May he rest in peace, he was a good man 
North_Ranger
- Thread starter Dave
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A decade ago or so, when I joined the old phpBB forum, I was an asocial barely-teen ass that wouldn't know what kinship was if it hit him in the face. N_R was one of the people that showed me there was more to human dialogue than what a cardboard-stills world. N_R was one of the people that defined my concept of community during my formative years. He was an adult that I could look up to as a role-model, but also have as a peer and friend. I can't put into words how much good he did, how very little it took yet how much of an effect it had.
I regret not having been around. I regret not having had the foresight to tell him any of this. This is frustrating.
I regret not having been around. I regret not having had the foresight to tell him any of this. This is frustrating.
I never really interacted w/ North Ranger much, but he was always one of the people I respected immensely on this board. I knew that if we had met in real life that he would have been as great in person as he was online.
I can't really put into words how sad I am that he is now gone.
I can't really put into words how sad I am that he is now gone.
I just found out about this. I literally cannot stop sobbing like a kid right now.
Mikko, you wonderful, friendly, ferocious, fantastic man. I wish upon everything I hold dear that I'd had a chance to talk to you more. You indulged my questions about Finland, helped me along when I asked for it, and did everything with a smile on your face.
Fuck... not a drop of alcohol in the house to celebrate your life properly.
Til Valhall! HAKAA PÄÄLE!
Mikko, you wonderful, friendly, ferocious, fantastic man. I wish upon everything I hold dear that I'd had a chance to talk to you more. You indulged my questions about Finland, helped me along when I asked for it, and did everything with a smile on your face.
Fuck... not a drop of alcohol in the house to celebrate your life properly.
Til Valhall! HAKAA PÄÄLE!
I usually stay out of the serious talk on the boards, preferring to interact with you (or lurk, most of the time) as part of the casual and light-hearted part of the day. NR was always in the mix, playing with the new and old members members alike. We never had a real conversation, but it was enough to know that I'll miss having him around.
Perkele.
He's up there planning revenge for every sauna pants joke.
Something involving beer, I just know it.
As long as there is no piss in my coffee like he threatened me with once when I was teasing him about sauna pants!
Roads go ever ever on
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea.
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea.
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.
Roads go ever ever on
Under clouds and under stars,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone,
Look at last on meadows green,
And trees and hills they have long known.
Under clouds and under stars,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone,
Look at last on meadows green,
And trees and hills they have long known.
- JRR Tolkien
Good Journey into the West...
Goodbye, my Finnish friend. Over the years,though I never met you, have through uplifting comments,friendly advice and become a person I admired.
I am sad to hear of your passing and I shall light a candle in your name during mass this sunday.
May Valkeries carry you, and provide you with lots of beer.
I am sad to hear of your passing and I shall light a candle in your name during mass this sunday.
May Valkeries carry you, and provide you with lots of beer.
I remember being so excited that I was in this one. I also completely forgot that I had the NPH avatar.This is when I knew I had become a part of the family, when he drew me about to take a bite out of @Vytamindi 's panda.
View attachment 13144
doomdragon6
Staff member
I made it into both. Man. I'ma miss that big lug.
doomdragon6
Staff member
Just went and read some of the Wacky Tumor Thread again (the title was so disarming....), and I just can't get over how positive he was, to the very end.
I honestly looked up to him. I could not believe that he was going through such shit and agony and still maintaining to be as positive as he was. I always feared that if anything like that happened to me, I would curl up into a sniveling bitch.
But not N_R. Man was tough as nails and as soft as a kitten. I wish he could read this from Viking heaven, but N_R, you know you touched a lot of lives here, but let me affirm that I when I strive to be a stronger person, I actively think about you as a roll model. You lived over 2 years of nothing but bad days and still came out smiling.
I honestly looked up to him. I could not believe that he was going through such shit and agony and still maintaining to be as positive as he was. I always feared that if anything like that happened to me, I would curl up into a sniveling bitch.
But not N_R. Man was tough as nails and as soft as a kitten. I wish he could read this from Viking heaven, but N_R, you know you touched a lot of lives here, but let me affirm that I when I strive to be a stronger person, I actively think about you as a roll model. You lived over 2 years of nothing but bad days and still came out smiling.
Not cool, Universe.
Not cool. Ugh.
Not cool. Ugh.
The pictures are great, Julie.
Rest in peace Mikko. Heavens gain is our loss.
Hey guys,
Most of you guys might not remember me; I haven't been on Halforums in a few years at this point, and even when I was on every day I wasn't a huge poster.
I saw mention of North Ranger's passing on Facebook and Tumblr and I thought it would be appropriate to log in and express my condolences here. Sorry if I get a little wordy. I'm actually at a coffee shop right now and trying hard not to tear up too bad.
Halforums was a huge part of some very formative years in my life during my early university career, and North Ranger was a huge part of that. As insecure and immature as I was (am?), I think he was the one monkey in this barrel who absolutely every time, without fail, made me feel more confident in myself, and made me feel like I was an important part of the Halforums family. Even after drifting from Halforums, I've occasionally referenced a few of you in conversations with IRL friends and family, but none more than North Ranger, who I always explain as "My Finnish Doppleganger plus a few years."
