My Eulogy For Charles Edward Paquin

Where the hell do I start with you? You left us too early, yet I know that you were here on earth for your allotted time. You were a contradiction to me, yet I still loved you for everything that you represented. I cried while listening to Blue October’s “Chameleon Boy” a little while ago. This song reminds me of both of us.

We started out as good friends almost three years ago. You were there for me when I was at yet another low point in my life. We bonded over music and the different nuances in life that we both thought were funny. You turned me onto Blue October and I turned you onto Joy Division.

You annoyed the hell out of me when you insisted on playing Blue October to and from Los Angeles, but I had the best time of my life. I am so glad we got to meet Blue October, as well as see a scene from Entourage being filmed. We were so money that weekend. Aharon and I then got to pop your cherry and take you to your first hip-hop show in the city. My only regret was not going with you to Social Distortion, simply as a matter of pride. I was so proud of you for your accomplishments and knew that we would have a great time.

We had so much fun together. I loved that people thought that we were brothers when we were made our special guest appearances. You felt like a brother. Brothers argue with one another and don’t talk for a year and a half, don’t they? I will always cherish the nights were we would drive around and talk about absolutely nothing, yet being able to leave with a greater appreciation for another human being. We shared our secrets and you know more than any human being has ever know about me.

I hung out in the Mission District for part of the day yesterday. It seemed only befitting that it was cloudy with a little bit of rain. As I was sitting in a little taqueria on 17th and Mission, I almost felt like I was in Tijuana. I can only imagine how you would complete that statement. I loved that you opened up to me enough to show me around the city, pointing out all the illicit activities that were done in broad daylight. You presented the city to me in a whole new light and made me fall in love with the city that much more.

I had so much fun with our podcast and know that I was hard to work with. I loved listening to your stories, as well as the music you played. I lived for those Thursday nights, as we both got to play a little music and just do whatever we wanted to do. When I came up with the concept, you were the first person I thought of. And yes, you did come up with the name of the show. I still wish that we had gotten back to doing that show.

I am going to miss you, Charles Edward Paquin. I am going to miss you. I am going to miss that quirky attitude, those snide comments under your breath. I am going to miss our little jabs back and forth when we argued about something. I am going to miss our little coffee house meetings. I am going to miss you.

Nate is in good hands and is going to be a wonderful person, as he has a little bit of you in him. I am sure he will be reading Burroughs by the age of three and holding meetings with scholars, deciphering the hidden meanings of his works.

This is not goodbye. This is until I see you next time, Charlie Hustle.