Candlelight vigil for Techman.

Discussion in 'Wordforge Memorials' started by Elwood, Jun 6, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Man Afraid of his Shoes

    Man Afraid of his Shoes كافر

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2004
    Messages:
    28,021
    Location:
    N.C.
    Ratings:
    +27,815
    Well, I've been avoiding posting in these threads all day because I don't feel comfortable partcipating in mourning type situations, because I simply don't feel the emotions that most people do. That part of me is missing, or turned off, or broken or something, and I don't like to fake it, because that makes me feel like a dick....but it just occurred to me that this isn't about me, and as a tbbs immigrant and one of the original members of Wordforge, I should say something, so I have words.

    God...one of our own is heading your way. His name is Tom, but we knew him as Techman.

    Try not to piss him off.

    Amen.
    • Agree Agree x 14
  2. Muad Dib

    Muad Dib Probably a Dual Deceased Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Messages:
    53,665
    Ratings:
    +23,779
    ^Amen.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. ThroatwobblerMangrove

    ThroatwobblerMangrove Defies all earthly description

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2004
    Messages:
    748
    Ratings:
    +383
    Oh my god...

    He's one of the few posters I remember from when I started lurking in TNZ. What the fuck happened?

    People like him (whom I seldom agreed with) made this board what it is to me today.

    My condolences to all those who knew him better than me.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. enlisted person

    enlisted person Black Swan

    Joined:
    May 15, 2004
    Messages:
    20,859
    Ratings:
    +3,627
    T'would be nice to have a thread remembering some of his funniest posts that different people recall.
    • Agree Agree x 2
  5. Forbin

    Forbin Do you feel fluffy, punk?

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    Messages:
    43,616
    Location:
    All in your head
    Ratings:
    +30,535
    Thanks to missmanners for taking the time to find this GIF I made after Techie posted the lightbulb picture. :)
    • Agree Agree x 3
  6. markb

    markb Dirty Bastard

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2004
    Messages:
    6,614
    Location:
    NYC
    Ratings:
    +4,973
    I have been asked by curiousa2z from TK to extend sympathy and condolences for the passing of Tech.

    I can't believe how many people have shown up to mourn Tech, people who haven't posted here in years, or at all. It's just amazing. He'd be tickled pink.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Lanzman

    Lanzman Vast, Cool and Unsympathetic Formerly Important

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    Messages:
    35,140
    Location:
    Someplace high and cold
    Ratings:
    +36,591
    Techie was like one of those character actors whom you see in tons of different roles in dozens of different movies. You know him, you're comfortable with him, he's a fixture. You expect him to always be there.

    And now he's not. And nothing feels right any more.
    • Agree Agree x 9
  8. AdaptationNation

    AdaptationNation Guest

    Ratings:
    +0
    I really grew to appreciate Tech's constancy at Wordforge. Despite drama and disputes, departures and arrivals, Tech was solid as a rock.

    His posts came from the heart, and in an online medium where many have gimmicks and personas, he was very genuine, and very human.

    :salute:
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. Muad Dib

    Muad Dib Probably a Dual Deceased Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Messages:
    53,665
    Ratings:
    +23,779
    I know. It's like Quark's Bar without Morn.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. evenflow

    evenflow Lofty Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    Messages:
    25,051
    Location:
    Where the skies are not cloudy all day
    Ratings:
    +20,614
    I always loved teasing him in chat about the fact that his beloved Huskers would never regain their former glory. :(
    • Agree Agree x 1
  11. Tex

    Tex Forge or die. Administrator Formerly Important

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2005
    Messages:
    17,627
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Ratings:
    +117,364
    We're all Huskers fans this year, except when they play Tech. ;)
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. Apophis

    Apophis Impending

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2004
    Messages:
    693
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Ratings:
    +234
    [​IMG]

    "I can't believe he's gone."

    :(
    • Agree Agree x 3
  13. Robotech Master

    Robotech Master '

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2004
    Messages:
    9,995
    Ratings:
    +3,939
    It really is amazing how many people have shown up for this thread.

    This might be the largest gathering of past and present WFers, ever. And I have a feeling that in days to come we will see even more old faces popping in to pay their respects.

    Amazing to think that the board was originally started by Cass as a creative writing forum... and it has evolved into this.

    Wordforge does feel somewhat akward now. It feels like the center is gone.

    I admit, like many others, I was not very fond of Techman47 at TBBS. But here at WF and in the chat room I got glimpses of the real person behind the screen name.

    And I did come to respect him. I'm sorry I never told him that. To avoid making that same mistake again, let me just say right now and for the record that I respect the hell out of you folks that post here...

    I can honestly say that I've gained something from all of you. New viewpoints, new knowledge, or just sheer hilarity and entertainment. You've made me laugh or you've made me think, or you've made me feel anger about something I never thought I'd care about... I've enjoyed all of your posts and I hope you've enjoyed mine.

    Thanks Wordforgers!
    • Agree Agree x 10
  14. Ryan

    Ryan Killjoy

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2004
    Messages:
    7,484
    Location:
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    Ratings:
    +1,173
    What a shocker to come in and find this out. I didn't always agree with Techman but that's exactly what Wordforge is all about. This place is going to be damn empty without its resident curmudgeon.

