The last time I saw Justin Arzola was around Thanksgiving. We were at the Proletariat in Houston. Bombs Over Baghdad was playing on the jukebox and we talked about the movie Bowling for Columbine. Later we went back to his apartment and watched old skate videos and random clips he recorded off the TV that he thought were funny.

We met in 9th grade. He was a major fixture in my high school experience, but since moving away, we had gone from being good friends to just old acquaintances. With the rest of my peers getting married and having kids and all, I'm getting used to drifting apart from people I love. I always expected that to be gradual and sad but until now, relatively painless process.

He had a profound effect on my political philosophy, musical taste and sense of humor. He introduced me to Operation Ivy, and lots of other music that I'm sure I'll still be listening to when I inevitably join him. He was socially conscientious, and more importantly he acted on his ideas to make this world he left so suddenly a better place.

I will always remember how he could, through his razor sharp wit, deconstruct any person or institution that took itself too seriously. He would also make me laugh the whole way.

He inspired me to question so many things that ordinary people take for granted. I understand myself and the world around me better because of those questions. The only question on my mind today is: why Justin? Why now?

He was 28.