Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I know that this is hard guys, but I think this stuff needs to be discussed. Not in this thread, but somewhere on this board. I didn't see the original post, but if we want to learn from this in any way, it needs to be discussed, there's not going to be some magic time when it's going to become easy.
I appreciate that there are people who want to discuss all of that stuff. That's fine. Just please start another thread with a disclaimer to do it so that those of us who can't & don't want to deal with it right now aren't forced to encounter it. It's been all of 11 days since we lost him and 5 days since his ashes were scattered. This is a difficult time - wounds are still fresh. I'm the first to admit that I'm emotionally volatile right now and I apologize to anyone who has been witness to my emotional outbursts. Losing Matt hit me hard. It upsets me that people keep derailing this thread. It is a memorial thread for all of our memories of Matt. If you wouldn't have said it or brought the topic up at his memorial service then please don't drag it into this thread. I'm politely asking everyone to show some respect by keeping the thread on track and starting a new thread for other discussions. Thank you kindly.
Now back to Matt: He always took great pride in the fact that he had danced the nights away at Roo and been awake to see at least two sunrises at every Roo he'd been to. Now whenever I see a sunrise I think of him. Somehow it seems appropriate that I should associate the dawn of a new day, light and warmth with Matt.
Post by hibouxdufromage on Jun 24, 2010 23:37:48 GMT -5
^this. Matt arrived at the brunch just a few moments after I did, and there was a little roar from the few people that were there early as he handed out cookies. He sat next to me and introduced himself, though at first he looked at me like he already knew me- we figured out later that day when we saw each other in Centeroo that we had indeed met before. A few years ago I got kicked out of centeroo for having a few cans of beer in my backpack cooler, and the security jackass wouldn't let me just go back into VIP the short way, I had to go out behind Centeroo, around the back of What Stage and all the backstage stuff, over by the road to BFE, and back into VIP to drop off my pack. By that time I was draggin' my feet and drenched in sweat, walking by myself and when I walked by Matt's campsite he yelled at me, threw me a gatorade out of his cooler and said I looked like I needed it (he was right, I was parched and the beers in my backpack were gettin' warm), and I sat down and we talked about where we were from, who we were there to see, the normal new roo friend conversation before I got up to go back to centeroo and find my friends again before the show they were at ended. Matt remembered that I was wearing the same MTSU UnderArmor shirt that day that I was wearing at the brunch this year. Neither of us realized it at the time but he was the first inforooer I met, by about an hour, when I bumped into Steel_City_X and he saved my campsite, and a little bit later iSkew. But that's a different story for a different time. Matt was a thoughtful and generous brother. He was quick to laugh and joke around and high-five. That's how he'll stay in my memory. He'll be there with us all on the farm from now on, reminding us to take care of ourselves, take care of friends and strangers, keep your feet happy and don't forget to have a cookie, et laissez les bon temps roulez!
Last Edit: Jun 24, 2010 23:39:50 GMT -5 by hibouxdufromage - Back to Top
Post by jumpinjamesbrown on Jun 24, 2010 23:42:39 GMT -5
i had not noticed until earlier today that matt was the one i had heard about passing away at roo, i just don't open the what sage thread very often. however i am very sorry to hear that he passed away and feel very bad for anyone here that was close to him. i don't have any true relationships with anyone on this board but i love reading everything you all have to bring to this board no matter how ridiculous and i'm sad to know that this group is now a little smaller.
any lose of man diminishes me as i am apart of mankind
Post by questionablesanity on Jun 26, 2010 22:13:02 GMT -5
Matt's death was mentioned in the the Rolling Stone article (magazine) about Roo. Very brief, but they stated his entire name. Unlike the other article, this was tasteful.
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
Post by captmonkey on Jun 28, 2010 15:53:18 GMT -5
I read about his death the day after I got back from the Roo, and I was stunned, but I didn't post anything about it until now. I never knew him personally, but I'm yet another Sanuk convert thanks to him. I wore them every day to the Roo this year and most of the days last year (I wore something sturdier on Friday after Thursday's rain). I even saw a few other people wearing Sanuks in Centeroo and almost stopped to ask them if they were Inforooers as well. It's so strange that he's had a visible impact on Bonnaroo and he's gone. Even though I didn't know him, I don't think I'll ever see a pair of Sanuks and not think about him.
