Oh, you people. You loved him, didn't you, in an internet sort of way?

Yeah. You know how well he could wield words. He was present here through his words, and well known. Well loved.

Oh, you people. You loved him, didn't you, in an internet sort of way?

kimi, I know it's difficult to believe how real the love can be within internet communities if you aren't a regular part of one, but this community in particular loves in a way that awes me. We celebrate each other's victories and comfort each other in times of need. We create silly business cards and send each other presents. We knit sweaters for our fellow Buffistas' children and call each other up to check in when we've been gone awhile. We show up at each other's houses and pick each other up at the airport. We come together to raise money for computers, plane tickets, baby showers, weddings, and new homes. And in times of sorrow, we mourn together.

I would never presume to compare our feelings to what you and the rest of his family must be feeling, but yes, we loved Gus and will miss him dearly. And as Gus was dear to us, we are here for you too. Please know that if you need anything, from someone to talk to to a glass of good Scotch, we will find a way to get it to you.

As I was thinking about all of this, I came across an old-Gus quote that made me smile, so I'm going to add it here.

Gus: American-me: "Who let the dogs out?" Educator-me: "Flee! There are dogs among us!" Somali-me: "Look! Lunch!" Irish-me:" "Bring on yer feckin' dags, man."

Kimi, we collect choice quotes and exchanges in the thread Coffee On My Monitor.

There are some choice ones with Gus starting over here.

KristinT "Coffee On My Monitor" Feb 25, 2006 2:46:29 pm PST

Oh, no. Gus! Oh, no.

I'm in tears. He was such a warm, smart, funny man. Kimi, thank you for telling us. I'm so sorry.

Kimi, I am so sorry for your loss.

And ours.

Gus was a magnificent man, on the internets as he surely was off them.

Java cat "Coffee On My Monitor" Mar 17, 2003 1:54:16 pm PST

Oh, you people. You loved him, didn't you, in an internet sort of way?

Yeah, we did.

May there be a next life, overflowing with single malt and trivia screens, and without pain.

Did we ever find out the title of his forthcoming novel? And which author's name it's being published under?

Nilly "Coffee On My Monitor" Mar 30, 2003 9:53:28 am PST

Fuck. One last little kick in the teeth from 2006.

Gus, I never met you, but I always wanted to. You were supposed to show up at a F2F dressed as Baron Samedi, and fly kites with us, but circumstances never came about to allow that. Instead you went on safari and got bit by a monkey, and despite the obvious pain and suffering that caused you, you never let that get in the way of our weremonkey jokes, or of you joining in on same.

I love you, and miss you. People who aren't Buffistas might have a hard time understanding how it's possible for those two thoughts to apply to a person you've never met in real life, but they do.

I'm crying for a friend who was never anything more than electrons to me, but he was no less a friend for that. I wish it could have been otherwise.

I don't believe in an afterlife, but sometimes I hope. If there is, I hope I meet you there.

I thought I would have no words when I read the news, yet here they are.

Yes. Every single word Sean just typed.