No goodbyes, just good memories
by MaPatsFan on Apr 21, 2010 5:44 PM EDT
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PrintDear friends,
By now, you've noticed a severe drop off in my story writing and participation on this blog. It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to step down as head writer of Pats Pulpit. It was, at the same time, an incredibly difficult decision and an incredibly easy one.
After MPF Sr. passed in November, 2009, my Mum has required almost constant care and attention. The unfortunate reality is that the world doesn't stop, not for one second. Simple, daily tasks became monumentally difficult and she just couldn't keep pace. It was her children's turn to step in and help her; she did raise us, after all. This was the easy part of the decision. A son's duty. It's that simple. Combine family duties with a promotion at work and time has become a scarce commodity.
Now the difficult part.
I believe this to be a very cool community, one where knowledge, passion, and respect are required and practiced every day. The writing, from not only co-writers but commentors, is second to none. It's news worthy, but loaded with fan perspective - exactly what you want on a fan run site. I have written many times that my stories were just the beginning, that the thoughts and comments you add to the story turn it into a living document, one with an ebb and flow if you will. I always learn a great deal from your writings, a great deal. I was never the sole authority, only the catalyst. YOU made the story great. I will miss this thing we've created.
Over the last 2 years, I have had the pleasure of writing and collaborating with many smart, passionate fans. Outside of Pats Pulpit: Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings, Matty I from The Phinsider, and John B from Gang Green Nation - my AFC East buds. Spot on ya, guys. From Stampede Blue, BigBlueShoe has been an enormous help. We may be rival fans with vastly different styles and viewpoints, but we've always had a common goal. Thank you.
No one can do this alone. I've been lucky to have a number of co-writers to help balance out the stories and provide alternate viewpoints, the part I truly cherish. NESilver (aka: KCGold) was a great ambassador and writer. SlotMachinePlayer, along with his insane level of participation, took on Moderator duties (carrying the water, as JHR would say) as well as comic relief with "Steal This Thread" and "The Caption Contest". Comedic.Sans, for a guy who lives soooooo far from the States, has one of the biggest football IQ's I know of, even if he spells funny. ;-) Richard Hill is churning out an amazing amount of draft info and is a fine stats guru to boot; a big thanks for steering the ship these past several weeks. JohnHannahRules has always been the gold standard of writing, a lost craft these days. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for stepping in when I needed it the most. I hope to see you in print, my man!! And Marima. How could I ever thank her for all the participation and the tireless work she does, day in and day out, creating one of the finest links posts on this network, and the only Pulpiteer I've met! I've been very lucky indeed to share the stage with such talent.
I won't be going away, just handing over the reins to a new head writer. I hope to pop in, now and again, like visiting the first house I bought; those visits always make me smile. This has been an enormously rewarding journey, one I count myself lucky for having undertaken.
Who knows, you may see me at training camp. Any guesses as to what number I'll be wearing?
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You
had an enormous amount of patience for us Colts fans.
Thanks for keeping it classy.
Dad-Giants/Jets Fan
Brother Number One-Patriots Fan
Brother Number Two-Raiders Fan
Me-Colts Fan
Don't ask
Oh, and I'm from Vermont
by stonewall12345678 on Apr 21, 2010 5:51 PM EDT reply actions
I can't thank you enough for your contributions to this community.
Oh, if a man tried to take his time on earth, and prove before he died
What one man's life could be worth--oh, I wonder what would happen to this world.
by LegendaryTadpole on Apr 21, 2010 5:54 PM EDT reply actions
Now, now let's not have this....
I hope to pop in, now and again….
Make it a promise to stop in or I’ll have to hit ya ! Just kidding, kinda….
It’s been good having you here and thanks for the direction and the opportunities, MPF. Door’s always open here, and you’ve got my e-mail. No need to be a stranger.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Apr 21, 2010 5:55 PM EDT reply actions
This is a great community
in large part because of your efforts. You welcomed newbies (like me last year), encouraged all of us, helped us out, threw out ideas and information, and stepped back and let it work. The fact that this site has worked so well recently even in your (relative) absence is a great testament to the way you ran it when you were head writer. You set the tone and Richard, Marima, SlotMachinePlayer, Comedic.sans and all the rest picked up where you left off.
I understand and respect your decision about family duties but I do hope we’ll be seeing you here A LOT. At least as often as you can manage.
All of us owe you a great round of thanks and gratitude for all you’ve done. Thanks for everything. But like SlotMachinePlayer said above, “don’t be a stranger,” okay?
Any time, bossman
Are you going to be wearing SMP’s clone trooper uniform? You can pretty it up with Patriots colours, it’d be sweet!
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
I know I haven't been here very long
But I always saw you as a great writer, and an even better community figure. You did a great job making a friendly and welcoming environment here. Thanks for everything you’ve done, and don’t keep yourself away to much!
