Post 1065

[SH0CK]

I would like to stop for a brief moment and celebrate this post. Post #1065. What's so special about my one thousandth sixty fifth post? Nothing really. But for a lot of us it may have a special meaning. Post # 1065 was Andsen's last post on the board back in December. As much as I hope and pray that he is alright, I do fear the worst. From one of his last posts, (http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=71519#post71519) things were looking bleak for Andsen, but, from his words, he put on a smiling face.

In all fairness, I've never met Andsen, and my only correspondence were through this board. But, I learned A LOT from his words. I know over time, that his words of wisdom have touched many a regular and lurker alike, but as time passes, his posts get deeper and deeper within the board. This being the case, I present this link (http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/search.php?do=finduser&u=667) to the board, which displays many of his posts. I'm not saying that it should be required reading, but you may be surprised at what you learn.

I pray that Andsen is alright, and lurking in the background, readying himself to educate the masses, once more, with his Vegas wisdom.

And with that, I dedicate my post 1065 to him.

http://www.travel2vegas.com/ubb/Avatars/bad_egg.gif
ANDSEN
The King of Downtown
God Bless You, My Friend

[Pimp_N_M]

We've all heard the expression "that really puts things in perspective". Well I really mean it. As trite, and disrespectful as this may seem. The Linda Ronstadt BS and the crap we argue about constantly. Aside from the usual Vegas crap we talk about. There is a bond here. It might be the booze talking, but I don't hate any of you. If any of you were at my home. I would split my last beer with you. I want to smoke cigars with Mikey. I want to see Hoya naked. I want to beat Baz with a 10-6.

Even though very few of us agree on ANYTHING. I consider you all my friends. If any of us should pass away tomorrow... Let it be with the thought that what we say on a BB is different than what we would want to say to each other in person. If ANY of us can EVER get together, we should. Even though our political agendas might be (extremely) different. It’s 11:10 at Caesars that all of us would get along at the bar. The first Mandalay Bay Morning is on Morgan… Who wants one??

[LV Terry]

Originally posted by Pimp_N_M:
It’s 11:10 at Caesars that all of us would get along at the bar. The first Mandalay Bay Morning is on Morgan… Who wants one?? I'll take one of those. I love you guys.

[Smarra17]

Wow, here I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself and this post really put things into focus for me. I miss Ansen he was an amazing source of information and I too hope all is well with him.

Petty fights and misunderstandings happen lets try to keep the positive side of this board and remember life is too short to keep a grudge! I found that out last weekend when a very good friend of mine died at 42 years old. Pimp you really nailed the feel of this board and I thank you for that...although I really don't want to see Hoya naked ;) (not that there is anything wrong with Hoya)! I would love to have a few drinks with any members on this board...and after the last T2V meet and the call I got I want that even more!

[Jimbo338]

Thanks Shock:

For remembering a good chat friend.....always ready to help, and cheerful even in the face of great tragedy. He contributed much and was always very positive.......I miss those days and I miss Andsen.

Jimbo

[bigdogmom]

Thank you, Shock, for posting that. I miss Andsen and hope he's watching us from the big casino in the sky...

Love you guys!

[doctor_al]

Originally posted by SH0CK:
In all fairness, I've never met Andsen, and my only correspondence were through this board. But, I learned A LOT from his words. Yep. Odd how you get to know someone only through their words, yet they make such a mark. Back in February I went Andsen-style, taking the 109 (Maryland Pkwy) from the airport to downtown and checking in at the El Cortez. Great trip. Wish I'd had a chance to run into him at the blackjack tables downstairs, though. A friend I never met.

[RossW]

Shock,

I only came around here starting in Nov 03. I remember Andsen and the posts he would leave, as said before, his info was insightful and helpful. He is missed. Your dedication of your post # 1065 to him is a wonderful tribute.

In my book, you are a Class Act for this thoughtfulness on your part. I would suspect a lot of people thought the same of Andsen.

I too, hope he is alright.

RossW

[Coaster Kikky]

A salute - to Andsen wherever he is, and to you Shock, for your touching tribute.

It's people like you and he who make this board a great home on the Web.

[Scott R]

Speaks well of a man, that he left such an impression on so many of us. We are all better for his contributions here.
Andsen was the first person to respond to my first post on this board. He was always willing to help others and I count him as a friend.
I never met him, yet I will never forget him.
Shock, thanks for posting this tribute.
Peace everybody.

[ July 26, 2004, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: Scott R ]

[dkbk]

Boards like this let you meet people from across the country who you never would meet, even if it was not personally. While most of us never met Andsen, he certainly was a vital and productive member of this "community". Whatever Andsen's situation he should know that he is missed by all of us who enjoyed his posts and insights.

[Sonya]

Thanks for that message. He will surely be missed around here.

Funny because I was thinking about him the other day. Was thinking about Dennis Gomes too. Anyone talk to his wife? (For those who don't know, he was a visitor to this board and to a mailing list many of us belonged to that was killed in the WTC attacks on 9/11/01).

We've got good people here. Even if we disagree sometimes, we're still good people. Let's just all remember that first and things will run more smoothly. smile.gif

[Edward Allen DeVillier]

Dennis' daughter must be 4 years old now. She was 14 months old if I remember correctly on that horrible day. I have not had the bravery in all honesty to unsubscribe from the Pai Gow yahoo group he moderated. The man like those tiles. I can't post to the group because the messege approvals went through him. I fear bad luck if I unsubscribe just the one I have if I don't at least take a peak in this group at leat once a day.

I admit I never read many of Andsen's post, but I think I'll read them all now. I hardly post make that many posts here like I used to but I do once in a while, and I can't even remember the last post I made to Jim Poston's group. The structure of this board allows for us to all show a specific interest and thats what makes this group so kewl.

