Life is short.

Haven’t blogged in a while because I’ve been busy planning another trip, one I almost reconsidered.  But got a reminder today that you gotta live while you’re here.

Remember the two posts (first here, second here) about the insanely hard European Quizzing Championships? Where I grumbled happily about the Belgians and their otherworldly abilities?

Just found out that one of these Belgians has left us.

Sample Image

Lieven Van den Brande, top right corner with the beard, who seemed in perfect health to all, and finished second in the individual tournament, stepped out of the room quite suddenly today.

I only met him briefly, casually hanging out the same evening I took this picture of the full Belgian Armada, but he seemed like a very gentle and clearly brilliant fellow.  Several of the people I met and liked very much at the tournament knew him well and are greatly saddened.  I am sorry for their loss.

Life is so fucking short.  Sure would be nice if it weren’t.  But it is.

Gonna go catch that plane now.  Dammit.