Although I am not in London and around some of the people that truly loved Max, I am still thinking of him. I've been in Spain for a couple of months now and have got to know of Cadiz. And what a clever choice it was from Max, many friends have lived in Spain, but none in Cadiz. Pretty much one of the oldest settlements, by the sea, seriously beautiful and has the best carnival in Andalusia.
It was going to be hard to write what I wanted to say, but writing about Max and the courage he gives you makes it easier. It still took a while!
I had the honour of living with Ize in the final year of uni. I was a little dubious at first. After arriving at one of our house parties in Leeds, Ize had a munch, then promptly fell asleep in the comfiest cotch in the room and started snoring loudly, I don't remember much of the house party but I do remember Ize. Luckily I had met Max previously and in finding out that Ize was one of his oldest friends it all seemed all right. Which it was, I now take great pleasure in the rare occasion that I get to share a cotch with Ize.
From the first moment I met Max he made me happy whether he knew it or not. He was unbelievably open, honest (although when it came to girls he had the gift of the gab), funny and so inviting, you just wanted to give him everything.
I had the pleasure of watching him at work across London at the big events, he was uniquely gifted with communicating with all shapes and sizes. And the occasionally borrowed booze. I so respected him for the attention he paid to people and his work. He was a law unto his own. Although I felt like I had known him for time, I was only at the initial stages of what was to be a great friendship it had only just begun. The last time we were together he floored me on Old Street, I like to think of it as a sign of affection. Ize claims that Max convinced me to flash them both back at Ize's paddling pool. So cheeky.
Max was quite amazing, and it has been so sad for what has been left behind. I have never met anyone who was so true to his heart, loyal and a great friend. I am sure that he is watching over us and part of him will be with us forever.
Deepest condolence to the whole family, I hope that time heals in some way. Max made a big impact on me, he was truly magical..
Much love
Lucy
Monday, July 17, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
From Ize
Like most people, i too feel the summer brings Max back more than ever. Or really, it makes you feel his abscence more than ever. The World Cup has also been a completely different experience. This is what he loved. Summer days and attacking football, amazing goals. I can hear his screams of enjoyment at so many of these goals. "Sick Goal! BadBoy!". He payed such attention to the whole game though. He wouldn't just see the shot that i would see but the positioning, the technique, the movement of all the players...the whole picture and all the parts that led to the goal. Also the internationalness of it all. His embrace of others and their cultures...he loved it so much. Pure, genuine joy at the size and variety of the world.
The last World Cup happened to fall when we were travelling. The third picture here was us in Bali. We watched the final there. That seems like another world, another bunch of people. I have that picture up at work though so i can see the boys whenever i want. Sometimes it's pretty hard to look at, somtimes i just stare at it for ages.
The middle picture is Max in Bologna last summer when we were visiting Lou. At the memorial match in March I remember talking to O about how long he was going to stay and play for. He said, i'm staying till the end, that's what Max would have done. Its true, so we did. He was always the last. I like this picture. It's just kind of peaceful, natural, easy.
The first picture is just a bunch of little rats, still in primary school. I find it easier to look at pictures of us as young'uns. i also have this picture up in my room. It can make me smile without too much pain. Check out his tie-dye t-shirt. I'm pretty sure it was from the Salusbury School Summer Fair. That was the biggest day of the year back then. Those memories are unchanging and almost unaffected. We were never going to stay that age for ever and it's natural to evolve and move away from that time. That's why they are easier to look at. That time came and went as it was supposed to. So sometimes it's easier to remember that time and enjoy it for what it was. Easy summers, running around Queens Park, letting the grown-ups do the worrying.
Thinking of you all this summer.
All my love. Ize. xxx
(Jay, Ize, Max, O, Paul Summers)
(Back: Lou, O, Dash, Ize. Front: Hugh, Max)
The last World Cup happened to fall when we were travelling. The third picture here was us in Bali. We watched the final there. That seems like another world, another bunch of people. I have that picture up at work though so i can see the boys whenever i want. Sometimes it's pretty hard to look at, somtimes i just stare at it for ages.
The middle picture is Max in Bologna last summer when we were visiting Lou. At the memorial match in March I remember talking to O about how long he was going to stay and play for. He said, i'm staying till the end, that's what Max would have done. Its true, so we did. He was always the last. I like this picture. It's just kind of peaceful, natural, easy.
The first picture is just a bunch of little rats, still in primary school. I find it easier to look at pictures of us as young'uns. i also have this picture up in my room. It can make me smile without too much pain. Check out his tie-dye t-shirt. I'm pretty sure it was from the Salusbury School Summer Fair. That was the biggest day of the year back then. Those memories are unchanging and almost unaffected. We were never going to stay that age for ever and it's natural to evolve and move away from that time. That's why they are easier to look at. That time came and went as it was supposed to. So sometimes it's easier to remember that time and enjoy it for what it was. Easy summers, running around Queens Park, letting the grown-ups do the worrying.
Thinking of you all this summer.
All my love. Ize. xxx
(Jay, Ize, Max, O, Paul Summers)
(Back: Lou, O, Dash, Ize. Front: Hugh, Max)
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Max up a tree
Hey, this is Jacob, a QPer and old friend. As Millie said, the sun and summer has really brought the Max back to me too. I'm staying at my parents house temporarily between flats overlooking the park, and he's been hanging around my head more than ever.
I wanted to post this, because while browsing a friends website (Maya, who's living in San Diego at the moment and misses everyone) I came across this picture of Max that needed to be shared, up a tree at the back of the garden. He'd raced Seb up there, and as you can see by Seb's feet, Max lost the race. It was a really hot day as well, we'd had a barbeque on the patio. Yet another memory of laughs and giggles in Max's saturating presence.
Love J.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
THE MAX O'CONNELL CUP
From Josh Mendelsohn:
On Saturday 8th July the Max O’Connell Cup will be played at Westway Sports Centre between 1 and 7 pm.
Note the new time - one hour later.
The tournament will be played between 5 teams who either played with or played against Max over the years, either in Queen’s Park or at school, etc. Each team will play 4 games each, with the top two teams going through to a final. The winners will be awarded the Max O’Connell Cup and have their team name engraved on the trophy. There will also be additional prizes and a 'Max of the Day' award for the player of the tournament.
We are hoping that the tournament will become an annual event to honour Max’s footballing memory, so please make sure you’re there to support your team and the event. The tournament takes place a day before England feature in the World Cup Final so everyone should be suitably in the mood to enjoy the football on show. Come along and bring the noise!
The five teams that will feature are listed below:
Magnum Force Six
The Bearded Monkeys
North Pad Old Boys
Dave Stars
Team 5 (Team Name TBC)
If anyone would like to contribute to the event in anyway please feel free to email or call myself or Louis. All contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Josh 07976 917 140
Louis 07947 449 584
Please see below for a link to Westway Sports Centre and how to get there. Please note that the tournament will be played on the Astro-turfed 6 a-side pitch and NOT the concrete pitches which are located elsewhere. As it's an Astro-turf pitch, moulds or trainers are fine but studs are not permitted.
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