Shock have you tried emails to Andsen?

Maybe we all should have a live chat session sometime? Remember Warren Distler on Jim's group used to do that Sonya? Hint hint ;)

The Internet maybe bring people together, but being there to shack their hand requires a long trip. Peace Andsen... where ever you are.

[Sonya]

I have a chat function on the site somewhere. I can see if it still works and post the url if people are interested.

[Pimp_N_M]

I used to load the chat room all the time... I have seen exactly zero people in it.

[Sonya]

I haven't really pushed the chat section here very much. Probably would be best if we set a time.

http://www.travel2vegas.com/chat.html

[Pimp_N_M]

In the words of Ice Cube "I'm down for whateva".

[landa4071]

Wow - I am completely blown away! I had never seen that post to be begin with & I feel I never got to give him my prayers. But I guess its never too late. I don't know where I was even back in Dec when that post was first started. But I missed it completely........ But man do I feel for him & his family. My thoughts & prayers are with him where ever he shall be.

I too believe that even though I never met you guys personally you guys are my Vegas family. I think of you guys often when I think about ANYTHING Vegas related. Each person on this board contributes in their own way & I think thats whats best. We are all from different places but come here to be together!! I raise my glass to Shock for his dedication & to Andsen where ever he may be. My prayers & thoughts are with you ........

[LV Terry]

Originally posted by landa4071:
I too believe that even though I never met you guys personally you guys are my Vegas family. I think of you guys often when I think about ANYTHING Vegas related. I guess I never thought about it, but it's true... when I think about Vegas stuff, or even when I'm In Vegas doing stuff, I think about the different people I know on this board, and what they might think about it.

Thank you all for making my life richer.

[birdie88]

Being a relative "Newbie" I probably don't have a right to post on this subject but I'm going to anyway.

Shock's post is just one more example of why this board is so successful. You all are so kind to each other (taking into consideration your senses of humor, of course). This thread just shows how much you all care for one another. That's part of what keeps me coming back even when I don't know when my next Vegas trip will be.

Here's to Andsen, and to all of you!

[HurricaneMikey]

Originally posted by LV Terry:
I guess I never thought about it, but it's true... when I think about Vegas stuff, or even when I'm In Vegas doing stuff, I think about the different people I know on this board, and what they might think about it.

Hey Terry--

You remember what you said to us in March about this very subject?

Lemme set the stage for everyone else--this never made it into the trip report.

If you recall, the Wednesday night before the NCAA tourney kicked off, Bazootch had rented a limousine for our drunken tour of the city.

So after several hours of beers, margaritas, black Russians, craps, blackjack, chicks in lingerie, shrimp cocktails, and a bottle of Patron, we made it back to our hotel room at the Mandalay Bay. It was just four of us T2Vers--Me, Bazootch, Vegas Jer, and LV Terry. All of us were there 'alone' at the time--none of our regular Vegas buddies that we usually travel with were in attendance. We were pretty drunk and tired, and I was ok with heading to bed.

But Terry was still ready to keep it going, and announced that at that moment, around 2:15 am on a Thursday morning, that we'd have the official T2V Poker Tournament to decide right then who would wear the T2V equivalent of the gold bracelet!

Nobody wanted to wuss out, so we all got up from lying around in the comfy chairs and such, and headed back down to the casino.

As we were stumbling down the hall back towards the elevator, Terry said something along the lines of "Man, THIS is why I love this board so much--none of my buddies would ever be doing this! It's great to know that there are other people just like me..."

Good times. Good people. Good board.

I'm glad to be a small part of such a fun community.

Mikey graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[chef]

Even though I had never got a chance to meet Andsen in person, it was an honor to moderate a forum with him.
That man had a way about him in doing his posts. There was a class to it, just like old Vegas-style.

[BrianJ]

That has to be the saddest post i ever read. I am sorry to all that new Andsen.

[dkbk]

Thought I would add this to the thread from Andsen's signature:

"Learn to appreciate the bad times-then you'll really understand what the good times are all about!"

G-dspeed Andsen wherever you are!

P.S.- Sonya (or whoever)- Would be great if a chat time was planned.

[ July 28, 2004, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: dkbk ]

[KathyinNY]

Wow, I didn't realize the situation either. I sure do hope that he is not in pain and/or suffering in any way. I just lost my Mom on July 23rd to congestive heart failure. It is now only my twin sister and I to uphold those family traditions. God Speed Andsen!

[PrnsessMoi]

Wow, Just wanted to let you know that I had goose-bumps reading this thread. I won't mention the tears in my eyes.

:( It's not often that a thread can touch people so deeply. Must've been some guy to spark such caring posts.

[Jer]

Although Andsen and I didn't agree on a whole lot of things, I respected the hell outta that guy. I hope everything is as well as it can be.

Man, I really can't find anymore words....

graemlins/nworthy.gif

[Jimbo338]

Originally posted by Vegas Jer:
Although Andsen and I didn't agree on a whole lot of things, I respected the hell outta that guy. I hope everything is as well as it can be.

Man, I really can't find anymore words....

graemlins/nworthy.gif Sometimes groping for the right words or a lack of the right words says volumes!

Jimbo

[sunnywey]

I am so saddened to read his post. I don't know where I was in Dec. but I missed that one.
I did often think of him, missed him and wondered where he was, and if he was O.K.
It's strange how horrible I feel.We have never met.
There does seem to be a bond between us all, helping each other + giving advice over the years, even tho we all are different ages + have such different lives.
Thank you for your well written post, Shock, I'm glad I read one of his final posts, as disturbing as it was.
God Bless you, Andsen!
Love, + ((Hugs)) and best of health to all of you, my friends.