It's sad that we had to lose someone. I don't know the circumstances surrounding his death, but if we can learn one thing for this, look out for your friends and those around you. I guess the heat was a big factor this year, but it felt like I was seeing more people who had me worried that they might not be okay than I have in previous years. Just take care of each other out there, folks.
Post by SouthGA_Festival Machine on Jun 28, 2010 19:20:37 GMT -5
I just found out about Matt today. I haven't been back from Manchester quite six days yet, and I've only had time to read a few threads. I'd heard someone died at Roo this year, but had no idea who until I found this thread.
I can't remember if we ever spoke or not , I know I've seen him around Brunch before and we recently became Facebook friends. I'm just glad to see that board members are trying to make something positive come out of this tragedy. I'll be making a donation when I can, after festival season, which for me is November. And I think I'll probably take a pair of Sanuks with me to Manchester next year.
I worked seven days after Roo with Clean Vibes this year, and I've never drunk so much water as I did that week. And I'm from GA, and used to hot, humid weather, to the extent that it's possible to get used to it. In eight days, I'll be on my way to WV for All Good and a few more days of work with Clean Vibes, and I'm really glad the weather up there is not as dangerous as it is down here and in TN this time of year.
I've been missing Matt a lot lately. I just wish I could talk to him... I know he would be more than a little proud of this thread. I don't know what I believe, but I know Matt was religious, and so I hope he can see and hear all of us talking about him, as our friend sure loved attention! Matt, I know you're getting a kick out of how much all the girls you've been with over the years miss you, myself included! Get over yourself, buddy
PS: I also think there should be a conversation had about the circumstances that likely led to Matt's death. He wasn't one to sugarcoat things and so I don't think we should either. It's painful, but I think there is a lot to be learned.
Matt, where ever you are, just wanted you to know people like me wanted to say Hi. People who you connected with without ever meeting. You are missed by many and missed more by many others. When I was in the 9th grade the girl whom sat next to me in math class had just lost her boyfriend. With her permission, I was reading a letter she had just written to him the night before, I remember it read, "I will not say goodbye, because goodbyes are forever, and someday, somewhere we will meet again." Those are words I lived my life by, never saying Goodbye to the ones who have left this place before me. This place we call home, this place we call Earth, this place we call reality. So, where ever your are, I hope the music rocks, the food is good and the cookies are better! Much love my friend!
Scrog
PS-can you give some shout outs? to my Mas, to my Baba, to my Bud, to my Gracie, to my Bruce, to Poole, to Mr. Mckinsey, to Wheaty, and to all the other peeps I can not think of. RIP all!
i was going to donate some money to the louisanna SPCA anyway, but when i did it last week, i did it in matt's name. i know that as a lover of animals, he would have approved. they have a lot of people who are having to turn their animals into shelters b/c they can't afford to take care of them after they've lost their jobs as a result of the oil spill.
I know this might be touchy and some people may bristle, but I know I cannot be the only one who has googled his name + "toxicology report" lately. Maybe its none of my/our business, but he was a close friend and it would bring me some closure to know what contributed to his death, especially in light of some of the claims that have been made. I know these things are typically a matter of public record but maybe it is "old news"? If you feel uncomfortable discussing this on the thread but have some information, feel free to PM me.
Please don't be angry at me about asking this. As I've said before, I knew Matt very well and he was a straightforward guy. He would have been asking the same questions if it were any of us.
I know these things are typically a matter of public record...
I'm not sure toxicology reports are a matter of public record. I think there have been a couple similar instances related to 'Roo where we never saw toxicology reports.
I'm not sure toxicology reports are a matter of public record. I think there have been a couple similar instances related to 'Roo where we never saw toxicology reports.
Thanks for your response. Perhaps I was wrong then. I did find some news reports from years past regarding toxicology reports of people who died at Bonnaroo, which is what led me to believe it was public.
I did find some news reports from years past regarding toxicology reports of people who died at Bonnaroo, which is what led me to believe it was public.
It might be public in as far as you can request a copy if you are immediate family, or perhaps a company doing business with the deceased, such as an insurance company. A news organization might request a copy, but not publish it without permission from the family.
I don't think toxicology reports are exempt under FOIA. They might be kept away from the public via court order (like in murder trials and junk), but I think if someone wants a copy they can fill out a request for release form or something.
