Pardon My Silence

Hey all. Sorry I haven't been better about posting - I just wanted to drop a quick line in the middle of the work day saying that the picture DVDs are in progress. If you don't think you gave me your mailing address, send it along my way.

No real new news on my end other than that. I'll try to be better about posting (ahem, Tyson).

One more thing - While Jeff was recovering from brain surgery and later while dealing with the effects of full brain radiation, he told me about how much he enjoyed getting up in the morning to go running (or walking when the disease was progressing). I've started getting up to run first thing in the morning and, for those of you that know me, that's a big step for me. I'm not exactly a morning person.

I've run a couple of marathons here and there, but rarely with motivation beyond doing it to prove something to myself. I would like to start training for another one, this time in memory of my lifelong friend and with the purpose of raising money for cancer research. I haven't picked out a date or location yet, but if any of you are interested in joining me let me know. My aim is for sometime next Spring. Every marathon that I've ever heard of (with the exception of Boston) also organizes a half marathon on the same day, so don't be scared of the full 26.2 miles.

My goal this time is 3h 10min and I'm going to run for Jeff. If any of you want to join in and help me make a decision on where to run it, I'd love some training partners.

jefe in nyc

i was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of jeffs companionship in new york for a good while. i remember getting a call from him, out of the blue one day. that conversation evolved into one of the happiest days of my later years to date. jeff told me he was thinking about moving to new york after graduating from boulder. i was so excited to have him ( after a good ten years of living in different states) back in my life.
well, before i could blink, it seems, he visited a couple of times and then living in a swanky part of lower mid town in his own place. which was quite an interesting work of fate for that matter.
before leaving boulder he was bartending and had a regular in one day and they were talking about his move out to new york. jeff had already been out there looking at apts. and as you all know, it aint cheap. turns out this guy ( who happened to be the inventor of the "wrist rocket sling shot") had an apt. in manhattan, on 23rd and park ave. (not to shabby) he still kept and only visited one week out of the year.
well, there you go. problem solved. enter jeff, stage right,(east coast) into swank one bedroom apt. nyc. we had a hell of a time in that place. for how long i cant quite recall. ill have to think some more on that one.
wanted to share that little bit cause it just shows how jeff always seemed to touch everyone he met. even enough for a regular guy, drinking in his bar, to just hand over his keys and give him quite the break on the rent. (even though that was still pretty high)
more to come. all my love from salt lake city,
tommy

Beaver Creek!

Hi guys,
So here is your first save the date for a memorial/celebration of one of Jeff's favorite things, snowboarding. Yipee!
So, December 1-8th. That's it. Mark your calendars. Be there. Details to follow.

Tyson is a mind reader

I was just thinking about the blog this morning - thanks Tyson for expressing what I was thinking! We started this blog so everyone could stay in better touch (and so that Tyson would have more people to take money from in poker). Also, we were talking about trying to get a repository of stories together so that we can put memories of Jeff together for Augustine (and for Sarah). So let's start sharing!

One of the earliest memories I can salvage was being a 7th grader at John Carroll, so Jeff would have been in 4th grade. It was scandalous that he was dating an 8th grader! Jefe was a studmuffin from a very early age. :-) Of course, my prude class looked down on it, but now I realize that Jeff was wise beyond his years from the very beginning. More on that in future posts/memories.

Just a Quickie

There are quite a few of you out there that either have not posted or left a comment. One of the reasons we created this blog was to stay in better contact with each other, so I expect to see some quality posts from you slackers. The other things is that there are a few people on here (April Waggoner, Leve and Denise & Mariano) that I have no idea who you are. Would you please introduce yourselves and share with us how you were friends with Jeff. The rest of us would be very interested in knowing a few juicy stories from Jeff's experiences in the later part of his life. I also might feel more comfortable in giving you a hard time as well.

Tyson

thanks everyoue

i cannot begin to express how deeply moved i was to witness the multitude of friends and family that dropped everything they must have had going on in their lives to pay homage to a great cousin and even greater friend. im in salt lake city right now working and constantly staring up at the mountains out here thinking of jeff. thanks to harmon and whoever else that made the arduous trek to put jeff where he wanted to be, his final resting place. it was wonderful nto see so many friendly faces, i love you all. tyson, ill call about the online poker. it sounds like fun. r.i.p.j.,

tommy

Back in Sydney

Well, I arrived back in Sydney a few days ago, and I'm now back at work. Unfortunately, my return trip coincides with the start of APEC :-/, which is causing massive disruptions to Sydney. Oh well, what are you going to do? The good news is that we get Friday off as a public holiday, but this is only a small compensation.

While it was wonderful seeing everyone at home, it was great to return home to my family (however, it should be noted that I did not return in time to go to the Ice Cube concert :-(). A big thanks goes to my beautiful partner, Sarah, for being so patient and understanding while I was away. You rule, babe. It's also been great seeing Xavier again. He's been wonderfully loving and affectionate since I have returned (not that he wasn't before, but even more so since my return). Here's a photo of my two super heroes:



Which reminds me, we're going to see Il Trittico at the Sydney Opera House. I love going to the Opera House, and Sarah loves Puccini, so it should be a wonderful night.

Take care all! I should get to work before I get fired!

Light

I'm sure I could never find the words or sentiment to express what we've all been experiencing lately - but I want it to be known that Jeff has had an amazing effect on us and reunited us in such a way that I was truly not prepared for. I feel very lucky to have been a part of the reunion he created for us - and the the thoughts and tears that we have all been bombarded with will continue to keep him alive through all of us. We were honored to have been a part of his life, and now it's our turn to honor him through all of these wonderful memories that I know we have all been reliving. Thank you to all of you - especially Travis - for organizing and including and communicating in the outstanding way that you have. I am in awe of your grace and commitment to Jeff's infectious spirit. Let us all remember to keep his light alive and at the forefront of our minds - where he will always belong.
Much Love,
Erica

mount massive

Well my friends, I am in the process of packing for an undertaking dedicated to Jeff this weekend. Myself and several friends will be heading to Mount Massive here in Colorado on Sunday morning. For those of you that not aware, this is the 2nd highest peak in Colorado. We are looking at approx. 14 miles and an elevation of 14,421'. As many of you may have noticed, i am certainly not in peak condition but this is a dedication to Jeff so it will happen. I will attach photos so you can see what this magnificent peak is all about. In the mean time, for your viewing pleasure, here is a web site that gives you the idea of the task at hand. http://www.aroundcolorado.com/trip_reports/2004_0918_Massive/index.html
My intentions are simple. I will bust my ass to summit and say good by to a friend that i was honored to know. Jeff was my best friend and not having the proper chance to say good by broke my heart ten ways to Sunday. I hope this will provide me and those of you joining me in your thoughts the chance to say good by. I cant cry myself to sleep any longer and need this closure as im sure many of you may need as well. I will update when I have returned safely. Till then, all my love

Michael D. Harmon

Thanks Travis and ALL the McCaffree's

Well.....I guess Travis is heading back to Aussie today. I know I've said it a hundred times but, thank you Travis for all that you gave up to be with Jeff and Sarah and keeping us well informed in the "special" way that you have. And by "special" I mean "special ed". Let us know when you get back.

A big thanks needs to go out to the Drs. McCaffree, Matt and Sara. You all are always there for all of us. And thank you Lilia for putting up with questions that were wildly inappropriate.

Tyson

Hello all

Just a quick hello posting to the friends that join. As of Monday, August 27, 2007 (full lunar eclipse tonight!), I'm still in OKC. I just had dinner with the Drs McCaffree, which was lovely as always.

I hope all is well with everyone!

Much love,
Travis