I'd like to share a story about alarcojon.....

[Wetzelbill]

This one time he made a post, something about "Why do women like bad boys?" and somehow or another it turned into a flame war. I think his intent was innocuous enough, but, you know how certain topics can bring out passionate debate etc.

Well, I used to tease him relentlessly about it, like in PMs and stuff, because he truly was a nice guy, he was about the last guy who I would ever think would start a flame war. So in light of this all I would give him a good ribbing.

So a few times, when I saw him posting online and I knew he was around, I started a few threads along the lines of the "Why Do Women Like Bad Boys/Jerks?" Not to be malicious, but mainly because whenever I like somebody I simply love to tease them a little. It's my way of making friends. (I know, making friends could get me hurt severely someday)

The thing is, he just thought it was hilarious. He would always post on those threads something like " Oh no, I wonder where you got this idea from." You could almost hear the guy groan just waiting for a flame war to start, haha. Then later on we would exchange emails and laugh and joke around with each other. Another particular point of joking for us was him being a mathematician and me a writer. Totally different ways of thinking. I mean I can barely add. I would always tease him about math. "Oh math problems that's exciting!" Yeah, as if being a book dork and sitting in front of a keyboard half of my life is just full of excitement. :)

But yes, alarcojon was a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor, I respected and liked him a lot. He withstood my teasing like a champ and we had a great friendship here on DU.

I truly will miss him.

[MissHoneychurch]

1. Thank you for sharing your story

I will miss him too. Because my family has a background in mathematics I enjoyed talking to him. But not only because of that. As you said, he was "a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor". I used to tease him that I would have loved to have him as a math teacher.

[SeattleGirl]

2. I remember how he would do that!

He had a great sense of humor, not only about life, but about himself. I, too, will greatly miss him.

Thanks for sharing your story, bill. :hug:

[enigmatic]

3. That's a great story, bro

I'm going to miss him, too. He really was a nice guy, and the world is less without him now.

[hfojvt]

4. ah, I had forgotten that he was a fellow math person

although you inspired me to do a search
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3893986#3895059

[Bunny]

5. I vaguely remember that thread.

alarcojon was also a participant in the Feminists Group. I enjoyed his input there.

[Wetzelbill]

6. you know, I am going to kick this

:)

[Dangerously Amused]

7. alarcojon was the first person ever who made me feel okay

...about being a math idiot. He told me once that math can be a difficult subject to teach well and if you don't have good math teachers you can grow up thinking you're a "math idiot" when it might not even be true, so don't beat yourself up too badly. I never thought about it that way before, and it warmed my heart that he would reach out like that. What a sweetheart. Since that moment I was able to let go of those nagging self doubts. He made a positive difference in my life.


I will miss him for his many other positive contributions here as well.

[Wetzelbill]

9. right on DA

:)

[Mutley]

8. That's a good story, Bill.

Thanks. :hug:

And :hi:

[Wetzelbill]

11. hey Muts

how have you been? :)

[Mutley]

12. Okay.

Off 'n' on, good 'n' bad. Long story. PM me some time if ya wanna hear it. :)

[flvegan]

10. Yup, I remember.

Sorely missed, a hole that will never be filled here.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear Wetzelbill........

He sure was one of a kind, wasn't he? I too loved him........

He was always friendly, and always had a kind word for me..........

Plus, he was kick-ass good looking!

As flvegan said.......his death leaves a hole that will never be filled...

:cry: