Fare Thee Well

July 23, 2011 10:37 AM

Just wanted to drop a quick note to let everyone know I'm leaving Metafilter, and wish you all the best.

I had a pretty active near-daily history with the site for a number of years, and because of that, I didn't just want to disappear into the ether without a goodbye, especially since such goodbyes seem to be okay with the admins.

Fellow Mefites, as well as the admins personally, have been of extraordinary help to me over the years, help for which I will always be grateful. I hope I've been able to adequately offer a reciprocal amount of help.

A particular note of thanks to Matt, Jessamyn and Josh, for answering questions and for their patience with those occasions on which I've been either a big blasted fool with my foot firmly wedged halfway down my throat, or have attention-whored unawares.

The memories of those moments still cause embarrassment and regret when recalled -- so an apology to them and to the community for those moments.

Assuming it's not considered verboten either by convention or rule, I still plan to perhaps drop by the occasional meetup, although my attendance record lately's not been too stellar on that anyway. Don't know if meetups are limited to "on-duty" Mefites or if it's a "once you're a Mefite, you're always a Mefite" kind of deal.

Might change my mind and this might end up being a 'leave of absence' after a few months or a year and not a departure, but right now it feels to me much like the latter, and not so much the former.

In any case, there are so many of you out there who are such very good people without even realizing it, and so I take this opportunity to just tell you how freaking stellar you are. And if you doubt it, yes, I'm talking about you.

It's been good. Thanks. I'll stick around until this evening and close the account before going to bed tonight.

Please feel free to keep in touch if you like: my e-mail address is mikeharris19 AT gmail dot com.

posted by WCityMike to MetaFilter-Related at 10:37 AM (86 comments total)

I just wanted to say, "Good luck, we're all counting on you."
posted by entropicamericana at 10:39 AM on July 23, 2011 [13 favorites]

Bye Mike, take care!
posted by carsonb at 10:41 AM on July 23, 2011

Goodbye.
posted by cjorgensen at 10:46 AM on July 23, 2011

I still remember having a lovely email chat with you about Unitarian Universalism a while back. Good luck and be well, Mike.
posted by booksherpa at 10:46 AM on July 23, 2011

You're always welcome at our meetups, Mike. Hope to see you seen.
posted by SpiffyRob at 10:57 AM on July 23, 2011

Epic flame out!
posted by mazola at 11:03 AM on July 23, 2011 [4 favorites]

I've always enjoyed your comments and will miss you.
posted by By The Grace of God at 11:04 AM on July 23, 2011

Once a Mefite, always a Mefite as far as the Chicago Cabal is concerned.* Be advised that as an ex officio member you may still vote, but not on budgetary items or by-laws.


*TINCC
posted by hydrophonic at 11:05 AM on July 23, 2011 [4 favorites]

It's always a shame when regular posters wind down, but of course you should take a break if you need it. Hope we'll see you around these parts again (or at a meetup).
posted by immlass at 11:07 AM on July 23, 2011

Have fun storming the castle, homie.
posted by cashman at 11:09 AM on July 23, 2011 [2 favorites]

Take care!
posted by rmd1023 at 11:13 AM on July 23, 2011

First John Boehner storms out and now this.
posted by found missing at 11:19 AM on July 23, 2011 [4 favorites]

Good travels! I think I first started reading MetaFilter as a result of the rather excellent link blog you used to write, BTW. Thanks for all the fish!
posted by ignignokt at 11:19 AM on July 23, 2011

Hope this is a leave of absence as opposed to a full scale resignation. Always enjoyed your participation here and sad to see you go.
posted by The Gooch at 11:22 AM on July 23, 2011

Rock on! (In your fashion, of course.)
posted by Nabubrush at 11:24 AM on July 23, 2011

Best to you, man.
posted by mintcake! at 11:29 AM on July 23, 2011

Best wishes to you
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:33 AM on July 23, 2011

Crack on, Mike
posted by Jofus at 11:39 AM on July 23, 2011

There are no ex-mefites; there are only former mefites. Semper fi!
posted by rtha at 11:42 AM on July 23, 2011

Godspeed, young soldier!
posted by Navelgazer at 12:05 PM on July 23, 2011

Take care and have fun.
posted by Kattullus at 12:21 PM on July 23, 2011

Farewell fond traveller!
posted by The Whelk at 12:25 PM on July 23, 2011

These exits are happening too often.
posted by Cranberry at 12:26 PM on July 23, 2011

Jeez, I didn't think my breath was that bad. Anyway, goodbye and good luck! And if Chicago doesn't let you come to meetups, there's always Milwaukee. not that we have any
posted by desjardins at 12:33 PM on July 23, 2011

Stay in touch.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:37 PM on July 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

Good luck, Mike. You'll be missed.
posted by Kwine at 1:05 PM on July 23, 2011

Hey Mike, thanks for all your contributions to the site! I do hope you find your way back again.
posted by SpacemanStix at 1:14 PM on July 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

Don't go!
posted by Sassyfras at 1:44 PM on July 23, 2011

Be sure to let us know what it's like out there among The Offline. I heard they have jetpacks.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:46 PM on July 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

I just wanted to say, good luck. We're all counting on you.