    Thank you Techman for your service to this country - for being that atheist in the foxhole - and thank you for making this board better for all of us by having posted on it.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. Marso

    Marso High speed, low drag.

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    Messages:
    29,417
    Location:
    Idaho
    Ratings:
    +14,151
    Today was a strange day.

    Flew from San Fran to Philly then back to Columbus, starting late in the day. Better than 7 hours in the seat- I spent a lot of that time looking out at the sky, then at the stars after it got dark, thinking about Tech and wondering where he is now (besides our hearts).

    I never thought I could ponder the life and death of someone I'd never really met so much. Until today, I never even knew his first name.

    Strange, the places where life takes you and the things that end up affecting you.

    I wish to hell he'd have gone to the doc like so many of us told him.
    • Agree Agree x 4
  16. Asyncritus

    Asyncritus Expert on everything

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2004
    Messages:
    21,506
    Location:
    Stuck at home most of the time. :(
    Ratings:
    +23,236
    I never read the Iron Room. But I just read that "Chest pains" thread.

    Now I'm tearing up again. :(

    A bit over a year ago, my older brother had pains in his abdomen for quite a while. He thought it was some kind of flu or indigestion or something. He kept putting off going to a doctor.

    By the time they got so bad that he just had to do something about it, what could have been fairly easily operable prostate cancer was generalized and it was too late. He died six months later.

    He wasn't all that much older than Techman. And a lot like him in so many ways...

    • Agree Agree x 3
  17. Volpone

    Volpone Zombie Hunter

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,776
    Location:
    Bigfoot country
    Ratings:
    +16,254
    Heh. That's the thing that makes me smile about this. He always professed to be an atheist and everyone is saying he's in Heaven now. And I can just see it:

    :innocent: : [checks book] Come right in.
    :techman: : :garamet: I thought you guys were bullshit.
    :innocent: : :backhug:
    • Agree Agree x 6
  18. Volpone

    Volpone Zombie Hunter

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,776
    Location:
    Bigfoot country
    Ratings:
    +16,254
    Well, Techman wasn't a Marine.

    But then again I wasn't in Vietnam. And this one makes me tear up when I hear it. So I think it is a fitting tribute.

    Be warned, though. It takes a hard man to not tear up over this one and if you are at all emotional, you'll probably :weep: .

    Goodnight Techman
    :salute: :techman:
    • Agree Agree x 2
  19. BearTM

    BearTM Bustin' a move! Deceased Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    Messages:
    27,833
    Ratings:
    +5,276
    Being a non-believer and a warrior, he got routed to Valhalla.

    [​IMG]


    Of course, that rainbow bridge DID put him off a bit at first.
    • Agree Agree x 10
  20. Volpone

    Volpone Zombie Hunter

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,776
    Location:
    Bigfoot country
    Ratings:
    +16,254
    • Agree Agree x 1
  21. Clyde

    Clyde Orange

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2004
    Messages:
    25,971
    Ratings:
    +8,368
    After hearing the news I immediately thought of that thread and had to go back and re-read it again. A lot of us did our best to convince him to get checked out and just two weeks ago he posted "Guess I better schedule something before I have to make the trip feet first." Can't help but think we could've done more.


    RIP Tech
    • Agree Agree x 1
  22. Dan Leach

    Dan Leach Climbing Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2004
    Messages:
    32,366
    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    Ratings:
    +10,668
    :(
    • Agree Agree x 2
  23. El Chup

    El Chup Fuck Trump Deceased Member Git

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    Messages:
    42,875
    Ratings:
    +27,831
    We did what we could. At the end of the day is was his body and his choice to make.
    • Agree Agree x 2
  24. Aurora

    Aurora Vincerò!

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2004
    Messages:
    27,169
    Location:
    Storage B
    Ratings:
    +9,324
    His IR thread is too creepy for words. Wow. But you guys gave him the best advice there is in this situation.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  25. brudder1967

    brudder1967 this is who we are

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Messages:
    7,107
    Location:
    Bumfuck MS
    Ratings:
    +2,452
    Yesterday I was in shock about the news. Today on the way to work, it finally hit me. I know that sounds silly, but it just hit me like a punch in the stomach.

    He's gone.

    :(
    • Agree Agree x 4
  26. gul

    gul Revolting Beer Drinker Administrator Formerly Important

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2004
    Messages:
    52,375
    Location:
    Boston
    Ratings:
    +42,367
    From Dr. Hood by e-mail:

    • Agree Agree x 6
  27. missmanners

    missmanners Anarchist

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    Messages:
    1,059
    Ratings:
    +518
    I wasn't going to post again until towards the end of the week to express my thanks. but this is important.



    To all of you who may have been thinking this even if you didn't post it, you can "what if" and "maybe we shoulda" all you want but nothing will bring him back and beating yourself up with those kinds of thoughts wont do anything but make you feel worse. El Cupcake is so right.

