An unusual thing happened last week, and I’m trying to process it. I’m hopingwriting about it will help me get some clarity around my thoughts and feelings.
For the second time on this blog, I have the unpleasant task of eulogizing afriend. An internet friend, but a friend nevertheless.
Early Thursday morning, on 22 May, there was a horrific plane crash inSan Diego, California. All six aboard the plane were killed. Thankfully,despite crashing into a neighborhood of military housing, nobody on theground lost their lives.
On board that jet was an internet friend of mine, Daniel Williams.
I didn’t know Daniel super well, but we knew each other. To my recollection,we met only once in person, and if my [admittedly awful] memory serves, itwas whilst waiting in line to enter one of the live tapings of The Talk Showat WWDC. At that point, we knew each other a smidge, but mostly onlybecause Daniel very kindly facilitated getting me a discount on a GoPro.
Daniel had spent the last eight-ish years as a senior software architect atGoPro, working on their iOS app. He had actually just accepted a dreamjob offer at Apple, working in the health organization, and was due to startthere on this coming Monday.
Over the last year or two we got closer,though I’m not trying to say that we were close. We often exchanged DMs onInstagram and occasionally chatted via iMessage. I was super excited forhim to start at Apple soon, though clearly not as excited as he was. 😊
On Wednesday night, the 21st, Daniel was in New York, having just seen aband he knew play. Daniel’s “former life” was as the founding drummer ofthe metal band The Devil Wears Prada. He had this to say after Iasked him about the show:
Sooooo good!
Their show was insane… it is so crazy to see them go from playing aChinese restaurant (I was there at their first show lol) with 12 peoplein it to [Madison Square Garden] with like 20k people. They are suchgood dudes, they deserve it for sure.
Again, I’m not trying to claim I knew Daniel well. But from what I did know,this is very much him: happy in general, but especially to see others happyand successful.
Daniel sent that, Wednesday night, after sending pictures of him eatingat my favorite pizzeria in the world. He went on my suggestion, andwas kind enough to send me these three photos, which made me deeply jealous 🤤:
Looking back on these photos now, I can’t help but wonder if they’re photosof his last meal. 😢
Three hours later, he had this to say:
His last message to me just hits different now:
💔
On Friday night — two days after we last exchanged messages, and the dayafter Daniel’s tragic accident — I was looking at Facebook, and saw hisimage in a news story that somehow landed on my timeline. Then I read theheadline, and the two words jumped out at me: Plane Crash. I had no idea.I was — and remain — shocked.
The last time I wrote a post like this, it was also about an internetfriend. I wrote then:
Jason was like nobody I’ve ever met. Which is an odd thing to say, since wehad never actually met in person. Nevertheless, I immediately started to cryupon hearing the news; an odd thing to do for someone who, on paper, was justa voice in my head.
Though Daniel and I did meet the one time, the feelings are all the same. Thoughthis time, they’re complicated by me chatting with Daniel hours before he passedaway.
From what I’ve read, the crash was the confluence of a ton of weird events:truly terrible weather, equipment malfunctions, etc. The pilot, Dave,was by all accounts an exceptionally skilled pilot. Sometimes, though, everythingconspires against you.
Life is a magical, amazing thing, that can be snatched from you in an instant.You never know when — nor how — your ticket will be punched.
Do yourself a favor and hug your special people close today. From everything Iknow, Daniel would want you to.
Rest in peace, friend. 💙
