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[Housekeeping] Abyssinia, TDC
01 Jun 2007 — by Jack

I have been putting off writing this post for the longest time, if only because doing so would admit that it was really over. And, by it, I mean my continued labor unto this website.

I am not departing specifically because I want to, more because I have to. I have a career now, and I am currently devoting all my efforts to it. It's sad to say, but I'm simply at the point in my life when I don't have the free time to indulge in such delights as publishing a website about a video games, and that I must now turn my eyes and efforts towards my future. In addition to my 9-5 job, I'm doing some freelance writing for local publications, and I've also started a new project on the web—a political blog. If libertarianism is your political cup of tea, please feel free to join me there as I begin that new enterprise.

I'm deeply sorry for keeping you all in the dark concerning this news, as while I made up my mind about this weeks ago, I've strung you all along until now. It's not fair, and I am pained that I subjected you all to this.

And yes, I know this violates my guarantee to always keep the site open, though, I can promise this site won't close. Though I may depart TDC, the site will remain.

What finally brought me to putting aside my lip-biting and write this post was a phone call I received today on my cell-phone... the second one thus far actually. To who called me, I want to quickly apologize for being so terse with you—I was at work helping set up a conference we're putting on this weekend and couldn't talk on the phone. Anyway, this second call finally convinced me I need to put some closure on this matter.

That said, please don't call my cell phone anymore (haha), it's really disarming hearing from people on the Internets, and more so hearing the name of this site spoken by anyone. I've always tried to keep my life here and real life separate, mostly due to fears of stalking or the like, so of course I, like many in similar circumstances, adopted a pseudonym. That right: Jack O'Reily is not my real name, more a nom du plume, a pen name. I'm not going to apologize for the necessity of my trickery, because it was... well, necessary.

So anyway, I'd like to leave this post on a positive note... so, let me start by thanking everyone who visisted and contributed to this site over the years. Among those who come to mind: Alpha, Zelda Veteran, Bgrugby, Gamefreak, Whocares, Hinoseijin, Jario, everyone at the Forums, HA2, and elsewhere on the site who I cannot (to my great shame) currently recall the names of, if only because there are so many of you. You have all made this site a very enjoyable enterprise. Moreover, I'd like to thank my fellow Webmasters for their support and kind words over the years.

Even though this post may make you think otherwise, you all mean the world to me, and I will miss you dearly.

Since I am in the midst of my travels...

I must bid you farewell.

Whenever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow.

However, that parting need not last forever...

Whether a parting be forever or merely for a short time... That is up to you.

With that, please excuse me...

48 Comments

by Gamefreak @ 01 Jun 2007 04:16 pm

I'm a bit of a libertarian. I might take you up on that Jack.

by HinoSeijin @ 01 Jun 2007 04:18 pm

I wish you luck on your road in life. You will be missed as well, Jack.

by Gamefreak @ 01 Jun 2007 04:20 pm

Yes, I have much to owe you Jack. This site has helped me so much.

by violinist @ 01 Jun 2007 04:41 pm

But what about a Forum Admin? And Ask Ezlo? And the Caption Game?

Well, bye Jack.

by rinku @ 01 Jun 2007 05:03 pm

I can't believe it! My pessimistic fantasies I wrote about you leaving that are on the forums and etc were... right???
Please say this is a bad dream! But then again I saw this coming....

I'm sorry to see you go. I can honestly say that TDC really helped me in the beginning when I first got into Zelda. We'll all miss you. Good job all these years though. Come back whenever you like- we'll all still be here. Good luck to whatever you're doing.

by CommodoreAxilon @ 01 Jun 2007 05:14 pm

Jesus, I finally get around to registering for this thing and this happens. Well, I suppose it's better you do this now then later. Farewell.

by Gamefreak @ 01 Jun 2007 05:40 pm

Whocares has this to say. I don't think he's registered with the comment system.

I was the one who phone called you, Jack. Please don't call me back, now that I've read this message, and I won't call you again. I got in trouble for it, but it's well worth it.

Saddly, I knew one day you would have to leave, but I have tried not to think about it. I'm not surprised that you are doing this, but I'm still sad you must go.

