Remembering Joe x2

I've had two really really good ideas for April Fool's Day pranks this year. Brilliant, mind-blowing pranks. I had them all planned out. But I'm not going to do either of them.

Guess I'm still not ready for today to be about anything other than remembering Joe Murphy. It's last year all over again, it seems. That's OK.

Maybe next year. Enjoy your April Fool's Day. Joe would have wanted you to.

Obligatory link to and inclusion of Beatnik Turtle's Mason Rocket. And thanks to Jack Mangan for the image used in this post. Cheyenne Wright created the original.

I remember Joe

Until last year, I always looked forward to April Fool's Day. I had a few doozies I'd pulled on people over the years, and got nailed by more than one prank myself.

This year, it's not going to be a fun day. This time last year, an insidious cancer called leiomyocarcoma (sucks that I don't have to spell check that) took away the closest thing I've ever had to a brother: Joe Murphy.

So it's an offline day for me and Sheila. I don't do death well. I don't do mourning well. But please don't feel bad for having fun with today. I know some of what's planned and look forward to reading all about how you fools were suckered in. I wish Sigler lots of luck on his big book launch today. Heck, I may even walk into a bookstore and take a peek. That's something Joe would do, and that's how I'll be spending the day. Doing things Joe would like.

I miss the big guy.

Comments are off on purpose. This is mine.

Thanksgiving memories of Joe

I miss Joe.



Thanks to Ian for putting together this video tribute. No, it's not podsafe, but I don't care.

I was thankful to have had someone like Joe in my life -- if only for a little while.

I'm thankful that people like Leann and Tee are moving forward in his name.

I'm thankful for those I still have around me.

And in about 15 minutes, I'll be thankful to Charlie for the great friendship, company and beer he's offering me today.

E.

You never know when inspiration may strike

I hope you are all aware of Beatnik Turtle. Every day this year, this horn-powered rock band releases a brand new song with their Song of the Day project. When you try to crank out a new tune each and every day, you take your inspiration from a variety of sources. Some folks, like my friends Charlie the Beer Guy & Mur Lafferty, ask for songs to be written, and they group is happy to comply. Check out Speaking of Beer and Mason Rocket.

Sometimes the inspiration comes from sad moments, as happened when Joe Murphy passed. I can't find the tune 'For Joe' on their site right now, but I'll see if I can't find it later and post a link.

Anyhow... Sometimes that inspiration comes from the strangest and most mundane places. Like a totally throw-away post I made on Twitter some weeks (months?) ago. The song is Just Getting Off The Call With Rob Safuto. I gotta start posting some high-value stuff if people are going to use it as inspiration.

Friend blogathoning for Leiomyosarcoma

My friend Lejon is doing what he can to benefit the memory of Joe Murphy and for research on Leiomyosarcoma, the cancer that took Joe from us way too early in life. Lejon has signed up for Blogathon and he's looking for sponsors. You know the drill. Give what you can, tell your friends, and we'll eventually all make a difference.

I miss Joe. I miss him every day. And I'm glad that people continue to remember him and continue to want to help. Thanks, Lejon.

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Joe gets a call from a personal hero

Let's talk about the amazing power of new media to do some truly, in a personal sense, earth shattering work. Allow me to explain.

If you know me then you probably know that a very close friend of mine and many, Joe Murphy, was recently diagnosed with a particularly nasty form of cancer -- leiomyosarcoma. His prognosis went from bad to worse, and we're literally facing the final stages. As in days. Or even hours. Yeah, it's that bad and no, there's nothing to be done at this point.

A few days ago, I was contacted by a powerhouse of a podcaster, Leann Mabry from Tag in the Seam (a great podcast which I highly recommend), looking to do something special for Joe. She had heard our comment about getting Joe to see Penn and Teller, or getting Penn and Teller to come see Joe before he passed -- sort of a Make A Wish™ for a grown up.

Leann then reach out to a friend who lives in Vegas and has access to the aforementioned Penn and Teller. He indicated that he could attend one of their shows and pass along a note to the duo and was looking for some guidance on what to include in said note. That's when Leann wrote to me (and to Mike). My reply was something like "it's a great idea, but I think we're too close to the end to make it happen."

Heh. I must have forgotten who I was speaking to.

Tonight, Leann did it. Or should I say her friend did it? Dunno, but I love them both. Tonight at around 8:00 MST, Teller (yeah, the one that you've probably never heard speak) called Joe (currently in hospice) on his cell phone. The two chatted for 5 - 10 minutes, about favorite science fiction works and some serious fan-boy geeking as I understand it. Not to be outdone, Penn Jillette called and left an amazing voice mail on the Wingin' It! show line.

So yeah, I'm pretty jazzed about the power of new media to... make shit happen! It put a positive spin to a pretty crappy day. And thought the outcome of this will not be as anyone would like, I'm a little warmer on the inside knowing that Joe finally got a chance to speak with one of his personal heroes.

Much thanks, Leann. You rock!