Loving Basquali

My best friend Basquali is very sick. If you live in Brooklyn, you may also know him as that Australian guy who created and runs Smooch. Fort Greens unique organic cafe and community hang.

In September Basquali was knocked off his motorcycle and badly broke his ankle. A major operation and an extended hospital stay were required. While convalescing, others had to run Smooch because Basquali could not walk. During this time, (when nearly healed) he broke up a fight between his dog (Tokyo, who he rescued from the street) and another. In a melee known to all dog owners, he was bitten. The wound healed, but his bone got infected and became life threatening. Another major operation was required, along with daily hospital visits for life-saving doses of antibiotics, drip fed directly into his infected bone. All this has taken its toll on his body, spirit and finances. Like many Americans, he wasn't 'properly' insured and has acquired equally life-threatening medical bills.

It is time for his friends to fight back. We all know Basquali has been a supreme giver of love to us all. And we all have a story or a unique moment of outrageous fun or immense generosity that we owe to him. These moments are by the hundreds because Basquali is a daredevil and he has taunted, mocked and cranked up life to 11 for us all. I now want to hug him from afar with money. It will give him strength and help him heal on every level. And please pray for him and love him in any other way your imagination presents. And do send money, it will help. He is still very ill.