And for the reason I called you, is because of the forums. Just read the stickied topic in General Discussions that labeled "Jack, Please Look Here When You See This" and you'll never HAVE to step foot in the forums again, though you still can one day should you feel. Whoever you choose will take care of the rest.

by Lank @ 01 Jun 2007 05:54 pm

Our friend, Jack,

It has been great having you keep up with this website for so long. I think I speak for everyone when I say we are happy for you and your success, and you will most certainly be missed.

Keep on rockin', Jack. We know you will.

by Darkphantomime @ 01 Jun 2007 06:37 pm

Hah... I've said it once, so I'll say it again: The old generation of Zelda fans, the 'original' generation is quickly dying. Let us hope that Jack will not go the way of the missing link... leaving no succesor.

Not that this was the first time such a thing has happened... I can understand why he would be biting his nails after seeing the HUGE amount of messages and alerts as to what was going on over his extended absence.

Only to say, I hope that there will be no avoidance with this subject any longer, not with the new one... IF there be a new one.

And it won't be just the forums, though that'll be the main thing...

Heh... I'm starting to think that I never should have posted the link to TDC's WHOIS this morning...

by Jack @ 01 Jun 2007 09:15 pm

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

I'm at the conference right now so I can do anything on the site, but I swear when I get back the first thing I'll do is appoint a new Forum admin (which I assume that topic was about?)).

by jackal @ 01 Jun 2007 10:25 pm

Yes, that was what the topics were about. There were also a few...problems...on the site, but the Forum Admin can handle those. I knew this would happen someday...Well, good luck with your career Jack, hopefully you can stop by from time to time and see how everything's going.

by Jario @ 02 Jun 2007 10:55 am

I'm really sad to hear this, Jack. TDC is my #1 Zelda site - I've gone here for everything Zelda for the past 2+ years. It's been a great experience here at TDC, and its sad to see you go. Good luck, Jack.

P.S. Will Seth, Alpha, and I still be able to write articles for TDC? That way, even without you, TDC could still live on to some extent.

by MagmarFire @ 02 Jun 2007 12:43 pm

I am pained to have to see this happen to TDC. However, I'm just glad that you're still all right.

Nevertheless, I wish that I didn't have to see you go, but if the winds of time call for it, then what happens is what happens. Jack, I--and many, many others on this site--will dearly miss you. However, I pray that we will cross paths again.

I hope you have a good life, Jack. I wish you luck on your career!

Now, I think a commemorative salute is in order. *salutes*

by Blank @ 02 Jun 2007 04:20 pm

Good luck with your new career and Bathtub Republic blog, Jack! I must say, I was shocked to see the news post (Kudos on the title XD), and yet the whole time I was half expecting it. I at least hope you pass the torch to someone on the HA side of things ^_^

Thanks for the good times, Jack O'Reily. You shall be missed *conforms to MF's salute*

by violinist @ 02 Jun 2007 04:33 pm

Oh, I'd just like to say that the phone thing was my idea. I didn't think that it would freak you out. Whoops. Good luck with your life then.
*also salutes*

by Sora @ 02 Jun 2007 04:47 pm

Wow, I never thought this would come, Im gonna miss you jacky, lol, I called you that to insult you for one last time in life!!! lol, sorry, anywho, its been nice knowing you jack.

by Nogare @ 02 Jun 2007 06:06 pm

..............................
.......................................
................................

Wow. I didn't get to know you, Jack, but you listed me up there, being among those from HA2. That meant a lot to me. I had HA2 as my home page before I myself quit HA2, though I still visit there, but because of this I never went to TDC's main page very much, and because of that I haven't seen much of you. But it's because of you that I've made many friends. I made friends with Alpha, ZV, HNS, Kasei, Blank, Kamikaziplumber, and so many more. Lol, more than half of the people on my MSN I know thanks to you!

And that was very clever of you! I did the same thing; my name isn't really Nogare .

And, if you happen to be read this comment by any chance possible, then please read an email by Alpha regarding South Hyrule. I won't be posting there, but it would be interesting for me to see, and I know that many others are looking forward to it, and are worried that it may never come to pass.

