This morning, we had to say goodbye to Tai Pai, our Siamese cat. She had been gradually getting more ill over the past few weeks, and was obviously slipping away this morning.It’s almost exactly a year since Mitzi died.
Forget the theology – I’m sure they’re irritating each other somewhere in that love-hate relationship they had.
We miss you both.
Bottom line.
1. Guns are all but freely available in the US, to anyone over the age of 18, with almost worthless checks.
2. There are always going to be those who have a grudge and/or are mentally unstable, and want to cause harm to those around them.
1 + 2 = More massacres on the scale of Columbine, Virginia Tech, and worse.
It’s inevitable.
If the US stubbornly holds to their second amendment, they can’t expect anything less.
Shootings are a tragedy. They’re never totally avoidable – regardless of any laws and controls, someone with enough motivation can get hold of a gun and use it against innocent civilians – but WHY make it SO EASY?
Gun culture – creeping its way into Britain – is an evil, twisted culture that should have no place in modern society.
The primary purpose of a gun is to kill people. If a society decides that it’s more important to ‘protect’ themselves by being allowed to ‘bear arms’, then things are only going to get worse.
More, armed, security, only instills fear and mistrust where it’s placed.
Anyone on a mission to shoot, kill, and commit suicide, will go ahead regardless. All that armed security can hope to do is to reduce the number of casualties / fatalities.
My heart goes out to those who have lost family and friends in this tragedy. Please, think about those millions of lumps of lethal metal so revered, yet so destructive.
This post was created on 11th December 2006, the day after Star’s passing. I will continue to update it as best I can with links to tributes around the Internet. I’m nothing special and many knew Star far better than I did, but I hope in some small way this may be a part of the online legacy that celebrates Star’s life and brings comfort to those seeking to continue their lives without her.
You may write a message below.
15th December 2006
From Shiny Shiny
In true macabre Star-style we trawled all the things we knew about her and came across this gem from her Meet the Bloggers answers:
Q. What song would you want played at your funeral
A. Daft Punk is Playing at My House (LCD Soundsystem) I love to dance to this song – and I’d prefer my funeral to be a celebration of my life rather than a mourning of my death following numerous adventures. Preferably adventures with pirates. Or robots. Or monkeys. Or some combination thereof.Where ever she is, I have no doubt she’s quickly befriended all the pirates, robots and monkeys around. So, turn it up, have a dance, and remember Star.
Shiny Shiny have also compiled the best of Star’s Shiny posts.
From Phillyist: Return to Sender: Only the Good Die Young
13th December 2006
The Phillyist is requesting photographs of Star and has set up an invitation-only Flickr Group called Sarcasmo’s Corner (AKA The Star C. Foster Gallery of Embarrassing Pictures).
Michael has begun to write a very moving series of posts about Star.
12th December 2006
The following was passed on from Star’s family (via Shiny Shiny):
Star C Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund
Star’s family got in touch to let us know about the details for Star’s funeral – and also with information on the Memorial Fund being set up in Star’s name. The fund will create an award that will be given to a female student who is an aspiring writer to put towards her college education, which seems entirely fitting. If you would like to donate money to the fund, you can do so by sending a cheque here:
Donations can be made to the Associate Alumni of Central High School
(please make checks payable to AACHS)
P.O. Box 26580
Philadelphia PA 19141Services for Star will be
Thursday, December 14
at
Campell’s Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia
500 East Benner Street (Right off of Rising Sun Avenue)There will be a viewing from 10 a.m. – noon for friends, family and colleagues to pay their respects.
There will be a service starting at noon.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made in Star’s name to the Star. C. Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund at Central High School.
Donations can be made to the Associate Alumni of Central High School
(please make checks payable to AACHS)
P.O. Box 26580
Philadelphia PA 19141
I think this is a wonderful idea. I am not sure of the best way for international readers (outside US) to send funds – possibly via an International Money Order? If I hear any more details, I’ll pass them on.
11th December 2006
I’ve just received the very sad news that Star C Foster, who I worked briefly alongside at Shiny Media, passed away on Sunday morning.
Phillyist reports:
Dear Readers:
We regret to inform you that Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster passed away this morning. Star had been complaining of a pain in her foot, which she thought had to do with some bad moves she’d made at dancing class, but it turns out there was a tumor in her leg which matastasized and went to her heart. She had a seizure this morning, her boyfriend Mike called for an ambulance, she had another seizure on the way to the hospital, and then died of a pulmonary embolism.
Phillyist will be going on hiatus for the next few days, out of respect for Star and the massive impact she made on the site. Star was with Phillyist from day one, and we can’t convey to you how much we will all miss her.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Star’s loved ones. Please send a few of yours her way, too.
Thanks for all your love and support,
Jim Genzano & Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey
Editors
Though I didn’t know Star well, and had only communicated with her via the web, it doesn’t make the news any less sad or shocking. She will be missed by many.
Update: As I’ve been reading tributes, I was not only struck by how many people loved Star, but (selfishly, I know) also when I saw the date I realised she was only one year older than me. Sobering thought. Life can be so fragile.
Obituaries
Online Tributes
These tribute links are in no particular order, and have been built up since 11th December when I first heard the news. I’ll try to keep this list updated. There are other tributes in the comments section below this. I apologise if I’ve misnamed or omitted anyone’s site:
