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I have been hanging around Letterville for a couple of years now. I have met some damn fine people from here…some that I have made friendships. I try to read most of the posts as they come along….some can get my back up in an arch real quick. Some make me laugh and some make me cry. I feel that I have had an insight into who you people are. I know about your marriages, kid’s graduations, grandkids, their achievements and other various things that you share with everyone. I think the most special times have been spent with those of you I have met face to face. The first one was Cisco Vargas. We spent a day in Victoria…and a beautiful day it was ….hey Cisco? The next day we spent poking around in the catacombs of Port Angeles…stepping back in time to 1914, just before they filled downtown. Amazing feat if you have ever seen our little berg. I can still go into a store downtown and see the physical remnants of his visit on the ceiling. Ha-ha I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting Chris Bryant from Puyallup. He is a hometown guy. He stops by on his visits to town to check up on me. Always glad to see you Chris... I enjoy your visits very much. I have yet to meet up with the infamous Joey Madden. We have talked several times on the phone….or rather I have mostly listened Right-on Joey, I like your style! We tried to hook up before the war, but it didn’t work out…oh-well ….it will work out when the time is right. I am looking forward to it. Adrienne Morgan….you go girl! Now here is someone that ya can’t help but love. She came to town the first time with her very lovely daughter Krystell.” She fell in love with this place the first time she saw it. Very easy to do. She came back to help on the Elders Bus mural. Oh-by the way…it won first place in Vehicle Graphics in this months Signs of the Times international Contest. I must say everyone that worked on that is pretty proud of that honor. Thank you S.O.T.T's and the judges. I have to give a lot of credit to Adrienne on her excellent artwork. She is one talented lady…as I am sure some of you are aware. It was a pleasure to be able to work on a project together…we each had our own style of painting…I know I learned a lot from her. Now she is my neighbor. I can go to her house, sit on her couch and talk about signs, what is going on in the world,and more signs I really am happy that you are here Adrienne. I met Dan Zawatsky several years ago. I went to Chemainus, B.C. to do some research on the way they put together their mural project. I was given the tour by Carl Schutz who introduced me to Dan. Now, I don’t know if you remember that day or not Dan…but you influenced me more than you will ever know. I saw a man that was all about being true to him self…doing what he loved…and enjoying life fully. Cj….now here is a guy that I instantly understood. It turns out that we share some history together. I had the opportunity to talk to him on the phone recently. He also is the one doing my “Panel Thing-a-ma-jig project” I can’t wait to see it! I also realize that sometimes I have been a real "Pain in the Ass" What can I say? If I came off sarcastic…it was never my intention to do so. I have occasionally committed the unforgivable sin of hitting the submit button before giving my reply some extra thought. It is like being totally in the moment. All your passions are on high alert…you hit the button, "wham!!" . You can’t take it back. Oh-well. I take full responsibility for everything I have said here. Right or wrong..agreed with or not. To Steve and Barb. My hat is off to you both. I have not met you either…but I can say that I admire your tenacity. You do truly love this place. It is your child. Also, a very complex child. It is a place for folks to gather, talk of things that they have a love and a passion for. It has brought you some very fine friendships I am sure. Thank you for letting me hang around town….It has enriched my life more than you will ever know. I also apologize for being a sponge…for some unknown reason I have not become a resident. Just never got around to it I guess. Who knows? Nothing personal I assure you. Thanks Barb for showing me how to post pictures. Steve...please take of yourself..you would be sorely missed around here. To all the rest of you here….thank you for your help and encouragement. I came to you with sign related problems…you helped me out….I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But then again, that is the true spirit of brotherhood, is it not? You all displayed your finest. The reason for pouring this on you is to say goodbye. I think I need to focus my time on something different for a while. I also feel a deep foreboding coming from inside of me. It is as if time is running out. I know with the war going on everyone is upset... but,this goes to the soul. It is a need to spend as much time with my family as I can…because you never know what will happen in the next moment. So thank-you again for your hospitality. If you should ever find yourself in Port Angeles…Please stop by. I would love to meet you. I will even give you the “Mayors” special tour. I would be honored. To all of you that I hold dear…I will stay in touch. Also please remember we are all connected in this game...the secret is how you play your part. Play it well.
Love…..Jackson Smart
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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Jackson It is obvious that you are a thoughtful man. I can't think of a better reason to give up this fellowship than to spend more time with family! You will be missed. And I hope for your eventual return IOAFS my friend
-------------------- Bill Dirkes Cornhole Art LLC Bellevue, Ky. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. Posts: 591 | From: Bellevue,Ky. US | Registered: Aug 1999
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Good luck to you...I too think that making time for your family is the best you can do.
I see myself how quick the kids grow up, and how valuable that time is, not to mention making the best of your wives/partners while you can. Life flies by so damn quick.
An English friend was over here last week doing a tour, we worked together last in 95 it seemed like yesterday, but 8 years had gone by and we both had gotten alot greyer, makes you think!
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Hi Jackson, we haven't met yet but I've always enjoyed your posts here. It takes a wise man to listen when when a quiet little voice speaks to him. I know "a fella's gotta do what a fella's gotta do" but I hope you stop by for a visit once in a while! Best wishes & I'll take you up on that tour offer next time I'm in the area.
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Jackson, I've never met you, nor talked to you, but I have built a respect for you through your posts. This war has also left me with a sense of forboding, daily life goes on around me, the shop is busy, things are good, but I am feeling really unsettled. I try to act like an ostrich with regards to the war, but no matter how hard I try to bury my head in the sand, I can't get away from it, or stop thinking about it. I can only hope and pray that the conflict will not escalate, and that it will be resolved quickly with a minimum of casualties. I'll meet you one day ... Hug your family..
