As Bill Watterson's Calvin once said: "What a stupid world".

[Aristus]

My friend, the Iranian musician I've known since 2008, with whom I've shared e-mails, Skype, etc, whose music I enjoy, and whom I've come to love as a brother, has stomach cancer. He is facing the possibility of a radical gastrectomy, for which the prospect of recovery is equivocal, but without which is a death sentence.

I've got the jewel box from the CD of his debut album on the desk in front of me. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to meet him. I hope he will recover. He says it doesn't look good.

My friend and my brother...

What a stupid world...

[Tobin S.]

1. Yes, Aristus

It sure looks that way sometimes. We had a pretty bitter taste of it here recently. But we will go on, your friend may not. Yes indeed, that hurts.

[Aristus]

2. How appropriate that you should respond, Tobin.

Your sig line says it all...

Nothing in this bitter time can equal the joy I have in being his friend.

Thank you, too, for being a friend...

[Tobin S.]

3. I've been thinking about that sig line

Nothing truer about joy has ever been said. The more people you have to share it with the greater it becomes.

But sadness or grief, maybe a lot of the time it does take care of itself. It was certainly true for me a lot of times in my life. But I think there are times when we need to reach out when we are feeling intense sadness as well, just as you have done tonight. So maybe I will modify my sig line.

[Flaxbee]

4. that really sucks, Aristus

Mostly for him, but for his friends and family too. I'm sorry.

[Denninmi]

6. Damn that is sad.

I have seen some pretty serious shit these past two weeks which makes my problems seem small. This is now among them

[sarge43]

7. Vibes and good thoughts for your friend, Aristus. And you stay positive, too.

Cancer sucks.

[HopeHoops]

8. Send him some Lounge vibes for me.