Death and Taxes

I recently switched over to Google's Chrome as my primary browser. While it works just fine it did a lousy job of importing my favorites so I haven't been haunting my usual internet haunts. Last night I launched Firefox and visited some old friends and found some pretty disturbing news.

1. My friend BD, or Buffalo Dick passed away suddenly. Now I've never met Dick, or Richard as he was christened, never spoke to him on the phone, but we regularly corresponded via the internet. His blog OPINIONS AND RECTUMS,WE ALL GOT ONE! was always one of my favorite reads full of great stories, cooking tips and yes opinions. He will be missed.

2. Butch Lupinetti of Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ has also passed away. Butch was one of the larger than life characters you meet on the competitive barbeque circuit. He was a little man in stature, but he came with a huge heart and a hearty laugh. I don't think I ever saw anything but a smile on his face.

Butch was one of the first folks to welcome me into competitive barbecue as he attended my certified judging class held at Jack's Firehouse in Philadelphia and greeted me with a kiss and a hug after I walked as part of The BBQ Brethren team at my first event Guitarbeque. As far as I know Butch never maintained a blog which is a real shame. All the stories he could have told, but he can still be seen on Throwdown reruns.