Sunday, March 15th, 2009
Mike,
I still can’t believe you’re gone. It’s impossible. I play Rockband with Ethan daily and it’s so incredibly hard to get through the RUSH songs. I have a special bond with you when it comes to Rush as every time I saw them live it was with you. I scored 100% on TREES…on vocals! Yes… vocals, I know I’m no Geddy Lee and to most people that’s a good thing! Yes, I picked the easiest one but what can I say, it’s a great song. I’m going to learn Bass on expert level on every Rush song in your honor. I know I can do that…thank goodness you’re not a DRUMMER it’s no small task playing bass but good gawd…Neil Peart? forget about it! I love you and miss you so much. It’s really funny, cause I was watching a movie that neither one of us would have paid money to see, but one line…one single line in that movie made me think of you and we would have laughed together for once without me having to look at you to see if it was funny which was so often the case with our family. A lot of times we didn’t think something was funny until you pointed out to us that it was, and it was! In this case a horrid man Russell Brand playing a Musician/popular artist <eye roll> on vacation at a resort had been given a CD to listen to, being a rock god in this employee’s eye. When the guy asked him if he had listend to it…he said “oh yeah, I was going to listen to that and then I just decided to go on with my life.” Okay, I don’t do it justice here, but well…it was funny and we would have laughed together even though the movie was shit. I miss you so much that words will never come to me to express how much or why and I still find myself picking up the phone to tell you of some ridiculous mishap, a foolish rant, or a shared fondness of something. Our two word names for each other will never be uttered to anybody else my beloved Butt Wipe. With much sorrow and longing..
Your Sister,
Heidi
Monday, December 29th, 2008
Suddenly, you were gone
From all the lives you left your mark upon
I remember
How we talked and drank into the misty dawn
I hear the voices
We ran by the water on the wet summer lawn
I see the footprints
I remember
I feel the way you would
I feel the way you would
Tried to believe, but you know it’s no good
This is something that just can’t be understood
I remember
The shouts of joy skiing fast through the woods
I hear the echoes
I learned your love for life,
I feel the way that you would
I feel your presence
I remember
I feel the way you would
This is something that just can’t be understood…
–Lee, Lifeson & Peart
Friday, December 19th, 2008
Ok, so there’s a little background of these two pictures. Tony is tossing a toy skull up in the air to make it look like Mike is juggling it. This was a night where we were all enjoying ourselves during the recording and Mike was on a Shakespearean lecture kick. We were in stitches, laughing ourselves to tears!
Sent to Heidi by Mike Carlington
Friday, December 19th, 2008
Friday, December 19th, 2008
Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Friday, December 5th, 2008
The Man
Friday, December 5th, 2008
1974 As I was going up the stairs one day I met a man who wasn’t there, he wasn’t there again today. I wish, oh wish, he’d come to stay. …Unknown
holiday:of or pertaining to a festival; festive; joyous: a holiday mood. Only for kids. by Jane E’s decree 12/2008
In our family the “thumbs up” dates back to 1974.
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Dig the glasses. Did he really ride without a shirt?
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Boating at Linger Longer Resort
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Linger Longer Resort
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Michael, Emerson and Scarlett and Michael’s Mom at Linger Longer Resort
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
When I printed this twenty-some years ago, I didn’t really like it. Now it seems sort of hauntingly appropriate. I’m still trying to come up with what I want to say to all of you, but it’s still a little too painful.
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
…are so many things to so many people. But, to sum it up: Mikey, you’re a great friend. I feel envious of those of you who had the chance to spend time with Mikey, my friend, my opponent in video games, those last few days before his most recent departure. I feel happy that Mikey had the opportunity to touch so many peoples lives so profoundly with his great jovial charisma.
I miss his laugh - so hearty and soulful. That’s just Mikey, soulful.
GIESBRECHT! Was my battlecall to greet the great man whenever we spent some time together or get that drink or several drinks. Stumbling over my more cumbersome name, “YAM am oto”. was his meek reply.
I miss his kindness - so deep and soulful. That’s just Mikey, soulful.
Mikey, I thank you for the honor of friendship. I couldn’t have deserved such a great thing.
Monday, December 1st, 2008
Emerson, you still have a little ways to go before you fill your daddy’s shoes but one day you will and you will live true to the name your dad helped choose for you; Emerson Liberato Giesbrecht.
Love,
Grandma Jane
Monday, December 1st, 2008
Jerry and Jane
We are the proud parents of Michael John who took an unexpected leave of absence. We don’t know for sure when he’ll be back but Jane waved to him yesterday, from her hotel window in the lovely Donatello, as he walked past on Post.
Monday, December 1st, 2008
Liebe Pia Giesbrecht,
Unser Sohn, Michael John aus San Francisco
starb an Herzversagen am 17, November, 2008.
Bitte sagen Sie Ihrer Mutter, Wendy und Bruder Mark.
Besuchen Sie Michael’s Web-Seite unter: www.giesbrechts.com
Sie und Ihre Familie sind in unseren Gedanken, immer.
Love, The Giesbrecht’s
Jerry, Jane, Heidi und Mark Bradley
Monday, December 1st, 2008
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
(This last photo taken by Jennifer. It was the town fair, crowded, noisy, easy to get lost, all in all wonderful…)
Some moments from March 2007 trip to Cabo. A few more pix of the rest of the crew are on the web here. Missin’ the good times…
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
Because Jane asked and because I may have been inaudible due to, well you know, I’m posting my tribute. If others would do the same, please!
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Michael and I met while working at Franklin Templeton in San Mateo in 1996. We became fast friends as many have with this wonderful fellow.
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A short time into our friendship, after Michael had me figured, he wondered aloud if I was familiar with the author William Blake. He thought I might enjoy Blake’s work as much as he.
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Some time later Michael, myself and Marcus Brooks went to a reading of Blake’s Proverbs of Hell. I have selected four lines from that work to read to you. The first two lines may cut too close but they have been in my head since the moment I heard Danielle’s voice.
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The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.
If others had not been foolish, we should be so.
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He whose face gives no light, shall never become a star.
When thou seest an eagle, thou seest a portion of genius; lift up thy head!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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I like to think of Michael as a star in the night sky now. Michael I love and will miss you.
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008
“Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunshine on ripened grain.
I am a gentle Autumn’s rain.
Should you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.”
-Author Unknown
Friday, November 28th, 2008
I found some great photos from a trip to Cabo so long ago…brings backs so many wonderful memories of long conversations about religion and politics (over tequila)…
Mike always seemed as comfortable talking about motorcycles or punk rock as discussing the intricacies of economics & politics. He was smart, witty, interesting, deep and cool and he had a wonderful, warm (quirky) sense of humor. Without a doubt one of the most intelligent and thoughtful people I have ever known—what an incredible loss.
Mike…we miss you…
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Mike, we had some conversations at lunch time over the years that touched upon topics various and sundry. Sometimes we brought in the crowd and the hour was up before we really had gotten started. Other times, well - we were the only ones at the table and others seemed to have a “quick lunch” and we were alone. We went out on the field of debate many times as standard bearers for our own favorite ideologies: Liberalism, Libertarianism, Socialism, Plutocracy, Meritocracy, the Republic, Epistemology and all manner of philosophies in between. I always would learn from you each time we sat down together, and you were always the more gracious statesmen than I for whatever the topic of the day we may have stumbled upon, even if you were just as unyielding as myself in your convictions. You searched out to see clearly in a muddled world and yet like a poet, revel in the oddities that surround us all. You were not afraid to examine your thoughts and precepts out in the open and indeed embraced the tenets you espoused. I admire you for that, and for friendship and understanding and listening. For those are rare things and you were a rare and wonderful soul and I am blessed for knowing you. I wish we could sit down and talk about it….
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
The first time sat down at the Quinta del Mar poker table, I knew I was in way over my head. I had the pros coaching me but still had no clue what I was doing. So I don’t know how, two nights out of our Cabo trip, I found myself sitting across from Mike, head to head…one on one…for hours! Mike, no doubt, had me on the skill. He could have knocked me out in two seconds. So how did we end up here? Twice? Mike said my absolute lack of technique scared him to death! That always cracked me up. Of the week spent in Cabo, getting to know, love and be part of the Giesbrecht family, those were the best moments with Mike: giving eachother the raised eyebrow and trying to figure eachother out, as hand after hand and hour after hour went by. Thanks for teaching me everything I know about hold ‘em, Mike. We will miss you so much at the table.
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
I met Michael in February of 2007 when I was hired to work at Lucasfilm. He immediately intimidated me for all the right reasons; he rode his motorcycle and he drank beer at the Toronado, two things I wished I did more of. As I got to know him, the more I looked forward to seeing him outside of work. We talked of hitting the Toronado. He always bugged me about going to Bar Crudo. Somehow I missed the opportunity to ride with him. I was warned of his prowess on the bike but wanted to see it first-hand. I wanted to watch him dive into turn after turn on the way to the Ranch; if only for a couple hundred yards as he pulled away from me. When I made coffee he was always up for a cup and always super appreciative. I will miss that. I will miss his sharp wit, his dislike of Steve Perry and Journey and his views on just about everything in life. One day I’ll take that ride to the Ranch and miss no more for had I never met Michael I’d have never known what I’d be missing.
Be well, Gies, be well.
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
I had only known Mike a short time by working with him at Lucasfilm. Mike first impressed me with his tales of the crazy old punk rock days - stories featuring his gig with GG Allen and run-in with Courtney Love. I soon learned that beyond our shared passions for fine food and poker, that we both shared a deep appreciation for the rock band Rush; an appreciation that puzzles many, my wife included.
When Mike told me that they these aging legends were touring - I hopped up out of my seat and went to Mike’s cube where we anxiously scanned high-priced tickets on his computer. . .Mike didn’t want to spare any expense, and I was with him. This is the last time they might tour, we both thought: let’s go all the way! We did, and it was as great a show as we could have wished for.
In the months following, we recording an original song for the Lucasfilm battle of the bands (it was Mike’s song, really). I was impressed by Michael’s uninhibited singing. He just went for it. Somehow, we lost his vocal track, but had his guitar track. I added bass and weird drum sounds later. Unfortunately, we never played the battle of the bands together, but I’m glad we got to record together and that our musical interests and lives crossed paths.
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Tobin, I just so happen to have a copy of that would-be classic. I have embedded it below. ~ Dennis
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Here’s what the Rush concert was like for those interested. Click here: Bravado, a word befitting Michael.
Tobin
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Another great New Years Eve in the City with Mike and great friends 2005/2006
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
This is a picture of Michael posing next to a wooden shanty on the beach. Michael told us that it was summertime, when in fact it was wintertime and 30 degrees below zero. We were forced to take shelter in a cabin made of sticks until all of our beer had been consumed. It’s a wonder that anybody in this photograph is smiling.
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
This is a picture of Michael trying to help me after I injured my finger and stomach in a freak slingshot accident. I demanded to be heliported away to receive proper medical care, but I let him talk me out of it. I was given ice and asked to please calm down. As you can see from this photograph, he finds all of this a great deal more amusing than I do.
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
