Pix, that sounds like a wonderful idea. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it this summer, but I love the idea of a bunch of buffistas getting together to remember ita.

I like many of the things posted, but I want them to go to someone for whom they have greater meaning than "something owned by someone I loved".

What Vortex said.

Allyson, Burrell, Polgara and all: you are all possessed of fabulous hair. You have done so much, in such straits, it honors me to know you. And the obituary is fabulous, just perfect.

And what Consuela said.

I couldn't say it any better so I won't even try.

Hil, that would be awesome.

And yes, Pix, absolutely. I think that's definitely something some of the non-localistas had been thinking, too. You guys have done all of the heavy lifting - planning, physical logistics, and bearing all those emotional burdens alone and for each other and with her family - and you absolutely deserve a break.

(The same goes for my thoughts about doing something concrete to raise awareness for other migraineurs/euses and chronic pain sufferers -- whoever has the spoons can start gathering info, but no way does her family need to be approached now or anytime soon; that step can and should wait.)

ION, I was just lurking on the o-deck, and the culture there is so different from ours -- one poster linked to John Moore's beautiful piece and was absolutely excoriated by most of the others for violating her privacy. Since she hadn't shared all that information with them already, it was not kosher to post that link, or to do anything but acknowledge that it existed somewhere. Some people don't even want a link to her obituary.

Not that it's a bad board culture, but it's definitely such a different one.

I can't do anything more complex than sleeping.

Sleep Allyson. You have lovely hair and you have more than earned a chance to rest and recover. So far beyond. And tell your demons who keep lying about you to you to go to hell. You were the best friend anyone could have had to ita and you did wonders in handling the aftermath.

for Buffistas who want to come to LA to meet and celebrate ita's life.

Oh, yes please. I want this very much. Thank you, Pix.

You guys have done all of the heavy lifting - planning, physical logistics, and bearing all those emotional burdens alone and for each other and with her family - and you absolutely deserve a break.

To be extremely clear, I am not among this group. Although I have been lucky enough to benefit from their love and planning, I am not one of the LAiastas who was closest to ita and have not had any part of the heavy lifting.

I feel really strongly about not stepping on their toes in any way on this.

The print version of the LA Times is lovely. The picture is much bigger, and they got the i in ita right in both locations.

Everyone who helped with this has incredibly lovely, shiny hair.

Is there someone in LA who could grab me a print copy that I could purchase and pay for shipping from?

ETA, the scan will do me fine.

Here's a scan of the print copy. I'll try to pick up a few extra copies if anyone would like one.