Some members of the military have a tradition: you celebrate the death of a comrade with a drink and the simple toast "absent companions." I've made this tradition my own, but I'm never happy to perform it.

José Garza, Greenpeace activist and beloved friend, died Saturday of a heart attack, in Manaus, Brazil. He is survived by his mother and two sisters. He was 39.

I knew José from my recent trip to Amsterdam. We worked together, drank together, ate together, smoked, tripped, and laughed together.

I got the news this weekend, while vacationing in San Luis Obispo. I did the only thing I could for him at the time. I went to my favorite dance club, offered my toast to him with good tequila, danced my head off for hours, then spent the rest of the night talking with a beautiful and engaging woman. He would have done no less for any of his friends.

Tyler, who will write irreverent and amusing stories next time.