Ian lived with me and a few other people at an alternative space on Hastings (above a head shop lol) from '89 to '91 that some of you will remember (hopefully fondly). He was one of the most frustrating people I'd ever met (at the time) and turned out to be one of the best people I;ve ever known. The fault for him being "frustrating" was entirely mine. He was such a beautiful soul and ALWAYS had the best of intentions with so little guile...
He dreamed BIG. And while that didn't always translate into an actualized reality, I remember very fondly my many long talks with him. He could be stoned out of his mind and still debate (well, usually lol) the finer points of human rights, politics and the on-going fight(s) for freedom from the vague oppression we suffer under this pseudo democracy (note: sometimes not so vague at all and you all should know what I'm talking about). I remember when he first introduced me to the idea of Children's Suffrage - one of the high points of his life was a CBC Ideas Documentary about his ideas on this issue. At first I thought he was nuts... but it wasn't long before he won me over to that cause by reasoned debate and constantly pushing at my ignorant and reactionary boundaries about the issue.
I was there at the genesis of his relationship with Mark Emery (whom I do respect) and I can tell you that Ian in many ways help catalyse both Mark's future and that of the decriminalization movement. But he was not a businessman... although he had an almost preternatural drive and determination he just lacked the "killer instinct". Reverend Damuzi mentions at the close of his sweet homage to Ian that "that he was found with a characteristically sparkling and childlike Ian Hunter grin to leave us all guessing about what is so amusing in the afterworld". This is how I will always remember Ian. He smiled so often and had that wonderful gift to be able to defuse your anger at him instantly with it.
Oh and by the way Reverend, you forgot to mention that Ian was a long-time host on Vancouver Co-op radio and did some pretty cool things there (some I helpe with :-).
His contribution to the movement cannot be overstated. I hope you will all post your thoughts and memories about him here or elsewhere to pay tribute to one of the best people you've ever had the privilege of knowing. If you care to reminisce, drop me a line at arne-at-hermann.ca.
Remembering Ian
Ian lived with me and a few other people at an alternative space on Hastings (above a head shop lol) from '89 to '91 that some of you will remember (hopefully fondly). He was one of the most frustrating people I'd ever met (at the time) and turned out to be one of the best people I;ve ever known. The fault for him being "frustrating" was entirely mine. He was such a beautiful soul and ALWAYS had the best of intentions with so little guile...
He dreamed BIG. And while that didn't always translate into an actualized reality, I remember very fondly my many long talks with him. He could be stoned out of his mind and still debate (well, usually lol) the finer points of human rights, politics and the on-going fight(s) for freedom from the vague oppression we suffer under this pseudo democracy (note: sometimes not so vague at all and you all should know what I'm talking about). I remember when he first introduced me to the idea of Children's Suffrage - one of the high points of his life was a CBC Ideas Documentary about his ideas on this issue. At first I thought he was nuts... but it wasn't long before he won me over to that cause by reasoned debate and constantly pushing at my ignorant and reactionary boundaries about the issue.
I was there at the genesis of his relationship with Mark Emery (whom I do respect) and I can tell you that Ian in many ways help catalyse both Mark's future and that of the decriminalization movement. But he was not a businessman... although he had an almost preternatural drive and determination he just lacked the "killer instinct". Reverend Damuzi mentions at the close of his sweet homage to Ian that "that he was found with a characteristically sparkling and childlike Ian Hunter grin to leave us all guessing about what is so amusing in the afterworld". This is how I will always remember Ian. He smiled so often and had that wonderful gift to be able to defuse your anger at him instantly with it.
Oh and by the way Reverend, you forgot to mention that Ian was a long-time host on Vancouver Co-op radio and did some pretty cool things there (some I helpe with :-).
His contribution to the movement cannot be overstated. I hope you will all post your thoughts and memories about him here or elsewhere to pay tribute to one of the best people you've ever had the privilege of knowing. If you care to reminisce, drop me a line at arne-at-hermann.ca.