From: DW

Merry Christmas! I am at my moms house and she busted out this picture of me,allen and T.Mo. I still got a knot in my stomach and still miss him daily. Hope all is well with you and yours, and life is Good! - Your Friend Dan

From: Steve Chadie, Austin, TX

Hey guys, Steve Chadie here. I finally found this picture of me and TMO and a couple of other good dudes from 1984. My mom snapped it as we came tumbling out of my room one afternoon hence the silly grin and lost looks :-) It is one of only a half a dozen or so I have of him and I've been looking for it for almost a year. I'm going to post it on the blog as soon as I figure out how to, but in the meantime I thought you all would like to have it.

Steve

From: Aine Malone, Santa Fe, NM

meeting tmo...wish it were some grand story. but when i moved to dallas to go to school i knew noone. and i would go into grinders on greenville and tmo one day just starting talking to me about dominoes. i found that fascinating. i grew up in the back woods of east texas so i know my dominoes because my whole family are FANATICS...all the games..42 and on and on. TMO knew them. I had never met someone who rode a vespa and listened to cool music AND knew dominoes. enlightenment. tmo was just himself. not trying to be anything else. domino playing. would talk to a stranger and then engage them enough to pull them in and suddenly he was your best friend.

From: Martha Barbosa

I met T-Mo in like 2006 and that I will forever consider the luckiest day of my life. I've been wanting to add something to this blog for a while but I just never felt I had a grand enough story about him. Me and T-Mo had an odd friendship. We mostly just conversated over the phone most of the time and that's how we bonded we eventually met but my fondest memories are conversations we had. I met him when he lived in Dallas and kept the friendship going after he moved to Austin. I mostly remember him through our phone conversations. Haha, I think the maddest I ever made him was when I'd start eating chips over the phone. I could practically see him cringing lol Anyways, I just wanted to mention some of the memories I have from him. They might be small tid bits but for some reason they stand out in my memory as small reminders of the funny sweet person that he was.

*Hated people crunching chips over the phone

*Was amazed at how many different kinds of pears there were

*Would pick up things off the side of the road. I remember he'd proudly tell me that's how he had built up his collection of tools. He said he had learned that form his dad. If he saw something shiny on the side of the road he'd pull over onto the service road and pick it up. Ha, and I'll never forget how he once found a "CD book" full of different porns. Weird porn at that. We had a nice laugh discussing midget porn afterwards.

*I remember once being on the phone with him and he said he was drinking some beer somewhere (I don't remember exactly where) and next thing I know I hear him saying "Hi my name is T-mo, want some beer?" to some strangers sitting near him. LOL That was T-Mo. Friendly to the max.

*T-Mo loved his friends with a strength I'd never seen before. I remember once when he came to visit me in dallas we went to Red Lobster and then just hung out afterwards. After a while of watching tv I noticed he got quiet after answering a phone call he'd gotten. I asked him why'd he turned so quiet and then he burst into tears. He finally told me that he had gotten a phone call from a friend that he house sitted for often and that she had been in tears. He said that her cat had passed and that it caused him pain to hear her crying. My poor Mousie just sobbed for her. He was just so kind and loving...

* Aww, we could sit on the phone and just meow at each other. I know it sounds odd but we did it. LOL As grown as we were we found it so adorable to just to sit there and meow. I still have a voicemail that he left me where he's just meowing thoughout the whole thing. He was odd and not afraid of it.

*Loved and collected cacti.

I saw him that Monday before he passed. It's crazy... The first and last time I was ever able to visit him in Austin. I just consider myself extremely lucky. I'm glad I got to know him and I couldn't have given my heart to anyone better. I love him as a friend but most importantly as a the man he was. Maybe in another life time my friend.

From: DW

found this picture of T.Mo when we went camping onetime, he used his rain-poncho for shade,or it might have been the time he brought his tent but forgot the tent poles???(we've all done that) Funny picture of a funny man

.

From: DW

lots of followers..........not many leaders? I'll keep sendin' you stuff 'cause I think about T. most everyday. Started looking for things he drew, but I keep finding pictures I drew of him.........Landmark achievements: the day he learned Frontside Rock-n-Rolls (Skateboard Trick,and not an easy one!), I egged him on until he did it, then he says "that was easy!" During my search, I kept running across domino scores (as I wrote them on everything) where me and T.Mo would drink way to much (Coffee or Beer) and throw bones till they threw us out. I remember always telling T.Mo as he drew up his hand "I know what they all are", it would mess with his head because everyone knows what they all are. I wasn't saying I knew what he had. It always made us laugh! The other picture is called "T.Mo Dis-Assemble", the man had a way with machinery, not the right way, but a way. We took everything apart, and almost always got it back together. -Dan

me and T (thanks Dan)

LOG ROLLER

Yes. The Log Roller. Not A log roller, THE Log Roller. I am so glad someone has said it. I have spent an inordinate amount of time saying the same thing. Where on god's green earth is the log roller? Ah, the log roller. TMO, buddy, do you remember the log roller? Man. Those were the days. May I add, HElllllll-OOOOOOOOOO. My sides hurt. 

