This isn't Goodbye June 9, 2011 7:51 PM   Subscribe

After a ridiculous amount of participation, my MetaFilter presence is going to fade a bit.

I have finally (after 34 months and 3 weeks) found employment. The drop in my FPPs and comments here will not mean I love MetaFilter any less. It will simply mean that I won't be sitting in front of my computer 24/7.

Thanks to everyone who helped entertain me during my lengthy unemployment, and who tolerated all my nonsense here on this electronic bulletin board (shows how old I am) during my idle time.

I look forward to finding threads already too lengthy for me to have meaningful input and huge numbers of FPPs which I end up skimming rather than actually reading for a long time to come.

MetaFilter rules. And the fact that I'm still sane after all this time is proof that you are truly the best thing online, ever.
posted by hippybear to MetaFilter-Related at 7:51 PM (107 comments total) 14 users marked this as a favorite

Oh come now, a lot of manage to juggle ridiculous Metafilter participation AND a job! We expect you to do the same!

Kidding. Congrats on the new gig!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:52 PM on June 9, 2011 [6 favorites]


Congratulations! Finally found a quiddich team with an opening for you, eh?
posted by mumkin at 7:54 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


I will miss your omnipresence. You're a good egg, sir.
posted by chara at 7:54 PM on June 9, 2011 [7 favorites]


Congrats!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:55 PM on June 9, 2011


(after 34 months and 3 weeks)
Wow! that's a long time. All the best with the new occupation.
posted by unliteral at 7:56 PM on June 9, 2011


your participation will be missed... best wishes in the new job!
posted by tomswift at 8:00 PM on June 9, 2011


Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. Seriously! I did that once, and it really hurt. I wouldn't want that happening to you. Congratulations, and good luck. And take my word for it - you'll be missed.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:05 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


Congratulations and best of luck with the new job. I look forward to seeing you around from time to time, I've learned stuff from you.
posted by marxchivist at 8:13 PM on June 9, 2011


Congratulations … but WTF?
posted by five fresh fish at 8:16 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


Rock on, Mr Bear!!!

Lots of threads on the green about new employees, dress codes, who to lunch with, how to use HR as your personal police and how to manage your boss. If you ARE the boss, be nice.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:20 PM on June 9, 2011


Wow, it's neat that hippybear just got a job! Good for him.

[Add to favorites]

... hey, waitaminnit, he says he won't be on Metafilter as much. Hmph.

[Remove from favorites]
posted by koeselitz at 8:20 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


I'll miss you babe, your voice has been a welcome and cherished addition!
posted by supermedusa at 8:25 PM on June 9, 2011


Congratulations on the new job! If you have to slack off on your Metafilter time, that's a great reason.
posted by immlass at 8:39 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


This is the very bestest flameout ever - congratulations! I hope it's a real job with health insurance and everything! You'll be missed around here but hey, we're open 24/7 so drop in whenever you get a chance.

I could use one of those job things, too ... sigh
posted by Quietgal at 8:53 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


electronic bulletin board

314 AC in the hizzy!
posted by Afroblanco at 8:58 PM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]


at first I had no idea why you were posting this but then I saw how many posts you've made. Holy crap.

Best wishes with the new job. And ignroe the jokers - don't read MeFi at work like I do. It will kill you.
posted by GuyZero at 8:58 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


Welcome to the Squares.
posted by clavdivs at 8:59 PM on June 9, 2011


Holy shit, that's awesome. Best flameout of all time.
posted by unSane at 9:00 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


Meh. Jobs is overrated. Huh? What's that? Sorry, my bad. Thought this was the Apple thread. Carry on.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 9:02 PM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]


Jobs? Sorry, wrong page. You want the third one on the left.

But, yeah, congrats. You'd like to think you'll be too busy, but you'll be back. Oh, you'll be back.
posted by Ghidorah at 9:04 PM on June 9, 2011


Congratulations! I hadn't realized that your participation was fueled by forced leisure; I hope you can stay around one way or another.
posted by Forktine at 9:13 PM on June 9, 2011


Wait, you're not supposed to spend all your time at work on Metafilter?
posted by octothorpe at 9:15 PM on June 9, 2011 [5 favorites]


You sold out, man!

