You know what.... that sounds like a plan
North_Ranger
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
O man, citizenship of this great world-city has been yours. Whether for five years or fivescore, what is that to you? Whatever the law of that city decrees is fair to one and all alike. Wherein, then, is your grievance? You are not ejected from the city by any unjust judge or tyrant, but by the selfsame Nature which brought you into it; just as when an actor is dismissed by the manager who engaged him. 'But I have played no more than three of the five acts.' Just so; in your drama of life, three acts are all the play. Its point of completeness is determined by him who formerly sanctioned your creation, and today sanctions your dissolution. Neither of those decisions lay within yourself. Pass on your way, then, with a smiling face, under the smile of him who bids you go.
--Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. Book 12, 36.
--Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. Book 12, 36.
...shit. Just a week ago he was shit-talking the Sinfest forums and now he's gone. Mikko, wherever you are know that I'll miss you.
Of course this came on my iPod. Of course it fucking did.
I don't know what to say. It's amazing how many people care about him without knowing him in person. He will be missed
If you would like to make someone you love happy, tell them today.
In life brother, in life.
If you want to give someone a flower, don’t wait until they die. Send it today with love.
In life brother, in life.
Don’t wait to show someone you live them until they die. Tell them today.
In life brother, in life.
You will always be happy, if you learn to make those around you happy.
In life brother, in life.
Don’t visit cemeteries, nor fill tombs with flowers.
Instead, fill hearts with love. In life brother, in life.
If you would like to make someone you love happy, tell them today.
In life brother, in life.
If you want to give someone a flower, don’t wait until they die. Send it today with love.
In life brother, in life.
Don’t wait to show someone you live them until they die. Tell them today.
In life brother, in life.
You will always be happy, if you learn to make those around you happy.
In life brother, in life.
Don’t visit cemeteries, nor fill tombs with flowers.
Instead, fill hearts with love. In life brother, in life.
Last night, I went to my neighbor's house (because I finally have neighbors that I actually like) and talked with her for a while. She has a 2 month old baby. He likes being held a lot, so I sometimes give her a hand when her husband is working late by holding the baby while she wrangles her toddler. The baby fell asleep on me which is very unusual for him. I sat on her couch, holding this little guy against my chest and thinking about Mikko's passing. She asked if I wanted her to take him, but I said I'd like to snuggle with him for a bit longer. I felt so much more peaceful than I had while I was at home.
Mikko touched us just by being a part of our virtual family. He loved life. He didn't let himself get preoccupied about his eventual death. He wanted to be alive for as long as he could keep going. He didn't want to depend on someone for his care which I think bothered him more than anything else. Though if any one he knew needed help he would have been there for them in any way he could. Many of us have heavy hearts because of our loss. Today, I am choosing to celebrate Mikko for the light he shone into our lives and the laughter we shared. I think he would have wanted that.
Mikko touched us just by being a part of our virtual family. He loved life. He didn't let himself get preoccupied about his eventual death. He wanted to be alive for as long as he could keep going. He didn't want to depend on someone for his care which I think bothered him more than anything else. Though if any one he knew needed help he would have been there for them in any way he could. Many of us have heavy hearts because of our loss. Today, I am choosing to celebrate Mikko for the light he shone into our lives and the laughter we shared. I think he would have wanted that.
Mikko was a terrible moderator because he was the nicest human on the planet. In my memory there is no HF without him. Of all the ridiculous bullshit in the world, the fact that I'm still around typing this and he is gone has to top the list. He deserved so much more: he earned his place in humanity the way most of us don't, and it's a sick, sick joke that he had to leave. He was the best of this place and one of the best people I ever knew. And he's just achieved what most people can never do: shut me up in the middle of a ramble because I just don't have any more words. I love you, North Ranger.
Heh. Damn right
Similar thoughts have wandered through my mind since I heard. It does seem unfair -I mean, what's fair, but, it seems like someone so full of enjoyment, real pleasure in life, to be stricken from it... Is somehow so wrong. I suppose this is just my naive cry of "Where's the justice in that?" in the end, but... where is the justice in that?
Thanks for coming by and sharing
Can we not? Even though it was in jest, that ongoing joke honestly did bother him. I asked him about it once in private. A large part of it was, because of his deteriorating health, he couldn't go to one of Finland's amazing saunas. So the sauna pants thing rubbed him the wrong way in that case.
EDIT: Found it. I asked him what the story was behind the running gag. Here's what he said:
Basically someone posted a while back a picture of these kind of inflatable rubber pants that are supposed to help you loose weight and relax, something akin to sauna on the go.