Miss Him

Damn. Like I was telling DAn, there are days that I feel like calling the T for an update, just to see how things are going and get  a little inspiration. Today, like lots of 'em lately is one of those days. T, I miss you. Call me. -m

FUN, FUN, FUN

From: Angela White-Tragus, Austin, TX

New Year's eve, my husband Nick really wanted to wrestle with TMo.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe because he was the only one that would step up to the challenge and rough-house a little.  The result ended in TMo giving piggy-back rides.  TMo then proceeded to pretend he was going to jump over the fire.  He had done this once before and ended up being loaded into a pick-up and taken to the hospital with broken bones.  I was all over him, "TMo, you can't do this!  I will push you down before you try any fire tricks at my house."  He dangled his leg over the fire and then told me he was kidding.  Little things mean alot. - Angela

Truckin

Roadside, OK.

Damn good Vespa Mechanic

La Javita/ Celebration

When T lived with his dad we would go to La Javita, especially on christmas day because it was the only place that was open, and we would always have the same waitress. She was the best hands down. Years later, eating at Celebration on Lover's Ln., I heard a voice that I recognized. It was the waitress from La Javita! I ran over to her and said hi. She recognized me, asked me how I was doing, and then she asked "how is your friend?" I told her TMO was fine, and we talked for a while. That didn't feel strange at all. Like Steve said, people always asked about T. 

Filete Empanizado

From: Steve Chadie, Austin, TX

Came across a couple of pictures while going through Christmas pictures with my wife on my computer.  One of my Mom's favorite things was knowing TMO was going to come by to say "Hi" at Christmas 'cause he knew I was up from Austin.  Sure will miss him this Christmas.

Hope your doing well.

Steve

T-MOD

Damnit Dan. When I first started riding Vespa scooters, Tmo would jibe me every chance he got. "Dude, your a real mod now." "Damnit T, I aint no mod." "If your not a mod , what's up with that Specials sticker?" "What?!!!" Tmo fashioned a Specials magnet and stuck it my scooter. Now look, I have enjoyed some SKA music over the years, but.... We got a kick out of that magnet for years, trading it back and forth. It really was funny. Notice T-Mod with the Lambretta!

Tio's dog food

After reading Dan's comment, I have to tell this story. To preface the story, TMO was a pretty sensitive dude. When eating at El Tio Lupe, T had this habit of combining all of the food on his plate into a very neat pile. He would take handfuls of chips, crush them in his hands, and mix the remainder into what looked to some like dog food, and to others a work of culinary mystery. One time eating with some friends (names withheld) he worked his magic prompiting one of the parties to ask, "Tmo, why do you have to make your food look like dog food?" I guess it grossed them out. When Tmo relayed this story to me he was bummed. He said, "I wasn't even hungry after he said that." Imagine, Tmo stopping mid-bite. He was really bummed when he told that story. I and others continued to reassure him that his method, though very different, was innovative, and regardless of what anyone said, he should enjoy his food any way he liked. The one thing I never understood though was the sausage/ fried catfish sandwich from the oyster bar. When we both lived in East Dallas, he would come by or I would call immediately after he ate one, and I would have a hard time imagining the pairing. Angela told me about his all Asian diet. You will have to ask her about that. Additionally, T always said that before I met him I thought El Fenix was the only game in town. He was right on that front, he showed me what have become my fave places on the planet...Thanks Tmo for taking me to AL's! 

TMO @ the Dip

Etch a Sketch 1

From: Moose Watson

Hey Everybody,

I am horrible on the computer and don't know how to put something on a blog.I hope this gets read by all blog viewers .If you can post this for me so everyone can read it please do.

As I sit and read these posts through tears ,I cannot possibly explain in words , just how much what everyone has said means to me. 

Many of you knew my brother far far better than any of his family did .These stories and tales , are what I have left to hold on to .They mean the world to me and I am honored to know that my brother enriched so many lives and was blessed by such good friends .Your words are encouragement to me each day !

God bless each and every one of you for posting your memories here ,I love you all for it.

Moose Watson

From: DW, Corsicana, Texas

YEEEAAHHHHHH!

From: DW, Corsicana, Texas

Hey all. I have a ton of great photos and some TMO tunes from Dan. This is just one of many. It will take a while to upload them all, but it will be done. Dan, thanks for sharing these. I'm working on the music files. I will keep yall posted. Thanks for your patience. BTW, this is a killer picture of the Dip. Anybody ready to go and doze the shit out of the flat? Lemme know. 

From: Aine Malone. Santa Fe, NM, RE: Tmo=Folklorist

So I have really been thinking...you could even say reflecting...on last week and TMO. And I really think what Miguel said really hit me. I mean so many of us have our little circle of friends and sometimes they never cross. Like the people you ride bikes with or the ones you talk sports with or the music heads and sometimes they never cross paths with each other. Or we choose to keep them seperated. But with TMO they were all this beautiful mish mash as evidenced by who came to his memorial. I don't know a better testament to a life well lived than the ability to transcend across groups and to be able to relate to anyone no matter what their interests. That was TMO. And if that kind of connection with mankind that TMO had doesn't get you into heaven then I am not sure it's the right place for me. Because TMO in the perfect dream is my St Peter...opening the gates, telling a story and letting me into heaven to party. Don't you think?
 