Kidding aside, best wished and congrats; I wish I could sell out.

Stupid buyer's market.

posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:15 PM on June 9, 2011


Yeah, I mean, LOL see you in one week once you figure out how to angle your desktop away from your boss.

I actually signed up for Metafilter BECAUSE I got a job and couldn't post or read any of my pic heavy other internet forums and the blue background was vaguely business looking.

Wait I just realized there are some jobs that don't involve a computer and unfettered internet access. In which case I am sorry for your loss.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:21 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


Your presence has been appreciated.
posted by Artw at 9:24 PM on June 9, 2011


Hooray for employment!!! Congratulations, hippybear! I'm sad I won't see your name popping up as much, but I'm super stoked about the reason for it.
posted by palomar at 9:26 PM on June 9, 2011


Congrats, hippybear! I hope it sticks.
posted by gc at 9:33 PM on June 9, 2011


Oh man, congratulations! And thanks for the glimmer of hope: I've got you matched to the week on the unemployed thing.

As a friend of mine told me, everything's easier with a paycheck. Thrive and be happy! And send your good luck my way!

Cheers, and a big ole' gay bear hug to you! Come back and check in on us when you get a chance.
posted by trip and a half at 9:36 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


Congrats homie.
posted by cashman at 9:39 PM on June 9, 2011


Sweet, congratulations!
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 9:43 PM on June 9, 2011


Damn! It takes me a long time to notice and warm up to people here. I hope your new job is at least as inspirational as making ceramic art for that mime guy.
posted by StickyCarpet at 9:51 PM on June 9, 2011


Maaaan you are selling out both hippies AND bears by getting a job. BOOOO!

[actually, congrats]
posted by not_on_display at 9:56 PM on June 9, 2011 [3 favorites]


Good luck in your new job! Don't be a stranger.
posted by Lynsey at 9:58 PM on June 9, 2011


Congratulations!
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:00 PM on June 9, 2011


Almost 35 months?! That fucking sucks. You definitely deserve a congratulations!
posted by deborah at 10:01 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


So glad for you. We'll keep the fires burning.
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:03 PM on June 9, 2011


Congratulations! Huzzah for employment!

No, I'm serious. I know what I said, that's not the point. Yeah, for someone else. Not for me. Sometimes jobs are good!
posted by pompomtom at 10:05 PM on June 9, 2011


Congrats HB.

You're a great contributor online, and I'm sure off-line.
I love your opinions about rock and rolling.
posted by kittensofthenight at 10:10 PM on June 9, 2011


Nice!!! Don't be a stranger and good luck!
posted by P.o.B. at 10:49 PM on June 9, 2011


I hope you get fired.
posted by philip-random at 10:51 PM on June 9, 2011


Congrats and best wishes, hippybear. I always enjoy your posts and comments.
posted by amyms at 10:56 PM on June 9, 2011


Congrats on the new gig. They are lucky to hire you.
posted by 26.2 at 10:56 PM on June 9, 2011


After a ridiculous amount of participation, my MetaFilter presence is going to fade a bit.

I've had a long talk with the Mefi cabal board Mathowie and we can offer you two (2) ponies if you care to stay and maintain your participation level. You will also have access to Metafilter ONE (i.e. Matt's bike) for two weeks each year. Deal?
posted by babbyʼ); Drop table users; -- at 11:16 PM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]


BOOOOO!

I mean, wait, no, congratulations! YAY!

Agh, such conflict! BOORYAY!
posted by EatTheWeek at 11:18 PM on June 9, 2011


Does this mean you'll be able to make a Seattle meetup sometime soon?
posted by grouse at 11:19 PM on June 9, 2011


I'll miss you, hippybear. But I'm glad an employer finally recognizes your worth!
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 11:28 PM on June 9, 2011


Yay! Congrats, hippybear! I'm a big fan of your contributions here, and I hope that employment won't interfere too much with it.

