January 18th, 2011 by Conor
The shout outs keep coming in and they are totally awesome. Danny is doing better and better each day but I don’t think he is ready for all this quite yet so that gives us a little more time to build up the album. I’m hoping that we can get 100 shot out pics in the Facebook album before he gets to a point when he can realize what is going on.
Send your pics to 603-496-6621 or donations@dannyisthebomb.com
January 18th, 2011 by Conor
Thanks to Carl Farnum, Carl Iacozili, Matty Burkett, Dan Spofford, and everyone else that showed up at the Red Parka Pub last night. Bobby Blake and company raised $400 for Danny at Open Mic Night. Nice work guys!
January 18th, 2011 by Conor
The whole sweatshirt story invoked some funny memories from when Danny would drop into various Shred residences I lived in, and spend a few nights on the couch.
It all started in Burlington Vermont where I was living in the downtown area and attending college. Danny, being a Burton rider, would often come to the area for events or to stop by the Burton headquarters. In the meantime, we’d party, exchange music, or just lounge. When all was said and done, Danny would leave and I would be enriched not only with good vibes, but new music, shred video’s, and to Danny’s sheer terror…a sick new sweatshirt!
We all know that Danny is the Freshest of Fresh, the Sultan of Swag, the Steeziest…you get it. I mean, the kid started a clothing company in college school called “Fligi” (pronounced Fly-Guy) which was not only repped by 100% of his friends, but also represented a lifestyle…to be that guy who is killing it and looking good doing it. So when he was coming to my neighborhood…game on!
The Tactic: Inflict Confusion upon DCT.
Upon receiving information that DCT would be sweeping through my vicinity for a few days, I would trash my room intentionally (99% of the time it was already trashed unintentionally), as to create an atmosphere of dysfunction as well as to disorientate . This tactic was bulletproof. He would stay, do whatever needed to be done in my neck of the woods, live amongst filth for a few days, and peace. That was the routine.
The Cleanup: Digging for Gold Babay!
Good times ensued, Danny would leave, then BAM! i’d not only clean my room, but find nuggets of swag within the chaos! These said nuggets of swag were most commonly zip up hoodies with vibrant colors that matched only the finest rare tropical birds of the Galapagos…
The Purpose: Now Danny had left hoodies in my Casa twice, once in Burlington, and once in Salt Lake City while he was visiting. And as malicious as my Tactics and Cleanup may seem, rest assured, I never really snuck one under Danny’s belt, Nor would I want to. The best part about this whole operation was the phone call I would receive not 4 hours after Danny had returned home, only to do an inventory on his gear, and realize that his finest Gnar accessory was missing amongst the rubble of my room. “Dude! I think I left my Hoody! You know the turquoise one with magenta infused swirls and a platinum zipper that zips over your head!!!!!” me: “Oh…I know exactly the one…” (sly grin). I’d wait a week and a half then Fed Ex it back.
End Result: People that knew me would see me in the freshest hoody I have ever worn and be like “wow…I didn’t know you had the potential to rise to such Freshness” i’d say “yeah you know” casually, then send the sweatshirt back to Danny, and all these people around me would be like “what just happened?” So there really is no moral and it’s a silly story, but it involves Danny and one of his many innate talents…to be the Flyest Guy I know.
~ Chris Rogers
January 18th, 2011 by Conor
These are pics I took from the sailboat I work on. I haven’t stopped thinking about Danny and your whole family since I heard about what happened. I’m really happy to see that he is making progress – I’m keeping you all in my thoughts! Get shredder, homey!!!!
-Nia
January 18th, 2011 by Conor
Hey guys! Got together with a couple friends from SNHU this weekend,
and we wanted to take a pic to let Danny know we’re rooting for him!
We’re wishing him the best in his recovery and sending a HUGE thanks
to Conor, Michelle, and the rest of Danny’s family. Danny is going to
love all the hard work you guys have put into the website and keeping
everyone updated. He’s a great guy and has so many people supporting
him to prove it.. I don’t even think I know as many people as Danny
has wishing him the best! Thinking of you guys..
