So long, and thanks for all the fishpants.

September 18, 2009 10:54 AM

So long, and thanks for all the fishpants.

I am going away for a long while. It's not that I don't love you all -- when I think of Metafilter, it fills me with the Schmoopy. I think I love it too much. I am using the internet to escape, and this must stop.

I am neglecting my job. I am neglecting my children. I am neglecting my IRL friends. I am neglecting my projects. I am neglecting my body. I am neglecting the words and music in my head. I am neglecting my dog. I get crabby and ill-tempered when I don't get my precious internet time. Not good.

I don't earn enough money to properly support my family, and this must be fixed -- by both redoubling my efforts to do the job I have more efficiently and become more valuable to my employer, and by also getting it done in enough time to find supplemental means of income through freelance work, or joining a cover band, or whatever. Also, here comes busy season, and I have temp workers showing up starting next week. Much to do. I have a daughter who starts college in one year, and no one has a clue where the money's coming from. In fact, this morning, I snapped at my her when she interrupted me while typing up a comment. I have snapped at my wife when asked when I was coming to bed. Not good.

I'm not writing this as some form of an overweening need for attention, and yes, I have a blog. I'm neglecting it, too. I'm putting this here as a means of both speaking to myself, because I have been unable to ramp it down in the past month or so of trying, despite my best intentions, and also so that both of you who might give a shit can call me out if you bust my sorry ass on line. So it's not so much that I think most of you care, but rather I need to make a formal, public declaration so that I have something concrete to abide by. And also so it's clear that I'm not dead in some freakish keyboarding accident.

The next time you see me, I'll have a kid in engineering school, I will have read and comprehended Ulysses, I will have learned to properly use the comma, my gut will have turned to muscle, all my slides will be scanned, my garage will be organized, I will have returned to caving and playing music, and hopefully I will have officially released a couple of music compilations I've back-burnered for a several years, now. There's just not enough time in the day for all this and obsessing over the internet.

I will miss all the learning and growing I do here, and I will miss the snark most of all. Metafilter has profoundly affected my worldview over the last five years, and I figure I owe a huge, huge thanks for that. Thanks. I think of quite number of you as friends. So please carry on as you were, and peace.

posted by Devils Rancher to MetaFilter-Related at 10:54 AM (134 comments total)

Those are pretty compelling reasons to take a break. I mean, they've never caused me to take a break, but I can respect your decision. Go in peace.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:56 AM on September 18, 2009

Cheers, mate.

When you're in a space that you can come back without harm, we'll do this exact thread in reverse.

....

.esrever ni daerht tcaxe siht od ll'ew ,mrah tuohtiw kcab emoc nac uoy taht ecaps a ni er'uoy nehW

.etam ,sreehC
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:57 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Devils Rancher: "I will miss the snark most of all"

Maybe you could have written a two-paragraph goodbye and started spending time with your family 30 minutes ago.

Also, good for you. I hope things work out, and that it becomes easier to balance Internet life with analog life.
posted by Plutor at 10:58 AM on September 18, 2009 [26 favorites]

Good luck. I know the awesomeness of Mefi can be addictive.
posted by Pronoiac at 10:58 AM on September 18, 2009

So long, farewell, Auf Weidersehen, goodbye.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:59 AM on September 18, 2009

You should have just put this in your profile.

MetaTalk isn't here for you to make public declarations, no matter how well written and heartfelt.

Now we're left either talking to no one or making comments to draw you back in, neither of which would be a good thing.
posted by ODiV at 11:01 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

And now I sound like a dick. Didn't mean to, sorry, but I get annoyed with these kinds of posts.
posted by ODiV at 11:02 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

That was the weirdest flameout ever.
posted by JeffK at 11:02 AM on September 18, 2009 [8 favorites]

I should probably do 10% 40% 80% of this too...
posted by DU at 11:03 AM on September 18, 2009

Godspeed, and I hope to see you here sometime down the road.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:03 AM on September 18, 2009

You should have just put this in your profile.

