To all my friends here at DU (I'm back!)

[Rick Myers]

Most of you may not know that in September I was preparing to move from Indianapolis to Minneapolis when my brother-in-law died suddenly. I went immediately to Virginia to be with my sister, nephew and parents. It was a tough time, he was 44 and died almost instantly sitting in his favorite chair on a Sunday afternoon.

This turned my life upside down... While my mom is healthy, she NEVER learned to drive (although she's an expert from the back seat!) and my father has several health problems, most notably Alzheimer's. I decided to put my 'stuff' in storage and go to stay with my parents in my old hometown of Youngstown, Ohio for the holidays, since the project I was going to Minneapolis for does not begin until after the first of the year. It's much closer for me to drive down and see my sister and nephew, and be able to help out my parents.

However, the project in Minneapolis is on 'indefinate' hold, so I may be here a while.

I'd just dropped off the face of DU, and I want to tell all of you how great is is to be back... This is a wonderful community, and I missed you all...

Let's all have a HAPPY HOLIDAY, and get ready to kick some Bush in '04!!!!!

Love you all,

Rick

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Nice to have back bud!

Sorry to hear of your troubles, but it's good to have you back! :toast:

:hi:

heather

[Rick Myers]

7. Thanks!

Great to be back... I lurked for a couple days, but I'm feeling better now!

[SOteric]

2. Sorry to hear life is so full of stress and pain just now.

But welcome back. :toast:

[Rick Myers]

9. I'm gonna get thru this

But I'm getting too old for the drama of a 'freelance' life. I've done well, and I've had bad times, but it's a tough road just to get a bit of freedom from the corporate grind.

[blm]

3. Hi old bud. Watching the Browns?

heheh

[Rick Myers]

6. Ack!!!

If the Browns bought a funeral home, people would STOP dyin'!!!

Man, it's Bizarro World when Dubya thinks he's pResident and the Bengals lead the division!

[JohnKleeb]

11. The bengals lead the division and play Baltimore next week right

:( and Rick remember I like Pittsburgh and WB.

[Rick Myers]

15. Glad to 'see you JOHN!!!

But you CANNOT be a Pittsburgh fan AND a Dennis Kucinich supporter!!!!! You'd get eaten alive in the Dawg Pound!!!

Gotta admit, the whole division is messed up. The Steelers are almost as bad as the Browns...

Oh, to add to a post in another thread, I've met Franco Harris. Now, there was da' Steelers!!!!!

Growing up in Youngstown, we are EXACTLY halfway between the cities, so half are Steelers fans, half Browns fans. You MUST choose early in life to which city you will be loyal. Really...

Pittsburgh is a cool looking city, but for liveability, gimme Clevo!!!

[JohnKleeb]

17. heh well I dont have a jersey, and I only really root for pitt

because of family. Sure you can, I think theres another Pitt fan here thats for DK, but I am not a big Steelers fan, Ive really only been rooting for them for the last couple yeras. I met Kucinich. Youngstown sounds like Connecticut with Steelers and Browns fans instead of Yankees and Red Sox fans. I dont hate Cleveland, wouldnt mind going there actually, now I joke with Clevelanders that I dont hold a grudge against them for beating my Orioles in the ACLS because it was legit unlike what happened in NYC in 1996, long story short Jeffrey Meier. Besides I live in Deadskins territory heh.

[cally]

4. I missed you

I noticed that you disappeared. I'm sorry about what you are facing but I'm glad you are back to help defeat the rw junta.

[Rick Myers]

10. I'm still fighting the GOOD fight!!!

Did the media for a school board race this cycle, he lost, but only by 267 votes! Consulting a state rep candidate in Ohio right now and may help out a county commissioner candidate if I'm still around...

[MuseRider]

5. I wondered where

you had gone. Sorry about your troubles, I hope everything is getting sorted out for you. Glad you are back~

[Rick Myers]

12. Thanks!

I really missed everyone. I really should have posted here after all that, because the support of this community is wonderful, but I was just so 'knocked out' by the whole thing. For the first few weeks I took it WORSE than my sister did! It's catching up to her now and she's going thru the holidays, but we'll get thru it all... My nephew is holding up well... Six is a time when you only SORTA know what death is... We'd had some interesting conversations lately, more about that stuff some other time...

[Terwilliger]

8. Hi Rick!

:hi:

[Rick Myers]

13. Hi'ya!!!

Great to come back and find out there are still "YAK" posts once a day! They used to drive me nuts, but when I saw one today I just cracked up...

:toast:

[Crewleader]

14. Hugs Rick....

I am so sorry to hear of your brother-in-law's death, too young. And I know what you are juggling, aging parents, God love them and you for helping all you can.

As far as DU, I haven't been able to be here either,life can keep ya busy, my health is a juggling act but I do the best I can but it's always nice to return and be with friends you care about. And at DU, you happen to one of the best.

Welcome Back Friend! :hug:

[jarab]

16. Welcome back, Rick !! (n/t)

...O...

[proud patriot]

18. WOO HOO good to have you back

:hi:

[maxanne]

19. welcome home Rick!

We missed you. :hi: :hug:

[Skittles]

20. well THERE YOU ARE

I am WELCOMING YOU BACK. :D

[dolo amber]

21. Cool!

Glad to see you've returned, you've missed some great music threads. ;)

Hope things get sorted for you soon. :hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. Welcome back Rick

My condolences on your brother in law, and you were missed. YOur parents are lucky to have you. I do hope the project pans out for your sake.

[Khephra]

23. Welcome back!

:hi:

[Zhade]

24. Welcome back. Very sorry for your loss.

Hang in there.

EDIT: typo

[newyawker99]

25. Welcome back Rick!

:hi: