Hey Folks - it's about time we get this thing passed on, I'd say, so we'd better plan something around meeting, talking about Matt (I think only two or three of us knew of him anyway), signing the journal, and planning a road trip to bring it to Geoff.

Dale's got the journal right now, hopefully he's had the chance to read it and is ready to share

If you bring it to geoff, maybe he can bring it to me, then I can take it down to Minnesota.....

Jordan

Good plan Matt. A group picture would be good too...with the city in the background...

A little background...

Matt Dionne was an active member on Turbobricks. He wasn't the most knowledgeable guy around but made up for lack of general knowledge with tons of enthusiasm. He had a hearing disability but unless you saw a picture of him showing his hearing aids, you'd never know it. He never once mentioned it. I "chatted" with Matt numerous times during my earlier days on T'Bricks. He was always positive and enthusiastic. He was the first guy to ever buy an adjustable timing gear from me.

Matt lived in Plano Texas and was planning a cross-country journey to visit his grand parents somewhere in Tennessee. While he was planning this journey, he was making plans to stop and visit various T'bricks members who lived along his route. Matt posted during his journey whenver he could. He had a digital camera and was taking pictures as often as he could and was posting them up for everyone to see. Everyone on the board was following the journey Matt had titled "epic".

One morning somewhere in Kentucky, just a day or two from his destination, Matt was tragically killed when a driver crossed the center line and collided head on with Matt's GT. The reaction on the board was one of total shock that someone that many called a close friend could be taken so suddenly. Some members that considered Matt a close friend were devastated even though they had never personally met him. He was just the kind of guy that was instantly your friend.

Jerome Bready (bready on T'Bricks) and I were chatting shortly after this tragic incident, trying to figure out what we, as a group, could do for the Dionne family, to show them how much Matt meant to us, as a community. I suggested we do some sort of journal that would travel the continent. Everyone who knew or knew of Matt could jot down a few thoughts and add a picture or two and, in doing so, we could continue the journey Matt never could. Jerome ran with the idea and the rest is history.

The journal started in Texas and has come up the west coast and is now here. From here it'll head east to Geoff in Estevan and then Jordan in Winnipeg. From there hopefully we can get it down into Minnesota and around the bottom of the great lakes, back up into Canada, down the Eastern Seaboard and then back through the south, eventually ending up at Matt's parents place in Plano.

So...there you have it. As Matt said, it's time to get together and finish up our part and get it moving. I'd love to get a picture of a "Welcome to Calgary" sign with a whole ton of Volvos around it for starters. Other ideas are certainly welcome...

Dale

i'd be down for that sign idea Dale

i never spoke to matt...but i know the story and have read lots and lots of old threads to know what he was about...i would like to sign it if i could

ciao

I would consider Matt a great friend of mine, though we had never met. During my first and second year university I talked to him probably every night on AIM. No matter how depressed or upset he was, he would always take concern over you rather than himself. We had always planned of building our GT's alike then meeting up half way to show them off to each other.

He was a great guy. I'm sure his PBase account is still active

Jordan

Yes it is...

http://www.pbase.com/kalazdar

Ok guys...time to get this done and move on. This Saturday is supposed to be a nice day and I think most people haven't put the summer car into hibernation just yet so maybe we can put aside a couple of hours and find a spot to snap some photos? I can free up some time. How 'bout the rest?

yes.

YUP, but I have tons of stuff to do (like I am sure everyone has) so lets nail down a time soon

I'll be there

Well...so far I've had positive responses from hmmm...3 people? Guess I'll assume the rest just don't give a rat's hiny and carry on...

Yes, I know...some of you are out of town...

We have some options. Meet at noon on Crescent Road NW on the big turn west of 7A St. There is a big grassy area there with a clear view of the d/t core. We could snap a few shots with the d/t core in the background. Another option is to go up on Scotchman's Hill and snap some pics with the Saddledome and d/t in the background. However, I don't think there is any area there that we can pull the cars off the road. Option 3 is head up to COP area and get some shots from up there somewhere. I haven't noticed it recently, but there is a "Welcome to Calgary" sign out there somewhere...

Any other suggestions are welcome...

I like the Crescent Road option, good view of the city and room to park.
Unfortunatly the Volvord will not be present (no insurance) so I will bring the wagon

You could see me if you want?

I'd love to come, but I don't know the guy from Adam - but sure, tell me when and where and me and My volvo will be there.

- R

Let's meet in front of the Columbia Icefield to make something different.