Farewell and see you soon.
posted by Errant at 1:53 PM on July 23, 2011

Best wishes.
posted by Trurl at 2:01 PM on July 23, 2011

Sleep soundly and dream of large women.
posted by loquacious at 2:01 PM on July 23, 2011 [9 favorites]

I am sorry to hear you are going, but I suppose we all must, one day. You had one of the most optimistic, inspiring comments in the "Obama wins" thread from almost three years ago:

Republicans in this thread, please listen to me. If you want your candidates to have a chance, look at what was massively, overwhelmingly successful this time around: an eloquent candidate who preferred to focus on the issues and limit (if not eliminate) negative campaigning, a candidate who

One of the best things I could imagine happening in 2012 is for Obama to meet an Obama-ish Republican candidate. Think of the exchange of ideas that would be — a campaign on the issues, on the platforms, a belief and treatment of people as opponents and not enemies.

Sixteen months out from November 2012, I don't see this happening.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 2:04 PM on July 23, 2011 [4 favorites]

Enjoy the "real world". I hear it's nice!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:16 PM on July 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

Today I left a community that I've been visiting daily for many years. It's tough, really tough. So tough that I find myself automatically entering its URL when I open up the browser. I finally block it at the router level. Guess I kinda understand the feeling that it's time to move on or maybe just take a pause. Hope it doesn't suck too much. Take care.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 3:05 PM on July 23, 2011

I hope that this move is exactly what you want, need, and are hoping for. Best to you!!
posted by xingcat at 3:08 PM on July 23, 2011

<3
posted by shakespeherian at 3:30 PM on July 23, 2011

Happy trails. You will be missed by many.
posted by IvoShandor at 3:38 PM on July 23, 2011

You'll be back. We all come back. Hope this augers a positive change for you, man, and good luck out there.
posted by Devils Rancher at 3:58 PM on July 23, 2011

I've enjoyed your comments and wish you well.
posted by agatha_magatha at 4:08 PM on July 23, 2011

The internet is forever...MeFi is even longer....

Be of good nature and drop by sometime.
posted by bjgeiger at 4:46 PM on July 23, 2011

Seriously, first wednesday of the month--you're always welcome. w-who shall not be names-ms is welcome; so are you! Take care!
posted by crush-onastick at 4:57 PM on July 23, 2011

Like many here - I've always enjoyed your perspective. Good luck - maybe see you down the road.
posted by Sk4n at 4:57 PM on July 23, 2011

Vaya Con Dios, WCiudadMiguel.
posted by jonmc at 5:08 PM on July 23, 2011

Be careful when you're outside, there's this big glowing thing in the sky and huge metal beasts roar around and will run you over if you're not careful.
posted by marxchivist at 5:18 PM on July 23, 2011 [4 favorites]

Keep the wind at your back and the sun on your face, WCityMike.
posted by lekvar at 5:28 PM on July 23, 2011

Don't forget the sunscreen.
posted by Sailormom at 5:53 PM on July 23, 2011

Hasta luego.
posted by paulsc at 7:07 PM on July 23, 2011

Have a gr8 summer!
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:26 PM on July 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

may all your adventures be happy!
posted by batmonkey at 7:40 PM on July 23, 2011

I hope your head does not fall off.
posted by subbes at 7:52 PM on July 23, 2011

Goodbye and of course, good luck.

In the words of the other great Chicagoan who recently said goodbye, “It is necessary that all of us — all of us — come together because we don’t want to go back to the days of people fighting for nothing. They were fighting for nothing. It became a disgrace for Chicago. We became the laughingstock of America,” Daley said, referring to the 1980’s power struggle known as Council Wars that saw 29 aldermen, most of them white, thwart then-Mayor Harold Washington’s every move.


“And we moved on [from] that. We moved on because we all have the same belief in helping our children, our grandchildren or other children. Make them a better way of life. Let’s not think of how we can lose a child. Let’s always think how we can save a child. I don’t care where that child comes from.”

So while you may leave, we have all come here to come together to fight the good fight. You will always be a soldier in that war and welcome where ever and when ever we come together to reminisce about that fight. Some call those "meet-ups", but whatever, come on by y'all.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:10 PM on July 23, 2011

Yikes, Mike. Good luck to you. You don't say why you're leaving. It's okay to lurk and keep your account open if other life matters are pressing. And to send me, a former Chicagoan, a hot dog.

Because I miss those darned hot dogs and I will miss you.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 8:28 PM on July 23, 2011

I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that I'll probably continue to read this website more or less regularly, and now and then even comment on some topic that grabs my attention. But if Metafilter ever starts to really bore me, then you probably won't know it. I'll just disappear, and no one will ever say, "Where did that, you know, guy, who was, like, you know, go?"

Also, Christ is US Airways bad. Really, take my advice and don't ever fly with them if it is at all possible. I don't want to say they suck, because that can be a good thing; more like US Airways is too incompetent to even know how to suck.

