Let us talk about this great man.
Let us celebrate his life.
Tell his stories.
How he helped you
His jokes
His conversations
His love for all of us
One thing that comes to mind was his reaching out to me during a very hard time for me. I was making an attempt to overcome a bad habit and it was really taking a toll on me both emotionally and physically. At a very bad point in time, Nero reached out to see how I was doing. Nothing huge, no pushing or anything like that, just a quick pm to show that he cared. And that meant something. Of course, we had our down sides and bad moments, but I do have many good ones as well that I won't forget. I'll always appreciate his pms to me and his caring comments. The one above was just the most meaningful to me, even if he didn't realize it. I'm really going to miss him and wish I had been a better friend to him.
I wish I had more personal experiences with him to share. I could almost mirror what LTL said. He sent me a PM asking if I was okay during a rough time recently, and that meant a lot to me, too.
Nero felt like a big brother to me. I'd go to him furious and spitting and he'd calm me down and sort it out. He saw me at some of my worst moments and yet never seemed to think less of me for that. He kept trying to convince me to be a moderator... I guess he saw something in me that I don't.
He called me princess on my birthday and asked me for "lesbian advice" for a friend. He told my gf that he had a "bro-crush" on me, which is the most adorable thing. I worked on convincing him that he was a feminist. And on convincing him that he was strong and brilliant and charming and kind... but I'm not sure he ever believed me.
I wish I'd offered more, shared more, when I still could. I miss him.
I feel like he has inspired me to live my life with the same great love and kindness he has offered :-)
The nights I'd wake up screaming with memories of my horror. I'd log on and he would be there to calm me.
Long nights of comfort talk before I could settle and rest and my demons went back to hide.
I want to, but I can't just yet. Every time I think of how I'll never get to read another post by him, my chest hurts.
Just Nero or FA was one of a kind. He was one hell of a person and I really wish I would have known him face to face. Not just by writings.
A friend and colleague who was always there.
While I was a newbie, he took a chance on me and let me be part of the News Staff.
He was really good. He was thoughtful and he made time for everyone. He was funny and nice and helpful, and I took him for granted and I don't know how to let him be gone yet. He was a huge part of the character of this site.
Nero Nero Nero Nero....gosh he was quite the guy. We didn't have extended interaction, but we had interest in the same type of music (90's R&B). We talked about how the singer Brandy was such a beautiful and talented singer and talked about some of our favorite songs from her.
I was also talking about the crush I had on this lady who worked at the Japanese food place in our mall in the "what are you thinking" thread. I call her "Miss Sample Lady". I tried to be very vague in my talk of this lady so I wouldn't offend anyone and Admin goes "What is she, Japanese? lol" to which I answered yes, lol, though it wasn't my intention to imply that.
The last thing we talked about was how me wanted me to be a mod in training. I declined and he asked me who I would recommend asking. I know I shouldn't feel bad that I declined, but I can't help it. :(
I'm really going to miss the man. It's tough to lose one of our own. I wish he could be around so I could tell him when Brandy knocks on my door to ask me for a cup of sugar (something I joked about with him). R.I.P. Nero.
Nero was the very first person I met or talked to from here. I learned a lot by talking to him as post's just did not do his intelligence justice. In the post's I thought of him as a sometimes grouchy ogre, but on actually talking to him I found a great respect for him and all he had been through. I just wish I had more time with him now. I am happy he is at peace now though. :)
Nero or FA was one helluva man. I really wish I could have known him personally. I really miss him and his posts. I pray that I wake up in the morning and find a new post by him and this was all just a bad dream. But this is real life and is really messed up sometimes. The Good die young so maybe that is why I'm still alive. :'( If that is true I wish Nero wouldn't have been so nice, good or whatever. :(