Dave Watson

He was a geek, a nerd, an eccentric, a nut - my kind of people. We first met back at a Georgia Straight party in 1986. I think. The year and that particular party are pretty cloudy now. We were dueling ectomorphs back then, Dave in blazing Hawaiian shirt and burning down the Marlboros, both of us capitalizing on the free beer and nipping out back for greener refreshments. Even then I could tell that he was wired differently, that his circuitry was unique. He had a nervous, jagged, jabbery energy that made me feel positively laconic in comparison. This was just shortly before our lives became linked professionally. Soon after, new editor Charles Campbell threw us into a relationship that would last 22 years. That relationship came to an untimely end last week with Dave's death from cancer.

As a cartoon character, Dave was born after about a year of weekly Tech columns that were so baffling to my Luddite brain that I suggested just drawing Dave doing wacky shit with technology. It says something about his status at the paper that this happened - I doubt they would have allowed the conceit with anyone else. It's strange to think now that I've probably drawn Dave more than I've drawn any of my own more fictional characters. (I should also point out to those who only know Dave as the cartoon character that he really didn't look like that. Well, maybe a little, but it's not a caricature. Sure, he was kind of goofy-looking, but his nose certainly wasn't that big and I'm not sure if he ever wore horn-rim glasses - but somehow it worked and he was okay with it.)

When I first decided to take a stab at semi-serious writing, it was Dave that I went to with my first piece for advice. Not only did I respect his style and ability, but I also felt that we shared a similar sense of humour, although admittedly I tend to lay it on a bit thick compared to him. If he was Groucho, then I'm probably Moe. When, after a few structural suggestions, Dave gave my article a thumbs-up, I felt like the hot chick had said "yes." Then we got drunk.

It was a 22-year friendship as well and I picture it as a big wedge of Swiss cheese - the kind with extra holes. For one thing, I was living in Seattle for a good chunk of the Tech column years. His life was largely a mystery to me, like catching random scenes from a movie where you can't grasp the story. He disappeared for a while, apparently taking courses at Cap College. Then he was back and the random scenes became more random- something about a stint as an apartment manager, a rumour that he tried stand-up comedy, re-building a Jaguar, quitting cigarettes and moving up to cigars, becoming a shut-in somewhere on the East side and having the groceries flown in while becoming an E-bay mogul. What the fuck? I asked that a lot. But through all of the gaps and all too hasty, hazy catch-up get-togethers, he was always there every Monday in front of me on a piece of paper.

By the time he moved to Sechelt a couple of years ago and his movements and motivations got sketchier, I suspected a mid-life crisis of some sort. I guess I was partly right, but Dave was in fact in ill health - something he was sadly aware of before anybody else including our gleaming medical establishment. The rest of the story is not mine to tell, but to the very end Dave was writing and it was my privilege to be there drawing the Dave character as he chronicled his battle with the disease that would cut his life brutally short at the age of 45. As he put it when discussing just how much humour to inject into it, "Well, why fuck with the dynamic now?"

And so this week I drew Dave for the last time. And it wasn't easy. It hurt. It's here, accompanying Charles Campbell's fitting obituary in the Georgia Straight, as well as links to his excellent last series of articles. I'm going to miss both Daves.

Comments

[Ian Hanington]

It's hard for me to think of Dave's writing without thinking of your illustrations, Mr. Filbrandt. Even though I knew Dave well, I sometimes still picture him as the guy in the illustrations. It was a perfect match.

And your comment ("When I first decided to take a stab at semi-serious writing, it was Dave that I went to with my first piece for advice") makes me realize I have one more reason among many to be grateful to Dave. I've really enjoyed your Pop Eye columns in the Straight. Keep it up!

We'll all miss Dave, but keeping alive the kind of humour and sense of the absurd that he loved is a great way to honour him.

Ian Hanington
Former editor of the Georgia Straight

[Rod F.]

Thanks, Ian. Dave's definitely an influence.

[Atomos]

Dave was a geeks best friend. His column was my favorite in the Straight and I always made time to read it when laying out his page. I eventually met Dave in the flesh when he started sorting out our digital archives at the Straight. He was really good at that sort of thing. Piecing together massive piles of information. I always thought he was from a different planet or from the future. Fast talking jittery talk about computers, digital movies and high definition music were always on the menu.
I didn't know Dave that well but I liked the guy. The last real conversation I had with Dave was in the form of an email suggesting a crazy new kids toy called "Brian The Brain". I think that may have been the last Dot Comment he wrote before he became really sick last fall. I'll miss him, he was an amazing guy and way-too-weird for this world. Good luck on the other side Dave. Every time I look at my iPod I'll think of you.

[Al aka El Negro Magnifico]

That was a touching tribute, man.

[Luc Latulippe]

Thanks for sharing this Rod. Such sad news.

[Susan Abs]

One of the silver linings in the very dark cloud that is Dave's passing are the touching, humour-filled tributes appearing in these pages. This is one of best of them. Thanks for a beautiful, heartfelt piece, full of perfect Dave stories and scenarios. I can just picture it all, having hung out with him mostly 15-20 years ago myself. Have followed and loved your drawings for all those years too - esp. remember the "geek tries sports series". Many thanks.

[RF]

Thanks, Susan. I was just going through my box o' Dave today and noticing little things like when he mentioned that he'd sprouted a bit of a belly - I added it to the character. And how, for no particular reason, his nose got bigger and bigger. I had even thought about greying his hair a little, but the salt and pepper look doesn't really work in cartoon form.

[Dave Ball]

Nice commentary Rod, though thru the hazy memeories, I think you might've met Dave in 83 or 84 in the early Discorder days.
Damn, I still miss his gentle soul...