GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Why do I post this? Because I have been a member of this board for a long time, not as far back as Phaedrus' time, but I don't want to be reminded of one specifically unavoidable type of death every time I log on. Honestly I think many people don't really even see it anymore.

I realize this could be highly offensive to a lot of people who knew him. I don't mean it to be. I just mean there is a time to mourn, and then a time to put those things away, maybe to be appreciated more vividly when you bring it up again later (anniversary etc).

:icon_confused:

I mean no disrespect toward Pheadrus, or his family and friends, I have the utmost empathy for all involved. But I also think its time to take it down, I have reasons for thinking this, but I think it is enough to say I think it is time.

Maybe after July 1 -- at that point it will have been up for two years.

I don't think anyone wants to be disrespectful regarding this sensitive topic, but regardless of who's picture is up there, it's a bit redundant after a while and doesn't reflect what this site is all about.

Perhaps a special memorial page could be dedicated to Phaedrus that has more information about who he was. I didn't know him and I'd be interested to read more about him, but in a voluntary way. Perhaps other board members have friends they've lost that they'd like to dedicate pages to as well.

I have lost friends of my own to riding accidents, and as nightrider says, maybe it's time to move on and respect him in a less repetitive and involuntary way. When I first joined this site it touched me to see that memorial, but to be honest, I'm growing to resent it's presence over time, which again, is not meany in any way to be disrespectful to Phadrus. It's just the way things get after seeing the same thing over and over, which becomes more of a disservice to him than a service. Besides, I also have to agree with nightrider, it's a bit morbid being reminded of someone's death everytime I log in.

If Phaedrus'pic is taken down,we should have a GS of the month.Let people post 1 pic of they're machine and have open voting.The month of his death should be recognized with some thing.


I am on the fence with this issue.I understand both sides.I did not know him.Wish I had.

I didnt get to speak to him either,  i read his posts and such , and he was a sound dude , but it is the sobering reminder

No.

I have not met the man, but from what I've read, he was and IS, gstwins.

Quote from: ben2go on May 01, 2008, 03:17:11 PM
If Phaedrus'pic is taken down,we should have a GS of the month.Let people post 1 pic of they're machine and have open voting.The month of his death should be recognized with some thing.


I am on the fence with this issue.I understand both sides.I did not know him.Wish I had.

I like the idea.

I think it's time too.  Those who knew him will never forget. 

Quote from: bval on May 01, 2008, 03:06:22 PM
I don't think anyone wants to be disrespectful regarding this sensitive topic, but regardless of who's picture is up there, it's a bit redundant after a while and doesn't reflect what this site is all about.

Perhaps a special memorial page could be dedicated to Phaedrus that has more information about who he was. I didn't know him and I'd be interested to read more about him, but in a voluntary way. Perhaps other board members have friends they've lost that they'd like to dedicate pages to as well.

:thumb: +1

Quote from: ben2go on May 01, 2008, 03:17:11 PM
If Phaedrus'pic is taken down,we should have a GS of the month.Let people post 1 pic of they're machine and have open voting.The month of his death should be recognized with some thing.

+1
I agree with the gs of the month idea.

GS of the month is an awesome idea. Who would be the person to talk to?

Quote from: nightrider on May 01, 2008, 05:22:17 PM
GS of the month is an awesome idea. Who would be the person to talk to?

I think Kerry is the main moderator but I am unsure.The mods are listed at the top of each page just in case you didn't know.

John is the "owner" of GStwin  :thumb:

Quote from: scottpA_GS on May 01, 2008, 05:41:06 PM

John is the "owner" of GStwin  :thumb:

I knowed that but I aint seed him since last year.Even that was brief.

The person in control besides john is myself.

It can be changed, i'll call for a moderator/admin input on it. Until then it stays.

although i think it would be respectful to keep it up for memories sake, i think if we devoted a page to him and replaced it with a GS of the month kinda thing, it would be fine.

I voted for NO, even tho I didn't know him. I read a bit about him and I do know he was one fantastic guy!
Besides I think his picture is a perfect reminder for all of us to stay safe and be very careful at all times.

no offense to anybody, just my opinion.


PS. I like the idea of bike of the month either, let the moderators decide.

It should stay.

I've never really lost anyone close to me, so I'm not that familiar with the whole grievance thing. I know some people like to move on and others don't. I don't think it's my place to decide, I think it should be left up to those who knew and were close to Rich.

I do however support the idea of a GS of the Month!   

Quote from: TheGoodGuy on May 01, 2008, 06:56:48 PM
The person in control besides john is myself.

It can be changed, i'll call for a moderator/admin input on it. Until then it stays.

This is a respectable response and I will respect the decision that is made.

Thanks TheGoodGuy.

although i voted no, if anyting at least keep a post or the ones stickied, sticky. or a memorial page, with said sticky posts in it. where those who kew him can cherish his memory, those who did not can learn from his writings here, and those who have lost their own life or those who have known a good rider who has lost his or her life. can be remembered there. basically a section with their own threads within it.

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on May 01, 2008, 08:36:09 PM
although i voted no, if anyting at least keep a post or the ones stickied, sticky. or a memorial page, with said sticky posts in it. where those who kew him can cherish his memory, those who did not can learn from his writings here, and those who have lost their own life or those who have known a good rider who has lost his or her life. can be remembered there. basically a section with their own threads within it.

I strongly support this idea either way.

a thread for phaedrus in there with teh aforementioned posts/threads within it, i dont think many of us will be dying soon so said section wont be getting too large. and put the picture in there as well, or in the members mugs section or both

Quote from: trumpetguy on May 01, 2008, 03:05:14 PM
Maybe after July 1 -- at that point it will have been up for two years.

+1 ... two years feels right. :cheers:

i agree with the "memorial" page for all fallen riders

Living in the past is the most sure way of missing out on the present.  Mourning and remembering is one thing, but moving on after a point is the healthiest thing for all parties.

agreed

especially if you killed them yourself, right terry?  :o

Did you watch Harsh Times yet

I can see this both ways, probably the time has come to move on, if we don't where do we stop?
I like the idea of a permanent tribute in member list or gallery or including his name in a section, "Phaedrus' FAQs" or whatever.
Whatever is decided clearly there is no rush, I am sure that Manjul will reflect on it and find the right answer.

Like Cal, I see both sides but voted for removal -- conditional on the establishment of an appropriate memorial page/subsection. Rich did a lot for this group and he should have a proper place to honor him and others.

By leaving it up so long, it could be misinterpreted that he originated this group and is no longer with us. GSTwin is transient in nature with those of us who have camped here probably in the minority. Better to have a direct link to the Memorial section so that passers-by can get a deeper flavor of our "family".

I think it's time to take it down.  Kalee and I knew him as well as anyone could over the vastness of the internet, but it's time.  It's been time.  It's time to move on.  As said already, I don't even see the picture anymore.  It's become blended in with the rest of the forum.  Occasionally I like a reminder that Rich was alive, but I don't need that picture for that.

Quote from: nightrider on May 03, 2008, 01:59:30 AM
especially if you killed them yourself, right terry?  :o

Did you watch Harsh Times yet

It's number 2 in my netflix qeue,  I've gotta get some of these damn movies back in the mail.

Other boards I have been on that had similar members who passed maintain a memorial page and a link from the main page. 
Some things are easier to do than others when you are running a board so maybe a list of suggestions from the moderators on other options would be useful. Pic of the day etc........

perhaps the page, and teh original post added in. threads would be WAAAAAAAY too llong in some cases) idk well find something, we can all agree on

Bikers are dying all around and all the time, anyone of us might be next,.
I lost Friends in accidents, with all respect
I prefer not to be reminded EVERY time I log into this ( fantastic ) site.

please take the RIP out,..

I voted no, but I also understand this from the side of those who voted yes.

Quote from: frankieG on May 02, 2008, 06:14:13 PM
i agree with the "memorial" page for all fallen riders

+1

Sorry to bump an old/sad thread, but I was wondering what the cause of Phaedrus's passing was. I've been here for only a few weeks, so I obviously didn't know him. I was just curious if he was on his bike at the time. I have lost 1 friend to a motorcycle accident, so I can somewhat relate.

Ok so now that we have varying thoughts and also took a poll/vote, what is going to be the outcome? Who actually decides this type of thing?

The labyrinthine bureaucracy of the GSTwins organization is legend.

Rich only died less than two years ago. That's not a very long time at all. Anyone who has been here only since the short time he was taken from us really, truly missed an amazing human being. His humanity, amazing sense of humour, kindness, and kind-heartedness are sorely missed. Rich's death was a devastating blow.

I  voted no on taking his pic down, but I can see both sides, too. I can understand that those who didn't know him and/or weren't here when he was might not understand his significance to gstwins...and might not understand the depth of loss we felt (and still feel). And I understand that some feel that looking at his pic is living in the past. We all deal with grief and memories differently.

Seeing Rich's beautiful face when I log in each time reminds me of his life and how fully he lived it. He loved the Baby G, and he loved this site. Whatever appropriately keeps his memory and contributions to GStwins alive...that's what I support.

I know that life marches on....it simply marches on faster for some of us than others.

