This photo was taken April 07, 2009 at the Warehouse Club in Calgary Alberta after The Gaslight Anthem concert from left to right: Andre (me, Pat, Adam). One of the best nights o fmy life with two of my best friends - one of whom is no longer with us. RIP Adam Park.Where do I start? At this moment I’m in a state of shock - I’m not sure if that’s the best way to describe how I’m feeling at this moment. It does not seem real; you being gone from this world. I just saw you a few weeks ago at Pat’s house and you looked so happy and ready to take life on and now you’re gone.
I’m trying not to be sad but in all honesty I’m numb. I think of all the good times we shared and the friendship you gave me - you without a doubt one of the kindest and one of the few that felt comfortable around.
Can you believe that I found out via Facebook? I guess that is fitting since the last few months I was only able to keep in touch via the internet while I was off trying to chase my dreams and follow my heart. Besides my family the only people I talked to were you and Pat those few times that I caught you on skype. I still laugh when I think about you telling me about the accident you had and the look you had on the webcam. Brings a smile to my face - I’m sure that I’m not the only one who smiles when they think of Adam stories. There were so many more stories that needed you in them - now we’ve lost a major character in all our lives stories.
I still remember that time you talked to me after my world had come apart and I was completely lost all those years ago. I still think of that time and how you showed compassion to someone you hardly knew. This is something that even people I think are true friends cannot even be bothered to do.
It’s not like we were best friends since childhood; in all honesty we only really connected in the past 5-6 years and even then it was an off and on friendship - as we travelled in different circles most of the time. But whenever we got to hang out I felt the kinship and a connection that I did not feel with people that I’d see more often than you.
I think my two favourite memories of you are when I introduced you and Pat to the Gaslight Anthem that one night. I had gone out drinking and ended up at my apartment way too early and decided to call Pat up and he in turn invited me over. It took me forever to find get some air in my tires (on my bmx bike) when I finally got to Pat’s house it was like 3am. We stayed up pretty late drinking beer and at some point during the night I put found some Gaslight on Youtube and played it for you and Pat. At first you did not really get into it. But after a few plays you and Pat agreed that they were a rocking band. A few weeks later I would go see them play in Vancouver - a last minute decision. The next time I talked to Pat he was a full on fanatic and informed me that you had been bitten by the Gaslight bug as well. I’m very glad that we all found a common love for a band that changed my life.
My second favourite memory of you also involved the Gaslight Anthem. And it was the time Pat, you and I went up to see them. April 07, 2009 to be exact I remember I was supposed to have that day off and then had to work out of town. After my day was over I rushed back in to Lethbridge to change and get ready for the rocking night that awaited us. I got home and ran up to my apartment and showered and changed outta my work clothes (aka my monkey suit.) I had left my phone in my vehicle and when I finally got on the road over to Pat’s house you had both left me messages - I had told Pat that I would be there by 4pm and it was almost 5pm. So I rushed over to pick the both of you up and off we went.
I do believe that was one of the fastest times to Calgary. I was worried we would miss out on the concert. We made it, found a hotel near downtown, caught a cab and off we were to the Warehouse club. In fact we were a bit early - and of course we headed down for some drinks. Finally, the show started with the opening band; who were pretty forgettable. So we headed back down for a few more drinks and by this time we were all feeling pretty buzzed. Gaslight started and you agreed to be the video, photo guy - which both Pat and I agreed upon. I still remember you having to deal with that drunk gal and her boyfriend leaning up on you - that was funny.
I also remember you saying that you were just going to run to the washroom and that you’d be back to take more pictures and video. But we never did see you till the end of the concert and by that time you had gone back downstairs to get some more drinks and had made some new friends. We also found out that you had abandoned your duties as camera guy. I also remember you wanting to go out and party in Morley and that Pat and I knew wanted a pair of fingerless gloves (inside joke).
Anyhow, after buying some merchandise and getting more drinks we made our way over to the ship and anchor pub. Had more drinks, ate some food and tried to keep you from going to Morley - ha ha! Anyhow, after the pub we caught a cab back to the hotel. I really don’t remember the ride back or going back up to the room. I remember at some point we decided to head back out to my car and get the extra case of beer I had bought before we left Lethbridge. I guess we both decided that it would be a good idea to sit in my car, drink beer and listen to tunes on the I-pod transmitter. I remember you throwing our empties into the box of the trunk parked beside us. I don’t really remember going back up to the room but by that time Pat had been passed out for awhile and you were not far behind. I tried to get you to say up and watch a movie with me - but you passed out and I was not far behind.
Woke up the next day - drove the long hangover drive home. Dropped Pat off, drove you home and headed back to my apartment. That was really one of my best memories of any concert I’ve attended. I’m glad that you were part of it.
I saw you a few weeks ago and we talked but it was brief, there was a lot of talking going on at Pat’s house that night. I wanted to see you again this weekend and I thought I would see you again at Pat’s house because we always watched fights at Pat’s. But when I came into town on Friday night I heard the news via the internet. I still cannot come to grips with the fact that you’re not around anymore. Of course I’m sad that you’re gone and that you never called anyone. Wherever you are I hope that you’re happy and that you’re thinking of us all - we are all saddened by your passing. I know that my world is missing a big part of it. I’ve heard different stories about how you died and I will not get into them here. I just wish you stayed around longer I would have loved to have talked with you about my adventure to Brazil. You were always a compassionate persona and I always felt comfortable telling you what bothered me. It’s too bad we never to hang out more. I guess you had to leave and go on your own adventure - the only problems is that you’ll never be coming back to share it with us. I guess I’ll have to wait till my time is up to see you again; till then I’ll miss you my friend.
I’m honoured to have called you my friend - you were one of the best Adam.
Here's your song adam:
