Julie Hecker

These past few days have been the first time that I have wished I was back in the states. Not because I actually want to be back in the US- but because my friend died.

It's really hard to be so far away from your long time solid community at a time like this. It's really hard to accept the passing of someone you love, no matter what happened, no matter where you are. I've had my share of death, several peoples share actually, but in the past I've been able to have a shared experience.

I like funerals. OK, 'like' is maybe the wrong word, but I need the catharsis that comes from sharing the shock of someone you loved, someone who had a weight, a strength, a power, a light, an effect, what ever- dying. Someone who meant SOMETHING to you. And death is always shocking- if you know it's coming or not.

Julie was a power house. She was a person that most people can only hope to meet. She was so energetic- like the kind of energy that was infectious- you felt full of energy in her presence. I first met her in 2005, through Janis aka Ma Belle aka Tura Skatana, when when my friends and I were starting the Detroit Roller Derby and she was starting Detroit Punk Fitness. Our first conversation was a giggly joking conversation about starting things that got drunken, smoking punk rock girls to exercise. Really, it's actually quite amazing that both of our endeavors succeeded. ha ha. ha ha. ha.

Julie formed the Detroit Derby's cheer leaders, which, through Julie, quickly out grew our league and became the Motor City Rah Rahs who cheered on many many a band, event, and general celebration. Julie was always so incredibly positive- through back stage insanity, diva derelictions, and just general chaos. I remember especially a particular time when I was so burned out, about 4 years into it, I just wanted to walk away, in the middle of a game no less, when Julie gave me a pep talk that went something like this, 'Crash, you've made a commitment, just do it, in the long run you'll be happy that you did it, who cares what people think, who cares what people say?- What we build will outlast us and that is what it's about'. And, I did, and- it's true. For both of us.

Julie, you rock. I do so wish I could be home today to be with the people who loved you like I do, but I can't. So- I made this video instead