Anyway that said I also keep thinking about how we always talk about folk traditions and story telling. The tradition of old men in coffee shops and barber shops telling stories.  Hell TMO embodied that. A Texas storyteller. So if you can add my favorite story that TMO told to the blog. He told it to me and I have told it to so many people because stories are meant to be shared. And now instead of telling it and and just saying "I have this friend..." I will say "My friend TMO" and that way he lives on forever as all good story tellers do. Thanks BOOTH!
 
So my friend TMO told me that when he was a youth he and a friend found a wallet at in the local grocery store parking lot. Tmo looked up the ladies name in the phone book and called her to tell her he found her wallet. She arranged to meet him at the store and said she would give him a reward. So TMO all excited shows up only to be swarmed by police. The lady claimed he stole the wallet and then wanted money for it's return.
 
So the next scene according to TMO is he is sentenced to some juvenile therapy. And he is sitting in this room with a therapist in a round circle of other juvenile delinquents. And TMO said here he was this kid who had never really committed a crime just petty pranks and here he was surrounded by hoodlums. So the therapist starts by making everyone in the circle go around and state their name and why they are there. So the first kid says "I'm Joe Smith and I was selling black mollys" and around it goes..."burglary"..."assault"...on and on and TMO said he was super intimidated until it got to him and he said "I'm Tim Watson and I'm here for extortion" at which time every head turned and a collective sigh of total awe rose up from the baddest of the bads. EXTORTION. The ultimate crime. And then TMO would laugh his laugh and say something like "I don't even know if they knew what it meant but it sounded really bad ass."
 
aine

From: Steve Chadie, Austin, TX

Today I went on a long ride in the Hill Country as a tribute to TMO.  I headed west to kick it off in Llano with some BBQ at Coopers.  Then out to Mason, over to Fredericksburg, down to Boerne and back through Wimberley, arriving at my house in South Austin right at dusk.  It was 265 unforgettable miles and I felt like he was in the wind in my face the whole time.  The reason for me posting this is that I wasn’t going to go ride fearing that I would be bummed the whole time.  My wife came into my room and said  “Don’t make me come over there and thump on you…” which is what TMO always said to me when I wasn’t acting right.  She told me he would want me to go.  She was right.  TMO would want us all to keep doing all the things we used to do with him.  He wouldn’t sit around bummed out and he wouldn’t want us to.  This was the most therapeutic thing I have done since he passed.  He lives in the love he left behind and that love is stronger than ever as long as we keep on truckin’ with him in our thoughts and hearts.  I welcome anyone who finds themselves headed to Austin to ride with me on the roads me and Tim used to rip up.  Call me anytime and we can keep the love alive by continuing to do what TMO loved to do.  Thanks.

Steve Chadie

512-293-6898

Post-Service Photos

Thanks again

I want to say thanks to everybody that attended Tmo's memorial service on Thursday afternoon. All of you made me feel better about what is a difficult situation. Thanks first to everybody who was there to witness. If I may I'd like to say thanks (in no particular order) to those people I knew (well or not). Thanks to Allison Young for the great stories and laughs, Nick K, thanks for coming from LA, thanks Steve Chadie for the Tmobile stories, thanks Stanley Miller for the waffle house inspector story, Thanks Oliver for coming from Santa Cruz, Ca., Thank you Idle Rich staff for EVERYTHING, thanks to Tom and Moose Watson for listening to our stories, thanks to Angela and Zoey White for the hugs, Thanks to Dave B. for being Dave, Thanks to Grammy for makin it, thanks Shannon H. for calling, thank you Dan for the cd and please thank your mom for remembering me, thank you to the church staff for lettin us all come in, thanks down the street Pete for coming, thanks Scotty K. for mining your junk mail folder, thanks Jay for rippin the ditch and being a great dad, thanks Ean and Eric for being the white equivalent to the Brothers Johnson, thanks Karen for the killer gifts @ the Goldrush, thanks Meredith for the kind words, pictures, and let lil Craig know we're gonna make a cardboard cut-out of him, thanks Jenny for being everything that you are, thanks Jason and Barbara for the DVD, Thanks Mel for making it from NM, thanks Nick Watson for being part of my EA degree, thanks Mandon + family for makin it out, thanks Gack for the stories and introductions, thanks to the dude in the pew in front of me for the kind gesture, thanks Miguel for the kindness, thanks Amanda Lbs for the books, thanks Lucinda and Job Slut, thanks Bud Foote for the conversation, thanks to the log roller wherever you are, thanks Pat R. for makin it and lettin Mike B. know, thanks Cindi's for having a full bar, thanks Gail for coming, thanks Lorna H. for the kindest true-blue message, thanks Chuck G. for being the anti-Tmo, thanks CC and Aine, i can never say that enough to you two, thanks J. Liles for the DO blog entry, thanks to Tmo's family, thanks to the Kernal for holding my hand and being the best GD wife a man could want, and finally thanks TMO for bringing us all together. 

