Ten days ago, a friend of mine passed away due to agressive cancer and liver disease. Grief is a private thing for me, so I’m not sure why I feel compelled to post something about him online. Maybe because reading this forum moved me so much, or maybe I just want to say bye.
Ninjalicious, as he was known to most people, was a huge inspiration to me, one of the first people I met who had worse health problems than I did and still managed to live his life in what I consider an honourable (though perhaps not always lawful) and creative way. He could disappear before my very eyes in a crowd (because he was that good at infiltrating any environment) and he was always scheming up something.
He published a whopping 25 issues of his awesome zine, Infiltration, about going places you’re not supposed to go, as well as numerous other one-offs, and several issues of the humour zine, Yip. Just before he died, he sent his self-published urban exploration bible, Access All Areas, to the printer. I read the book in manuscript form and it has really inspired the actions of my girl sleuth in the young adult series I’m attempting to write. I highly recommend that anyone who relates more to graffiti artists and hackers than to law-enforcement agents should buy a copy.
To me, Ninj was also Jeff Chapman, a talented writer who was part of The Hoity-Toity Writers’ Group way back before I hadn’t put out a single zine or published anything. At various times, the group also included Jim Munroe, Paola Poletto, Paul Hong, Ryan Bigge, Jessica Westhead and Craig Taylor. It’s really weird to think that one of us, who have matured and developed their careers alongside each other, is now gone.
hi emily,
the toronto pyschogeography society is having a memorial fountain walk to celebrate jeff. jeff’s brother kyle is gathering photos for a tribute page in honour of jeff’s urban oasis website - http://www.yip.org/oases/
the tribute page is at
http://www.wrftpb.com/oases/
i don’t know if you like walking, but if you do, please come. it’s this thursday at 8:30pm. we’re meeting at the streetcar platforms at the cne grounds (i.e. where the bathurst 511 ends)
sean
Comment by Sean — September 5, 2005 @ 6:29 pm
Hi Emily,
I was searching for more writing on Jeff and came across your post. I too have many great memories of the writer’s group — the discussions and weak beer at the Green Room. I’m really missing Jeff. You mentioned how he was always rolling out new issues of Infiltration. He knew how to get his writing done, stapled and in the hands of all the people clamouring for a new issue. I love the fact he was able to finish the book. Of course he would.
Hope you’re well,
Craig
Comment by Craig Taylor — September 7, 2005 @ 10:44 am
Hey Emily,
Derek came across your nice post about Jeff, and I thought I’d say hello…
When I think of Jeff I think about our Hoity Toity days, too. I always looked forward to the incredibly smart and funny writing he brought to show us, and whenever I made Jeff laugh with something I wrote, I knew I’d succeeded… I’m so glad to have known him. I miss him a lot.
All the best,
Jessica
Comment by Jessica Westhead — September 7, 2005 @ 12:12 pm
Craig and Jess,
Maybe we should have a Hoity Toity reunion some time when we’re all in town, and centre it around Access All Areas in honour of Jeff.
–E
Comment by Emily — September 7, 2005 @ 4:00 pm
I never met Jeff, but I knew as soon as I heard the name “Ninjalicious” that I got this guy. Reading his posts and reviews online, I felt I’d gotten to know an inteliigent and funny individual who brought an insightful and refreshing philosophy to an activity I did not realize was recognized by others and discovered a new sense of communuty that I hadn’t experienced since the early days of rave culture.
I was tremendously saddened to hear of Jeff’s passing especially since I knew I’d never have a chance to contribute or give back to an individual who impacted my life in a positive way. Jeff was an inspiration to others. For a cat who was so adimant about not leaving any trace of his presence when UrbExing, he definitely left a lasting mark on many people.
I have just been comissioned to film a documentary about the Human need to leave a mark behind, and I want Jeff to be my subject because I believe he captures the essence of what I want to say.
If any of you would like to say something about Jeff, please email me at physicsninjas@gmail.com. I would really appreciate any help I can get in creating a worthy film.
Comment by Mike Atrix — December 15, 2006 @ 11:15 am