Jeff Pitcher

Jeff Pitcher with Gaussian blur, Canon EOS

Jeff is one of the most beautiful and unusual people I know.

When Jeff and I met in 1996, it was during his one week stint as a bicycle messenger in San Francisco. He wandered into the clothing store where I worked and we immediately started to chat. Within minutes, we were
talking about our dreams, Spain, flamenco guitar and the joy of painting.

A few hours later he called me at home and said, "I know I'm supposed to play it cool and wait three days to call you, but I just wanted you to know that I am so excited we met."

We've been friends ever since.

Jeff is brave, hilarious, talented and passionate. He lives FULLY, openly and with a an aliveness that is rare and beautiful. Jeff reminds me that there is no dream too big, too outrageous, or too colorful to believe in.

He has lived in a car, a tent and in a cave with gypsies.
He convinced one of the most famous latin american guitar players in the world to give him private lessons (he left copious voicemails for him every day for weeks until he responded)
He has written a novel, formed rock bands, painted dozens of paintings, been a professional bicycle racer and soccer player, and attended parties completely naked except for running shoes (mostly to prove to himself that if he had the courage to do this, he could quite literally, do anything he set his mind to)
Jeff has fruits tattooed on his arms- strawberries, kiwi, banana, grapes...

But my favorite act of creative genius is Jeff's "ring of fire." This is the most ABSURD and hilarious haircut in the history of the world. Imagine if you will: Jeff's entire head shaved bald except for a band of hair a couple of inches wide on top. (where a headband would go) This "halo" of hair (about 3 inches long and sticking straight up) connects perfectly to a beard (also shaved strategically) that completes the circle around his face.

It is INSANELY good. Not handsome mind you, but brilliant. Take my word for it. He claims that he will do this 5 times in his life, so he has 4 more to go.

Jeff is currently planning to bicycle from San Francisco to Maine this summer. He and his friend Mike have a goal to write 100 letters each to companies they love, famous people they admire, like Thom Yorke, Jim Harrison and Ralph Nader (for lunch invitations along the way) and to the Yankees where Jeff hopes to sing the national anthem and throw out the first pitch.

So look out for the red spandex blur going by this summer, and because I feel like I just scratched the surface of his magic, please visit his website in the meantime. He will change your world.

Posted on November 5, 2003 09:11 AM