If I left anything out, please e-mail me and I will fix it pronto. till then, keep 'em coming. As long as you're out there thinking about TMO, he'll be around. Thanks.

From: Jeffrey Liles, Dallas Observer Blog

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2009/01/echoes_and_reverberations_last.php#more

Memorial Service 1.29.2009 Update

Well were about to head out. I've heard from a bunch of folks that are gonna be there, and a few who unfortunately cannot make it. For those who don't make it, I'll take pictures and bring back some stories. Thanks again for all that you have done. I hope this blog keeps TMO around in our hearts, minds, and memories for a long time. Thanks again, much love to those who love TMO! 

m. booth

From: Alyssa Lary, Boston, Ma.

I watched the video shortly before bed  and I just can't sleep. So many memories of y'all in your old house. Went 2 glorias for the first time with yall. he was always telling stories out in the backyard around the picnic table while u smoked cigs and laughed and slapped your knee. Passion flowers and frogs and beers and sunshine and smokin and stories.

I'll be thinkin of y'all tomorrow 

From: Eric Higgins, Florida

My name is Eric Higgins. I am a long-time close friend of the one and only T-Mo Watson. I have seen and read every bit of your very cool memorial blog dedicated to his memory. I tried to post my own thoughts last night, but could not figure out how to do it properly. Then my good friend Jason Cohen sent me the link which I am using now to E-mail you this very message.

 

I live in Florida now, so unfortunately I cannot attend his memorial service tomorrow. Therefore it is crucial to me to express just a few of my fond memories on your very cool website. If possible, I would like for you to put up the following message on my behalf, if you would be so very kind:

 

QUOTE= Eric Higgins:

 

"I met T-Mo when he and I were both eight years old. It was about 1975 or so, and the movie "JAWS" had recently come out. Consequently, sharks both fascinated and scared me. The Watson family lived next door to my aunt / baby-sitter's house on a street near Walnut Hill and Royal Lane. One day I was playing out in my aunt's front yard, and I saw this kid in the next yard over. He was wearing a shirt with a shark on it and it read "THE SHARKS". Well I thought that was about the coolest thing I had ever seen, so I called out to this kid: "Hey, that's a neat shirt! I really like sharks too!" He replied something like "Yeah, sharks are cool... This shirt is from the soccer team I play on"... Thusly did T-Mo and myself commence to strike up a fast friendship, playing and doing all kinds of crazy 8-year-old stuff every afternoon.

 

Eventually my family and I moved to Farmer's branch, and I had to say good-bye to my good friend T-Mo for the first time. But ten years later, in the year 1985, at the Greenville Ave. St. Patrick's Day Parade, we re-acquainted. There was a whole contingent of us wild and crazy skate-punks who unofficially "joined" the Parade, skating down Greenville and perpetrating all kinds of fun and craziness. I saw one cool dude who stood out as looking VERY familiar and so I started talking to him: "What's your name, bro? Is it Tim?"

He said "Yeah, but my friends all call me 'T-Mo...'"

I said "YEAH!!! You ARE T-MO!!! I remember you!!!" He likewise remembered me and thusly the T-Mo and Eric friendship was re-kindled. We remained very close for many years.

 

T-Mo was one of THE absolute coolest, kindest, most giving, most caring individuals that I have ever in my life had the joyous pleasure to meet, let alone be super-tight friends with...

 

He was so giving that once he just GAVE me a skateboard-- a big ol' deck, tricked-out with Indy trucks, RollerBall wheels, 'Big Fat Tires And EVERYTHANG'-- The ultimate hook-up, when he learned that my own board had been stolen... He took care of my "skate needs" then.

 

And when I was unemployed in 1988, he not only went out of his way to help me to obtain a good job at the warehouse in Garland where he worked, but also (I had no automobile at the time) faithfully came to pick me up in his pick-up truck every morning, and bring me back home every afternoon... Going well out of his way to do so... We had a lot of fun "working" together then... 

That was but yet ANOTHER "hook-up" straight from the well-spring of kindness that always flowed from his incredibly generous heart.

 

Nobody who ever met T-Mo could possibly have ANYTHING but good things to say about him... NOBODY did not NOT like T-Mo... Even the mean, malignant, hateful and racist skinheads that plagued our cool scene back then-- EVEN the skinheads, who hated EVERYBODY, liked T-Mo. THAT fact in itself says A LOT... 

 

One of the best things that I always admired about T-Mo was that he was such a "NO BULLSH*T" type of guy. He would not hold back-- He would tell you THE TRUTH, whether or not you wanted to hear it. He NEVER sugar-coated or watered-down his truly valid feelings / opinions about any particular subject.

I often told him that this factor was among the MANY qualities of his that I most admired.