Also also wik, you missed such an opportunity to title this thread Goodbye to All That. Really.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:36 PM on July 23, 2011

the reasons your own
you have a sort of home
here. I would only suggest keep your account open but cool if you don't.

good luck, leaving for a long while is odd at first, it's part of the road i guess.

octobersuprise I would miss you, why i remebered something, went to the records and found this

Clavdivs and other creative spellers: Poetic license. Wanna convey a particular kind of voice with nonstandard prose? Sure, go ahead. What Clavdivs does works, more or less; and I used to laugh like hell at Settle. But as the cliche goes, why not know the rules before you bend them?
posted by octobersurprise at 10:03 PM on September 9, 2002 [+] [!]

it was generous, thanks made me feel better, so do some air guitar on the plane and webcast it to us :$

less blood and more gnash back then...LAWN!
posted by clavdivs at 9:10 PM on July 23, 2011

Live free, die well.
posted by adamdschneider at 9:16 PM on July 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

Mike, best wishes...
posted by HuronBob at 9:58 PM on July 23, 2011

Wishing you the best! Hope yours is just a leave of absence and not forever.
posted by MultiFaceted at 10:17 PM on July 23, 2011

I like turtles.
posted by 1000monkeys at 10:21 PM on July 23, 2011 [2 favorites]

Take care, Mike!
posted by scody at 10:36 PM on July 23, 2011

So long.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:04 PM on July 23, 2011

Bye [for now?]--best wishes to you.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:05 PM on July 23, 2011

Sorry to see you go, Mike. I'm hoping it'll turn out to be merely a leave of absence!
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 11:12 PM on July 23, 2011

ttfn and all the best Mike. Come back and see us sometime.
posted by arcticseal at 11:58 PM on July 23, 2011

Catch you at it later, bonny lad.
posted by Abiezer at 12:55 AM on July 24, 2011

These exits are happening too often.

It's the Circle of Life.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:32 AM on July 24, 2011 [2 favorites]

Sleep tight, don't let the b..*SLAP*




(Seriously, though, your advice and knowledge on the subject of Them What Shall Not Be Mentioned was invaluable to me. Cheers to you.)
posted by louche mustachio at 2:02 AM on July 24, 2011

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

No, really, it hurts. You can bruise your coccyx like that, and then you have to sit on an inflatable donut for weeks, and everybody's too polite to mention it but you know all the time that they're thinking "hurf durf hemorrhoids!", and you wish there was some way of broaching the subject casually just to counter this, so you find yourself at casual drinks after work, sitting on your inflatable donut, looking out for an opportunity to say "oh hai, did everybody see how that guy just walked out the door and the door almost hit his butt on the way out...?" until you realise that the entire conceit is plagiarised from the Seinfeld "shrinkage" episode, so you swallow your pride & reach for another corn chip, but all the guacamole has gone and who wants to eat dry cornchips?

In summary, be careful out there.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:54 AM on July 24, 2011 [3 favorites]

Thanks, all. Bye. :)
posted by WCityMike at 7:00 AM on July 24, 2011 [2 favorites]

Take care, man.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:35 PM on July 24, 2011

Jesus, how many times are you going to quit?
posted by bardic at 6:34 PM on July 24, 2011

Vaya con quesa.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:35 PM on July 24, 2011

You can log out, but you can never leave (forever). See you when you get back.
posted by dg at 8:12 PM on July 24, 2011

Jesus, how many times are you going to quit?

i've tried to quit you mefi,
so many times before,
but your comments and your links,
kept me coming back for more.

i pushed the big red button,
and i thought it was for good,
but i came back again, you know,
just like y'all said i would.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:33 PM on July 24, 2011 [2 favorites]

Sigh. The claw chooses who will stay, and who will go. Happy trails.
posted by XMLicious at 10:27 PM on July 24, 2011

Fare thee well, space traveler.
posted by not_on_display at 10:55 PM on July 24, 2011

Burn in hell for ruining Ontario you bastard.
posted by GuyZero at 11:01 PM on July 24, 2011

Good luck with everything, Mike.
posted by Pastabagel at 6:40 AM on July 25, 2011

Good luck to you, Mike. Don't be a stranger.
posted by zarq at 7:11 AM on July 25, 2011

Burn in hell for ruining Ontario you bastard.

???
posted by hydrophonic at 8:59 AM on July 25, 2011

Godspeed, Mike. You're always welcome at the Goat.
posted by Iridic at 10:02 AM on July 25, 2011

Safe journeys WCityMike. I hope your path leads back to us every now and again so you can keep us apprised as to how the wide world is treating you.

And may it treat you well.
posted by quin at 10:06 AM on July 25, 2011 [1 favorite]

Loving good wishes to you WCityMike.
posted by nickyskye at 10:31 AM on July 25, 2011

There was a former Premiere of Ontario who shared the same real name as WCityMike. It's a joke. And did you know this exists: Same Name? It's terrible.
posted by GuyZero at 10:42 AM on July 25, 2011

Aw man. Well, good luck. You'll be missed round these parts.
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:39 AM on July 25, 2011

Clear skies, man. Always remember to wear pants.
posted by allkindsoftime at 12:12 AM on July 27, 2011