(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/pandyz/richchristie-1.jpg)

I'm not ashamed to admit that I still mourn his loss and have a hard time letting go of his picture at the top of GStwins. Maybe it's a little tougher at the moment because it's close to the anniversary of his death.


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As for feelings toward the bureaucracy of GStwins.... in my humble opinion, that's not even worthy of being in the same discussion when talking about the memory of a dearly-beloved late member.

I never got the chance to talk with or meet Rich, but I have read numerous posts of his and can grasp that his death was a serious loss to this community.  I think there should be something to honor him and other fallen riders, just not at the top of every page in the forum.  On another note, I would like to point out the many members we have lost not to unfortunate incident but to the bureaucracy here.  Though it is an entirely different loss, I miss the banter of members such as Egaus, NGFL, Alpha and Rvertigo not to mention AJ.

So his picture is gone from the forum for good ? :(

Could we please have a page dedicated to him and/or other riders, with links to the rest of the forum, for the folks that want to live -the-way-things-used-to-be- ? Please ?

Quote from: spcterry on May 28, 2008, 08:02:52 PM
I never got the chance to talk with or meet Rich, but I have read numerous posts of his and can grasp that his death was a serious loss to this community.  I think there should be something to honor him and other fallen riders, just not at the top of every page in the forum.  On another note, I would like to point out the many members we have lost not to unfortunate incident but to the bureaucracy here.  Though it is an entirely different loss, I miss the banter of members such as Egaus, NGFL, Alpha and Rvertigo not to mention AJ.

.
I deleted my post cause im drunk and forgot what thread im in. as far as the pic goes post a sticky with our falen riders. IO didnt sighn up til later but I did read witgh rich posting and knew him uhhh cyberglty but thats all and know what you guys feel but I dont feel pain or sadness its not a trit I have Im as cold as a rock and see more what the othjer side is feeling but hey now that the pics is gone the site looks empty we need a GS of the month maybve Mach1s

I haven't logged onto the site much at all since Rich passed away... Pandy brought this to my attention and so I thought I'd give my two cents for what it's worth. I knew Rich pretty well and had the pleasure to go on a few rides with him and also spend time with him outside of riding as well. He was an amazing guy, and he did alot for this site.

This is really tough... re-reading all these posts brings everything rushing back like it just happened yesterday.  :cry:  I have mixed feelings about it, but knowing Rich as I did, I don't think he would want us to constantly mourn him. He was a very happy go lucky kind of guy, and he would want us to keep moving forward. I can understand why some people want it taken down... I can see why they don't want to have such a constant reminder of such a tragedy every time they log onto the site. I am sure there are others who have sadly passed as well that haven't gotten the recognition they deserve, which may offend some people in that regard.

Rich was an exceptional man and I truly believe that those who knew him and were close to him, regardless if that pic stays up or is removed, will always remember him and he will always live in our hearts and thoughts. I think a memorial page for fallen riders would be a great idea... for those that want to read them when they need to.

Rich will always be loved and honored... with or without the pic up... that will never die.

Quote from: LadyJules31 on June 01, 2008, 10:50:22 AM
Rich will always be loved and honored... with or without the pic up... that will never die. 

So very, very true, and such wise words.....all of them. Thank you, LadyJ.  *HUGE HUGs*

Quote from: ohgood
Could we please have a page dedicated to him and/or other riders, with links to the rest of the forum, for the folks that want to live -the-way-things-used-to-be- ?

Quote from: mach1
as far as the pic goes post a sticky with our falen riders.

Quote from: spcterry
I think there should be something to honor him and other fallen riders, just not at the top of every page in the forum. 

Quote from: birdman
Other boards I have been on that had similar members who passed maintain a memorial page and a link from the main page.

If a memorial page is wanted then why doesn't someone create a wiki page?  It doesnt require any intervention from an admin to set it up, it is better suited to the job (the forums are designed for discussion; the wiki a collaborative information resource), it doesnt clutter up the main page with yet another sticky and people that want to take that trip down memory lane can do so.

Im a little late chiming in on this.  But i ve been here over a year now I didnt know him but have taken the time to read about him..

Having not known him his death and morning havent really effected me in any way. We never rode together or shared a beer..But i do know that others on here have..and wether it be rememberance or mourning his picture is there for a reason..

If someone wants to take it down thats their opinion.  But i believe that the ruling on whether it should or should not be removed should be left up to those who were around (on this site)  when he was alive and at the time of his death.. the rest of us...well ...we just need to live with their decision.

Quote from: ajaxgs on May 06, 2008, 05:35:16 AM

Quote from: frankieG on May 02, 2008, 06:14:13 PM
i agree with the "memorial" page for all fallen riders

+1

that´s was nice and respectful idea