I knew that would come up. I didn't intend it as a hit and run. If the mods hate this, they can close it without hurting my feelings.

Maybe you could have written a two-paragraph goodbye and started spending time with your family 30 minutes ago.

That, sir, is quality. Thanks, and cheers.
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:06 AM on September 18, 2009 [4 favorites]

I need to start posting to MetaTalk every time I go away from the site for a few hours/days/insert period of time here. I mean, that's what this section of the site is for, right?
posted by eyeballkid at 11:07 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Sorry. I sounded a little douchey there.

I actually meant to sound a lot more douchey.
posted by eyeballkid at 11:08 AM on September 18, 2009 [5 favorites]

I'm going to have a sandwich for lunch.
posted by found missing at 11:10 AM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]

Good luck!
posted by ocherdraco at 11:11 AM on September 18, 2009

Thanks!
posted by found missing at 11:11 AM on September 18, 2009 [15 favorites]

Since you're not gonna need them anymore, can I have all your favorites?
posted by stavrogin at 11:12 AM on September 18, 2009 [4 favorites]

I think you'll miss me most of all.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:14 AM on September 18, 2009 [16 favorites]

INT DEATH STAR - MAIN DOCKING BAY

Chaos. For the first time, the Death Star is rocked by explosions
as the Rebel fleet, no longer backed against a wall, zooms over,
unloading a heavy barrage. Imperial troops run in all directions,
confused and desperate to escape.

In the midst of this uproar, Devils Rancher is trying to carry the enormous
deadweight of MetaFilter's weakening body toward an Imperial
shuttle. Finally, Devils Rancher collapses from the strain. The explosions
grow louder as MetaFilter draws him closer.

METAFILTER (a whisper)
Devils Rancher, help me take this mask off.

DEVILS RANCHER
But you'll die.

METAFILTER
Nothing can stop that now. Just for once...
let me look on you with my own eyes.

Slowly, hesitantly, Devils Rancher removes the mask from MetaFilter's face.
There beneath the scars is an elderly man. His eyes do not focus.
But the dying man smiles at the sight before him.

METAFILTER (very weak)
Now...go, my son. Leave me.

DEVILS RANCHER
No. You're coming with me. I can't leave you
here. I've got to save you.

METAFILTER
You already have, Devils Rancher. You were right about
me. Tell your family...you were right.

DEVILS RANCHER
MetaFilter...I won't leave you.

MetaFilter dies.
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:19 AM on September 18, 2009 [5 favorites]

If you change your mind about Airmen's cave, let me know. I bet there's no wifi in there.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:20 AM on September 18, 2009

Send us a postcard, okay?
posted by rtha at 11:21 AM on September 18, 2009

I am neglecting my job. I am neglecting my children. I am neglecting my IRL friends. I am neglecting my projects. I am neglecting my body. I am neglecting the words and music in my head. I am neglecting my dog.

The answer is clearly to get rid of all those and keep Metafilter. Yes your body too! Unemployed, childless, friendless, dogless, completely inactive, over-metafiltering brain in a jar baby!
posted by ND¢ at 11:22 AM on September 18, 2009 [8 favorites]

I will miss you. Come back when the kids are packed off and you have new stories to tell us!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:23 AM on September 18, 2009

I guess I'm wrong and this is what MetaTalk is for.
posted by ODiV at 11:24 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Kudos on setting priorities for yourself and your family. Your presence will be missed. Good luck!!
posted by zarq at 11:31 AM on September 18, 2009

Best of luck. I often think of doing the same, but I'm still getting most of my shit done. So there's that.
Maybe we'll see you some rainy Sunday.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 11:35 AM on September 18, 2009

In an alternate universe somewhere, Devils Rancher is at this very moment having an uncomfortable metaconversation with his family and friends about having to choose between them and Metafilter, and about who lost.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:37 AM on September 18, 2009 [23 favorites]

"Our Devil's Rancher wasn't born a criminal, Clarice. He was made one through years of systematic abuse. Devils Rancher hates his own identity."
posted by Mayor Curley at 11:37 AM on September 18, 2009

He hasn't pushed the big red button yet.