 

I still remember the time that T-Mo and me watched THE BEATLES "Yellow Submarine" at my Mom's house in Farmer's Branch one night... The many good times that we shared at Whip & Dip and the Clown Ramp... All of the cool punk-rock shows we saw and heard together at The TWILITE ROOM / CIRCLE A RANCH and THEATRE GALLERY...

 

What else can I possibly say? I will NEVER EVER FORGET Brother T-MO and the many wild and crazy adventures and shenanigans that we once did share.

 

T-Mo was absolutely FULL of LOVE, and he selflessly shared that very special T-Mo LOVE with everyone that befriended him...

In mathematic terms, if you gave unto T-Mo "one" you would get back in return "one THOUSAND", and that is a PRUDENT analogy.

 

T-Mo was certainly among the best of THE VERY BEST.

 

He was one of a kind, he was ultimately kind, he was kindness incarnated... He DEFINED "KIND". 

 

GOD BLESS TIM WATSON

 

Posted with LOVE by Eric Higgins"

 

 

Please, Brother Matthew, post my sentiments on your "T-Mories" memorial blog... Like I said, I cannot travel to Dallas for the "in-person" service, and so it would mean a GREAT deal to me for you to put my sentiments of love and fondness out there for his friends and family to read.

 

Thank you so very much, my brother, and God bless you for the work you are doing on T-Mo's behalf.

 

  PEACE & LOVE

 

-- Eric Higgins

DonRico1967@aol.com

941-713-4833

From: Steve Chadie, Austin, TX

TMO has been my best friend since 1984 and he truly is like a brother to me.  One of the best things for me in life was to ride with my big buddy.  Here are some shots of one of the last rides I took with him.  As you can see, in 2 of them he is explaining something to me in extreme detail complete with TMO hand gestures as only he could do.  If you knew him, you know what I'm talking about :-)  I will miss him dearly, but know he's right there with me always.  It makes me feel good to see that he touched so many other lives as he touched mine.  I'm a better man for knowing him. - Steve Chadie

From: Lorna Hicks Branciforte, Dallas, TX

Thanks Lorna

WWTD

What would TMO do? TMO would go see Powersquid tonight @ Headhunters in Austin, TX. See previous post by Angela White-Tragus for more info. 

From: Lucinda Simmons, Dallas, TX, TMO, X-mas, 2005

From: Melissa "Mel" Roberge, Albuquerque, NM

Hi, my name is Melissa "Mel" Roberge and I have known Temo since 1985 when he was about 18 and I was 16. I would greatly appreciate it if you could publish the following in Tmories with the only photo I have of him.

Thank you for putting the blogger site up for those of us that loved and knew him.

thanks,
Mel


My most heartfelt condolences go out to Temo's family. Thank you for letting us play with him. He played very well with others and shared his toys whenever needed.

This photo is of Temo & I, Summer of 1985, in Dallas, Texas. We, w/ our friend Kristin Lavery in tow, were on our way to see the Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young reunion tour at the (then) Coca-Cola Starplex outdoor amphitheater that night. The concert was sold out, but we didn't worry...Temo had a plan! At that time the amphitheater was still under construction with chain link fencing around it instead of walls. We sat on a piece of grass in the parking lot where we could see (slightly) and hear the show for free. It was a very fun and memorable day! I was 16 years old...Temo was probably 18.

My friendship with Temo grew over the years. In our early and mid-twenties we would meet at various bars and coffee shops around the Dallas lower Greenville Ave area to play 'bones'. He never went anywhere without his dominoes back then. He taught me to play one of his favorite games, Texas Chicken Foot. (He loved squawking like a chicken when he played his last domino.) 

Eventually I moved away from Dallas, but our friendship didn't end. He would come to Albuquerque to visit or stop by as he passed through to another festive adventure on his calendar. He liked skateboarding the ditches here in Albuquerque, specifically the Indian School (drainage) ditch. (He raved about the smooth transitions and length!)

Sadly, this is the only photo I have of Temo. (All the rest are in my head.) As sad *sniff-sniff* as I am at his passing, I know he wouldn't want me to dwell too long in that sadness. I feel lucky to have known him...*bah-qauwk*

Melissa "Mel" Roberge
Albuquerque, NM
ms.mellymelr@gmail.com

p.s. I welcome any of his friends to stop by Albuquerque to say hi, throw down some 'bones' or skate the ditches. 

From: Traci Beasley, Dallas, TX

Even though it had been nearly 10 years since I last saw Tmo, the fact that he is no longer here to spread the "Tmo love" breaks my heart.  And, after reading all the great stories on the blog, I know that Tmo was still the funny, sweet, lovable guy I knew back then!  I don't know how these stories will translate in written form, but suffice it to say that they have been with me for a long, long time!!

Tmo came by the house one day and said he was thinking about me. He had seen a documentary on channel 13 (PBS) the night before. It was about brain surgery in ancient history; and he proceeded to give me a very detailed description of how this was done.  After he effectively grossed me out, I asked why that made him think of me.  He said "it's called trepanation; isn't that your last name?"  (No, Trapani.  But he was close!!)

