Nearly three years ago, I was in desperate need for a new roommate. I had sent out a message to many of my lady friends to see if they or anyone they knew was on the hunt for a roommate. I had interviewed one girl and she seemed alright, but something did not feel right. Then Sarah, an old friend from summer camp, sent me a message saying that one of her best friends was also looking for a roommate and gave her the best review a friend could give.
Crystal and I were perfect roommates. We had never met until the day she came in to see the place, but both of us knew that we’d be a good fit.
Here’s a list a few of the reasons we were perfect for each other:
- We both liked to sing Disney songs at the top of our lungs
- We both separately had Stevie Wonder songs that we sang to our cats
- We video taped ourselves singing Lisa Loeb’s Stay
- We both love dresses
- We both have amazing friends
Both of us were able to seamlessly enter each others group of friends. Chris Skinner in particular, was one of Crystal’s friends that I bonded with immediately.
He and I would dance with each other all night when we’d hang out, we’d all put on Enchanted and sing along to all the songs and we’d watch the Dream Girls “I’m telling you” song on repeat. Really, Skinner was one of the most special human beings that I have ever met and I wasn’t even one of his best friends.
Tragically, Skinner was killed nearly a year ago. In truth, the world became darker the day he was taken away, because he was such a bright star. For myself, I had envisioned of a life long friendship of singing and dancing with him and it was ripped away.
Because Skinner was so special, his best friends decided that when they were faced with challenges, whether they were challenges of the heart or whatever, they would embrace their inner Skinner and follow the life principles of:
WWSkinnerD – What Would Skinner Do – What’s that all about?
- Grab life by the balls
- If you like someone, tell them
- Sing whenever you can
- Try to have fun in every situation
- If you want something or SOMEONE, go for it
- Make tedious tasks into games
- BE ENCHANTING
- If you like it, just put it on the credit card
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If you don’t like your job, want to go shopping, are sick of your apartment: quit now, go now, move now
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You should proooobably open another bottle of wine
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Eat it now, SPIN it off later…
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Don’t hire a contractor, put the laminate and floorboards in yourself.
- Through and through, be yourself and own it
Skinner owned who he was. His heart was big, he was kind, he was funny, he was fun…he was wonderful. I think of him nearly every day, and I can’t imagine how hard it would be if I had been lucky enough to have been given the chance to be one of his best friends.
That said, I feel that we were all blessed for having him enter our lives. We are all blessed that we can use WWSkinnerD in our daily lives, and we are all blessed that we were lucky enough to have known him, even if it wasn’t long enough.
There are two purposes of this post:
- If anyone has any information they can contact the number on the Chris Skinner poster
- To spread to the world the life philosophy of WWSkinnerD
Embracing WWSkinnerD has enriched my life. I now paint, sing more, dance more and tell people how I feel about them more often. I hope that you all benefit from this philosophy as much as I have.
27 Responses to “What Would Skinner Do”
October 15, 2010
whitneyThis is a really lovely, positive peice. Thanks for writing it. I still think about him every day.
October 15, 2010
adminActually…I also write this blog.
October 15, 2010
CrystalIt’s amazing how small this world actually is. I met Jen at work and for SOME reason I knew that she knew my friends. One day Jen didn’t come to work – she was home mourning the loss of Skinner. She came to work the next day and when she had a picture of him up on her computer i said, “Hey, I know him!” Jen looked at me and said, “Maybe you should sit down…” Chris stood up in a wedding my bf was also in for good friends of mine. I also knew Crystal, Jen’s old roomie. We’re all living in this crazy world and our lives all connect.
We all need more Skinner in our lives. Buy the shoes. Get yourself the flowers. Order the cake. Spend your last dime on something that makes you happy. WWSD?
October 15, 2010
KristenLove this piece. I’m actually writing a piece for Kinsey Confidential about Skinner to be posted to the world on Oct.18. After reading this I’m going to incorporate the WWSD piece into it, and I’ll link it here. You’re awesome, Jen!
October 15, 2010
adminThanks Kristen! Crystal gave me some of the WWSkinnerD’s as I sent it to her before I posted it.
He really was wonderful.
October 15, 2010
Ellen SkinnerJen, we never met, but i can see why my boy would have loved you. i loved your principals for living and will adopt them as much as i can. But i do believe you forgot the one about “you can never have too many shoes!” Or “Retail Therapy.” Was a bit of a mantra!
Thank you so much for this; your kindness and love comes through. I know you miss him, but you need to know that he is watching over all of us. Talk to him. You might just get an answer.
love
Christopher’s mumma
October 15, 2010
adminThanks Ellen. I think that my principles of living came directly from knowing your son (and Crystal). He had a way of making everyone feel special, when really, he was the special one.
October 15, 2010
Ryan CookeThank You. This is fabulous.
