“I love you, Aja,” I mumbled into my iPhone. “I hope you know this,” I whispered. She replied, “I do know. Love you too, Los. We’ll talk later.”

The phone screen goes black, as I set it down. I was slumbering when my friend called. I’m grateful she called versus texting the news that our dear friend, Josie, had passed away from complications from a stroke months ago.

Another friend has been called up to Heaven, another angel has been added to the ranks. The statement doesn’t ease my pain any. I understand that growing old is an experience not afforded to many, but being left behind in the collateral damage field is rough.

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Most people will remember the first time they encountered dear, lifelong friends. I don’t remember the first I met Josie; I honestly don’t. What I do remember is our first of many adventures.

SNOW DAY 2013

I was healing from a bad breakup, so I did what I naturally do … sought out fun. A targeted ad on my Facebook News Feed was perfect: join the effort to set a Guinness Book of World Records with the largest snowball fight! I posted about this in 2022, click here for the full story.

Basically, the more, the merrier. So I invited everyone I was partying with at that time, including Josie Powers.

We managed to pile into a table for all of us. We ordered several of their famous Rum Buckets. After we killed some of them, Josie got curious about the extent of her thigh bruise, so she dropped trou in the corner of the restaurant while I stood guard.

I looked at it too, and mused, “A small price to pay for the glory of being part of world history!”

~ Carlos Bayne, 2013

Meat Night IV

One afternoon Josie called me up because that’s what you did versus texting. Hard to believe, huh? At any rate, she called to invite me to a party.

“Yo, Los. Are ya busy Saturday? If not, come up to Marysville for Meat Night!” she declared.

“You mean a sausage fest?” I replied.

“No, silly,” she clarified. “Bring your favorite cut of meat to be grilled, some beer, and kick it with us. It’ll be fun, because you’ll be there.”

I quizzed, “Are we gonna dance with skeletons around the bonfire well into the night?”

“Sure,” she grumbled.

---

As many of you know, I’m a conversation chameleon, and a positive addition to any party. I quickly introduced myself to her circle of friends and discovered the overlap of Danielle! We drank, we grilled, we had a blast.

It was the fourth time they had done it, but it was my first. I wished I had attended more.

Bubble Soccer, and Pub Crawl

I rolled out a 5 year party plan leading up to my 40th birthday. One year was to host a bubble soccer event that I saw on various social media feeds.

I contacted Snohomish Soccer Arena. They directed me to a guy who hosted bubble soccer events. Thankfully, he provided everything in his price. The preparation, the suits, and games.

Once again, Josie was one of the first friends to say yes. She was one of the few participants, too. The bubble suits were to hard to breathe in from the constant laughing, and restricted breathing. The host was a one-legged man that was more spry and physically fit than any of us with both legs.

We celebrate with a pub crawl along the Snohomish waterfront. At one point in the night, I donned my custom made Super Los cape! And she shared with me that she stole a flag from a bar.

I wonder if she still has it?

Birthday Bashing Bayne – Private Pirate Party

This particular year I had two days of celebrating my birthday because, well frankly, I could. Alicia had made from scratch a costume coat in the likeness of Captain Morgan, my favorite rum. I had a wig, hat, boots, sword, and more to complete the outfit.

The second night was spent at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge. My friend, Cristina, was a manager there, and actually extended an offer I simply couldn’t decline. I rented out a conference room on the mezzanine level.

Josie convinced her crew to dress up, help make Jell-O shots, and some much more. She happily declared to be proud of being one of Carlos’s wenches for the night. With alcohol fueled smiles, we set out to the casino floor for fun and chaos.

We eventually gathered up, traveled to the nearest other casino. The patrons, security, and staff were not as appreciative of our costumed fun as we were. We were asked to leave, and we were happy to leave!

We rolled back to separate room parties, that I drifted from one to another. It’s still one of the greatest nights we had together.

Superhero Photo Scavenger Hunt, Awesome Awards Party

By far our grandest adventure. I explain it all in my post titled: One Night In Fremont …

I dressed up as Tony Stark with a working arc reactor, and acted as if I was him. I thought Josie had dressed up as the Comedian from the Watchmen movie, since she arrived with Alicia who was dressed up as Silk Spectre II.

She was not.

Everyone but me, realized she was Super Los with a wig of my hair style, goatee, and custom cape. Months later at the Awesome Awards Ceremony, I rewarded the teams, and all the participants.

Josie gifted me the cape as my birthday gift, it was only then I realized she made me into a superhero! And that I was her favorite superhero. It touched me. We burst out laughing from the bottom of our souls and pint glasses.

Not only was she my Adventure Time Girl, but she was part of my hype team. She genuinely believed I could do anything I tackled. She believed this so much so, the other team members would be amped as well. Ultimately, that gave me the confidence needed to make it happen.

I will cherish that always. I love you, Josie.

‘los; out