Tmo, Lea Ana and I got lawn tickets to Lollapalooza II at Starplex (or whatever it was called).  Even though it was a typical Dallas, heat-stroke inducing summer day, I was really worried that it would rain.  Luckily, Tmo was there to calm my fears:

 "Are you made out of sugar?" 

 "NO"

 "Are you made out of shit?"

 "NO"

 "Well, the only things that melt in the water are sugar and shit - you'll be fine!!"

Much love TMO!!!

Traci

T & Me

Memorial Service 1.29.2009 Update

Word on the street says a bunch of people from the Inwood Lounge are coming on Thursday (TMO did a hell of a job working the door there). Also, CC and Aine are coming down from Santa Fe, NM. Can't wait to see yall there. 

Camp T

no comment

TMO, Aine, and unknown associate @ Micks bar, Dallas, TX

TMO with R100/7 94? 95?

TMO's Mother and Father Addresses

Here are TMO's parents' mailing addresses if anyone would like to mail a condolence card:

TMO's mom:

Betsy Watson

3827 Lenel Dr

Dallas, Texas 75220 

TMO's dad:

Nick Watson and Dot McKnight

3529 High Mesa

Dallas, Tx  75234


Love and hugs,

Jenny

From: Tom Watson, TMO's big brother, Greenville, TX

I am not sure how to post to a blog or add photos or any of that stuff, but I would like to say thanks to you that started the blog site and thanks to all of you who are posting stories, photos, videos and the likes. I wish that I could have been around more often to see Temo in his own element. I have always known that Temo was huge hearted person and that he made friends wherever he was. I am saddened by Temo  leaving us, but I feel joy as well knowing that Temo had touched as many people as he did throughout his life. I will miss his phone calls and the times that I did get to see him. Don’t miss an opportunity to give someone a hug and tell them how much you love them and appreciate them and when you do this think of one os Temo’s big bear hugs.

 

Thanks to you all,

 

Tom Watson

Temo’s Brother in Greenville, Texas

From: Angela White-Tragus, Austin, TX (re: "All you Austin folks." Powersquid 1.28.2009)

Hey all you Austin folk.

The last time I spoke with Tmo we made plans to go see Powersquid, Harptallica and Jazzus Lizard tomorrow night, Wednesday, January 28th at Headhunters.  So, I think a few of us will be meeting up if y'all want to come out and have a drink and toast to the Tmo.  

http://www.headhuntersclub.com/

Be in touch if you have ?'s

awhigus@hotmail.com or call me

TMObituary, Dallas Morning News, 1.27.2009

http://www.legacy.com/dallasmorningnews/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=123370373

TMO Video Clip, Jason and Barbara Cohen, Dallas, TX

Hey , Matt here is the 5 min video clip of Tmo from Barbara's college documentary project on skateboarding. It was shot at whip n Dip in 1990.  Enjoy this great T-memory.  See you Thursday at the memorial - Jason

here is the youtube link add to the blog - I will also bring you a dvd copy thursday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m97XhAdLTM0

C/O DW, www.texaspoolsharks.net

From: Jenny M., Austin, TX

TMO's brothers Marty and Moose and his nephew Jake just left my house. Hugging them felt just like hugging TMO, it was great. Even Leonard seemed so happy to see them, like they smelled like TMO or something.

They were SO HAPPY to see the blog. It made their day, and I left them the URL so they could go back and read more stuff as people post it. Please let people know how happy his family is to see these stories and photos and to keep them coming! 

They said they know it will be hard for people to talk at the service, but this is just the kind of story they hope people will get up and tell on Thursday. They also asked if people have photos of TMO, especially ones of him and his bike, they would love to display them at the service. They don't have any of him and his bike and they know it was his greatest pleasure, and want that stuff there if anyone can bring it, and anyo thers people want to share (they loved that one of him on his board with that big old hair). Also, if anyone has any recordings of Sofa Kingdom or any recordings of TMO playing, they would love to have copies they can listen to. Moose said he had never heard TMO play. 

Much love,

Jenny

Rough Day/ Thanks

Damn. I didn't sleep well last night, got up, went to work, and tried, no did, my best to focus. The pain of loss comes in waves. One minute I'm talking to a group of seventh graders about an author's description of family and the next minute my mind is flooded with emotion. I pulled through, told some eighth graders the importance of thinking before speaking, and rushed home to see what yall are thinking and saying. Knowing that TMO is still around in everyone's hearts and minds makes me feel tons better (sorry for the cliche). It helps knowing that all of you are thinking the same thing. Thank you for helping, thank you for adding, and thank you for understanding.

m. booth

From: Zoey White, Austin, TX

Pokemon.
 