But dude, it's been nice knowing you, though more hearing of you than knowing personally. I'm definitely going to miss you. And that is the best quote I've ever heard, the one from the Happy Mask Salesman. It proves that you've beaten the game . And, more seriously, it keeps hope in people when a sad parting comes.

So, good bye, not-Jack .
-Nogare

by mikaudes @ 02 Jun 2007 11:22 pm

well, yet, as I'm about to come back to HA2, it's sad, as I'm going to miss the insults from Ezlo, the genious of the Caption Game, those problems in the Mailbox, and that ... stuff in every section of the website.
Actually, when I started surfing the internet, I was somehow wandering from site to site, and found sorta like a home here, the first layout I saw was of the Hero of the Winds with that challenging smile. I started to come back and soon I decided that this was to be my zelda site of preference. Compared to other sites, this one looks the most sober.
If you have to go, go, life's already started for you, go live it. Man! "The Founders" are growing up, now the only fans who played LoZ for the first time are leaving the comunity. It won't be the same without you.
ZZZZZZZ EEEEEEE L DDD A
Z E L D D A A
Z E L D D A A
Z EEEE L D D AAAAAAA
Z E L D D A A
Z E L D D A A
ZZZZZZZ EEEEEEE LLLLLLL DDD A A

Just did that because I wanted too, so, Farewell "Jack". [OMG I can't belie I called you that all this time...]

by Bboy94 @ 03 Jun 2007 07:44 pm

First Zelda Blog, now TDC? Where will I go for my Zelda needs? Also, I think Gamefreak won the admin poll. And I think he can clear things up if you make him admin. Well, have a good life. *sigh* I just wish I had joined the forum a few weeks earlier.

by RalisII @ 05 Jun 2007 10:38 am

That can't be right!
*reads post again*
TDC is more than just a website or a blog or a forum. The Dessert Colossus has become something stronger. It has become a community, a family. We will all miss you Jack O'Reily. Thank You for everything. Thank you for all you time, your effort, your creativity, and your commitment that went into this site. It won't be the same without you.
*sallutes for real*

by RalisII @ 05 Jun 2007 10:42 am

BTW, what will happen to the site after you leave?

by Shadowknight @ 05 Jun 2007 12:47 pm

Waaaaaa! First Zeldablog and now TDC!
Wait, can you appoint somebody that could still carry on? So TDC wont die? I'm going to miss you, b/c TDC was one of my favorites with ask Elzo and the Caption game.... Well.. see you.

by ZeldaVeteran @ 05 Jun 2007 01:52 pm

Well, what can I say... This is crazy. I can't believe it. I knew it would happen someday, but not this soon. Wow... You've done a great Job with everything jack, and you've made a deep impact on a lot of the members here. we'll all deeply miss having you around Jack. I won't ask you to reconcider, because it seems you've made up your mind on the matter. Swing by now and again, alright? Be seeing you... I hope.

by Last_Hylian @ 05 Jun 2007 02:07 pm

. . . . .

I never knew you, I never talked to you, but I respected you a heck of alot, so just wanna say thanks for what you've given to the community.

Later
LH

by jackal @ 05 Jun 2007 03:21 pm

This is some of my closest family...this site won't die...sure, some of the features may if Jack doesn't choose a successor, which I hope he does. Nobody can surpass Jack, but at least someone to update Ask Ezlo and the Captions...still, this site will never die. The forums we have are special...they aren't like most of the forums where there's hundreds of posts every day and nobody really knows anyone, our little family is much better than that...

by Psy @ 06 Jun 2007 01:44 pm

Exactly four months after I remove ZeldaBlog from my bookmarks, it closes.

I removed The Desert Colossus from my bookmarks on January 30th.

