So how do you eulogize someone as funny as Nick? The truth is the person I’d ask for help is Nick. I FaceTimed Nick constantly and he’d (almost) always answer (usually from the same spot on his couch). He’d listen to whatever joke I was working on, roll his eyes, and then make it good. He had a brilliant comedic mind and was unusually generous with it. So I’ll do my best to make this funny without him and apologies ahead of time because this would normally be my first draft before Nick’s punch up. First time I saw Nick he was performing at Hot Tub in Silverlake. He got on stage and was so tall and so awkward and with the meekest voice said something like, “I was at 95 open mic’s earlier today and I heard that women be... shopping? Well in my opinion... women be... equal.” Then he put his fist in the air. I was in love. I stayed back after the show and basically picked him up. He was special. Like most people Nick’s age he was... 32. He was genuinely kind and had a gentle spirit. In a scene full of insane people Nick was grounded and supportive. When he laughed at something you said you knew you could get behind it. Nick was hellbent on being original and would spend months crafting a perfectly worded joke. That joke would end up being something like, “why would I buy a bidet when I can piss in my own ass for free?” He’d rub his stomach on stage before delivering punchlines. When a joke didn’t work on stage Nick would let it sink in. He’d sort of nod and look around with a hint of a smirk on his face. I’m unbelievably sad he’s gone. I’m stuck with this deep empty void that used to be filled with FaceTimes and phone calls and countless hours laughing while we waited for shows to start. But I’m also grateful that I saw Nick at Hot Tub and that I was given the opportunity to know someone like him. And I’m happy his work will live on. I guess I’ll end this by stealing one of Nick’s jokes and saying it badly (he would’ve wanted it that way). I just found out my friend Nick was pronounced Dead. And I’m just so sad I had been pronouncing it wrong this whole time. I love you buddy. I hope you’re laughing.