Shasty Man,

So much of my life was enriched by your presence. How I value your
friendship, how you always kept me in the loop of what was happening in town
and invited me along – just this summer: seeing Tommy Y, Jazz at the park,
playing Yahtzee and going to see Farenheit 9/11 on your new bike, and
EATING!!!! Hanging with Danica and those text messages! Who in the world
will notify me that Breakfast King is calling your name at 2 AM? How you
were the first to show up at my car accident the week before yours, how you
helped my hysterics and made sure I was okay and home safely – then those
hours at the hospital with you, putting my flowers in the plastic urine
container, getting on my case that my prediction of a wonderful “double
digit” year was in store for you (well maybe I was right after all ) -
frantically cleaning out stuff in your apt. before your mom came out, my
taking your “mags” to the recycling bin after “throwing” your dad down the
stairs! How you HAD to have peach ice cream, so you could have bites of
fresh peaches and I couldn’t find any…

What, the past three Christmas’ dinners together? Thanksgivings? All the fun
with Ange and Andy. How many parties at Chuckies? Who did the food? I liked
doing the dishes. You helped with that too. James’ film shoot, and so much
more! The fabulous cigar lighter you gave me for my birthday, the supply of
flavored cigarillos, and my gift of Davidoffs each Christmas? How my dog
Jim adored you. All that bacon grease you gave him one day and he didn’t get
sick. You always ended up with the leash on walks. The frames are still
empty waiting for someone new to come and take my “family” portrait that I
had been asking you to do. Maybe you can send someone along.

I could never write all the wonderful memories down - it’s going to take
some time to assimilate all that happened. But I do know this: That you are
home, that you touched many, made us all laugh and smile, that you brought
us closer, that I value my friends more than ever before, and that I
appreciate my life more than I ever have. I wish you the BEST journey
possible Know that your presence has been a bright star in so many lives
and that I feel honored and proud to have experienced your friendship.

Always,
Terri

Shasty Impressions

Handing over Control in the Kitchen: I remember making dinner for a group of friends that included Shasty quite a while ago. He was making his Bananas Foster later for dessert. I started out having control in my small kitchen and quickly realized there was some kind of power struggle going on. I didn't know it at the time but the kitchen was Shasty's domain. I briefly struggled to be the one in control in my kitchen but it ended quickly in my defeat. Shasty took over and I'm sure our dinner was much better because of this. I was quite thankful to have Shasty in control of the kitchen that night and any time.

Guitar Knowledge: Once we both celebrated our birthdays by going to a Lucinda Williams concert together. We lived large that night and ate a rich meal at Marlowes from appetizer to dessert. He bought the tickets and I bought the dinner. I remember really learning about all the different kinds of guitars that night from pedal steel guitars to Telecasters from Shasty. I had one of the best times ever and great conversation. He said his favorite guitar was the Telecaster. His appreciation of music made an impression on me.

First Encounter with Shasty: A few friends were over at Chuck's one night waiting to go to an art gallery. Usually it takes me a while to warm up to people or get to know them. Shasty walks in and there was no pretense or effort or anything of the kind. He was instantly somehow in connection to people. I don't know how he did that. It must be some kind of super power.

Bucksnort Tavern on 285 in CO: We were supposed to go there with Shasty. Our plans kept falling through for one reason or another. Finally he went there and this is what he said 7/19/04:

"You'll be glad to know that I made it to the Bucksnort last weekend and it was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten:-) I rode my motorcycle there with two other guys and it was a beautiful ride. I'm not crazy about riding on dirt or gravel roads, but it was worth it."

I really appreciated his honesty and sense of humor. Here is something else about the Bucksnort per Shasty: "Great place! I had a fun time and didn't want to leave. No music the day we went though. The service was pretty crappy, but the food made it all worth it:-)"

Had Priorities in the Right Place Here was another Shasty quote after the accident after asking him how he was doing: "Oh well, my bad luck is far outweighed by my great friends!"

I'll stop with this long note on Shasty. He really made an impression on me and the world no doubt.

Liz Barksdale

Dear Shasty,

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? I'm guessing you're throwing down a fantastic spread for a BIG party of heavenly hosts. And there's laughter and music. And everyone around is totally charmed by you. And everyone feels totally charming because of you.

You have an amazing gift in that sense...no matter what the situation, you make people feel like they are cool and they can do no wrong. It goes way beyond graciousness. I think you've inspired a brand new word in the dictionary--"Shastyness", or the involuntary quality of being naturally amiable and genuine--the Ambassador of warm fuzzy righteous chi!

You've inspired us to drop our pettiness and try to be better people.

Each of us who knew you for any length of time will confront a situation and say to ourselves, "What would Shasty do?"

Not just the life of the party, but the light of our lives. Your presence always brought an added spark of electricity to the atmosphere.  Your creative ingenuity raised us up and brought us out into the world to experience so many worthwhile things. Your inexhaustible spirit of allowing yourself to let go and have fun is so contagious to the rest of us.

I want to pay you back in so many ways. I want to honor your memory and keep those spirited ways of yours in the forefront of our thoughts.

Shasty, we're probably all still a little alienated in our grief, but you make us aware of how good we've got it. You help us remember how much we can give each other and gain from each other. And my god--how there's so much we can learn from each other.

Okay, I'm probably embarrassing you so I'll stop. What's that? Oh--I'm probably embarrassing ME...glad we got that cleared up!

Miss you, buddy. You're a rare gem and I'll never forget you.

Love,

Holly...