Save the date

There's a pretty well-known Halloween (or "Treehouse of Horror") episode of The Simpsons in which Homer sells his soul to the Devil (ably played by Ned Flanders) in exchange for a midnight snack. Homer chooses a donut, and BAMF a donut he has. Luckily, Marge intervenes, and stops Homer from eating the last crumb of the donut; even more luckily, Marge points out that Devil-Ned won't have ownership over the soul until the donut's been eaten in full. This explains the shot, in the Simpsons' fridge, of a smidgen of donut with a little white folded sign propped upon it, which says "Homer's Soul Donut - Do Not Eat!"

Segue. In the basement freezer, there's 3/4 of a Stolichnaya bottle. This is Jon's Soul Vodka, and is labelled as such. It is not to be drunk until July 8th, 2006, when it will be parcelled out by the dram (or perhaps by some larger unit) and held aloft in a toast. Why this date? By whom will this Soul Vodka be imbibed? Who will be there to become steward of Jon's spirit and spirits? These are good questions.

Saturday, July 8th, 2006

1 PM to 10 PM (although of course no one will kick you off the grounds)

Camillus, New York

will be the date, the time, and the town to which we welcome everyone who knew Jon, as well as everyone who helped us and helps us still with the fact that Jon's gone. I may sound as though I'm overstating the matter when I say that I extend this invitation to absolutely everyone I've ever met or had contact with; I'm not overstating the matter. This is one of those situations that absolutely depends on hordes of family and friends. Sheer numbers of people are required too because we hope to tell our Jon-related memories, impressions, stories and legends at great volume and with much joint sadness and mirth.

Bring some towels for the pool, and that spiffy folding canvas chair you said you'd use on all of those camping trips you haven't gotten around to yet, and whatever else makes you happy. Drinks, needless to say, will be served. And there will be Dinosaur barbecue crew present to handle the catering; if you don't know the Dinosaur, well, then that alone is a big reason for you to come.

Once again, wherever you live, whatever you're up to, please feel free to come if you have the ability and inclination to do so. Email me for the address and directions. These were exactly the sorts of revelries at which Jon seemed happiest. I hope to see all of you there.