About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone


Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.

Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.

Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: lugnut50@msn.com. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: pfrumkin1@comcast.net.

I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.

Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.

As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.

Warmest regards to all,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin
Hi Guys,

Well, another round of chemo went okay. The doc think that a couple more treatments followed by a CT scan and I might be able to quit it for awhile. Nuff said about that. It does make me very happy.

Albert, you and Steve are doing a wonderful service that will go a long way to reinvigorating interest in high end aduio, specifically two channel. It's great that you could make time to photograph Paul's award event. I really like AIVS and think it deserving of an award.

Springbok10, are there 9 other Sprinboks? Thanks for your kind words. I would think I can speak for almost everyone that has posted to this thread when I say I'm glad that this has touched you in a positive way. It's been good for so many people; way beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

Jeff, answering questions about what types of music I thoroughly enjoy is getting harder every day. Primarily I love blues and jazz. I do listen to a lot of rock too but of the more acoustic, hormonious variety nowdays. Female vocalists are a kick no matter the genre. Some male vocalists trip my trigger too. What really surprises me is my attraction to recent composers of orchestral music. A few years ago I would have just lumped it in as classical but I think that would draw criticism from the experts. A lot of what has been written beginning with Dvorchac (sp?). I love the Grand Canyon Suite and the music or Aaron Copland. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Ella are among my recent heavy rotation albums. About all I don't listen to is organ music, gospel and most country. So many older recordings were done better than today's best and the performances outstanding. Of course, music is timeless or at least good music is.

Golden ears, Boa2 sent me the Armstrong book. Remember when he had trouble adjusting to living? Well, I must have been meant to read that book just for that chapter. As I've mentioned before I had cancer previously that was supposed to take my life prior to now. Funny, no? Anyway, when I recovered and was in remission I discovered how difficult it is to rejoin the ranks of the living. This chapter meant a lot to me because right now I am among the living and I'm determined to not lose a moment though wasting it with any such nonsense. Thank you Mr. Armstrong.

Also, this thread isn't about me or audio or even cancer. It's about something much bigger. Our shared humanity and love. Love, as in pure, untouched by outside influence, from the depths of our souls, meant to comfort those we come into contact with. There's been a lot of love sent my way by anonymous faces pounding out messages on a keyboard. Slowly I'm meeting members here one at a time whether in person, emails, phone calls or this thread. I hope that this experience stays with everyone bacause the world needs it. Let's all remember each other when we are in pain and reach out to comfort. There is joy in that as I've seen expressed here. We must keep our eyes open.

J.D., my prayers are with you and your family. Hopefully, you will qualify for a heart transplant soon and recover your life. I've seen this community respond to your reasoned posts and trust that they will lift you up as they have me. Peace.
I just had neck surgery on Monday, and I'm using my limited allotment of computer time to peruse the threads. I happened upon your post, Pat, and now I can lie back down with a smile on my face. You just have that effect on people.

And J.D., I have no doubt that you will be skiing again. I just see that happening for you.

Enjoy your day, everyone.
Howard
Pat,
I'm glad the news today was better. To answer your question, there are 15 Springboks, who are the South African national rugby team. Rugby is a fiery passion in South Africa, rivaled only in Wales and New Zealand. When the Springboks beat the All Blacks (NZ rugby team) at rugby, it is like Miracle on Ice all over again, each time. Every South African who is a toddler, dreams of being a Springbok. I wasn't one, but can pretend! - I could bore this thread forever about the exploits of the Springbok rugby players, but won't. But that is where the name comes from. You can rightfully take a warm glow from the effect your thread has had on all of us - I'm even thinking of sending it to my rugby team so they can take inspiration from you and smoke the All Blacks. See, you have potentially even influenced thick-skulled rugby players!!That is how powerful and all-embracing your thread is.
Howard, that was one of the best compliments I've ever received. I'd love to think that I could make people smile. Hell, I figured I pissed off most of the people that I've met. Just joking. Smile in unison everyone just for old Lugnut cause it makes him feel goooood.

And, Springbok10 I'm glad you explained the rugby thing. Unleash this thread upon them. Remember, it ain't about me or music or equipment. This thread belongs to everyone. Not once is six pages of posts has there been an unkind word said. On the internet no less. The worlds rudest environment. Think about the chances of that happening.

Best to all and have a great weekend. The Lugnut household is so busy now it's incredible. Lot's of things getting accomplished and enjoying anything that comes along.
That's great news about getting a cartridge and a personal note from John Grado, Pat. He's really a very decent man: generous, kind and helpful. He donated one of his more expensive pairs of headphones when the Audiogoners got together, last summer, to put together a home theater system for a young woman who was paralyzed when she got hit by a drunk driver.

Thank you, Pat and Albert, for your congrats on Audio Intelligent's award from Stereo Times ... a "Most Wanted Component" award. Lis and I attended the awards party in NYC last Saturday night.

I've come to believe that the folks here on Audiogon are the finest group of people I've ever known. Where else do people donate a complete home theater system to help a recently paralyzed young woman cope with her situation? Where else can you get all the audio advice you need, just for the asking? This thread is the latest example of the character of you people. I'm proud to be a member of this fine group.

At the Stereo Times awards party, I had the distinct pleasure to meet Steve (Audiogon's proprietor) and Albert Porter. Man, are these guys my kind of people! They are both a real class act -- smart, knowledgeable, funny as heck, and just fun to be around. A huge "thank you" goes out from me to Steve and Albert for coming to the awards party to support me. I am truly humbled by their kindness.

Warmest regards to everyone,
Paul