Maura
ps.. The pic is me, Miranda, and Ashley 🙂
January 18th, 2011 by Conor
I might not know Danny but from what I’ve read, seen from ST and being a fellow brother of shred.. but for some reason and I
can’t put my finger on it….I feel connected to Danny. His energy is infectious, his demeanor one that everyone wants, and his
skills immaculate (riding and video). I don’t know if i’ll ever get the chance to meet Danny, but I sit here and pray that his
recovery is one that allows Danny to get back to being able to share the love and joy his family and friends and maybe a miracle
to ride again! I will continue to pray for you guys as well as Danny and may God send his love and grace to Danny and all of you
guys! Get Shredder Danny…you’re the bomb!!!!
Joe Gossi -Boise, Idaho
January 18th, 2011 by Conor
This is Michelle’s 6th hat. For those of you that are not up to speed, Michelle has been making hats by Danny’s bedside since the accident. These hats are one of a kind and are only sold until they sell. So far she has made 5 hats. This one is by far my favorite. The colors are awesome! It’s red with 3 shades of gray that fade up in horizontal lines. I be it lasts 2 hours on the site. Get it while you still can!
This one is red with 3 shades of gray.
January 17th, 2011 by Conor
I’ve been waiting to write something. But I didn’t know what. I knew I wanted it to count though. I’ve been reading other peoples letters and comments and they have all been so great and touching and moving, and I would sit and wonder where mine would fit in. Well it finally hit me yesterday around 2 oclock in the afternoon when I was looking in the mirror at myself crying, after just leaving the Home page of the Dannyisthebomb.com website. Now any of you that know me, probably know that I’m a bit of an emotional baby as it is. But these tears were warranted. Just that looking at that face, those eyes, and thinking of what he must look like now, and trying to imagine maybe what he’s feeling, if he’s feeling anything yet at all. It just overwhelmed me, and I can only imagine the strength Conor you must have to be displaying, to be the big brother and to be strong for your little brother as he lays there in his hospital bed, complete 180(little pun) from what you’ve been use to seeing you’re entire life.
I sit here and think to myself. What am I really feeling? Pain..? Yes. Sadness..? Yes. Confused and just really don’t know what to think or say..? Yes, yes, yes, across the board. I’m sure most of us out there across the country checking in and being a part of this, or atleast those of us who know Danny well (not trying to sound exclusive whatsoever), have had these same feelings and just overall internal unsettledness.
But that’s when it all hit me. I can’t be wasting time sitting around crying. Danny wouldn’t sit around and cry, he would be doing something, non-stop all the time. And he wouldn’t want any of us to cry if he had the choice and power. But this brings us to the point of realization that the “pain” I’m/we’re feeling is nothing compared to the reality that is soon going to hit Danny as he slowly awakens from his long long rest. Conor’s words could not be more true, and to paraphrase him “once Danny wakes up is when HIS pain and reality starts. This is not about us and never will or should be. He has never even been close to a place like this. Danny is use to flying high, being on top, and having fun. He is NOT use to not having control over his own body and situations. And he is not going to like it one bit.
So by now I’m sure it is no surprise to anyone how hard this is going to be for Danny. Knowing the athlete that Danny is and the nature of is competitiveness, he is going to have a very hard time swallowing this. But at the same time, if it’s even possible to say, there is a little bit of a blessing behind this as well. Look at what this has created. We have friends, family, and people who don’t even know Danny, from across the nation uniting together for one great cause. That is special. It’s a team that has formed, and a team that I personally feel amazed and proud to be a part of. I like to win. So does Danny. And this is a team full of winners who combined with Danny, will win once again. But we are going to have to be there the whole entire time, every inch, every step, every tear, every smile, until the process is deemed complete.
Part of it, as I said, will be good because of Danny’s drive and need for success will only help boost his progress tremendously. But part of it will be bad. Real bad in terms of what Danny sees through his eyes and thinks in his head. There are going to be days where even Danny will feel like crying, and although he may mask it with his natural toughness and charmer smile, this is when everyone absolutely needs to be there.
