silencia

Life.

I find myself staring at dirty floors and thinking about everything and nothing all at the same time. The chatter of strangers bleeds into a buzz. Sensation finally returning to my weathered hands.

@Lyxzen is leaving Portland. She's moving to place that has summer year-round. She's going to continue living the most fabulous life possible because, goddamnit, she's earned it. Yes, I am sad to see her go. But this new chapter in her life is exactly what she needed and what we've all been waiting for. I'm excited for her.

We met almost seven years ago. I had just moved to Portland. Shit was still was in boxes. I received an email from Lyxzen Suicide asking if I would be attending the Spokane Tattoo Festival (Suicide Girls had a booth there) and if she could hitch a ride. We exchanged pertinent information and had ourselves a plan: complete strangers who's only commonality was being naked on the internet, meeting for the first time during a six-hour drive.

I showed up to her home. She was tiny, adorable, and vibrant and friendly. We started talking, and instantly, I felt like I had known her for years. Then...

"Uh, you have a little something-something." I gave the universal gesture for you-have-a-booger-in-your-nose.

She wiped, turned toward me and had me look up her nose. "Did I get it?"

The light caught something on her nose, but because I was driving, I couldn't really stare to see what. "No, I think it's still there."

She pulled down the visor and looked at her reflection. She laughed. "This?" She turned her septum ring down so that now it was fully visible.

I felt like an idiot. But we laughed about it and many other things during that lengthy drive. We've been friends since.

As all relationships do, we've experienced our ups and downs. But I'll be damned if Lyxzen wasn't the most genuine friend I've had. Thank you Suicide Girls for introducing me to one of the kindest, most amazing persons I know. @Lyxzen, it's been an honor to be your friend over the years. Happy birthday.