I Fell Right Through The Cracks And I'm Trying To Get Back

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Allow me a second or two to mope. *sigh* Is it done for? Okay, I'm finished moping for now.

Was feeling ridiculously homesick earlier today. Blame it on scanning random photos of the city - Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, downtown. Started thinking about how I'm about to miss yet another Christmas in Vancouver and another snowboard season. The malls get stupidly busy and it feels super claustrophobic, but I love that holiday buzz that manages to seep into my bones. Christmas isn't the same without cold weather.

Have decided with my fellow 604-transplant Delz that come December, we're going to have a Christmas movie marathon. Home Alone, Love Actually, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Elf. The only thing that could make this list better is if somehow, someone could find me either a DVD or digital copy of Babes In Toyland with Keanu Reeves, Pat Morita, and Drew Barrymore - I must've viewed it over a hundred times in my childhood but it's been a lost love since. I think I still remember the words to almost every song. "My jeep's got 4-wheel drive." LOL. If you're in 852 and interested in joining, give me a holler.

Tried to cheer myself up the other day by spending too much money. Picked up the Logitech Cordless Desktop S530 Laser For Mac despite a couple of bad reviews on Apple.com - a completely frivilous purchase. Have had zero problems with it so far and it's nice to type on a real keyboard instead of my laptop one . . . I've missed having a number pad. And of course, the keyboard was made for matchy-matchy prettiness.

But It Seems I Was Never On Time, And I Want To Get Through To You On Time

Turn Your Lights Down Low - Bob Marley & Lauryn Hill

I think I was in shock yesterday.
But now that the news has had time to sink in . . .
I can't stop these damn tears.
Even as I realise . . .
The last thing he would want is for any of us to stop laughing.



Jody, I am so lucky to have had someone like you to look up to [and not just because you're a whole foot taller than I am] . . . I love you long time . . . and I will forever be inspired by you, your spirit, and everything you stood for.

In Memoriam: Joseph Daniel Brooks, March 14, 1974 - October 11, 2008

I'll Never Forget You, I'll Never Let You Out Of My Heart
You Will Always Be Here With Me, I'll Hold Onto the Memories

Never Forget You - Mariah Carey

I weep not for the memories we have . . . only for the memories that were yet to be made.

The weird thing is that I had thought of Jody this weekend. I can't even recall why it was . . . little did I know.

Today began the way any other Monday does. I was at work when I got the message from Elena . . . telling us that Jody had passed. Then this ordinary Monday turned into anything but. There are no words to describe the sadness I'm feeling over the loss of this incredible person. His infectious laughter, super-sized personality, and unmatchable sense of humour. I doubt I will ever meet anyone who takes it upon themselves to promote humanitarianism the way Jody did - through his work with the Peace Corps, JET, and finally at the CDC. In his life, Jody has touched every person he's encountered . . . the outpouring of emotion on his FB wall is a true testament to the man Jody was. How can life be so unfair as to take away this superstar of a human being at such a young age? The world has lost a champion.

I met Jody in August 2003 when he moved to Chiba, Japan to join our little gaijin family. He was the guy who lived upstairs. I remember the time I was getting ready to go home for the holidays and was worried my luggage would be over the airline's weight limit. Jody came downstairs right away, arm-curled my suitcase and announced that it was good to go. Or the time I ran into him on the way home and I was on the phone with my boyfriend. Jody took the phone from me and said, "Your name is Daniel? My middle name is Daniel, so that makes you a good guy. You be good to our girl now, got it?" Or that time early in the morning when I met Jody on the stairs. I was on my way out and he was on his way back up to his place, flowers in hand to surprise his lady. Then there were the multiple trips to Nagano . . . Champax . . . and the Jamaican gunshot sounds he always made and none of us could replicate. *bloop bloop* Dammit Jody, I'm never going to hear you do that again.

Maybe this post is self-indulgent . . . but these are my best memories of Jody. I don't know how else to do this. I'm sorry I was so crap at keeping in touch. I miss you, Jody . . .

You were all heart.

Evie, Jody & Ange at Thanksgiving dinner.
Joint Bar, 28 November 2003.

Jody & Rich on the bus ride up to Saitama, 9 January 2004.

The "Pineapple Head" stands out in the crowd.
Chimu Chiba at Saitama Stadium, 11 January 2004.

A birthday kiss from me and Sazz.
Jody's birthday party in Shibuya, 13 March 2004.

Guarding the Chimu Chiba mascot, Champax.
In Nagano, 13 June 2004.

Rough-housing with Rich, 13 June 2004.

I thought you were so strong
You'd make it through whatever
It's so hard to accept the fact
You're gone forever . . .

[Bye Bye - Mariah Carey]

I'm Gonna Show You Clearly, I Can Rock Your World

Baby Be Mine - Mariah Carey

Why the non-action?

I think we're all looking for some kind of guarantee - to know beforehand that any risk we take will be rewarded favourably.

But in reality, there is no such guarantee and there never will be. Every risk we take is a leap of faith. Faith that you place in yourself and in the other person.

Would you take a leap with me?