In an attempt to only post items of merit and or discussion topics that I feel are worth mentioning, I have not posted on here for over a week. I was primarily thinking about trivial matters when an event of grand proportion occurs and causes me to end the silence.

Tommy's is gone.

I really don't have many words to say on this matter. It is indeed a day of loss for Crawfordsville and the entire Wabash community.

Tommy's was an institution, it was a place of peace of mind. Countless hours have been spent by many Wabash men over the years drowning away their sorrows. Whether is was a bad grade, a broken heart, or simple procrastination, Tommy's was there and in spades.

For those of you who aren't in the know, I have attached a few handy links to some media information. Please allow yourself to be informed.

Wabash Main story - http://www.wabash.edu/news/displaystory.cfm?news_ID=4730

Runge's Blog - http://www2.wabash.edu/blog/alumni/2007/05/tommys_gone_no_one_hurt.html

Video Coverage - http://www.theindychannel.com/news/13274855/detail.html

The Journal Review Coverage (and more video links) - http://www.journalreview.com/articles/2007/05/08/news/0fire.txt

I really am struggling with my emotions and words right now. I feel a sense of loss, regret that I had not visited Tommy's recently, and fond recollection about the times that I had there and event that had transpired.

On a Wabash College Phi Psi Alumni message board, one of my fraternity brothers posted the following...

Fret not, Mansfield. Tommy's hasn't gone anywhere. Tommy's exists as certainly as cheap beer and warped poolsticks and drunken revelry exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Tommy's! It would be as dreary as if there were no Mansfields. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no one night stands with ugly townies to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which juvenile intoxication fills the world would be extinguished.

Tommy's exists inside everyone of us. Whenever a man steals a shot glass from a bar, Tommy's is there. Whenever a man "forgets" it is his turn to buy a round, Tommy's is there. Whenever a man doesn't go to work or class in the morning because he is projectile vomitting into a bucket, Tommy's is there.

You see, Mansfield, there is a Tommy's. And there always will be.

- Parker Lyons

My college days are waning. Tommy's is gone. Digger's is gone.

Hey, things can't be that bad in "Wally-World," we've got the bell.

RIP Tommy's.