    I rarely let out my RL circumstances and info (although Tamar probably has a nice juicy file on me by now!! :techman: and a few here do know my history) but I went through this before just over 5 years ago with the "late mister"... it was very ugly and I was in counsiling and PTSD group therapy for 2 years. What I learned about myself is that it's my wicked (and naughty) sense of humor that keeps me going. It doesn't mean I'm disrespecing Tom and his memory.

    There was an incident in the chatroom last night where someone mentioned cleaning the pool and missmanners of course made a poolboy comment and someone else made a VERY funny comeback. Please, PLEASE don't hold back posting/saying what you want to because you think I might take it the wrong way. If it's funny I'm going to laugh and get into the banter. If it's just lame trolling, I'll ignore you. If it's hateful, I'll get even.

    :techman:
    mm
    • Agree Agree x 16
  28. Bailey

    Bailey It's always Christmas Eve Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2004
    Messages:
    27,084
    Location:
    Adelaide, South Australia
    Ratings:
    +39,483
    Sure, you say that. I don't want angry Techman ghost coming after me though.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  29. Megatron

    Megatron Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2004
    Messages:
    21,266
    Location:
    Cybertron
    Ratings:
    +105
    Wow, I can't even begin to say how it feels today. I got the news yesterday lurking through here and it was just an absolute shock to me that we lost our beloved Techman.

    He was such a great person, and I will dearly miss him in all his glory. Whether I agreed with him on any issue or not, he was always there to support me, through PM's and everything else. He knew I was a Muslim and I knew how much he disliked Muslims but he never, EVER, made me feel harassed or even took word upon that. Shows what a great character he had and what a truly good person he was.

    I fondly remember giving him his first shiny pip here, and we were joking through PM's how soon he may loose it or not, and I kept a barrage of posreps to him for a few days so he could keep it up.

    My memories of Techman goes far beyond to 2001, when I first joined up TBBS. But I didn't really get to know him personally until I joined WF. I did not like him at first, looking at his staunch anti-religion mindset, but I quickly warmed up to him when he and I opened dialogue back in 2003. Since then I have had no problems with him and I daresay our 'friendship' grew. I however am unfortunate to not have known him THAT personally, that I'd even know his real name. But whatever I knew of him, it was a warming feeling.

    I wish I could say I am happy to be back, and I am, but .... it's so surreal you know. I try to be a jerk, an asshole, a shithead, heck, I am sometimes outwardly trollish to the extreme (sorry, Elwood, won't happen again, I promise).. but since last morning till now I have been completely silent and deathly cold with everyone and everything.

    Yeah okay, so I locked up in my office, read this thread and was silently weeping for a long time. Sue me.

    Its so strange that someone who you have never met can impact your life in such a way. I remember Techman once teasing me..IN HINDI!! I was like "Whoa!! what's this? This guy is a machine-master, how'd he master one of MY languages??" but that shows what a great sense of humour he also had. I'd just like to say this:

    Techman,

    I know you are up in heaven and looking down at all of us. Just so you know, we all miss you a lot. We will all miss you for who you were and for the strength, self-sufficiency, courage and determination that you have shown us all these years. You were one of the thickest-skinned and strongest speakers I have known in my Internet-life and heavensdamnit if you are not the same in your spirit also. You were ... ARE.. the best, and we will al remember you for it. Now.. go kick Saddam spirit's arse! I know you want to!

    :techman: THE GREAT :techman:
    • Agree Agree x 13
  30. Eccentric

    Eccentric Budtender

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2004
    Messages:
    20,542
    Ratings:
    +233
    Wow.. who would have thunk it. Honestly, I thought Techman would outlive me, even though he was 25 years older than me. Seemed like one of those rock solid guys who'd be sitting on his porch, in his bathrobe, with a newspaper shouting at the "damn kids" as they ran through his yard - yet always had the biggest bowl of candy and the coolest decorations for the kids on Halloween. As many others have said, we saw eye to eye on almost nothing, except maybe religion. The one thing Techman and I definitely did have in common was that we both had battled an addiction throughout our lives, him with the drink and me with the pills. He was probably the only man on the planet who could make me feel bad or guilty for ever lighting up a joint.

    A true man who stuck to his convictions, even if those convictions weren't politically correct. I always had a deep respect for his service to our country. There are times I'd feel bad for slinging a bunch of mud his way, but that man could dish it out just as good as he'd get. He didn't care what you said about him, because he knew who he was and never tried to hide it. I am all but certain he was a big softie and you could tell how much he loved Miss Manners, just by the way he'd gush about her. It gave you a warm feeling to see him get all excited when MM was coming to visit.

    While he frustrated the crap out of me on certain occassions, I never lost sight of the fact that he was a wise, honest and caring man. I enjoyed trading barbs with him and will miss his presence on this forum. I still remember coming across Techman47 on TBBS and he was half of the reason I even joined the board. I wanted the chance to argue with the man, who's views were the polar opposite of mine. I got my chance and argue we did.

    My condolences to you Miss Manners.. I am very jealous you got to meet and be in the presence of a man of such incredible stature.

    I will miss you Techman, may you watch over all of us and keep protecting us as you've done your whole life. You are a great man and your time came way too soon. :techman:

    RIP
    • Agree Agree x 13
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.