BIG.
RED.
BUTTON.
BIG RED BUTTON! BIG RED BUTTON! BIG RED BUTTON!
posted by yhbc at 11:41 AM on September 18, 2009 [2 favorites]

Good luck. I hardly knew didn't know ye at all, but I will you well.
posted by Danf at 11:41 AM on September 18, 2009

I'll miss you most of all scarecrow. X
posted by Jofus at 11:41 AM on September 18, 2009

I think you're setting yourself up for a bit of failure here...aren't you just going to be obsessively checking this thread now?
But bye, and good luck.
HOLY SHIT WHERE DID THE LAST HOUR GO I HAVE A MILLION THINGS TO DO BEFORE 3:30
posted by chococat at 11:42 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

.
posted by Joe Beese at 11:42 AM on September 18, 2009

I will neglect to cry.
posted by blue_beetle at 11:46 AM on September 18, 2009

I think when you go to the "Close Account" page and click the "Keep Account" button instead, it should go to a page with a message like "Yessss, try all you like, you will never leave ussss."
posted by Deathalicious at 11:48 AM on September 18, 2009 [11 favorites]

ciao.
posted by dersins at 11:50 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Go knock all those important projects out, Devil's Rancher. Come back when you can do so in balance with your family and other priorities. I enjoyed a lot of the comments you shared with us and am sorry to see you go.

All the best, sir.
posted by EatTheWeak at 11:50 AM on September 18, 2009

Sorry to see you go!







OK, can I have his favorites now?
posted by The Deej at 11:52 AM on September 18, 2009

A&E needs a show called "Internet Intervention." Clearly, it would only be available online.
posted by desjardins at 11:53 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

I wish you peace, and luck.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 11:55 AM on September 18, 2009

DR, thanks much for helping keep me sober.
posted by netbros at 11:56 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

(Makes note on calendar to periodically search user names for Charred Snivel, Children Saver, Evil Arch Nerds...)

I'll catch you if you try to sneak back in, you son of a bitch!
posted by nanojath at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2009 [2 favorites]

I will have read and comprehended Ulysses

So I guess you won't be back, then.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]

Interestingly, I was just thinking this morning about how you could possibly set up an Internet Abusers Anonymous, because it would have to be done in a chatroom

RUDEboi456> hi my name is RUDEboi456, and im addictied to the internet
gurlygirl12> hi RUDEboi456
fantom> hi RUDEboi456
jammer> yo dawg
RUDEboi456> lol
posted by yhbc at 11:59 AM on September 18, 2009 [2 favorites]

Goodbye stranger it's been nice.
posted by Sailormom at 12:03 PM on September 18, 2009

Fare thee well. Godspeed.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:03 PM on September 18, 2009

BIG RED BUTTON! BIG RED BUTTON! BIG RED BUTTON!

That thing scares the shit out of me -- I won't be doing that. Too much history. I'm just stepping away from the computer for a while, really. A year or two.

I think you're setting yourself up for a bit of failure here...aren't you just going to be obsessively checking this thread now?

Heh, yeah. Well, as to ODIV's first point, you're now drawing me back in. Think of it as I've climbed on the bus, and am in my chair, waving, while I wait for the bus driver to pull out of the station. Ah, here we go.

I didn't want to just crap this here with no response. But. I will. Not. Click. Recent... activi...

So I guess you won't be back, then.

Fuck Me. what have I done?
posted by Devils Rancher at 12:07 PM on September 18, 2009

Crap. It's only been an hour and I'm already checking this thread again. Where's Dr. Drew when I need him?
posted by JeffK at 12:08 PM on September 18, 2009

Pshaw. Fewer than 2800 comments and a few dozen posts in nearly 5 years? That's less than one a day.

