The Net Monkey

It all started yesterday morning when I was on my way in to the office.

The number of cars coming down Central Avenue at just 8:40 in the morning seemed high to me. Traffic was getting backed up in ways that I’d never seen before. I figured it was due to the fact that I rarely make it work by 9:00, and that traffic patterns have changed due to construction on I-70.

I needed to get to the office on time because of a vendor meeting, so I was frustrated, to say the least, since it normally only takes me 20 minutes from my door to my desk.

While sitting in a parade of cars on Michigan Street, Mom called to give me some pretty bad news. My cousin Chuckie, in Connersville, died earlier in the morning in his sleep, apparently from a heart attack related to his sleep apnea.

He was the oldest son of my Uncle Chuck, and was just 39 years old. He is survived by his 8 year old son, Seth.

I can’t say that I was close to Chuckie. I don’t really remember spending any time with him when I was a kid, and as adults we would pretty much just say hello to each other at family events. Those things don’t make it any less shocking. After all, he is the first of the grandchildren to pass away. Mostly, I just feel bad for my uncle, Chuckie’s brothers, and his son.

The funeral is planned for Monday, in the late morning, so I will be taking the day off work and head to Connersville with my family to attend the service.

And the traffic problem downtown was some silly motivational seminar put on by some celebrities. I heard you also had to sit through some real estate sales pitch.

Update: An obituary for my cousin has been posted.