I went in (as a joke, then) calling them an abomination and an insult to a proper sauna - which, to be honest, I think they are. One is a relaxing, peaceful experience, the other is a marketing gimmick where you look like you're wearing a rubber nappy while cooking your balls. It kinda snowballed from there... and I admit being a little touchy on the matter, since I love going to the sauna - and I can't do that anymore because of my medical condition
You know one thing I'm going to miss about him? His hilarious way of turning a phrase. I re-read what he had sent me and burst out laughing at "you look like you're wearing a rubber nappy while cooking your balls." 
After thinking about this a lot yesterday, I don't think there's much to say that hasn't already been said. I think though, that what I'll always try to remember about him and take away from all this is his positive attitude. I keep going back to his last few posts in the tumor thread and just reading the last line.
North_Ranger said:
Exactly what I always found fascinating. His brilliant way to use a language that not only is not his native tongue but one completely different from it.You know one thing I'm going to miss about him? His hilarious way of turning a phrase. I re-read what he had sent me and burst out laughing at "you look like you're wearing a rubber nappy while cooking your balls."
Admitted, everything is different from finnish.
Dave
Staff member
I do not know. I know he wanted to, but man that would have been cutting it close.
doomdragon6
Staff member
That's the bit that gets me.
Every damn time.
N_R you positive bastard! If I can go through life with half the hope and positivity that you had, I'll be an okay human being.
Every damn time.
N_R you positive bastard! If I can go through life with half the hope and positivity that you had, I'll be an okay human being.
Alright, I now have the time to dedicate my thoughts after calming myself down from this sudden news and the hectic work day I endured.
(Also I'm unsure why we have 2 threads for this, fix that if you please...)
I'd like to share my feelings with this community loss Halforums has collectively suffered today. Whether you liked him or hated him, North Ranger was a dedicated and respectable member of this community since who knows when. This isn't a loss where a forum member took their ball and went home when shit didn't pan out for them like so many have done over time nor is this isn't a member leaving because they deemed this forums no longer their interest, this is a loss of someone who dearly loved these forums, from what I read today... passionately and contributed on a daily basis.
Passion is a fickle thing, it comes and goes and for Mikko (someone who I felt no true personal attachment to) managed to get this sodden bastard to shed a tear or two in the office. Is this part of being a new parent? Or something else? Who knows. Who cares. All I know is that I shed some REAL tears for this guy whom I NEVER MET.
Why?
Because of one of his last posts was in a sub-forum most folks didn't give much a chance to.
Here's his reply to "Are you afraid to die?". Mind you, I completely was oblivious to his plight when I created it for discussion and initially felt bad when I read his first post but as per his great personality, he followed up with probably the most legendary post in these forums for 2013. If not ever.
I remember reading this and telling myself.... "Holy shit. Did I just read that?"
There I was completely miserable due to lack of sleep and I went... sleep? Fuck sleep! I wanted to immediately spend some more time with my family, be a little nicer to my wife, spend more time with Leyla, teaching her the "EA Fraction Variable" and watch a hockey game with friends I haven't seen in weeks.
When you see this type of defiance of the inevitable like this, you get inspiration for life.
And for that I thank you my departed acquaintance. I thank you with all my heart.
Your journey has ended and may you rest in peace.
Now if you don't mind me, I have to spend a little bit more time with my family.
Jay out.
(Also I'm unsure why we have 2 threads for this, fix that if you please...)
I'd like to share my feelings with this community loss Halforums has collectively suffered today. Whether you liked him or hated him, North Ranger was a dedicated and respectable member of this community since who knows when. This isn't a loss where a forum member took their ball and went home when shit didn't pan out for them like so many have done over time nor is this isn't a member leaving because they deemed this forums no longer their interest, this is a loss of someone who dearly loved these forums, from what I read today... passionately and contributed on a daily basis.
Passion is a fickle thing, it comes and goes and for Mikko (someone who I felt no true personal attachment to) managed to get this sodden bastard to shed a tear or two in the office. Is this part of being a new parent? Or something else? Who knows. Who cares. All I know is that I shed some REAL tears for this guy whom I NEVER MET.
Why?
Because of one of his last posts was in a sub-forum most folks didn't give much a chance to.
Here's his reply to "Are you afraid to die?". Mind you, I completely was oblivious to his plight when I created it for discussion and initially felt bad when I read his first post but as per his great personality, he followed up with probably the most legendary post in these forums for 2013. If not ever.
Amen brother.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
I remember reading this and telling myself.... "Holy shit. Did I just read that?"
