All my sympathies, GC and GF. Peace and strength to you both, and to all who knew and loved him.

Peace and strength to GC and her BF and family.

I've been to memorial services in which people were just asked to come forward if they had something to say and to ones in which just a few friends were asked to say something. I think the main keys to a smooth process are telling people ahead of time that you'd like people to contribute and a gentle reminder of a time limit for each speaker. I agree with libkitty that an MC type helps. Maybe he has a friend who has done some public speaking? Also, there are religious people who will conduct nonreligious memorials. Around here, it's usually the people who also conduct nonreligious weddings and commitment ceremonies. A university chaplains' office might have suggestions.

Oh, GC, I'm sorry. At least you're past that whole tension of wondering when it will happen, but I'm sorry for your GF's loss.

I think I don't want to go to Qatar, but it seems the American University in Cairo is looking for people. That could be interesting.

Awesome!

{{{meara}}}

{{{GC&GF&Family}}}

Sox, I may COMM the unravelling line.

Hugs to GC and GF and Family.

It's just been extended and I hope to see it but I thought for certain that Hoch had some sort of link to Buffistadom. No? Yes?

A very loose connection through me, I did a playwrights festival that he was involved in a few years ago.

I vote stay in Seattle, since you'd seemed to be doing such a good job of carving yourself a niche there - but if you opt for the Big Adventure, there's a sofabed in Bangkok with your name on it.

Heh. I will hold you to that, as I'm DEFINITELY contemplating Big Adventure. Not sure if now, or in like, six months (since I want to see this famous Seattle summer!), but...

Had dinner with a friend (I have friends! here!) who is going to Mexico for a month and renting a condo, and suggested I come down there for a couple weeks, and lay on the beach. I think it sounds like an excellent plan. I may have to do that.

At Coca-Cola's HQ campus in Atlanta you can't get past security carrying say, a Taco Bell cup, or wearing Pepsi blue.

OK, i get not letting you have Pepsi, but not wearing BLUE???

Condolences, GC. Best of luck having a wonderful funeral/ceremony. :(

I think I don't want to go to Qatar, but it seems the American University in Cairo is looking for people. That could be interesting.

Ooh! I remember walking past that while visiting Fay! That would be so interesting, Hil! Do you know anythign about Jewish life in Cairo?

Ooh! I remember walking past that while visiting Fay! That would be so interesting, Hil! Do you know anythign about Jewish life in Cairo?

Absolutely nothing, actually. Just a vague idea that it's probably better than in Qatar.

I've realized that I'm not going to be getting a job at any of the big math schools. And I'm not sure I want one. So I figure that, rather than going for "What's the highest-ranked school that'll hire me?" I'm going to apply everywhere (it's generally recommended that we apply to about 100 schools), but with an eye on getting to go interesting places.

If you're curious about Jewish life in Cairo, Hil, I could put you in contact with a Jewish American friend of mine who used to live in Cairo? 'Course, I don't think she's a particularly good example of Judaism In Action, what with having married a Muslim and raising her son to be Muslim, but she'd have more of a clue than me. (Had also lived and worked in Palestine, iirc - pretty well travelled lady, and quite lovely.)

I'm so sorry Gloomcookie. Condolences to you and GF.

One big tip, have the last person who speaks, if there's a family line-up, for example, be someone who can tell a story about something amusing and/or wonderful that the departed said or did. If people laugh or smile, it prompts them to remember similar things and tell them, which, it's cool to get other's people's experience of a family member.

I was worried about what to say when my grandmother passed away and, on the advice of many wonderful people here, told a story that showed her humor and people laughed. So many people came up to me later and told me their own fond remembrances after. It meant a lot to me.