Re: RIP TosaInu
Pithy aphorisms. Yes, I think that's what I will remember him with most affection. Why use a bunch of words when a few will do?! It could make him frustratingly impenetrable at times, but also gave him a grace and an aura of wisdom on almost any topic, and would often lance even the most angry boil. It could also sometimes make him appear distant, but then something would excite him: I remember him expressing his passion and gratitude for EB in a PM now long since lost. In all the years I'd known him, I don't think he ever used my name. It was always "Hello therother". I never did ask him why. I think it was just his way.
I remember once sending him an enormous PM full of problems and frustrations, explanations and reasoning. He cut right through it to the heart of the matter, and solved it in one sentence. Years later, he'd asked me how I was doing, as we hadn't talked for a few months. I'd replied that things were good, though I was busy. "Busy because of work is, in many cases, a good thing. I'm doing fine too, thank you for asking; it feels like it's summer already." It was February!
He was finally getting back into the Total War games, he seemed really enthused about the new Shogun, but didn't get his copy for quite some time after release. For some reason, together both those things seem to affect me deeply: for all that he'd given to us over the years, it looked as though he was finally getting some payback...
I'd got back in touch just last week, after maybe a year, seeing if he could use a hand. He seemed busy, "there are loads of things to do: administrate org (staff, members, technical) but also work and private." but happy. On Friday he'd written: "I will check and write to you soon." I was waiting for his PM all weekend, but alas it never came. I was looking forward to catching up with him, once the boring practicalities were over, discussing the new game and his plans for the future.
To me, as others here have said, Tosa was the Org. He embodied its spirit and ethos, and made it a home from home for its members. He never claimed ownership (though by any metric he had every right), just custodianship. I see the Org before and after he took over as two separate sites. I'm sure he'd disagree, but that's how I always saw it. He really changed this place, not through dictat but by engendering a welcoming and friendly atmosphere by his personality and actions. He was ever the calming influence, always ready to talk about an issue or give a second chance, never one to rush to judgement, although usually even the most hot headed respected that judgement when it came.
He was a very special man, whose commitment and character touched everyone who knew him, and who would have liked to know him better. A great loss to us all.
Ja mata, TosaInu-sama.
Originally Posted by therother
Bookmarks