Rick - Moderator Emeritus :)
 

There seems to have been little fanfair about Rick's change of status here at Vikingsword, but I think there needs to be some.

After many years of moderating the forum, many as the sole mod, Rick has decided that he deserves a vacation for some reason. However, he will soon realize that like the Mafia, once you are a "made guy" at Vikingsword, there is no way out except feet first. ;)

In the meantime, we will let Rick enjoy the illusion of freedom, so please join me in giving him a huge "THANK YOU" for all that he has done keeping this forum healthy and happy. Rick, you are a mod among men, and a man among mods. :cool:

Mark (one of the three it takes to replace Rick :D)

Not so fast, pal ...
 

Take a few hours off to attend a family event and look what happens! Some guy gives himself a new title, turns in his zapper, puts on his comfy slippers and takes up residence in the old leather recliner. :rolleyes:

Well, Rick, I guess you earned a break after all the time you've been keeping a close watch on the Forum. My thanks too for all the good work you have done in each of the three stages of this Forum. Look forward to the day you get back in the saddle and pick up the Mods cattle prod again. :cool:

Ian (two of three).

Thanks Rick, for all the years of making this webspace an excellent place to surf...

Thanks Rick, for all your great services to this forum, I hope you change your mind ;)

Rick has undoubtedly contributed as very few had in giving this forum its character.
Being a Mod is not easy, I know very well myself, and doing such a good work as it has been (and keeps being) done here is much, much harder. And, in the fulfilment of his duty Rick has ended up setting up a true "School" of moderation. And quite an efficient one, I must say, as time keeps proving...

So, thank you, Rick. Thank you for your selfless service to our community in general and to this forum in particular.

I hope we'll keep enjoying your presence around... :)

A big thank you. As in all clubs, groups and so on, they all usually only function well because of the efforts of a few. A diamond geezer making things the DB's :cool: .

I have only been a member for 5 months or so. But Rick's contribution to this Forum is astounding, humourous and informative. Sad to see you leave...... :(
... take care, good luck.............and hurry up and come back ;)

THANK YOU RICK! :) :)

Come back soon!

Yes, Rick is an excellent teacher. His wisdom, judgment, and especially his keen nose for trouble (;)) have been the model for me and made my transformation from humble member to humble mod very easy.

And he's not going anywhere, Katana, just hanging up his moderator hat. We would hunt him down and bolt him to his keyboard if he tried to retire entirely from the forum. :D

Well I suppose if it did try and retire from the forum.....we could all chip in and buy him one of these..... ;) :D :D

FREE FREE FREE AT LAST!!!
NOT QUITE RICK YOU ARE STILL HOOKED ON COLLECTING SO I EXPECT YOU WILL STILL BE A FREQUENT VISITOR AND POSTER ON THE FORUM :D IT SHOULD BE NICE TO JUST MAKE THE POSTS YOU WANT AND NOT HAVE THE JOB OF PUTTING ON THE "GRUMPY" PERSONA TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. I DO APPRECIATE YOUR GOOD WORK AND FUNNY COMMENTS AS WELL AS HEADING OFF SOME FIGHTS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED HARD FEELINGS AMONG MEMBERS . WHEN BROADENING KNOWLEGE FIGHTS, FEUDS AND INSULTS NEVER ADD TO A DISCUSSION AND USUALLY SHUT DOWN ALL LEARNING SO THE MODERATORS JOB IS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE.
PERHAPS YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE UP YOUR MODERATORS MANTLE AGAIN SOME DAY BUT IN THE MEANTIME ENJOY NOT HAVEING THE WEIGHT OF THE MANTLE TO CARRY WHEN READING OR POSTING. THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE :D

Photoreportage
 

Rick’s exclusive photo! Look why he escaped! :D

With many thanks, your usual suspect ;)

Rick:

Congrats and many, many thanks my friend. :)

Best,
Andrew



Yannis, although that does look a lot like Rick, I think this is a more likely scene. ;)

Thank You All
 

Many thanks Guys for the good wishes and compliments . :)

It's going to be nice not to be the Junkyard Dog anymore . ;) :D

I sincerely hope that I have in some small way helped this forum grow into the great group of knowledgeable and friendly people that it is .

I'll still be here as a member; how in heaven's name could I ever leave such a great place; it would be like dropping out of school . :eek:

There's a fine bunch running the store now and they have my utmost respect and gratitude for the work they do ; three cheers for the staff !!

Andrew , Ian, and Mark all honor to you Gentlemen .

/now where's my lounger and rum and coke ... ;)

Thank you very much Rick :) :) !!!!! Hope to see you soon :) :)

Thank you Rick for all your years of service. You have been welcoming new folks for many a day now. Also, you have a really cool first name. :D

I sincerely hope that all of us Forumites appreciate the quality of our moderators and how luck we are to have these good folks working hard behind the scenes and investing so much time... such as Rick.

There is no substitute for good people and good fellowship, as we are so fortunate to have on this Forum.

Please continue to share you wisdom and insight with the rest of us, to not do so would leave a great emptiness…

All of the best to you Rick and the warmest of best wishes!!!!

Thank you Rick. I hope all is well. Please stay in touch.

n2s

Add my thanks too
 

Thanks Rick, your steady hand has been evident and appreciated
cheers
DrD

I also want to express my gratitude, thank you Rick, for many interesting and instructional posts and excellent and fair-minded moderation!

Thank you Rick !
Thank you very much, and I sincerely hope that you'll be like those faculty emeritus that stick around without any chains :).
Best of luck ! May all your swords be sleepers !

If indeed there are no irreplaceable persons, there surely are some who are quite complex to fully replace.
Your moderation was superb.
Thank you.

You are irreplacable! :D Thank you for your hard work. You and I have talked and I understand. I would still love to keep in touch. ;)

Actually Rick, you remind me a little of John Wayne and I like your "cowboy" style...:D. Bravo!

LOL John !! :D

Again , you guys are too kind ! :)

Maybe I should consider doing a "Farewell Tour" :rolleyes: :eek: :D :D

I'm enjoying just being a 'Member' ......... ;)

Well, you will never be just a "member". ;) For what you have done here: I bow in your presence. :D

Good Lord Jose ! :rolleyes:
You missed a pun .................. :eek: :D

Thanks buddy !! :)