You haven't begun to get near hitting bottom on the MeFi addiction meter. Lightweight.
posted by fourcheesemac at 12:10 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

The next time you see me, I'll have a kid in engineering school, I will have read and comprehended Ulysses, I will have learned to properly use the comma, my gut will have turned to muscle, all my slides will be scanned, my garage will be organized, I will have returned to caving and playing music, and hopefully I will have officially released a couple of music compilations I've back-burnered for a several years, now.

Actually, I've seen you twice since you said goodbye. How can I miss you if you won't go away?
posted by iconomy at 12:13 PM on September 18, 2009 [2 favorites]

So this stopping of the reading and the posting is going to happen when, then?
posted by nanojath at 12:13 PM on September 18, 2009

I mean, if we give you all the crap now, we won't be fresh and extra bitey when you try to slip back in in a week.
posted by nanojath at 12:15 PM on September 18, 2009

Pshaw. Fewer than 2800 comments and a few dozen posts in nearly 5 years? That's less than one a day.

Is it?
posted by gman at 12:18 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

So does this mean you're not coming to the meetup on Sunday?
posted by adamrice at 12:21 PM on September 18, 2009

ahhh, one of favorite spouses.

Good luck with that productivity thing!
posted by readery at 12:22 PM on September 18, 2009

Don't be a stranger.
posted by Elmore at 12:26 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

MetaFilter: Stopping you from living your life since 1999.
posted by ignignokt at 12:26 PM on September 18, 2009 [8 favorites]

I never got to ask him if his devils were free-range.
posted by boo_radley at 12:29 PM on September 18, 2009 [2 favorites]

You know, if we keep this thread going he will be trapped here like our own personal genie for a month.
posted by cimbrog at 12:34 PM on September 18, 2009 [5 favorites]

If we liked it, we shoulda put a ring on it.
posted by klangklangston at 12:51 PM on September 18, 2009 [11 favorites]

MetaFilter: More addictive than crack real life.
posted by Cranberry at 12:51 PM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]

I have snapped at my wife when asked when I was coming to bed.

When making a comment on Metafilter has a higher priority an offer of rumpy-pumpy, you *know* it's time to step away from the keyboard.

(Not that I've ever been able to take this sort of advice, but do as I say, not as I do.)

Fewer than 2800 comments and a few dozen posts in nearly 5 years?

Dude, it took him 1500 words to say 'Screw you guys, I'm outta here'. I'm not surprised it's eating up the whole of his life.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:53 PM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]

MetaFilter: I am using the internet to escape, and this must stop.
posted by hippybear at 12:53 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Aw, very best of luck to you! You will definitely be missed but it sounds like you're making the best choice for you.

Damn it, that wasn't snarky at all. I suck.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 12:57 PM on September 18, 2009

it's so cute when they try to leave

And then I realized I had been hearing Benny murmuring, under his breath, for several minutes. He was saying, "I'm gonna get out, I'm gonna get out …" over and over. His monkey-like face was crumbled up in an expression of beatific delight and sadness, all at the same time. The radiation scars AM had given him during the "festival" were drawn down into a mass of pink-white puckerings, and his features seemed to work independently of one another. Perhaps Benny was the luckiest of the five of us: he had gone stark, staring mad many years before
posted by Think_Long at 1:01 PM on September 18, 2009

So, can I have his french fries?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:03 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

and his piece of pie?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:04 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

I think this poem by IRFH should be reat at all MeFi state funerals.
posted by hermitosis at 1:08 PM on September 18, 2009

...but...but I FOLLOW YOU ON TWITTER!!!

