Atip, to me. Atip, to the community.

Atip was a friend of mine and I'm fortunate enough to have known him. He was, without question, one of the most positive human beings I've ever met. He always seemed to radiate with good vibes and attitude.  Atip made life in San Diego more interesting and he made our community a better place.   Atip's sense of humour and his out-going, and posi-core personality qualities are things which have the power to improve the quality of life for those around him; his friend network, his work-place, his community, and the society around him.  

I looked up to Atip and I will always admire his attitude.

Atip's life ended too quickly, but his memory will always live on.







Atip's death has been a tragic blow to his family, friends, and his community.

On Sunday, July 20, 2008, one day after Atip's tragic death resulting from a collision with a motorist in the dangerous Park Blvd./University Ave. intersection, hundreds of Atip's friends and community members gathered at the site of the collision for a candlelight vigil and to take part in the locking up of a Ghost Bike.

The following images were taken on this gut-wrenching evening:





  The communal pain felt at this gathering was overwhelming.









As Atip's parents walked across the street to the gathering, the circle opened up, and the pain felt
in this space was further magnified.
Atip's father is pictured here. He vocalized that he was surprised with the number of people at the vigil. Even he hadn't yet realized how influential Atip was on the lives of people within the San Diego community.

Atip's father asked where exactly in the intersection it was that his son was struck.
As he walked out to the center of the intersection we followed him to pay respect.
It should be noted that not one motorist honked as we did this.
Perhaps, the motorists, too, were struck by the shear sense of humanity that had been revived in the public space.

Clearly, the space and the Memorial Bike are imbued with tremendous importance and meaning, from a significant body of the public.