I think i was six when i first met Temo at your house, 10 years ago. He was as goofy then as he was last time i saw him. I met him and thought he was the coolest guy ever, and to this day i still think that. Temo, yourself and i would sit on your couch and watch Pokemon every time i would come over! I miss those days. We visited often and one day i had Pokemon tattoos! Your favorite was Digglet so of course i gave it to you. Temo's favorite was Jiggly Puff (which i always thought ironic). I gave it to him and he put it on as soon as he got it. I got a call from him about two weeks later and told me that it had washed off and he was so happy that it lasted that long. That is one of my first memories of Temo. 
 
and another

New Years 2008.
Of course, I was out with my friends so i did not see him, but i did get a call from him at 2 o'clock in the morning. He called from my mom's phone. 
"Hey mom..." 
"HEY ZO! IT'S NOT YOUR MOM IT'S TEMO!"
"HEY!"(just his voice brightened my day)
"I was just checking to see what mischief you were getting into."
"Ha... Nothing Temo, just about to go to bed actually."
"Well, I'm at your house and your not here..."
"Yeah I'm at a friends.."
"Alright Zo, I'll let you hang out with them i just was calling to say i miss you."
"I miss you too Temo. See you soon?"
"Yes, but Zoey? I love you."
"Love you too, Temo."
"Bye"
 
I saw him a few days later.
 
I remember coming home from hanging out with Brian and Temo was there and i just ran over and gave him a hug. He was telling stories about skating in a 14 story parking garage in Dallas, last time he was there, and how there was no way he would pass that up. We giggled because he was escorted out of the garage by an angry security guard. Then we started talking about is Tattoos. He was going to get work done on one of them the next day. He showed me a beautiful piece on his back of a coy and water and flowers. This man, was by far one of the most amazing people in the world. His heart was so big and he was so genuine. Temo I miss you. I love you. 

From: Craig Smith, Austin, TX 12.31.2009

From: News 8, Austin, TX

www.news8austin.com


Traffic collision leaves motorcycle rider dead
Updated: 1/22/2009 10:39:30 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

A traffic collision left one man dead Thursday evening.

The accident happened just before 7 p.m. on North Lamar Boulevard at Morrow, located just south of U.S. Highway 183.

Police said a motorcycle collided with the rear end of another vehicle while traveling in the same direction.

The 40-year-old man was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the hospital.

Some of the lanes in that area of Lamar Boulevard were closed down.

It's unclear what caused the motorcycle to collide with the other vehicle. 

Talking with TMO

Vivid converstions with T

TMo, "Angela, it's TMo.  I just ate a pork chop the size of my head."  Angela, "What?"  TMo, "I said a pork chop the size of my head, really."

TMo, "Hey Angela, I'm coming over.  Let's talk about how much better we are than everyone else."

TMo, "I'm sorry I missed your birthday party Angela.  I had to ride to Harvest Classic.  Can I bring a personal pig over next weekend and roast it?"  Angela, "Teemee, I am not a spontaneous maker of whole cooked pigs."  TMo, "Can I at least come have leftovers?  I'll take you to Harvest Classic for your next birthday."  Angela, "Ok T.  Come get leftovers.  Do you have an extra helmet?"  TMo, "Did you say gravy?"

TMo, "Angela, you are sassier than me."  Angela, "I could never meet your sass mass."  TMo, "I love you, Mrs. Tragus."

TMo, "Angela, I've started a diet.  I only go to Asian buffets now.  No more Mexican food for a while.  Noodles are good."

My last conversation with T (Jan 17), "Alright, I can pick you up for the Powersquid show if you want."  Angela, "Let's do it."  TMo, "Can we go eat first? and how do you cook venison backstrap."

I am really going to miss you TMo.  I'm so sad.  Your heart was like no other.  You were a true friend.  And I loved your phones calls, your drop bys, big hugs, cigars, fire shenanigans, wrestling, and cooking for you.  You're a legend.

Photos

Hey all. Thanks so much for everything. The wife and I are working on a digital photo album. I've got an arm full of photos to scan, so I'm gonna get busy asap. Keep those photos and stories coming. Hope to see everybody on Thursday. Thanks, m. booth

From: Matt Embry in ?

Man I hate to hear things like this.  I know you're hurting now, I know you guys were super tight.  I don't know what, but if there is anything you need from me just let me know. What a total ? It looks like you guys had a good new years night.  Wish I would have been there.  The last time I saw him was ACL. I'm searching for a pic of you guys from that day.  Take care of yourself and let me hear from you now and again.

Matt

From: Jason Cohen, Dallas, TX

Damn I am driving back from austin right now , well actualty barbara is driving and I just got the bad news.   Wow as I was in austin today I was thinking about tmo as when I saw you at my shop we discussed him briefly.   Such a drag that the most gentle soul out there has left us.  Anyhow barbara has a great 10 min video she shot on tmo skateboarding at whip and dip  from the 1980s it has interviews with him and footage of him skating. I am going to dump it to digital tommorow so it can be uploaded to the blog via youtube.  well buddy thanks setting up the blog fell free to post this but I will send a more formal tmorey when I am at a proper computer and not iphone. 
sincerly jason

From: Lucinda Simmons, Dallas, TX

I've known TMo since 1982 or thereabouts. I loved him like a brother, he was always good for a laugh and a big, warm hug. I was lucky to see him at Sean Hopper's wedding shower a couple of months ago. We probably talked for 45 minutes uninterrupted, most of it was him raving about his new oxygen doo-dad that enabled him to get the best sleep of his life. His big brown teddy bear eyes flashed as he extolled the many virtues of oxygen. 