*world collapses, in a trivial and almost insignificant manner*

Take care, man. Do what needs doing, and then come tell us about your awesomeness.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:12 PM on September 18, 2009

Best
posted by fixedgear at 1:13 PM on September 18, 2009

of
posted by fixedgear at 1:13 PM on September 18, 2009

luck.
posted by fixedgear at 1:14 PM on September 18, 2009

Best of luck, dude. Sounds like the best decision you can make.
posted by five fresh fish at 1:31 PM on September 18, 2009

Hey man, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out! Because that would hurt. And I wouldn't like you to be hurt. Because you're a swell guy, Devils Rancher :)
posted by Kattullus at 1:31 PM on September 18, 2009

You know, if you leave your devils in the field overnight, they get pasturized.
posted by Dr-Baa at 1:32 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Good luck, sir! Also I hope you're not reading this because you're already gone and doing real life stuff.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 1:35 PM on September 18, 2009

Take care, man.
posted by Caduceus at 1:40 PM on September 18, 2009

When making a comment on Metafilter has a higher priority an offer of rumpy-pumpy, you *know* it's time to step away from the keyboard.

If my wife called it 'rumpy-pumpy' I'd probably lose interest also.

The next time you see me, I'll have a kid in engineering school, I will have read and comprehended Ulysses, I will have learned to properly use the comma, my gut will have turned to muscle...

Or maybe you'll have a college dropout for a kid, you'll find Ulysses a difficult read and quit half way through, you'll have learned that it's impossible for gut to turn into anything but more gut...

and you won't have metafilter's broad shoulders to cry on. What then mr. smarty pants?
posted by Dennis Murphy at 1:47 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

I'm here a lot less than I used to be, because my IRL life got way awesome and hard at the same time. It hurts a little, but I was just here too much. I'm sure you'll find a balance for us, DR.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 1:47 PM on September 18, 2009

If we liked it, we shoulda put a ring on it.

Hey, many of us did put a ring on DR back in June.

Do these cyber weddings mean nothing to you? (sniff, sniff)

Seriously, best wishes and good on you for doing what I bet lots of us, including myself, should be doing!!
posted by marsha56 at 1:49 PM on September 18, 2009

Devils_Rancher's great and all, and I'ma let him have his moment, but...
posted by misha at 1:51 PM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]

.
posted by Lynsey at 2:19 PM on September 18, 2009

Best of luck. And stay classy. That was certainly a class act.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:19 PM on September 18, 2009

Achievement Unlocked.
posted by empath at 2:20 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

This might seem like MeFi addiction, but it's not.

MetaFilter addiction is when you publicly leave the site via MetaTalk, then check in a couple days later because you need to unwind. You see a thread you should comment on, like really and truly should, but you can't, because you quit. Quit large actually, and said you quit for really important reasons. So you make some sockpuppets and post under those for two years. Because you quit.

That's MeFi addiction.
posted by y6y6y6 at 2:24 PM on September 18, 2009

I doubt you know me, but I recognize your username, and I'm sure your contributions will be missed. Still, good on ya for realizing your priorities, and you know we'll be glad to have you back when you're able!
posted by owtytrof at 2:27 PM on September 18, 2009

I tried doing this for a month. Pretty much for the same reasons. Then I came to the conclusion that the reason I wasn't getting personal projects done and working out and improving my brain wasn't metafilter's fault. I was just lazy. So I came back, my world shattered, with no possible way to continue my delusions.

Also, I didn't even make it a month.

But I did cut way down (and have continued to do so). So, in the end, the moral of this story is that metafilter is like beer.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:29 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

DR, I will miss you here. Maybe we'll bump into each other underground somewhere.

If you finish scanning your slides, you won't need that scanner anymore, right? 'Cause I could use one of those...
posted by Kirth Gerson at 2:44 PM on September 18, 2009

Best of luck. I seem to have cycled back up myself.
posted by OmieWise at 2:47 PM on September 18, 2009

Sorry, bad math. Still, less than 2 a day.

Practically a monk
posted by fourcheesemac at 3:02 PM on September 18, 2009

Yeah I'm on break too. Lots of things to do, lots of real world stuff, constantly hitting Recent Activity was starting to make me feel like a crackhead labrat. Button push! Reward! So I'm trying to avoid the internet for a while.

