SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE SHADOWCAST
This was the most fun ever thank you to everyone involved you are magic xxxxxxx
Dancing in my living room in front of a projector, twenty people sprawled on top of each other, walking around listening to playlists from the back of the comics, waking up in the middle of the night with ideas, making props in a blizzard, speaking exclusively in quotes, watching a movie a million times and laughing at something new each watch— it has all brought me immense joy, and I am grateful. @radiomaru
📸 by genius @chloemayfuller
When everyone said, “the first year is the hardest,” I thought that meant you would come back at the end of it. I have the same dream every night: In it, you tell me you’re okay, or that this was all a big misunderstanding.
In a way, my dad was like my most prized possession.
I have always wished I was capable of being mysterious, or terrifyingly smart. Having Mark O’Connell as my father absolved me of any potential lameness.
My Dad was insanely sharp and effortlessly cool. That made being his kid validating, like I already had a leg up. He was a no bullshit kind of guy, he saw things as they were, and in that way he protected me. It is unbearable and nearly impossible to go on after losing him.
Dad, you and I had a lot on our to-do list. We never got to visit the Cloisters or properly go out for dim sum. You didn’t get the haircut from Gina you were trying to schedule, we never reset our password, we didn’t drive to Toledo for Christmas, and we didn’t go back to Virgin Gorda like I promised.
I would do anything for things to be different. There are so many questions never to be answered and things left unsaid. Every day I’m learning how to be more of a person, a better daughter, and I wish I could show you what I know now.
For a little bit I was keeping a list of things I wanted to tell you.
I wanted to tell you:
-I started listening to White Reaper when you died and they’re really good
-I figured out how to use my phone overseas
-I’m dating a professor, which is pretty impressive don’t ya think?
-There’s a TV show called “The Paper” and it’s set in Toledo
-What’s with these photos of you playing the banjo?
-Pete and I wrote your submission for your William’s 50th class reunion, and it was quite difficult to try and capture Mark O’Connell je ne sais quoi so I hope you like it
-There were ice boats on the Navesink River again
-I need to discuss the remodeled Newark airport with you
Most of all: I know you would be curious as to what famous people died in the same year as you, crazy lineup too.
Happy 72nd birthday Papa. Okay I get it. It would be really awful if this all happened. I love you and I miss you always. Let me know when you’re on your way back.
LATE NIGHT DOUBLE FEATURE PICTURE SHOW
Rocky Horror Picture Show at Father Know’s Best @fathersbk shot by @kitschhmag@chloemayfuller
Dream come true. Thank you to those who made it happen 💋
ROCKY4EVER
Today is my Dad’s birthday. He would be 71 years old. We lost him two months ago on December 5th. I fucking love my Dad and this time has been excruciatingly painful. A quote I read while researching eulogies puts it well, “each day is a new kind of terrible.” My dad was my favorite person. I feel lost at sea and this world feels empty without him. I’ve lost a part of myself, and I am holding on to the parts of him I carry with me. You don’t really know me until you’ve met my dad. I learned my sense of humor from him and if I have ever made you laugh, maybe inappropriately in a class or meeting, just know that was all Mark O’Connell, baby. His wit and intelligence was a gift to everyone around him. He was remarkable, always ten steps ahead of you, and his words were words you did not want to miss. He was an incredibly supportive father. He made me laugh and feel seen. The last day I spent with my dad was almost dreamlike, and a day I will cherish forever. He got his corned beef hash for brunch at Edie’s diner with all of his kids, got coffee at Rook in Red Bank, and walked around Jack’s Music Shoppe. When my dad dropped me and my brothers off, our last conversation was about how we didn’t want the day to end and wished we could spend even more time together. My dad stoically battled with Parkinson’s for over fifteen years. It was frankly fucking brutal and I will forever be astonished by his valiance. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease. You do not win. I really wanted my dad to win. Watching your parent slowly decline and fight to be there for you as you grow up is a torture I would not wish on anyone. My dad fought resiliently, he lived on his own terms, and never lost the twinkle in his eye and his contagious smile. He never complained, except once when he told me he Parkinson’s had cost him his very cool walk, which others can attest to. If you are able to, I ask to donate to Parkinson’s research through my Dad’s tribute page linked in my bio. Dad, I am so proud to be your daughter. I am beyond lucky to have a dad that I looked up to, admired, and, I’ll admit, was a little intimidated by (he was REALLY cool). Happy Birthday, I love you forever.
Happy 22nd freakyyyyyyy girl love you 4ever Sydney doesn’t want taylor swifts 22 to be her anthem btw so everyone listen to When Yer Twenty-Two by The Flaming Lips today in solidarity, mkay ?
Now that I have received my diploma in the mail and my stress dreams about forgetting to turn in one of my finals have subdued I should probably make a graduation post :)
