Team Frederick: September 2010

The girls are always asking for more stories and facts about my brothers. I remember, recall and recite. I never want to forget the fun facts and all the sweet memories. I ache to know new memories will not be made with Morgan and those treasured will only be recalled. I'm sad they only knew him for a short while.

I do my reflecting and I am reminded of my great loss. I search for more on his pages. Was there a story I didn't hear, a fact I didn't know... are there hidden messages?

Morgan's bio from Digihitch.com:
Morgan 'Sal'man Strub is webmaster and editor of digihitch.com, among other websites. Currently living in Arizona, when not on the road he can often be found on the Web, developing travel resources and sparking new ideas. Other interests include travel chronicling, research, connecting with friends over beer or coffee... and just walking down the street and talking to waysiders.Born in Phoenix in 1973, Morgan was known to sport green corduroys in his early years, talk like a hurricane, and read anything he could get his hands on. Family roadtrips, camping and hiking were an important part of his childhood. By the age of 10 he had been 'lost in the woods' at least a few times. He figures his love of the open road comes from wanderlust in the blood, as well as frequent bike trips across the desert valley and identification with runaway characters in books. Morgan has lived and loved in Flagstaff, Arizona; Homer, Alaska; Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; Washington, DC.

Morgan's bio from fb:
Family guy, lifelong hitchhiker and web developer. I create to understand and travel to relate. Therein lies the connection. I smile by default and love luminous, pontificating words-- or simple "wows."
I dig honesty, relevance and a sense of purpose. I like to slow down and just appreciate the moment, but sometimes I'm actually thinking way too much. Being smart isn't so important to me. I'd prefer to be in the process of figuring something out.