Wait, whatya mean I'm commenting? I'm not even near a computer, I'm-

Oh god, I can post in my Delta Wave State! IT'S INSIDE MY BRAIN!

Wakeupwakeupwakeupwakeupwakeupwakewakeupwak
posted by The Whelk at 3:02 PM on September 18, 2009

You do understand that leaving here doesn't mean I'm going to stop stalking you, right?

Ok, good.

Peace.
posted by quin at 3:09 PM on September 18, 2009

This really moved me. Take care and have fun in your life.
posted by onlyconnect at 3:10 PM on September 18, 2009

Come back soon, and give us a full report about what's going on in the meatspace.
posted by mullingitover at 3:18 PM on September 18, 2009

Don't forget to turn off the gas before you leave!
posted by subbes at 3:26 PM on September 18, 2009

Don't forget to turn off the gas before you leave!

Is that what that smell is?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:34 PM on September 18, 2009

Best of luck! You'll need it.
posted by loquacious at 3:35 PM on September 18, 2009 [4 favorites]

I'm taking his room.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 3:36 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

I will miss your wit! Best of luck.
posted by applemeat at 3:43 PM on September 18, 2009

Don't let the door hit you in the arse in the way out.

But, don't let it hit you in the arse on the way back in either, hopefully soon. You'll be missed.
posted by dg at 4:05 PM on September 18, 2009

Oh, sure. Do the "responsible" thing by putting your "family's" needs first. Uh huh. Next thing you know, you'll be doing laundry and cooking things other than ramen noodles! (Oh, wait, I do that crap too.)

Seriously, good luck and kick ass! You're being a good Pop!
posted by snsranch at 4:15 PM on September 18, 2009

I am neglecting my IRL friends.

This intriguing world you speak of known as "IRL".... tell us more.

Does it have snark? Is it free from trolls and asshats? Is is hosted by Carson Daly?
posted by dgaicun at 4:23 PM on September 18, 2009

I'm gonna miss having you around.
posted by nola at 4:31 PM on September 18, 2009

Best of luck! You'll need it.
posted by loquacious

Hey!
posted by dersins at 4:31 PM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]

I'll be sorry to not see you around, DR, but I'll be wishing you all the best in your future endeavors, and hoping to see you again.
posted by box at 5:14 PM on September 18, 2009

There's just not enough time in the day for all this and obsessing over the internet.


Oh, man. You and me both. Just returned from four months off and still finding my internet-real world balance here.

Have fun!
posted by jason's_planet at 5:25 PM on September 18, 2009

You can call out any time you like, but you can never leave.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:51 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

I'm glad he's gone, cause fuck that guy.
posted by ColdChef at 5:55 PM on September 18, 2009 [5 favorites]

See, ColdChef can make that joke...I did that and I'd collect more flags than the UN.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:02 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Adios homes, happy trails. We'll leave the light on for ya.
posted by Divine_Wino at 6:16 PM on September 18, 2009

Does that mean if we heckle you mercilessly if we see you hanging out here in the next couple of weeks, that we're really supporting you? And the crueler we are, the more we support support you?

*imagines the song 'cruel to be kind' in her head*

Goodbye Devils Rancher. I hardly knew ye'. Good luck!

antitanita
posted by anitanita at 6:24 PM on September 18, 2009

I'm glad he's gone, cause fuck that guy.

I think you want the favorites thread, two doors down.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:40 PM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

I've enjoyed your friendship and contributions here, DR, and I paricularly hate to see a MeFi musician say goodbye...

But, goodbye is too good a word, babe, so I'll just say fare thee well.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:42 PM on September 18, 2009

But you're still coming to the meetup this Sunday, right? Hello? Hello? I CAN HEAR YOU BREATHING!
posted by Daddy-O at 7:07 PM on September 18, 2009

Good luck to you...

changes happen, and letting those in your community know about it is a kind thing to do...


to the snarkers... fuck off...
posted by HuronBob at 7:09 PM on September 18, 2009

I've been reading Leo Babuta's stuff on mnmlist.com and zenhabits.net, and I've been doing a lot of simplification myself. I totally get what you're trying to do – eliminate (or tone down) the optional and unnecessary to focus on the vital – and I wish you the best with it.
posted by WCityMike at 7:09 PM on September 18, 2009

Hope to see you round these parts again sometime!! Good luck with all your stuff.

