Bye To Taylor Negron & Amy Daulton by Rhonda Hansome

 I saw the news today. 

I don't think I'll ever get use to death notices on facebook. 

One minute you're laughing while watching an octopus sexually harass a dolphin and the next moment your heart stops.

Amy Daulton

R.I.P.

Like the row upon rows of police backs turned to Mayor DeBlasio, my leaving stand-up was an over reaction, but at the time it made sense. 

Stand-up was an exquisite, challenging, oft fickle lover I'd unceremoniously dumped.  A decade later, I was trying to wriggle, wrangle and wish a return to her good graces after giving her my back.

Amy was one of the original 7 here.  Samantha DeRose asked us to be on She So Funny, a new humor site she was launching. In less than a heartbeat I said yes. I was delighted to be the old crone blogging with a bunch of hilarious up-&-comers. I needed to wade in the water of social media which, during my hiatus, had become a tsunamai. Now I'd have 6 pairs of hands to hold. One pair belonged to Amy...

     Win-Win!   

I came to She So Funny, pining for comedy's touch, her kiss, her rolling thunder. I thought with the heft and wit of 6 other funny women writing here, I might recapture comedy's favor, or at least her ocassional nod of recognition. 

I'd like to say that Amy and I were fast friends, who hit 6 PM open mics in tandem and guffawed over coffee at my place. But with sadness all I can say is,

        Amy was here. 

                Young, funny and beautiful.

                                                   Now she's gone.

And Taylor Negron also...

We'd be in a few clubs at the same time. I doubt he knew me, but I knew him; an ever present face on screens both large and small, an always unique voice in our comedy wilderness. I can never not laugh at words he carved into my head. 

                    "Area rug"

Here's his 1 man workshop in story telling:

California Gothic

Here's my pal Nancy Lombardo in an informal chat with Taylor

Nancy Lombardo Tribute to Taylor Negron

Taylor I miss you already. You and Amy have fun. Tell Joan and Robin I said, hi.

4 PM Sun. Feb 1, at Don't Tell Mama I'm singing & slinging jokes with Woody Reagan & Ann McCormack Join us!