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
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Jackson you will be missed, of this there is no doubt! We each have to do what we feel is right at the moment. Things in the world are indeed confusing and dangerous. I wish you all the best in the time spent with family. My wife and I were going to be in your neck of the woods in May. We had a trip planned to San Juan Islands. That is on hold till we see what happend with this war thing. We may still go or wait till fall. Either way if we are in the Port Angles area we will stop by and say hi.
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HEY.......I ain't that damned easy ta get away from...........
Ya never know when I might just show up on yer doorstep...and if you ever really want to get out in the sticks...........My door is "ALWAYS" open to you and yours here in BF KY.........!!
Your panel is almost to the point where I can send it to ya (don't know what "done" really means, I can always find more to do)............so don't give up on me...........yet
I'll talk to ya soon, and if you want to yell at me before that, or need/want ANYTHING........ 270-492-6209......24/7 !!!
.....cj
-------------------- CJ Allan CJs Engraving 982 English Dr. Hazel, KY 42049
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I have always enjoyed reading posts from Jackson Smart "A Man Who Knows". Guess nest time I'm in Sequim doing trucks, I'm gonna have to come knocking on your door sos I could meet the face that goes with the name.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3819 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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I certainly do remember the day Karl brought you by in Chemainus. To get a personal tour from him meant that you impressed him greatly.
I hope to spend some more time face to face in the future, maybe at the meet in Nanaimo in September??
Thanks for your input here... hopefully you will pop in from time to time to at least say hello to the folks.
Good luck in your future!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Jackson a line from an old Eagles tune comes to mind here,....You can check out, but you can never leave,.... Hope the best for you in your future endeavors,....
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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"You can check out anytime you want but you can never leave..." is from "Hotel California" and the "Out on the road today, I saw a dead head sticker on a Cadillac..." is from "Boys of Summer".
"Hotel California" is by the Eagles and "Boys of Summer" was from Don Henley's first solo album. I forgot the name of it but the song "Sunset Grill" is on it. It came out in 1985, I believe.
Have a great one, Bro!
Oh, B/T/W... sorry to see you go Jackson. I pray whatever endeavors you have planned go well and the sense of foreboding you have can be cured with an ointment....
[ March 30, 2003, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: Bruce Bowers ]
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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I don't know you, but I have some thoughts about your leaving Letterville. Since you like everyone so much, and apparently everyone likes you, then why leave? It doesnt seem that it would take that much time to stayed connected with everyone. Your departure seems kind of radical.
Those feelings of deep foreboding you described could possibly be coming from something physical, you know. It's almost a classic symptem of depression, and that can often be caused by some sort of chemical imbalance. Maybe if you checked in with your MD and just made sure you were OK. Sometimes those feelings go away with just some simple adjustment to any medications you might be taking, or might need to take.
I can see the need to spend more time with your family, and see nothing wrong with that.I'm just concerned with your feeling like time is running out.I hope you are OK physically, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure, would it?
I'm just trying to think outside the box on this.....
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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oops, I guess I have to correct that too from the same drummer/singer, not the same song. (I'm not sure if Don wrote or sang both those lyrics, but I have a feeling Bruce will know )
Boys of Summer is on Building the Perfect Beast by Don Henley (came out late 84 or early 85). The song was written by DH.
Hotel California was written as a collaboration between Don Henley, Don Felder and Glenn Frey.
One serious bummer to downloading music...no liner notes!!!
Took me a while to track down the info...I have to get my albums alphabetized and organized! - I've got over 2500 of them in my closet and there is no rhyme or reason in there. Thought mine were bad enough and then I brought home all of my dad's too!
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Let's all turn this thread into a Triva Contest, on what we all know, or don't know about music, instead of keeping on the subject of Jackson's leaving this place............
I know that'll make him feel real good.......!! He always was my favorite "Rolling Stone".......
........cj
-------------------- CJ Allan CJs Engraving 982 English Dr. Hazel, KY 42049
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or instead of including our bon voyage's or aloha's etc. with the usual happy-go-lucky, dis-jointed good nature we usually treat topics, we could all adopt an exaggerated sense of mourning... nah, that wouldn't do.
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Hi Jackson......I hope when you are in the Seattle area we can have a cup of coffee or lunch. Take care.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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I admit being a bit alarmed at what you didn't say. I truely hope that your health has not taken a turn. Adriene's post offers a bit of relief if it's true that you are just redirecting your focus. Jackson, you have already heard me say this, but for the benefit of those reading this I want to say that Jackson has been and still is a shinning star on the Olympic Peninsula. My father was a sign PAINTER in Port Angeles in the 60's and Jackson's presence in that community means the return of great talent that has been lacking in that region.
Peace be with you! Chris
ps-I'm still going to drop in on you, my friend.
-------------------- Chris Bryant Puyallup, WA Posts: 49 | From: Puyallup, Washington 98374 | Registered: Nov 1998
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I always read your posts and replies Jackson. I know your family will appreciate your time like we did here. Take care and God Bless.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Jackson, Somebody told me the only bad thing about the Pacific Northwest was the lack of sunshine. Maybe you should head to a beach - Ft. Myers FL comes to mind - the Sandcastle Panel Jam at the end of April. Bring the family with you.
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I go away for a few days and now my good buddy Jackson is heading out, "ahhh bro, don't gooooooo!" Nah I know how it is...one of the first things I do when I start my day is look at the BB like reading the newspaper, and you're right family does come first, do what you have to do amigo. But don't stay away to long, as you can see, you will be missed by many. I'll miss your posts too. So be cool and take it easy. Hope one day we can meet up again, know any more ceilings I can do damage too?
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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