October 15, 2010
Carina HoltbyThis is beautiful so beautiful and true in everyway xo
October 15, 2010
traceyAbsolutely beautiful legacy !!!!!
October 16, 2010
SashaAmazingly beautiful, life should be lived just this way. Already, this has changed me at this point in life. Clearly, Christopher will be with us forever as he was such a strong person.
Thanks for sharing Jen xx.
October 16, 2010
CourtneyThese are beautiful words. Chris was truly a angel and I also think of him daily. I am going to post the WWSD words on my fridge to look at daily and remember how lucky we all were to have him touch our lives.
October 17, 2010
Crystal RickardThanks so much for writing this PERFECT piece. I love that the WWSD bracelet is touching that many more. It really helped me everyday this year… I started wearing it the day we lost him – It just appeared.
My memory of you, Skinner & Caitlin the day we came home from mom’s birthday is just priceless. Purple lips & raspy voices from being left in the condo with endless red wine and a repeat on Dream Girls was a hilarious scene to come home to!
xo
October 17, 2010
LeahThis is beautiful.. I’m going to share it with my students tomorrow. We will all benefit from this philosophy for sure.
October 18, 2010
Flo TrippI am Karen Tripp Spark’s mother and she is one of Ryan Cookes best friends. I am a high school friend of Ryan’s Mom.
I never got the chance to meet Chris but I know from talking with my daughter, he was one special person. I wish I could of met him.
Not too long ago I had a major issue with my health. I now live like Chris’s philosophy. It was explained so eloquently.
You never know in life what lies ahead , so enjoy every minute.
I pray that they find those murderers and they get what they deserve. My heart goes out to Chris’s family Ryan and friends.
October 20, 2010
Cheryl SzolopiakChristoper Skinner is my daugher Sarah Jane dear friend from Port Perry. He added value to our lives. All the parties and get together’s we had. The trip to Los Cabos! The brunch on King Street where Christopher sipped on 3 Mimosa’s. The charisma, charm good looks, brains. and snappy dresser. Oh I forgot the home made pizza at his new digs with Ryan. The way he danced and held you. Tammy’s 50th Birthday party on Lake Ontario. The fabulous High Tea at Ellen’s.
I love the theme “What Would Sklinner Do” Its all so true.
Love you Chris,
December 20, 2010
WWSkinnerDo? | Sexpert ReMark[...] should check out her blog here, and this particular post about Skinner and the philosophy of life that he inspiried [...]
April 1, 2011
The SlutWalk[...] I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it to this event, but I 100% support it. Violence is not condoned and an unsuspecting victim is never to be blamed. Even if you piss someone off they have no right to touch you in anyway. Having lost a friend to senseless unprovoked violence, this is very close to my heart. [...]
April 1, 2011
Helena SaWow! Jen, this has truly touched me. I will definitely take the WWSkinnerD philosophy and apply it in my life. He must’ve been a beautiful person… May God bless him, his family and friends. Thanks for sharing this special story Jen.
March 14, 2012
What Would Skinner Do – Part 2[...] What’s that all about? The true beauty of what the human spirit is capable of. Really, the way they have chosen to honour Skinners’ life is quite spectacular if you ask me. This family has been through a horror movie and back. They have suffered, they have experienced pain unimaginable to the majority of Canadians. But did they let it get them down? Nope. They’re Skinners’ and they followed their innate motif: WHAT WOULD SKINNER DO? [...]
October 16, 2012
Ryan CookeHere we are, 3 years out. Every day, in almost every moment I think of Chris and I think of what he gave us all. I find myself quoting him, saying things that I would never say because I know this is making him smile. I try, every day to inject a little CJAS into everything I do. It is the only way that I know how to do the world justice and show them a little of the one of the best Men I have ever known. Forever.
October 18, 2012
Jen WoodallRyan, I’m thinking about you today. The whole family.
October 18, 2012
Rachelle SmithJen, I am so sorry about your friend. This is a such a beautiful tribute, to what I gather, was an amazing spirit. I hope they catch the people responsible.
October 18, 2012
Meghan ColettiJen,
What a great story! He sounds like he was a wonderful person and I can picture you singing and dancing with him. I just wanted to let you know that you have been an amazing person in my life! I have looked to you and your friendship in almost all of the most difficult and great moments in my life and have never been turned away. You are also a person who inspires others! Again what a great piece. I hope someone comes forward with information.
October 18, 2012
Jen WoodallOh Meggy, I love you so much.
October 18, 2012
Jen Woodall (@jentalkstoomuch)What Would Skinner Do? #findchriskiller http://t.co/iXDjX2NK
May 7, 2013
October: A Month Of Awareness, Activism And Justice | Sexpert ReMark[...] philosophy came out of this tragedy. A philosophy that one of our friends summed up really nicely here. Live your life to the fullest, be bold, take chances, and be yourself and own [...]