It certainly hasn't affected mine.

I probably shouldn't be bragging about that...
posted by brundlefly at 11:38 PM on June 9, 2011


"After a ridiculous amount of participation, my MetaFilter presence is going to fade a bit."

oh no dude you just need to play johnny b goode at your parents prom
posted by klangklangston at 12:05 AM on June 10, 2011 [5 favorites]


Also, did you bring enough jobs for all of us?
posted by klangklangston at 12:06 AM on June 10, 2011 [6 favorites]




Congrats on gainful employment!
posted by The Whelk at 12:47 AM on June 10, 2011


What hippy bear won't tell you is that his job is testing chocolate shakes and spa treatments at the roller coaster and fireworks factory.
posted by The Whelk at 1:02 AM on June 10, 2011 [6 favorites]


Congratulations!
posted by harriet vane at 1:14 AM on June 10, 2011


You can't leave us that easily. You might try not to think about it, and only spend a minute or two playing Minesweeper on the company terminal to pass away the occasional spate of idle tedium, but the siren call of the internet will beckon you. And you'll shuffle back here, haggard and dishevled, begging for your fix of Flash games, cat pictures, and music video retrospectives. Five dollars doesn't just buy you a one-shot fix, mmaaaaaan...
posted by Smart Dalek at 1:25 AM on June 10, 2011


Please receive an internet high five, hippybear!
posted by Harald74 at 1:25 AM on June 10, 2011


The drop in my FPPs and comments here will not mean I love MetaFilter any less. It will simply mean that I won't be sitting in front of my computer 24/7.

No problem, I'll MeMail you everyday with updates.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:44 AM on June 10, 2011


I am secretly pleased that Metafilter is becoming kinder and gentler and more like the (ironically named) MefightClub all the time. Or maybe we're just getting older, us all. Still:

GUARD YOUR REAR UNDERCARRIAGE AREA MATHOWIE! WE ARE IN YR BASE, GENTLING UP YR DUDES.

posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:57 AM on June 10, 2011 [4 favorites]


Also: yay!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:57 AM on June 10, 2011


electronic bulletin board
Curious how the word Bulletin has become old-fashioned to my ears - News Bulletin, from the time when getting information urgently was as special occasion, rather than the constant stream of irrelevant, but nonetheless up-to-the-minute-for-what-it's-worth data with occasional chunks of important stuff in it like nuts in a stool.

Bulletin is now filed away with Gramophone, Charabanc and Wireless in my imaginary book of words that sound nice but don't really mean anything any more.

As you were.

/odd aside

Oh, and congratulations, by the way.
posted by Grangousier at 2:07 AM on June 10, 2011


Metafilter: It gentles up the dudes!
posted by The Whelk at 2:14 AM on June 10, 2011 [1 favorite]


the blue background was vaguely business looking.


It's even better when you use the professional white background.
posted by OmieWise at 3:41 AM on June 10, 2011


Oh, congratulations hippybear! Here's hoping this is one of the answers to "what about my dreams?" :)
posted by likeso at 3:50 AM on June 10, 2011


"After a ridiculous amount of participation, my MetaFilter presence is going to fade a bit."

So that this thread isn't a total waste, kids, I'll explain that hippybear's statement is a textbook example of regression towards the mean. In other words, any outlier will cause subsequent data points to seem less impressive, when really, they're just average (and the outlier is the weird one). So when you have a ton of participation, it's inevitable that, at some point, it will slide back towards the average. Smart people have smart kids, yes, but brilliant people don't necessarily have brilliant offspring. It's also why, say, Frank Sinatra, Jr. was never as big a star as Frank Sinatra.

What's that? Tone-deaf aspie comments like these are why I'll never get (or "get") such an outpouring of sentiment directed towards me?

And "expalin" is a typo for "explain." Huh.
posted by Eideteker at 4:47 AM on June 10, 2011


Good luck with your new job, and... don't be a stranger.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:17 AM on June 10, 2011


Congratulations and best wishes, man!







