h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

... that it's time to bid you, one and all ...

That was, more or less, the sign-out theme of a fabulous Canuck duo of comedians. So I will borrow it for the time being.

It's now a bit over 4 years since I stepped into this site, clueless about such places. I used a false persona, and made a slew of friends. Then changes in one or two caused a lot of discention , and it was time to become my real self. No pretentions, no frolicking, the fake silliness left behind. That caused a few more folks to fall away, but the real friends stayed.

As time went on, one important lost friend became two. And sadly, by design or accident, their dissatisfaction with me caused others to either stay away, or turn away. Things even got very ugly a few times, with the Italics having to step in. I think that was about when much of the shine of this place started to fade. Knowing that impartiality was not likely to be found, among men and women that are otherwise so good at heart, or from powers on-high.

Since then, I have seen the site come and go with activity, frivolity and emptiness, viciousness in debate forums, filters imposed that caused many good and sound people to flounce away ... Quite a lot of change, and very little of it (in my opinion) really being for the betterment of the community. As an online guide to "Life, The Universe and Everything", it is creeping along, not quite flourishing but not fading away either. In all, it's just not a place that attracts or appeals to me any more.

So I am signing off. I have made some life-time friends, and they know how to find me. Many other friends reply if I nudge them, but are faint. There's not much to hold me here. So I have slimmed down my PS and friends' list, ... People can find me if they choose. I can see what is happening in the world of others. I'll obviously continue to watch the place, but I won't be posting. If I have an address, I'll mail folks. Otherwise, I'll keep my opinions and counsel to myself.

To one and all, friends and foes, thank you for a novel experience. From this wire, "it's good night from me, and it's good night from him".

&

nooooooo!!!!!!!!!!


Nick its been good knowing you and you have my email so keep me posted and I shall endeavour to email you more often

Come on Nick, it's not like you to slink away like this, we've weathered enough flying faecal matter to fertilize most of Canada's plains, but if you feel you have to go then you must but I for one am going to miss you a lot my friend.

Rev Nick, I was only just beginning to know you.

I'm sad to see you go......before me! We have other wires, so i'll see you on those

Oh Nick
I'm sorry to hear that
I've been a pretty useless "friend" (to anyone) lately because I'm too self absorbed (and pitying)

It's a shame when people go - is it really Goodbye or simply Au revoir?

[Starts plotting ways to trick Rev Nick into staying]

hi nick
-
from the first day you messaged me from the blue, we have messaged about alsorts, and ive never had any reason to disaprove of anything.
-
as long as you message me, i,ll reply, till i can no long use the k/board or pc at the cyber.
-
friends are for ever, or so i beleived jim

One more thing, Rev Nick:

You're a classy guy. Most people whjo decide to leave just leave, with no warning. You had the heart and the consideration to warn your friends beforehand. Just the sort of person that we least want to lose.

rev
-
my emails are on my ps, you email the active and i,ll reply.
-
jim

Nick you have been a pleasure to know I have never had any issues with you, but I know others have and even they will miss you I suspect.

You have the e-mail just put an out to lunch sign up on your PS so we can find you if needed.

Best wishes to you and your wife and all the family, God be with you now and always.

Keep well..


Bob.

you do sound 'down'

i hope it wasnt anything ive said or done. i know ive had a rough time recently and havent been at my best with my friends. maybe a break from here is what you need and then come back refreshed.

you know where i am if you need me.

Nick, the IQ of the site has just dropped by about 10 points. I sincerely regret your decision, but I do understand it. I'll catch you elsewhere, my friend.

Hyp

Good luck,
and thanks for your kindness and support

I hope Rev Nick is going to read our comments....

I'm rather ashamed to say I've let our long running conversation lapse in rceent months when I've found time on the site here harder to come by. I won't try and persaude you to do something that you don't want to, but I hope we don't see the back of you altogether and, as I think the list of comments here shows, you will be missed by more than a few.

and we were just talking to each other as well, all the best for the future.

We've chattered off and on, and I've done some flouncing here n' there...sorry to see you go....

Perhaps you'll pop back...from time to time... never say never n' all that...

I wish Rev Nick would comment on our heartfelt pleas.

* ... perhaps one day, but not today. thanx, all *