| Richard | 24/02/02 23:11:17 | I didnt know Jon for very long, nor that well relatively. But his influence on my life is without doubt in my mind.
I met Jon September 1999 in my first year at the University of Greenwich, he was ending his degree just as I was starting it.
The first time I saw him was when he came to my flat for a drink with his flatmate who was a friend of mine from my course. We started talking about music, mostly the previously mentioned bad heavy metal, and when he told me about his illness I was humbled by the way he could talk about something that would probably have left me speechless.
Thus began my apprenticeship in obscure punk, kung fu movies and especially dodgy horror films. I had met someone who could talk with as much authority on the state of society as Star Wars, with an intellect that I could only envy.
I learned more from Jon in that year than any of my tutors. He was he who taught me that you can learn more from reading a broadsheet everyday than in any classroom, though of course, it had to be the Guardian. It was also Jon who taught me that one should never be afraid to have an opinion, or to voice that opinion in a classroom or indeed any other environment. Jon also taught me that it is the intelligent opinion that matters, now matter how that may fly in the face of popular thought. For this I am eternally grateful. I honestly believe he made me a better person. This is not hyperbole, nor am I prone to sentiment, it is simply fact.
The last time I saw Jon was May 2000, the end of my first year and the end of his, understandbly reluctant considering the facilities at the time, stint at Greenwich. We kept touch over the phone however, always meaning to meet up but practicality always getting in the way.
Throughout my second and third years, we exchanged many an email covering subjects ranging from the general election to the pros and cons of the Dave Matthews Band (me for, Jon against, unsurprisingly!). The last time I spoke to him was September 11th 2001. He was the first person I wanted to speak to about the biggest media event in my lifetime.
When I heard the recurrance of his illness I was shocked, but it never occured to me that it might actually prove fatal to someone with so strong a character, so his death proved a blow not only to me but to more people at this university that he might have realised.
I know he would have been a great journalist. The world is a poorer place without him, still when formulating an opinion in class I wonder, What would Jon think? Thanks to him I may get a 2:1, and I know that much of whatever career I may choose will be influenced by my time with him.
Rest in peace mate, I just hope that they listen to Iron Maiden where ever you may be. |