In Memory of Hunter S. Thompson

The man, the myth, the notorious outlaw journalist....other wise known as Hunter S. Thompson. 3 years ago on February 20th,
Hunter killed himself at his humble bunker, the Owl Farm. Despite what
so many people theorize about his death (murder, set-up, blah blah
blah), i am simple bummed and upset that one the greatest
journalist/writers is dead! I remember when it happened. A distraught
friend phoned me and explained the tragedy, i didn't know what to say.
I got off the phone and remained in a coma for awhile shaken by the
news....i couldn't register what happened! My idol, my hero, my
inspiration for writing...killed himself.
Many people know HST for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - a true tale about Raoul Duke's (aka Hunter) brutal journey to the heart of the American Dream along with his savage Mexican lawyer (Oscar Zeta Acosta) referred to as Dr Gonzo and Samoan for his protection. This story was documented by Hunter's own recorder, and there were countless amounts of recording stashed away in his Compound in Colorado. He allowed nobody to have access to them. Hunter was suppose to cover a motorcycle race (Mint 400) in Vegas, but, 3 days later, all he turned into Rolling Stone were numerous notes and writings to be put together by the staff. That's how Hunter rolled. Fear and Loathing was a macabre hysteria-drug-induced demolition derbywtihout limits, without regrets, and without sobriety. Wish i could've been there!
Other novels worth checking out are:
-Hells Angels. Hunter's along for the ride with the most violent biker gangs
in America, by the end, he gets STOMPED! Still have never read it's
entirety!
-Curse of Lono. This true story makes Fear and Loathing in Vegas look like an overpriced appetizer. Takes place on Hawaii and involves nothing short of barbaric lewd acts. The ending is pure insanity!
-Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail of 72. I'm still reading this one,
but it's multiple journal entries of Hunter covering the Campaign of
72, specifically the Democratic Party. It's a slow reader, but it shows
Hunter's gonzo journalism in practical abuse!
-The Rum Diary. His first novel. Wrote it in Puerto
Rico while he was a newspaper writer on the only newspaper in the city.
It's a crazy saga full of cursing, riots, rum, and lust!
There are certainly others, find them yourself....
I miss Hunter S. Thompson. A few years back i wrote an "On the Road" piece that read like Fear and Loathing, except, i was totally sober. I always had meant to send the story to Hunter just for the hell of it. I wish i had! Here's to you Hunter, you'll never go unspoken of and you'll always have enemies!
"There are times, however, and this is one of them, when even being right feels wrong. What do you say, for instance, about a generation that has been taught that rain is poison and sex is death? If making love might be fatal and if a cool spring breeze on any summer afternoon can turn a crystal blue lake into a puddle of black poison right in front of your eyes, there is not much left except TV and relentless masturbation. It's a strange world. Some people get rich and others eat shit and die."
—Gonzo Papers, Vol. 2: Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame and Degradation in the '80s, 1988