Morgan's "about me" on fb:
My eye color: Blue
My hair color: Brown
Favorite car: [Practical, comfortable]
Height: 6' 5"
Right-handed or left-handed: Right
My heritage: Western Europe mutt.
Shoes you wore today: Birkenstocks
My weakness: Cancer; delay
My fears: Falling short on abilities; not accomplishing life goals
My perfect pizza: Spinato's Super Six (Italian sausage)
Goal you would like to achieve this year: Complete my travel memoir, American Wayside.
My most overused phrase on IM: n/a
Thoughts first waking up: hmmm...
My best physical feature: Eyes
My bedtime: highly variable... early morning?
Do you get motion sickness: yes.Pepsi or Coke: Neither, thanks.
McDonalds or Burger King: BK
Single or Group Dates: Group, more the merrier nowadays
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Nestea
Chocolate or Vanilla: Choco
Cappuccino or Coffee: Cappuccino if it's free; gave up daily coffee
Do you smoke: No. (Not anymore)
Do you swear: Yep, though not enough.
Do you sing: To myself.
Do you shower daily: Nope
Have you been in love: yes!
Do you want to go to college: No.
Do you want to get married: I am!
Do you think you're attractive: yes.
Do you get along with your parents: yes!
Do you like thunderstorms: yes!
Do you play a musical instrument: No. (I played viola in grade school)
In the past month have you drunk alcohol: Yep
In the past month have you smoked: Nope!In the past month have you done drugs: Yes. (Cancer, my drug regimen would blow you away.)
In the past month have you gone on a date: With my wife to the movies.
In the past month have you been on stage: Nope
Ever been called a tease: Nope.
Ever been beaten up: yes.
Ever shoplifted: yes.
How you want to die: however I do.
What you want to be when you grow up: A continually better version of me.
Number of piercings: none
Number of tattoos: none
When you were little, you used to... talk a million miles a minute and run like jehu
Favorite sport: (As child) Soccer
Favorite cartoon as a child: Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling
Favorite candy bar: Peanut Butter Twix
Favorite color: Ocean Blue
Favorite food dish: Chimichanga
All-time favorite sports team: Phoenix Pride (soccer)
My parents are... very much a part of why I am who I am.
Ideal girfriend/boyfriend:The woman my wife continually improves herself to be.
Do you have children: no.
My best friend(s): Lance Lammers, Dan Streicher, Ben Mackaness, Mark Strub, Michael Strub, Melissa Frederick
My weight: 210
Do you believe in love at first sight: no.
Do you have pets: yes, a dog.
Favorite clothing brand: Crazy Shirts (Laguna Beach)
Favorite scent: Cottonwood
Dream vacation: extended time on the road in europe, meeting people and seeing places in a serendipitous way.
One time I got drunk and... cleared a brush pile, throwing it into the bonfire.
Pet peeve: Mouth sounds
My favorite music genre: Acoustic
My favorite singer: Imogen Heap
What can't you live without: currently, seems like my laptop.
My favorite movie: The English Patient
My favorite season: Autumn
Have you ever fired a gun: yes.
Silver or Gold: Silver
Do you like answering these questions: sure.
Who was the last person that called you: best friend, Lance
Do you like yourself: Yes.
Are you a good driver: yes.
I am addicted to... morphine (damn you, cancer)
Would you rather be rich or famous: fame is influence is opportunity to make a bigger difference
Favorite drink: Apple Juice
When I'm sad or down, I... tend to isolate-- get on the computer or hole up somewhere.
Do you have a crush on anyone: I'm crazy about my wife.
What is your phone's current ringtone: Love & Rockets: No New Tale to Tell
Are you ticklish: yes
The longest you've gone without sleeping: 40 hours
Favorite ice cream flavor: Double Chocolate Malted Crunch
What would you do with a million dollars: finance a travel non-profit for troubadors, social volunteers...
Define yourself in 3 words... awkwardly, simply amazed
What makes you laugh: so much.
Do you believe in God: possibly not the same one you do.
Your favorite book: A Prayer For Owen Meany
Favorite day of the week: Friday
Most embarrassing moment: Rereading high school year book and realizing I had billed myself as a "dude"
Heads or tails: tails
Favorite item that you currently own: Laptop
Favorite author: John Irving
Have you ever moved: yes.
What magazines do you read: what my wife leaves around (Us, AZ Highways, Nat'l Geographic)Kisses or hugs: kisses on cheeks
Sweet or sour: sweet
Are you a very emotional person: No (though I can tap in).
Favorite chewing gum brand: Hubba Bubba
Do you have long legs: yes
Favorite outfit: T-shirt & Jeans
If you could change one thing, it would be... to remove my cancer.
Do you know how to swim: Yes.
Do you cook: I can follow directions.
Do you play any sports: No.
Do you have any unusual talents: Yes, I can recall experiences strongly in writing.
Do you gossip: No. Why? Do you?
Do you whine: A bit.
Do you chew with your mouth open: I try not to. Sure hate it when others do.
Do you spit: Yep.
Do you bite your nails: Some, though I "pick" at them more.
Do you procrastinate: Yep.
Do you fidget: Some, more often now with cancer.
Do you brag: Nope. Why? Should I?
Are you addicted to caffeine: Nope. Not anymore.

"All those who wander are not lost." -TOLKIEN

Morgan 'Sal'man StrÜb was always a catalyst for uniting people in ways that produced interactions greater than the sum of their parts. Morgan was an early pioneer in the concept of Web 2.0. Via the internet he has gathered families from across the globe to celebrate their common bonds. He has connected travelers to share inspiration and resources. Out of Morgan's passion for getting off the beaten path to connect with people in unique and unconventional ways, DIGIHITCH.COM was born. The premier hitching site on the web, it has received millions of hits from its many thousands of registered members plus countless other visitors who appreciate it as a hub for hitchhikers and a portal for adventures of all kinds.

Beyond DIGIHITCH.COM, Morgan served many others from all walks of life as an effective and prolific webmaster. It could never be told how many lasting friendships have begun on his pages, or how many lives have been improved as a result of his creations.

He quietly battled neuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, for years before his diagnosis in June of 2009. Despite the intensity of the fight and the devastating effects of the disease, Morgan never let cancer define him. It was merely another piece of his story. His strength and spirit profoundly inspired all who were there to support him in his fight. CANCERCAW.COM/BLOG.

In Loving Memory of a Beloved Husband. Cherished Brother. Dear Son. Treasured Uncle. Adored Nephew and Cousin. Friend to Everyone.

Morgan James StrÜb

September 25, 1973 - March 28, 2010

"The road will provide." - 'SAL'MAN