Is he gone? LET'S TALK ABOUT HIM NOW.
posted by jquinby at 5:48 AM on June 10, 2011


Guy still owes me 30 bucks...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:54 AM on June 10, 2011


and in a few weeks he'll be able to pay you back.
posted by Apoch at 6:01 AM on June 10, 2011 [3 favorites]


Congratulations hippybear! Good luck with the new job.
posted by arcticseal at 6:20 AM on June 10, 2011


My job (which I've had for 2 years and 2 weeks, yay!) involves being in front of a computer continuously during work hours but I'm unable to access the internet while I'm there. I still manage to keep up with just about everything on Metafilter anyway (after hours, natch).

For the two years after I left my last job and before I got this job I was constantly reading this site but still didn't come anywhere close to your contributions. That's because I'm not as cool as you. You'll be here when you can, I know it, because it's a great place to be and you have lots to say.

Congratulations on being employed!
posted by h00py at 6:22 AM on June 10, 2011


I don't think nangar was talking about you...

But yeah, congratulations. 3 years of unemployment would drive me insane. Fortunately you had all the insanity of mefi to prepare you for the demands of the workplace. Better peruse the "human relations" tag while you can.
posted by desjardins at 7:02 AM on June 10, 2011


Congrats on the job!

Once you have enough cash in the bank, get yourself some sort of mobile device so that you can keep up - I'm pretty sure that's some kind of law. Also, what desjardins said.
posted by rtha at 7:23 AM on June 10, 2011


Congratulations on the new job. Best of luck!
posted by Verdant at 7:30 AM on June 10, 2011


Yay!
posted by ocherdraco at 7:33 AM on June 10, 2011


I always look forward to your input around here. Congratulations on the new job.
posted by Sailormom at 7:37 AM on June 10, 2011


Best of luck to you sir, congratulations and I hope things work out better for than you ever could have imagined.
posted by Daddy-O at 7:55 AM on June 10, 2011


And don't forget to update your occupation on your profile!
posted by Daddy-O at 7:57 AM on June 10, 2011 [1 favorite]


"And don't forget to update your occupation on your profile!"

This will of course aid in our attempts to find your job and come up with a harebrained scheme to get you fired that doesn't work but shows you that we love you just that much and convinces you that this whole job thing was just an unfortunate phase and that you need to return to full time.

ONE OF US, ONE OF US, ONE OF US

Yay! congrats
posted by Blasdelb at 11:02 AM on June 10, 2011


Ahh put me down for boo-ray also. Do stop by now and again though! And good luck!
posted by Mister_A at 11:09 AM on June 10, 2011


A RIDDLE:

Q: What do you get when you cross a hippie and a bear?

A: I don't know, but you better smoke it up or else it will maul you.

PS Hang your munchies from a branch beforehand.
posted by not_on_display at 11:35 AM on June 10, 2011 [2 favorites]


I'm disinclined to cheer, because work is shit.

However, I will cheer, because on balance, no work is even more shit.

For a happy life, be sure to keep your work/shirk balance in harmony.

Metafilter can help with that.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:03 PM on June 10, 2011 [3 favorites]


This is great news. Congrats hippybear!
posted by snsranch at 1:05 PM on June 10, 2011


Congratulations and I hope it works out great for you hippybear. Though we've disagreed on numerous topics yours is a voice I'm always excited to see with a post or your comments. Maybe you should get an iphone so you can keep that high level of participation on the downlow.
posted by artof.mulata at 1:17 PM on June 10, 2011


Congrats on finding work, and thanks for the insane amount you've contributed to the site in your downtime!
posted by rollbiz at 1:29 PM on June 10, 2011


Congratulations! What kind of job will you be doing?
posted by KokuRyu at 6:23 PM on June 10, 2011


Congratulations on the new gig, hippybear! Even if it's not quite as often, I'm eager to keep seeing you around.
posted by box at 7:02 PM on June 10, 2011


Congratulations on the job - -

But don't forget to look in the the old gang here - you're one the names that I've learned to recognize, and I look forward to reading what you have to add.
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 7:13 PM on June 10, 2011


Thanks for all the kind wishes, everyone.