He is going to be in some hard, dark places. Places he’s never imagined being, never even known existed. The love from his family and friends, and everyone involved in this is what’s going to help him out, whether he likes it or not. For all of us, especially the Toumarkine family, this has seemed like a lifetime already, but please, let’s all try to remember that when Danny comes to, is when it ALL STARTS in real time. Not just for him, but for everyone. Let’s really keep our focus strong and straight, and with the help from some amazing doctors, friends, family, and Danny himself, we will all get through this together. I literally dream of the days of his laughing, and all the crazy, fun, learning times I’ve had with Danny. It can not come back soon enough. And I will be here waiting, along with hundreds of others, and I assume I can speak for all when i say we can’t wait for the comeback. Conor, you are an amazing brother and friend…you know we got this! Sending all of my love from the place where the shredding legend Danny Toumarkine started in the 603…Danny I miss you and love you so much and may God give you his strength to bring you back and bless us all.
Friend Forever, Drew Donabedian
January 17th, 2011 by Conor
Hey conor sorry it has taken me so long to post anything, but i promise to slack no more. Miss you guys soooo much can’t wait to see all of you.
love tan
p.s the dog pic is strange, but hilarious, its megan credits dog Jazzy we were watching him while she was working and we decided to give jazzy a mustache with eye liner.
January 17th, 2011 by Conor
Two pretty comical things have happened over tonights shift.
1) Happened a little before the graveyard actually started. My mom suggested that Danny would really want the leg warmers that the nurses have been using on him when he is able to leave this place. She was stoked about how “cool” they were. I couldn’t have agreed any less. So, I actually held one up in the air and looked over Danny’s way as I asked him “Hey Danny are you gonna want these things when you get out of this place?” His eyebrows came together and he slowly and methodically shook his head back and fourth as if to say Helllllll noooooo. The whole room errupted at Dannys reaction. Hard to say if he was trying to be funny or if he was just responding to the question. Either way it was funny. Now we are going to have to keep them just because the reaction was so funny.
2) The sweathshirt that I borrowed from Danny and have so proudly worn finally became an issue today. Michelle was standing on the side of the bed when Danny pointed over at the sweatshirt. I pointed back at him to which he methodically turned his palm up with a subtle look of frustration. It was because I was wearing HIS sweatshirt. When I show up tomorrow I plan on giving him the sweatshirt back. Although this one was not as “laugh out loud” to the group, Michelle and I both got a big kick out of it. Danny always gets annoyed when I borrow his stuff. To us, his annoyance was funny because it was a clever way of showing us that he is still the same old Danny. He’s barely even coming out of this mess and he already can’t wait to get his steeze back.
A lot has happened in the last 24 hours. Just like I expected it’s a pretty hard for Danny. We are sort of at an in between stage emotionally. My Mom, Dad, Michelle and I are getting excited about the progress the improving condition of Danny. He on the other hand is beginning to realize that something bad happened. Something very bad. Several times now he has looked me in the eye for roughly 20-30 seconds before a tear slowly forms out of the corner of his eye. It is very hard to watch. We ask him if he is in pain and request him to do a thumbs up if he is. No such luck. He is just bummed out. Plain and simple. It must be a very hard time for him. It’s tough because I know they have to wake him up to be able to asses his neurological responses, but it’s difficult because every time they do it he is sad. It’s like finding out over and over that something went really wrong.
I don’t think he is quite able to figure out much of what happened just that something happened. He has rubbed his right hand over all the stitches a bunch of times but seems more irritated that there is something in his hair then knowledgeable of what is actually going on.
Danny is into the music! I have put together some playlists of some of his more mellower favorite tracks. He seems to enjoy them. I asked him if he wanted to listen to music and he gave me a nice slow nod. When he is awake and alert it is 50/50 whether it is a good time to play music or not. Sometimes he just looks a little too sad to really play an upbeat track that would normally put him into snowboarding mood.
Another night down. Wondering how many more there will be.
Love ya Danny.
~Conor