If I'm ever in Austin, will you take me caving? I'm asking real nice, it just isn't coming through over the intarnets...
posted by not_on_display at 8:42 PM on September 18, 2009

Overweening. Hehe, you taught me a new word.
posted by IndigoRain at 9:20 PM on September 18, 2009

Yes, I can verify that not_on_display is not just some random_internet_dude.

No, wait. Actually, I can't verify that. Carry on.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:21 PM on September 18, 2009

Get yourself in order and come back to us soon. We'll still be here.
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:23 PM on September 18, 2009

Jesus, calm down. It's not like MeFi is Warcraft...
posted by cior at 9:46 PM on September 18, 2009

is too.
posted by not_on_display at 9:49 PM on September 18, 2009

Back in a few years, worried about the offspring headed off to an unknown place, been keeping to himself while toiling away at technology. Come on, this is clearly just a viral ad for the sequel to District 9.
posted by cashman at 10:03 PM on September 18, 2009 [2 favorites]

"I will have read and comprehended Ulysses"

It's overrated. The farting bit is funny though.
posted by bardic at 12:14 AM on September 19, 2009

This always confused me about Dear John letters. Does the letter-writer expect a response to "Dear John, I never want to see you again?"
posted by thisperon at 4:59 AM on September 19, 2009

I hate it when valued members check out.
posted by caddis at 4:39 PM on September 19, 2009

I've been playing a lot of Rome: Total War this week.

At first I kind of felt bad about neglecting teh internets, but frankly, those Gauls and Spaniards were really fucking asking for it.

All the best, DR!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 4:57 PM on September 19, 2009

The whole 'bye! canihavehisstuff?' thing reminds me of when my brother moved out. As my parents drove him to the airport, I was busy moving my stuff into his room. I'm pretty sure I was all set up by the time they dropped him off.
posted by jacalata at 5:24 PM on September 19, 2009

I'm pretty sure I was all set up by the time they dropped him off.

Yeah, well, this time around, you can't have Devils Rancher's room.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:35 PM on September 19, 2009

MetaTalk isn't here for you to make public declarations . . .

Really? I though that was its raison d'être.
posted by Neiltupper at 10:43 AM on September 20, 2009

If anyone else wants to simplify for a time, but doesn't want to press the Big Red Button, you can do the following:

1. Go to StrongPasswordGenerator and generate yourself a 21 character string of gobbledygook.

2. Go to FutureMe and paste the password into an email 'welcoming you back' to Mefi, set to be sent to you in six months, a year, five years, whatever. If you're worried about FutureMe folding and you not getting your email in 2014 (or whenever), give the password to a friend or put it across 2 or 3 different future email services.

3. Log in to Mefi, change your password to the gobbledygook, log out.

4. Clear all caches, copy and paste a few things to clear your clipboard, add MeFi to your hosts file or Leechblock or whatever, then shutdown and go outside.

And yes, I'm thinking of doing this.
posted by Happy Dave at 5:51 PM on September 20, 2009 [7 favorites]

DR: I believe it is customary to leave your severed hand here, before you leave.

Please don't make our lawyers come out and take it from you.
posted by double block and bleed at 2:34 AM on September 21, 2009

Happy Dave, I think the mods can also give you a time out, set you account to not allow you back in for a certain amount of time, but I could be wrong.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:15 AM on September 21, 2009

We can do an indefinite timeout, yeah, which has the advantage of not making a profile look disabled the way an ban or a red buttoning does. Doesn't get much use, but this is the sort of situation where it does get used. Basically an email to say "please do it" and another one later on to say "please undo it, i'm back".
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:19 AM on September 22, 2009