There I was completely miserable due to lack of sleep and I went... sleep? Fuck sleep! I wanted to immediately spend some more time with my family, be a little nicer to my wife, spend more time with Leyla, teaching her the "EA Fraction Variable" and watch a hockey game with friends I haven't seen in weeks.
When you see this type of defiance of the inevitable like this, you get inspiration for life.
And for that I thank you my departed acquaintance. I thank you with all my heart.
Your journey has ended and may you rest in peace.
Now if you don't mind me, I have to spend a little bit more time with my family.
Jay out.
When I learned of N_R's passing yesterday, I felt very sad, but I didn't cry.
Today I spent a lovely day with my family, ate a whole lot more than I should have, and then sat down to relax at the computer. I checked this thread, listened to the whole video that Chad posted, and wept like a baby.
And I feel so much better.
I always get upset whenever I hear someone refer to "real life" friends, to differentiate from, say, people you know through the internet. All of your life is your real life. Whether it be posting on a forum, playing a game online, writing letters to a pen pal, it all takes place in your real life.
Our brains act on sensory perception. Seeing someone isn't seeing them, it's seeing the light reflecting off of them, interpreted by photo receptors in our eyes and translated to electrical signals processed by our brain. In the abstract, we're all ideas, and whether that idea is presented to you through sight and sound, or words on a forum, they're all reflections of the people behind them, and those ideas touch and affect us in ways we don't always know.
I never had the pleasure of knowing N_R in person. I don't know what his voice sounded like (I bet he had a cool accent) and until this thread I didn't even know his last name. In fact, I don't even know if I correctly pronounce his first name. But I still got to enjoy the man behind the ideas, and feel a great loss to see him go. On this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful to have known him, and even in his passing, I'm thankful that his hard journey is over, and that he stayed so strong throughout all of it.
Same here. Probably a little bit from seeing how everyone was so affected by him passing. Some from spending some great time with my family and knowing his won't have that with him any more. And some because I'm sitting here alone again now, my GF and her daughter an hour away, and I don't want that. It makes you think.
OK, I thought it was all tongue in cheek outrage, but if it really bothered him, then no.
I will support this instead.
I've been clearly misreading forum news and headlines, so I'm stunned right now. I didn't realize how dire things had gotten.
Like Jay, I didn't have an ongoing personal relationship with North or many interactions, but he was always nice in them. Largely my noticing was his friendly comments, except in the case of a certain forumite, in which case he usually said what needed to be said. He cared about this place.
Like Jay, I didn't have an ongoing personal relationship with North or many interactions, but he was always nice in them. Largely my noticing was his friendly comments, except in the case of a certain forumite, in which case he usually said what needed to be said. He cared about this place.
Cajungal
Staff member
Thought about Mikko off and on today. I'm not here as much anymore because of work, husband, nieces, etc... and now grad school coming up again. I still hope to meet some of y'all and tell you things in person. Many of you have brought me more comfort than you realize. Everyone else had better stick around for a good long while, because I can't afford to travel that much these days, and I want to share a beer with so many of you! I regret missing out on that with Northy. It would have been nice to give him a hug and really hang out with him.
...I gotta fuckin' get to Canada. Workin' on a special song for Mikko. Should be done soon, I hope. I wonder how Mikko's parents are holding up. Can't imagine how that feels.
...I gotta fuckin' get to Canada.
Workin' on a special song for Mikko. Should be done soon, I hope. I wonder how Mikko's parents are holding up. Can't imagine how that feels.
Alright. I never thought in a million years I would care this much. I said what I said earlier, but while mowing the lawn today (yes, I'm aware it's November 29th), this song popped on my iPod:
And it hit me.
I thought it appropriate to share that, yes, I thought of Mikko. This song is for you. I'm truly sorry for everything that transpired between us, my friend. I will miss you, and I regret not telling you this sooner.
Just to clear the air, I'd like to formally apologize to any and all members of the community that I've slighted in the past. The ones that I think I hit hardest before my ban last year (that come to mind at least) are Nick and LittleSin. I doubt I'll hang around here as much as I used to (or if Dave's going to reenact the ban anytime soon), but for what it's worth, well, there it is.
And it hit me.
I thought it appropriate to share that, yes, I thought of Mikko. This song is for you. I'm truly sorry for everything that transpired between us, my friend. I will miss you, and I regret not telling you this sooner.
Just to clear the air, I'd like to formally apologize to any and all members of the community that I've slighted in the past. The ones that I think I hit hardest before my ban last year (that come to mind at least) are Nick and LittleSin. I doubt I'll hang around here as much as I used to (or if Dave's going to reenact the ban anytime soon), but for what it's worth, well, there it is.
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