It's not uncommon to hear this kind of sentiment expressed at times like this, but I don't think I realized how much I missed Halforums--North Ranger specifically--until this morning when I realized it was suddenly too late to ever do anything about it. I heard he was sick only a few weeks ago, and had been meaning to drop in and wish him well. I procrastinate basically every aspect of my life, but that's one I'm going to regret for a good while, I think.
As I'm sure is true for others, tokens have been a big thing in my family; little gestures, objects or events that happen semi-frequently in regular life that are tied to some sort of meaning. An upturned knife reminds me of my maternal grandfather; two birds standing together is my mother. It's a small comfort to know that for several years already (and probably for the rest of my life), I haven't been able to look at, think of, or hear the word "sauna" without thinking of North Ranger.
Anyhow, keep strong Halforums family, and rest in peace Mikko.
Most of you guys might not remember me; I haven't been on Halforums in a few years at this point, and even when I was on every day I wasn't a huge poster.
I saw mention of North Ranger's passing on Facebook and Tumblr and I thought it would be appropriate to log in and express my condolences here. Sorry if I get a little wordy. I'm actually at a coffee shop right now and trying hard not to tear up too bad.
Halforums was a huge part of some very formative years in my life during my early university career, and North Ranger was a huge part of that. As insecure and immature as I was (am?), I think he was the one monkey in this barrel who absolutely every time, without fail, made me feel more confident in myself, and made me feel like I was an important part of the Halforums family. Even after drifting from Halforums, I've occasionally referenced a few of you in conversations with IRL friends and family, but none more than North Ranger, who I always explain as "My Finnish Doppleganger plus a few years."
It's not uncommon to hear this kind of sentiment expressed at times like this, but I don't think I realized how much I missed Halforums--North Ranger specifically--until this morning when I realized it was suddenly too late to ever do anything about it. I heard he was sick only a few weeks ago, and had been meaning to drop in and wish him well. I procrastinate basically every aspect of my life, but that's one I'm going to regret for a good while, I think.
As I'm sure is true for others, tokens have been a big thing in my family; little gestures, objects or events that happen semi-frequently in regular life that are tied to some sort of meaning. An upturned knife reminds me of my maternal grandfather; two birds standing together is my mother. It's a small comfort to know that for several years already (and probably for the rest of my life), I haven't been able to look at, think of, or hear the word "sauna" without thinking of North Ranger.
Anyhow, keep strong Halforums family, and rest in peace Mikko.
I've never really interacted with many people here much (I mostly lurk) but it's sad to see this happen to someone who was so upbeat with everything that was going on with him.
I may not have known him well, but I enjoyed his posts and commentary. He will be missed.
I suggest every Nov 27th from here to eternity be known as International Sauna Pants Day in remembrance of our friend.
Edit: I am updating this post to say that it has been revealed to me that this actually did bother NR, so I no longer endorse this plan. Please read further into the thread. Thanks.
Edit: I am updating this post to say that it has been revealed to me that this actually did bother NR, so I no longer endorse this plan. Please read further into the thread. Thanks.
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I felt I should have been pantless last night. I had some Finnish vodka in his honour.
Oh man. It is a real loss.
I've been thinking about this post he made, in Jay's thread "Are you afraid of dying?" I'll repost it here in full:
Think I'll watch Shaun of the Dead tonight.To give a longer answer... there is a part of me that fears death. It is for quite a simple reason: Let's be honest here, for most of you folks here (with the obvious exception of @Officer_Charon , for instance [I salute you, sir]), the danger of death is mostly an abstract concept at your stage in life. It's something that will happen, but it's not going to happen anytime soon. For me, it's been a little different ever since the doctors told me the best they can do is try to contain my cancer, and that there might be a point in future where we would have to consider whether it would be better to let the disease take its course or keep taking the meds, even if they cause serious side effects.
In other words, death is not an abstract concept for me. I know I am going to kick the bucket well before turning gray. What I don't know is when that will be. A year from now? Two years? Five? Ten? Twenty? That will all depend on how well I react to treatment, and how long it is viable to keep treating me.
As such... well, I fear death if it comes suddenly, as a result of a new stroke that knocks me out of the game. It is very much unlikely with my current medication, but I know the danger is there. I have considered writing goodbye letters and my last will and testament, but as long as I believe I can remain alive I have postponed such concerns for another day. If there ever is a "you only have X months to live", then I will do such things. Until then, I try to focus on living, or "enlightened hedonism", as I call it. I enjoy good food and drink as much as I am able, partake in movies and video games, and both play and GM a game that I have found to my liking. I know I can't do all the things I used to be able to, but what I can do, I will do as long as I can.
The alternative? Contemplating mortality? Yeah, not gonna happen. Finns are already known for being f***ing melancholic and prone to suicide (I blame the weather, really), so I'll leave that shit to other people. The way I figure, if I kept thinking about death all the time, I would ruin what time I had left. And seeing as it's probably not gonna be one where I get to be a cranky octogenarian, I'd rather do something else, thank you very much.
Now if you'll excuse me, there's a DVD of Shaun of the Dead in my living room along with a bowl of chips, and they're not gonna hold a movie night on their own