Dave Halchak

What can be said about a family member we were never ready to say goodbye to? Unfortunately, we all know we’ll have to eventually say goodbye to our furry friends turned family.

Jamal came into my life when I was in my twenties…new to Denver, didn’t have family here, was still trying to make friends, meet people and make my way in a new city nearly 2000 miles from where I grew up. I had just gone through a breakup, was moving into my own apartment and didn’t realize how badly I needed a true friend/family. Just like that, literally the day I was moving in, up walks the coolest, most friendly/tough/loving cat I’ve ever met. He was living on Colfax and had to fight to stay alive but in reality he was a lover and just wanted to eat, run around outside and get good pets but he became my dude. Since then the love he gave me, Erin, Levon, our families, our friends and even people we didn’t know has been immeasurable. Unfortunately as of late his age and illnesses got the best of him and he couldn’t make it one more day. His last day on Earth was a gift to myself and I hope to him where we got to hang out all day but by the end he was ready to go and we were there at home with him until the very end.

We’re crushed right now, and it keeps coming in waves, even as I attempt to encapsulate what it was that made Jamal such a special cat turned Legendary family member I can’t find a way to explain it. But to those who were lucky enough to spend any time with him will tell you he was special and to me, he was and will forever remain the best cat and one of my best friends and I miss him so much.

I know he’s in kitty heaven running like a maniac chasing everything his old age prevented him from chasing towards the end of his life.

Something Erin and I want to mention is that we’d love for anyone to share memories of Jamal….stories, pics, whatever…send them along to help us hold on to a very special family member and please don’t hesitate to share. We love hearing how much people loved him.

For those who have loved pets that may be nearing their end of time on this plane…. Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice came to our house and allowed us to feel no added stress in the process.

HBD to this MF. Jamal’s been my roomate for a long time and anyone who’s met him will tell you he’s a badass

Bent but not broken…seems fitting for the times.

Well….summer was fun

The world has been wild lately and I’ve been pretty distressed by it all. It’s weighing heavy on my mind and this week has been tough. School shootings, famine, people claiming Christianity but not understanding the teachings, politicians who could give two f***s about the people they’re supposed to be supporting & helping. I could go on but it’s not helping.

I’m doing my best to focus on the positives in life….music, nature, healthy family, fun musical projects, growth, etc. Life sucks sometimes but I’m just trying to stay positive and teach my son to be a good human.

As Tupac said….

“It seems the rain’ll never let up
I try to keep my head up, and still keep from gettin’ wet up
You know, it’s funny when it rains it pours
They got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor
Said it ain’t no hope for the youth and the truth is
It ain’t no hope for the future”

August stuff….my son said he wanted to “see where daddy went to high school.” So when he was being a four year old and needed a nap we went for a drive (it worked). It was awesome to drive around the town I grew up in, visit the house I grew up in and to my surprise, the gym was open at the HS. Now, if you know me you know I’ve spend countless hours in that gym chasing basketball dreams. What a trip to go around and see a bunch of places I haven’t seen in years. Shout out Kinnelon High School and NJ in general. I’m all set on bagels and pizza for a while

Here it is….the moment you’ve all been waiting for, tree pics!

We moved out of this house last fall but we’re renting it so I had to slide over there to squeeze in a tree progression pic. While I can’t say the yard is in great shape, I’m stoked to see these trees crushing, way over my head now and for reference im 6’3”
Pics all taken around the same time of year

1. 2020
2. 2021
3. 2022
4. 2023
5. 2024
6. 2025

Summertime stuff

It’s not lost on me as to how quick life is going. I’m trying to hold on to my little boy but he’s growing up so quickly right in front of my eyes. I’m just trying to take every moment with him as a blessing. I know one day the house will be tidy, it’ll be quiet and he’ll be out with his friends and won’t have time for me. ❤️

“And you are young and life is long, and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.”

For those that know me well you know we moved in November. You probably also know that I’ve made the joke about being a Northeast kinda guy. I joke but it really is something I feel and always will feel…..growing up in the Northeast, moving to the Northeast side of Denver and living in that area for 16+ years. It was much more emotional for me than I thought it might be and if I’ve seemed a little off during our interactions in the time since October then now you know why, it’s all been on my mind.
I bought my place north of City Park during a time of my life where things were simple. Denver was still a slower pace, I had less responsibilities, no kid, no wife, just out there working my ass off for a better future. I lived in the house on St. Paul street for almost as long as the house I grew up in and living in that area, I became attached to the space, the neighborhood and everything surrounding it all.
No real point to this post other than just taking a moment for myself to recognize the space, recognize that we’re now in a new space and are getting used to life on the SouthWest side of the city.

For those that spent time in the house - you know the time, effort, blood and sweat I (and Erin) put into that space to make it what it is now.
For those that spent time in the garage - you know how sacred that room is to me and I appreciate you putting in the time with me in that space to create together.
For those that go wayyy back - you remember me with simple goals of just trying to add some plants and vegetation to what was a wreck of a backyard

Happy to be on the SW side of town now and getting used to having to drive more than 5 minutes to get to Cervantes :)

Idk why I haven’t really said anything about this BUT there’s been work happening and s**t is starting to get really exciting with a new space to create in. I’ll post more about it but at this point the new studio space is almost ready to be blasted with music and creativity. Shout out to my friends that can build s**t and electrify things cause I sure can’t.