What I'll be doing for work... well, it's not very romantic, unless you're into blue collar romance. I'll be working for a glass supplier, delivering product (mostly windshields) to various locations in and around the city near me. It'll be a return to doing full-time delivery, which I've done in the past and enjoyed a lot. I don't know if this particular job is the opening step in a career, but it's certainly going to be nice to have a place to be other than my house every day and to have some money coming in.

Sadly, I won't be at a computer at all during the day, and won't be able to do any mobile anything while on the job. But I will have after work hours and weekends, and I will definitely be a presence here when I can be.

And yes... having an income means I'll do my best to get over to Seattle and maybe even Portland for a meetup sometime in the coming months.
posted by hippybear at 8:16 PM on June 10, 2011 [2 favorites]


Congrats! Oh won't you spouse me before you go?
posted by a humble nudibranch at 8:19 PM on June 10, 2011


Always appreciate your contributions here, your comments always a voice of wisdom and sanity -- funny how it is that so much of the personality of a person can come across on a cold, bright screen; the screen stays just as bright on your comments but it seems to get warmer somehow...

Congrats on the new gig, and the (presumed) uptick of your $$ supply, may it ease any strains brought about by the time off.

Good luck! Don't be (too much of) a stranger!
posted by dancestoblue at 9:12 PM on June 10, 2011


Congrats! Just don't be a complete stranger--I enjoy your comments and posts far too much!
posted by smirkette at 10:24 PM on June 10, 2011


Wow, reading fail of comment above. ...It was so relevant I had to repeat it?
posted by smirkette at 10:24 PM on June 10, 2011


Hey, that's great! Congrats!
posted by mosk at 1:33 AM on June 11, 2011


Congrats on the new gig.

Welcome to the Squares.

As a popular song of my youth informed me, it's hippybear square.

I'll just let myself out.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:39 AM on June 11, 2011


I hope you get fired.

Ha!

Well done HB, you'll be missed.
posted by jokeefe at 11:59 AM on June 11, 2011


Well done, drive carefully!
posted by thinkpiece at 2:42 PM on June 11, 2011


Hey, y'all, hippybear's got a brand new FPP up.

Knew he wouldn't be gone for long.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:08 PM on June 11, 2011 [2 favorites]


Welcome back!
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:11 PM on June 11, 2011


After a ridiculous amount of participation, my MetaFilter presence is going to fade a bit.

If only you were flabdablet and this was posted yesterday.
posted by y2karl at 7:32 PM on June 11, 2011


Well, last wekk, to be sure...
posted by y2karl at 7:38 PM on June 11, 2011


I said it was going to fade a bit... not die out entirely.

Sheesh.

Don't plan my wake when I'm not actually dead.
posted by hippybear at 7:40 PM on June 11, 2011


Sorry, the drinking has already started. It would be lovely if you would join us, though.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:05 PM on June 11, 2011 [1 favorite]


"The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated"

- Mark Twain hippybear
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:53 PM on June 11, 2011


How did I miss this? Grats on the job. Good luck. I'll be looking for your posts and comments, which are always appreciated.
posted by Splunge at 3:35 PM on June 12, 2011




Added trip-and-a-half-lazy-sunday-summer-afternoon-epiphany-bonanza: I just realized the song I posted above was written by my dog. Be well, happy summer, peoples!
posted by trip and a half at 5:40 PM on June 12, 2011


Man, how great was that hippybear guy? What ever happened to him anyway?
posted by quin at 7:38 AM on June 13, 2011


i have found that nothing compliments long-term, highly cerebral mefing like a solid blue collar romance. just wait - he will return healthier and only more readily engaged. (#heavyliftingkeepsmyhandsbusy)
posted by JaiMahodara at 12:08 PM on June 13, 2011 [1 favorite]


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