I don't know - seems to me if anyone wants to know - they could get on FB and ask Matt's mom via PM if she has heard anything - me personally - I don't want to know and can't imagine anyone wanting to know bad enough to ask his mom about it - but she would be the one to ask
Can I obtain a copy of the autopsy report? Tennessee law states that medical examiner autopsy reports are considered public documents. In cases where the manner of death is not homicide, copies will be prepared upon written request. Homicide cases will only be released with the written approval of the District Attorney General. There may be a nominal charge.
How long does it take to receive an autopsy report? Most autopsy reports are completed and ready for release within 6 - 8 weeks. In certain cases, additional tests may need to be performed which will delay completion of the report for several additional weeks.
Who do I speak with if I have questions about the autopsy or the autopsy report? Questions should be referred to the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy.
That being said I still stand where I did before. Matt died of a heatstroke, there were probably surrounding circumstances that even with a toxicology report that will never be fully known. I can say this, I talked to him for a good 15 minutes Sat morning after LCD we had both gotten our party on, Matt was wearing a camelbak, and seemed in good spirits/health he obviously knew how to take care of himself. However shit happens, for us to guess/speculate about what he did or did not do is irresponsible. If you want a copy for your own personal edification please request one I will not, and honestly I have a feeling it would be completely useless in an ongoing discussion as well. It will read about the same as everyone else who was there and decided to get their party on.
Here is what the lesson we should take away breaks down to imo.
1 Drink lots of water, and eat something with some salt/electrolytes dehydration is a slow silent killer, and in my hiking days I saw plenty of people close to death from it with a good supply of water left.
2. Solo is fun, but just like Halloween staying with friends while you party is better, a lot of times realizing where someone else is makes you realize where you are.
3. If you start feeling bad go to the medical staff before you get that bad. We had a kid next to us who maybe had a little too much to fast then ran to camp because he was scared the medics might turn him in. He was not terrible bad off, but bad enough to make me worry and pour water/gatorade down his throat for a couple of hours.
There to my mind is nothing else to do, and if any of you do request the report please just go on and keep it to yourselves dissecting a death without a pathology degree is not going to solve anything and lead to pointless fights.
Post by hibouxdufromage on Jul 20, 2010 15:54:28 GMT -5
^thank you. If anyone does find out anything further, please do not post in a public forum. There are many of us who do not feel any sort of need whatsoever to know any more details than we already do, if there are any more to know. I am one of those people. It's depressing enough that our friend is gone.
It will read about the same as everyone else who was there and decided to get their party on...
Probably true but purely speculative. Personally, I think if there is something exotic in the toxicology report I think it can be *very* instructive. But, that's just me. I'm the kinda guy that would extract 5-substituted tryptamines from species of Amanita.
This is the reason for further discussion. Matt *knew* about heatstroke. He *knew* about staying hydrated. He *knew* where the medical tents, misting tents and fountain were. He *knew* how to pace himself and probably instructed many others how to navigate safely through 'Roo. Yet, here we are. One of the most knowledgeable individuals succumbed to the very thing he was most prepared for. It's like an Olympic swimmer drowning in a baby pool, while thousands of toddlers go over Niagara Falls laughing and splashing. Reverse Darwinism? Expiration of the fittest?
This is the reason for further discussion. Matt *knew* about heatstroke. He *knew* about staying hydrated. He *knew* where the medical tents, misting tents and fountain were. He *knew* how to pace himself and probably instructed many others how to navigate safely through 'Roo. Yet, here we are. One of the most knowledgeable individuals succumbed to the very thing he was most prepared for. It's like an Olympic swimmer drowning in a baby pool, while thousands of toddlers go over Niagara Falls laughing and splashing. Reverse Darwinism? Expiration of the fittest?
You are kidding right? If not, go track down and obtain whatever you think you need and then go discuss it someplace appropriate.
And respect the people who are asking you not to do it here. This thread isn't a research project and we're not all looking for a textbook explanation.
Post by hibouxdufromage on Jul 21, 2010 1:00:45 GMT -5
^this. How about we put the energy we spend speculating about something we'll likely never know into helping some people out instead? Seems a better use.
Last Edit: Jul 21, 2010 1:04:07 GMT -5 by hibouxdufromage - Back to Top