One day, many months ago, I posted a funny little entry about llamas & leprechauns at Bad Money. It didn't get a lot of response - mostly because I had hardly any readers - but somebody DID leave the following friendly, funny, playful little comment:

Nice one, Harv...especially the ref to that loser, Whittle. However, I challenge you to find a sober Irishman to not trust...being one (Irish and not sober and, therefore, very *hiccup* trustworthy), I take *hiccup* exception to your use of *hiccup* stereotypes - not trusting an entire *hiccup* group people because they are *hiccup* sober? Blackfive - The *hiccup* Paratrooper of Love

Turns out it was that guy whose New Blog Showcase entry I'd reviewed.

And so it began.

I liked the guy. He had wit & style.

He also had a Blogspot blog, which - at the time - meant slow loads & crappy broken permalinks. I encouraged him to get some decent blogging software, and he finally gave in & got himself a decent Typepad setup.

After that, I had the great pleasure of working with him as part of setting up the Alliance of Free Blogs project. He set up the Alliance Specialties page, told some brilliant Filthy Lies, supported the Alliance in the New Blog Showcase voting competetition, and served on the Alliance HQ editorial board, helping out with posts, input, and suggestions.

As time went on, I honored him by making him a character in some of my Filthy Lie assignment adventures, and we kept in touch.

Then came the Iraq war. And the elections. Matt's blog became more than a fun outlet. It became THE source for information on what was REALLY going on in the Sandbox. Matt had a mission, and it consumed him. To this day, he devotes the better part of his life to what he's created.

And rightly so. Although I *sorely* miss seeing his lighter side in his posts, and I desperately miss his comments, there are men and women who are putting their asses and sometimes their lives on the line.

They need Matt.

We ALL need Matt & what he's doing now at Blackfive.

But this Tuesday, I had the pleasure I've waited well over a year for.

I got to meet Matty in person. And I got to drink with him.

Bastard wouldn't let me buy him a beer, but I got to give him a cigar, so that'll have to do for now.

What you'd probably guess from reading Blackfive is that Matty is a great storyteller. He has an endless supply of tales from the war, the service, about his family, people he's met, places he's been. I swear, this guy must have not only kissed the Blarney Stone, I suspect he gave it a little tongue.

What you don't know about him is how low-key he is. He doesn't grab at attention. He doesn't need to. He exudes a gentle and convivial warmth. When he talks to you, he makes you feel important, like YOU'RE the most important person in the room.

He also has an air of personal confidence about him. When he speaks, it's with purpose and direction. He's not one to fumble for words. Even though he uses a LOT of words - SUCH a talker - they are not wasted. They all serve a purpose in making his point. Don't let yourself get distracted, because you'll miss something, and he doesn't repeat himself habitually, so try to keep up. Although he's quite polite about saying something again if you miss it.

His sense of humor is subtle rather than raucous. He'll slip in a little jest with the straightest of faces. Like I said, pay attention.

He's also quite lavish in his kindness and praise, but again, it comes off as subtle rather than brash. He collects names and places and drops them liberally in his conversation. It's a pleasant habit, making those around him feel that they're standing on common ground. And he knows he does it excessively, having been told by Jim Belushi that he name drops too much. (Or was it John? I'm not as good with names as Matty).

As a host, he's quietly charming, without being overbearing, making sure that his guests are satisfied with both the fullness of their glasses and the suitability of their surroundings. To be under his care means to enjoy yourself.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that he proposed a toast to Frank & Sarah's engagement. Just one indication among many of his thoughtfulness and class.

Something else I noticed was that, when he talked about other people, it was to praise them. He's habitually upbeat, and not prone to discussing those he doesn't care for. Outside of a brief look of disgust, he didn't have much to say about John Kerry, or the trolls who come to his web site to criticize and name-call. He spent most of his time talking about good people and the good things they've done, whether for him or for others.

Again, Matt has class.

Tammi described him as a "hero". The title is not misplaced. But like most heroes, he would reject the title with a simple "aw shucks, just doin' my job", and he'd get that look of abashed wonderment, since - in his own mind - he's just a guy, trying to do the right thing in a world full of trouble, just like he's supposed to. He'd just say that he's not doing anything special.

And THAT is exactly why it IS special.

In a world of egomaniacs hungry for adulation, Matt sits quietly (ok, not THAT quietly, but still...), doing the right thing because it IS the right thing.

He is a GOOD man. Higher praise I cannot give. If you get the chance to bask in his presence, take it.

Just be prepared to listen, though, 'cuz that son of a bitch will talk your ear off.

Which is a GOOD thing ;-)

Posted by: Harvey at 11:22 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 1016 words, total size 6 kb.

1 I wish I'd been there--I seem to recall he owes me a beer....

Posted by: Susie at April 03, 2005 10:08 AM (I7fob)

2 ... indeed... Matt rocked...

Posted by: Eric at April 03, 2005 04:46 PM (YlwMq)

3 I think you've pretty much covered it - LOL. Good job.

Posted by: Teresa at April 03, 2005 08:23 PM (nAfYo)

4 Hey fuckhead... you didn't invite me to this meetup either... I'm starting to get a complex here... Did Matty order his beers six at a time?.. Brillinant!!

Posted by: Madfish Willie at April 03, 2005 09:06 PM (olyEK)

5 I soooooo love Chicago! There are times I wish I worked there again. Loved the people, they're still sane. Loved going to the Lake, Art Institute or Bear Stadium Park during lunch just to unwind. someday I'll get to visit again.

Posted by: michele at April 04, 2005 07:28 AM (ht2RK)

6 You live in Chicago too? Wow there's lot more of us than I thought. Well in May I have 2 shows, Mondays at the Playground, thursdays at Improv Olympic. Maybe if some people get together I can buy you all beers after the shows.

Posted by: Pluto's Dad at April 04, 2005 10:29 AM (NRDlq)

7 There seem to be more of us in Illinois and the greater (and not so greater) Chicagoland area. Just outside of Rockford myself. Perhaps set up something for sometime this summer? Would have been great to meet some of the luminaries of the blogoshere.

Posted by: Guy S at April 04, 2005 01:19 PM (2t9+O)

8 I'm not actually in Chicago. Just a stone's throw north of Illinois, just off I-90. About 2 hours (plus traffic delays) to downtown.

Posted by: Harvey at April 04, 2005 06:10 PM (ubhj8)

9 Thanks, Harv. I think maybe the next one will be in June when the Donovan invades Chicago...

Posted by: Blackfive at April 04, 2005 09:54 PM (R8xYA)

10 Hey you two! Get a room!

Posted by: Cowboy Blob at April 05, 2005 08:48 AM (9QOnw)

11 CB - Well, we *were* just going to slip into the Manhandler for a while... :-)

Posted by: Harvey at April 05, 2005 01:47 PM (tJfh1)

12 You forget, Harv, that I DON'T have red hair...that was someone else.

Posted by: Blackfive at April 05, 2005 04:27 PM (ynjpR)

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