. I need to write more and harsher about the things all of us down here care about, the same things Ashley cared for.
I’ll pass on your condolences to the family at the funeral, never fear.
Namaste!
Comment by Morwen Madrigal — April 3, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
oh, goddess, don’t we miss him, GG?
Comment by charlotte — April 5, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
Yes we do miss him. Ashley was something else… someone referred to him as the “fire” of the NOLA Bloggers… I see him as the glue that held us together and moved things forward.
I’m just waiting on the news of when and what is happening for his family and his send-off this coming week. I WILL BE THERE.
And remember Charlotte, there’s a little bit of Ashley in all of us. He put it there.
Comment by Morwen Madrigal — April 5, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
there’s a little bit of Ashley in all of us. He put it there.
I barely knew him and just online via our Wire blog, but I’d have to agree with you Morwen.
beautifully put
Comment by virgotex — April 5, 2008 @ 7:31 pm