"OXYGEN! Ha ha ha!" he laughed, rolling his head back and holding his tummy with both hands. It's like he'd recently discovered breathing and loved it.

But that man could not do the Bunny Hop worth a shit. 

We were in Deep Ellum one night in the early '90s, walking back to my car. Someone had the bright idea to Bunny Hop down Elm Street (probably me). I was to his left and, between the two of us, we pretty much spanned the entire sidewalk. 

Dun-dun-dundun-dun-dun  (kick to the left)
Dun dun dun dun (and now to the right)
Dun-dun-dundun-dun-dun (jump up, jump back)
HOP HOP HOP

Now here's where it went horribly wrong.

I don't know who taught TMo the Bunny Hop, but where you're supposed to hop three times forward, he kicked his leg out to the left instead. Which essentially sent me flying over it, landing on my elbow on the sidewalk, chipping the bone. I couldn't rest my elbow on anything for two months and never passed up an opportunity to razz him on his lacking Bunny Hop skills. 

Memorial Service 1.29.2009

The memorial is 2:00 pm on Thursday Tmo's birthday, at Holy Cross Lutheran at 11425 Marsh lane in Dallas, TX. There will be a short service followed by open mike and Tmo's family really encourages everyone who has stories of Tmo to please get up and share them. (Thanks Jenny M.!) See yall there.

C/O DW, www.texaspoolsharks.net

From: Stephanie Leslie, Dallas, TX

Hey, I remember a few things...

About ten years ago, he told me that the Krishna servers at Kalachandji's used to wipe their asses and throw the soiled TP in the trash instead of the toilet. I really liked that place but still haven't gone back.

Also, one time he was complaining about the B-team type titty dancers at one of the long-gone topless bars near Bachman Lake off Northwest Highway. He was particularly annoyed by a dancer who he said tried to hide her C-section scar by wearing a huge white belt.

He was funny. His stories were great.

Dubliner, Sunday 1.25.2009

Word on the streets says some folks are gathering at the Dubliner on Greenville Ave. today in Dallas for a TMO memorial. (thanks Shannon!) Cheers! Cheers also to little Craig, Jenny, and the rest who gathered last night at the Flying Saucer in Austin to drink some dark beers. 

2 photos from: Angela White-Tragus, Austin, TX

TMO, From: Zoey White, Austin, TX

T in 2

TMO summed up for me in these 2 stories.
 
1. TMO telling this story about he rides to the Grand Canyon on his motorcycle with his longboard attached on back. He stops at the visitor center and there is a gaggle of Harley guys and their women and they are all decked out in Harley clothing...Mickey Mouse Harley, Cowboys HArley, etc etc. Some some wise ass says to TMO "son have you ever thought about buying an American bike?" TMO says "no." And the guy eyeing his long board says "now what is that there thing for?" And TMO calmly replies "it's something for you to ride when your American bike breaks down." TMO TMO TMO!!!!
 
2. Tmo was in this band...sofa kingdom??? And they opened for Crash Worship at Tress. Needless to say we were all out of our heads and there were fires inside Trees and at one point I thought my head was going to completely spin off my body. I look to my right and there is a burn barrel with a huge fire inside--yes inside Trees--and there is TMO standing over it. Manning the fire. He was wearing these fireman pants with huge suspenders and shirtless-TMO shirtless was a sight to behold unto itself. Sweat and soot mixing together and running down his face and the biggest grin on him. He was dancing--another rare TMO thing--and waving his hands over this fire like he was conjuring up some spirit. I caught his eye and he gave me this huge thumbs up and it felt like he had just pushed my head back onto my neck with his thumb and tacked it down. Thanks TMO.
 
aine (Santa Fe, NM)

Two that make me smile

TMO, a known Waffle House connoisseur, loved to tell this story, and I loved to hear it. After finishing a meal at the WH, he went to the jukebox and played a sampling of the Waffle House family songs. Upon hearing a few bars of the first song a waitress approached him armed with a spatula and said, "If you EVER play those songs again, I'm going to kill you." It was much funnier coming from T because he was able to convey the seriousness of the situation. He really believed she was going to use that spatula. 

Another. In the midst of a conversation about who knows what, at Grinders Coffee house on Greenville Ave., TMO unleashed a spoken word rendition of 'Godzilla' by BOC (he knew that I fetishized Godzilla and Mothra). It came out of nowhere leaving me a giddy heap on the floor. From that day forward I prodded, begged, and bribed him to do it again. He always refused, saying that he didn't want to ruin it. He said it was special and for him to do it again would taint the original performance. I really wish he had done it again. 

m. booth

"I know you from somewhere"

Wow, holy shit!

I used to see TMO all the time in Dallas. He was good buds with my old housemate Elaine who used to bomb around on the back of my Yamaha scooter with me. Last time I saw him was at Sipapu (south of Taos, NM) a few years ago and it was one of those "I know you from somewhere" moments. 

Damn!

Audrey (Santa Fe, NM)