murfSTUFF

Sorry, nothing content-wise today. Hard to get content up and running when all your computer accessories (scanner included) are packed away into boxes. That's right kiddies, the time is upon us. As of this Saturday, murf will no longer be a member of the Central Virginia community. I'm packing up and heading off to Florida to start school. Hard to imagine that the time is finally here. As each day passes I grow more and more excited. I've finished my stint of work at St. Maarten's Cafe, and the rest of this week is devoted to packing and getting ready to leave on Saturday. So the next time I report to you, will be from my new abode in Winter Park, Florida. I can hardly wait.

Oh… amd if you haven't seen Hitchhiker's Guide yet… you really should. An excellent adaptation of the book.

Before I go on my merry way down south, I'd like to take this time to thank people. Many people, more people then I should be humanly allowed to thank in my rant space, but this is MY rant space, so I'll do it anyway.

First off, I'd like to thank not an individual, but rather a group. A group of people I like to call “friends.” A group of people whose names include Jason, Harry, Matt, Talon, Shane, Greg, Dana and Pary. These are people whom I have known for quite some time. People I have come to depend on, laugh with and share all manners of personal news both good and bad. My comrades and confidants. They are people I share a unique and special bond with. It pains me to say “goodbye” to them in such a way that is difficult to express in any manner of words, written or spoken. They are an undeniable part of life. I owe them more then either they or myself could possibly fathom. Thanks guys.

Next, are people who are not peers, but adults other then my parents who have played a significant impact on my life. First, and foremost is a man by the name of Jim Roland. Owner of a fine Charlottesville dining establishment called St. Maarten's Cafe, Jim is almost a 2nd father in way that is somewhat odd and disturbing if you know the kind of person Jim is. Jim is a long time friend of my father and lived with my parents when I was born. It is because of Jim that my family moved to Charlottesville to begin with. No matter which way I bend it, Jim is probably the one person outside my family who has had the biggest impact in my life, simply by offering Dad a job and having us move. If I had never moved to Charlottesville, I feel as though I'd be a totally different person then I am now, so I have Jim to thank for that.

Rob and Janet are like family. Almost like an aunt and uncle. To make that comparison is not too far off either. Rob is Dad's best friend and has been since they were children. Rob is practically a brother to Dad. They have been there to support me and my endeavors since as long as I can remember. They never failed to criticize my shortcomings, or to applaud my successes. I'm grateful to know such wonderful people, I really am.

It's not over yet. Mum and Dad know many people from all different walks of life. I've met many interesting people over the years through my parents. Wether they be the multitude of regular customers at St. Maarten's, or co-workers to my parents. These people too, have stood behind me as many others have. This list of people is so long I can't even begin to think of all the names that should be placed here. Dad's friend, Mum's friends, former co-workers of my own and so on. I want thank all them too, I just can't remember all of their names.

David Corrigan resides among the craziest people I know. He may be Mum's boyfriend/husband, but he's more like the wild, immature older brother I never had. His antics never fail to amuse, that's for sure. Something about a 45 year old man doing handstands while riding a skateboard that's just too amusing to pass up. Dave has been a significant part of life for quite sometime now, 7 years or so I'd wager. No matter how wild or impulsive Dave may be, I think one thing is clear. Beneath that wild exterior is heart of gold. He has taken care of Mum, and he has always treated me as family. He's a good guy.

Next on the list is yet another group of people. Four people to be precise. These people are family. These people are my grandparents. These are people whom I love dearly. It has been quite some time since I spent my days crawling about their floors laughing and playing. Yet, now that I'm an adult, I feel more grateful to them then I ever was as a child. Not only for thier love and support, but for being there for me. I can now fully respect the place they have in my life. All four of them, are amazingly wonderful and caring people. Every time I see them I feel at peace and overjoyed that I get to spend my time with them. I will cherish every moment I've had, and will continue to have, with them until my final days on this Earth. The impact they've placed on my life is more then I could have ever even hoped for. The amount of thankfulness I feel towards them is not only enormously huge, it is impossible to describe by mere words.

I'd like to take a short break to share some news. My grandfather, Col. Murphy, has recently finished writing a novel and has been published. His book should be out shortly, I'll supply more details once I get my own copy.

The list is not complete yet. There are two people left. These people are the ones who not only deserve the biggest thanks, but perhaps a rousing round of applause. Two people who have done more for me then I could have ever hoped for. Two people who I proudly, VERY proudly, call my parents. They have both taken on not only the hardships of parenthood, but also the great beast known as cancer as well. I have seen both of them rise to occasion and fight through the dark times to prevail in the light once again. They are fighters, they are survivors, they are Mum and Dad (although most other people call them Linda and Murph). I am proud to be their son.

I believe the proper person to thank first is Mum (Linda M. Murphy). Without Mum, I'd be nothing, I may failed High School due to being absurdly lazy. Yet, in my darkest hour she shone forth as all mothers should. She pushed, she shoved, she kicked, she screamed and by God she did it. I'm sure as I walked across that stage to receive my diploma, she must have felt an overwhelming sense pride not only for my achievement, but her's as well. She still likes to brag about it to this day, and I can hardly blame her. Had she not done that for me, I wouldn't be going to school now. Despite however I much I may gripe about some of her personality quirks, the truth is that I love my Mum. She's helped me, taken care of me and been there for me. She has a sense of adventure that I admire. When I was 15, she took me on road trip all the way from Virginia to California. Mum has shown me that there is more to life then what is in front of your face. That, unless you act you'll miss out on the greatness life has to offer. Because of her, I've done things few people my age have ever dreamed of doing. Having been from one end of the country to an other, I believe I can say this honestly. I don't think I could have anyone else as my Mum. She's just right.

Finally we draw down to the final person to thank. My dad, Murph (William Davis Murphy, Sr.). Dad has almost single handedly taken on the task of making sure all my paperwork, finances, and everything in general is good to go for school. I know its been hard, I've seen the piles of stuff he's plowed through to get it done. I'm thankful to Dad for more then just that of course. Dad has always been there to make sure I never strayed down the wrong paths in life. He has instilled a sense of responsibility in me. Should I make mistakes, I have to fix them. That you should take failure as a learning experi
ence, not ultimate defeat. Do not flaunt success, but rather use it as stepping stone with which to face new challenges. The sun may set, but it always rises once again. Stuff like that. He has been there to hold my hand in times of need, and offer advice when it was needed. He is more then just a father, he is also a good friend. Among my fondest and favorite memories of life are the times I've spent with my dad. The many times we've gone to the beach, or the times we've gone fishing in the Virginia mountains. I'm proud to be the successor to his name.

Lastly, there is ultimately one trait, above all others, that I gained from both parents. That trait is compassion. The power to follow one's dreams and desires and never give up in that pursuit. They never gave me any grief over the hobbies or interests that I have chosen over my life. They have always attempted to the best of their ability to understand me for who I am instead of trying to push me to be something I didn't want to be. Now I'm doing just that, following a path I chose for myself, not one chosen for me. If there is anything I could be more grateful for on this Earth, I have yet to see it. For the past 22 years, they have helped me, fed me, nurtured me, and most importantly, loved me. I have only this to say to the both you.

Thanks…. and I love you both from the deepest recesses of my heart.

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