PERSON
Bill Harp
- Met at Hillsboro Skate World in the 1980s during the roller disco era.
- He was the DJ.
- Became good friends.
- Later became business partners in:
Meeting & Early Friendship
- In the 1980s, I frequented Hillsboro Skate World to have fun rollerskating.
- Although I had graduated high school early and was already established in the professional working world, I was still very young (barely out of high school age).
- Bill, operating as the rink's DJ, was incredibly fun to be around. He introduced me to his circle of cool high school and post-high school friends, providing a vital social scene and cementing our lifelong friendship.
Professional Role
- At Stonehenge Consulting Services, Inc., Bill served strictly as a marketing creative, bringing his unique flair, charisma, and ideas to the company's branding and public image. He was not involved in business administration, scheduling, or operational management.
- Bill practically invented everything out of the ordinary to market Stonehenge's products—which were essentially me and the trainings offered. He excelled at coming up with random, innovative things that genuinely appealed to people, making him incredibly valuable for business interactions and client relations.
- The Three-Cycle Ideation Process: Our creative collaboration on marketing ideas (like the LISA 2004 dollar-bill swag) followed a predictable, hilarious, and highly effective three-cycle process. Bill would pitch an outrageous, over-the-top idea first, and I would instantly say no. He would then pivot to a slightly more moderate proposal, which I would still reject. Finally, on the third cycle, he would sit down and explain the deep strategic "why" and business rationale behind his vision—and seeing the brilliance in it, I would say yes. This yin-and-yang check-and-balance system was the secret behind Stonehenge's most legendary promotions.
- While Bill provided the creative marketing energy, the crucial day-to-day administrative logistics and contract-closing processes were handled by my contracted staff, notably including Janina Lamb.
Personality & Anecdotes
- Described by Tom Christiansen as "a human blink tag," Bill was gregarious and naturally drew attention when entering a room.
- Yin and Yang: Bill and I were absolute opposites, but we were the perfect yin and yang for each other. He relied on my practical access to things to get himself into even more desired trouble, and I loved being along for the ride.
- He had a clownish, fun-loving personality that made him incredibly enjoyable to be around.
- Entertainment & Karaoke: He absolutely loved roller skating, performing magic tricks, and singing karaoke (especially his go-to victor, "Strokin'").
- Waitress Charm: Bill was extraordinarily persuasive and had a stock set of corny lines. When a waitress would ask what he wanted to drink, he'd slide in: "Your beauty has quenched any thirst I might have had." It was cute and it worked every single time (even after the 47th time).
- Appetite & Vitality: Bill lived large in every way. He had a daily ritual of eating at Red Robin, and was the only person I knew who could eat two 20-piece Chicken McNugget boxes in one sitting and then still wonder what was next.
- The Unicyclist Hijacking: During the Web Services Cruise of May 2004, he was picked from the front row by an on-stage juggling unicyclist. Drawing on his clowning and juggling skills, Bill hilariously hijacked the show by juggling pins behind the performer's back on the edge of the stage, bringing down the house.
- Clowning Around: For the Web2000 International and Bill Harps Clown Costume Party in October 2000, he dressed as a full clown (complete with floppy shoes and face paint) and performed magic and balloon animals so professionally that organizers thought we had hired a professional entertainer.
- Live Alpaca Incident: At the release party for my Alpaca book (Intermediate Perl), Bill somehow organized a live alpaca to be inside the venue, probably violating dozens of local health code laws in the process.
- Legendary OSCON Parties: Bill was the creative producer behind many of Stonehenge's legendary OSCON parties, ensuring everyone had an unforgettable time.
Wedding & Family
- Bill met his lovely wife, Michelle, while working as cruise ship staff.
- At their wedding in August 2004, I delivered a humorous toast summarizing our decades of friendship and business ventures, noting that they had been living at my house for the past several months and jokingly pleading for them to move out soon.
Passing & Legacy
- Bill passed away prematurely on February 22, 2013, at the young age of 45.
- Since I was half a planet away on a cruise ship docked in Colombia (the only day I have ever been in Colombia, and I didn't even get off the ship), I could not attend his funeral in person. Instead, I composed a heartfelt eulogy message to be read on my behalf.
- The details of his passing and the full text of that letter are preserved in Bill Harps Passing and Funeral Message.
- A vast amount of the creative spark, innovative spirit, and energy in Stonehenge's marketing left with him. He was grossly overweight and had poor dietary habits, which unfortunately contributed to his premature passing. Nonetheless, his vibrant, larger-than-life character, warm companionship, and brilliant creative legacy remain an unforgettable part of my life.
What links here
These facts are as Randal recalls them, but much time has passed for most of this. If you find a factual error, please email realmerlyn@gmail.com.