Sorry to hear, but very understandable.
Thanks for the memories and I hope everything works out well for you in the end. Thanks for everything!
My dream first two rounds for the Patriots:
1) Jared Odrick
2a) Rodger Saffold
2b) Eric Norwood
2c) Montario Hardesty
From all the fans of other teams that come here, including me
I wish you best of luck with your mom and everything else that will occupy your life from now on. You were a great head writer, and I have always respected your work over here. As you said, us from StampedeBlue have not always agreed with everything you said, but we can agree that you were a classy writer and leader of PatsPulpit.
Here’s hoping you make a special guest appearance on the StampedeBlue Radio for another War of 18-12 podcast in Week 11.
BTW, your retirement was a big enough deal to make me break my sbnation silence I have gone through since the Super Bowl.
EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!
Family first
A few years ago, I was asked to be a contributing writer on a SB Nation blog and turned it down because grad school and getting married were more important and time is, as you say, an increasingly scarce and precious commodity, even more so now that I’m done with school and working crazy hours. It would have been a lot of fun to be a contributing writer, but it’s far more rewarding to take care of my family.
If writing for a blog ever interferes with taking care of your family, there shouldn’t even be a question of the right thing to do, but there is for lots of folks. Good for you for not being one of them. Hang around when you can, MaPatsFan.
Hate to see you step down MPF
Even though I absolutely understand where you need to be. The Pulpit was in good hands with you at the helm.
Thanks for asking me to stick around a couple of years ago too, when it really hurt to be a Pats fan after how the phenomenal 2007 season ended. What a ride.
Still expect to see you around here though, and hopefully at Training Camp this summer. Take care.
Keep the faith!
One of a kind
The atmosphere on this blog is by far the classiest and most collegial I’ve ever experienced in the wide world of sports blogging. There is no doubt that we can all credit this small wonder to your tremendous efforts, as well as your civility, respect and intelligence. Thanks for everything!
I've only been using/following this blog for about 6 months, but I've already enjoyed it so much.
Living in LA, I don’t get much unbiased perspective on the Patriots from my friends and relatives, and PatsPulpit and especially MaPatsFan has given that to me.
Thanks
I know how you feel
I think the first post I made was around the second game vs. the Dolphins last year.
"Imagine the Flying Elvis with a Mickey Mouse hat. That's me"
I didn't know you wrll as a Pats Fan, but I
"Imagine the Flying Elvis with a Mickey Mouse hat. That's me"
am thankfull that you help get the Pats Pulpit started. If it wasn't for you, I would not be such a pats fan as I am today
"Imagine the Flying Elvis with a Mickey Mouse hat. That's me"
sad to see you go MPF
always been a great writer. wish your family good health.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)
Not a regular poster here
More like a “lurker”, but I definitely noticed the time and effort you put into making this a great site to talk Pats football.
Sad to see such a hard-working person leave this site, but that’s how life is once in a while. Best of luck in everything in life. Momma MPF must be proud to have a wonderful son like you. :D
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
Best of luck caring for family, good to see you’re not leaving entirely. Hopefully by the time the season starts your mother’s situation is more stable.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Man, I'm sorry to see you go MaPatsFan.
You did an awesome job with this site and I enjoyed the times I got to debate some topics with you. I wish you the best of luck with your family and hopefully I’ll see you around every once in a while.
"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue
I can't brain today, I have the dumb.
28 "Phinsider Feud" Points
Chillin easy on the Draft CJ Spiller SpillWagon skybus. Got the window seat, the minibar, just waiting for the stewardess to bring me a pillow.
Two measures of a man:
1) How much was he loved by his friends.
2) How much he is respected by his enemies.
Looks like MaPatsFan wins in both categories.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Apr 22, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions
and don't forget the all important third thing
3) How much he knows the difference between jazz hands and spirit fingers
Keep the faith!
MaPatsFan is a Triple-Play!
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Apr 22, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Another Phin sorry to see you leave.
I’ve always enjoyed your insight, and communications, even when just reading from a rival blog. I think you added a dimension and element to the all of our teams blogs, and it something that just can’t be replaced.
Take Care my friend, and wish you and your family the best.
So there I was.....asleep when it happened.....the buzzing of the blackberry woke me up....still groggy, I rubbed my eyes, and read the incoming email.
BRANDON MARSHALL IS A DOLPHIN!
Then I had a beer....took the day off work, and bought a box of condoms.
Its going to be a long night for my wife.
Sad to see you hang 'em up
I was more of a lurker, but you drew me in with your great work on the blog. I hope everything works out with your mother, I was in the same situation a few years ago and it is tough. But love is such a powerful thing that is can help a person through the toughest of the tough times.
God bless, MaPatsFan. Thanks for your great work, hope this isn’t the last time we see a piece of yours!
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