I shouldn't, but I feel guilty...

by GerudoGal @ 06 Jun 2007 02:21 pm

Good luck, Jack. Thanks for everything. We'll never forget you!!

by Bboy94 @ 06 Jun 2007 07:24 pm

*Plays "Farewell Hyrule King"*

by Jkolnol @ 12 Jun 2007 02:11 pm

Say it ain't so. Except I know it is so. So Why did it have to go? Without you who will delivier my daily laughs brought upon by reading Ask Ezlo?? Well, I wish you the best of luck, Jack. Also, it may please you to know that I am writing a book with the name Jack as a main charecter. I know it is not your real name, but as it was concidental anyway, at least look upon it fondly. (Note: I'm actually T3hM00nB@byz, or however I decide to spell it, and I'm not as crazy as I sound in my Ask Ezlo questions)

by Takun @ 13 Jun 2007 08:30 am

Dont let this die Jack. Your a great man. You held this forum together and you made it strong. You made it a community. Now give it an heir. Good luck with life.
*joins in on "Farewell Hyrule King"

by Shadowknight @ 14 Jun 2007 09:25 am

I know what you mean Psy, Right when I was starting to leave Zeldablog, it died. Same thing with another FE site... and now this...
Well.. I had good times here..

by TheMissingLink @ 14 Jun 2007 01:49 pm

And several people, sadly, still continue to overreact to people leaving. It's almost sad to see it. *sigh* Your whining won't change what's going on; it may be that the 'old generation' is heading out, but as I said before: Unless you're willing to step up to fill those shoes, then you don't have a right to complain in the first place.

~~~

Jack, you will be missed, but I'm glad you've come to terms with the decision. I know it was tough for me--I literally held out on my decision on what to do with TGA for a full year, supporting myself strictly on terms of ZeldaBlog for that duration, so I know that this decision was a tough one for you to make as well. However, nevertheless you should be proud of what you have done, thus allowing you to look back on this and the people here in a positive light.

by Darkphantomime @ 15 Jun 2007 11:54 am

It's been two weeks... I wonder if he's back from that conference? He should be by now...

by RalisII @ 17 Jun 2007 11:24 am

TML if yu think poeple are overreacting to Jack (and your) leaving, then maybe you don't fully realise the impact both of you have/had on other peoples lives. Jack will truely be missed. We are not complaining that he is leaving like an unhappy consumer or customer, we are mourning his departure like close friends would, even though we never even met him. And yes, there are in fact people willing to step up. I for one would gladly help keep TDC up for as long as I can, though I'm still a bit of a newb when it comes to website/blogging. And I'm sure there are many others who are also willing to pick up where Jack leaves off, and continue making the site great. I'm not entirely sure how the whole transferal of domina names etc. will work but we can figure it out (hopefully) so that we can keep the site alive and thriving.

by Jack @ 17 Jun 2007 12:32 pm

Hey folks, yeah I've been back since Monday. Sorry in the delay in Gamefreak's admin coronation at the forums.

TML, I'm going to miss you too buddy. Thanks for your support over the years. Best of luck in your future endeavours be it in the Zelda world, or the gaming world at large.

To Ralis, yeah I'm thinking up a plan to pass on caretaker ship of TDC to someone else (like a steward of Gondor, haha), but I'm entirely sure how much contorl to give them over the mechanics of the site, or how to frame it exactly. I'll keep everyone posted on that. I really don't want this site to die completely, I'd like it if someone could keep it alive in some capacity (even if as a zelda-focused blog).

by violinist @ 17 Jun 2007 03:22 pm

If Gamefreak takes over the forums, someone like Alpha could take over the Compendium (for control over locked pages), and someone could take over Ask Ezlo and The Caption Game.

Just an idea.

by Blank @ 17 Jun 2007 03:51 pm

But of course... don't forget the most essential division of The Desert Colossus! Hyrule Adventures! We could use new admins as well, Jack, not to mention some FTP access...

[/nagging]

by HinoSeijin @ 17 Jun 2007 05:25 pm

New admins, FTP access (whatever that is), and TP. Many, many, more TP. Maybe make grunts pay extra for Dual Wield instead of vagabonds before you go?

[/nagging with Blank]

by jackal @ 17 Jun 2007 09:50 pm

*copies and pastes complaints from last two posts*

Exactly. We have stuff that needs fixing at HA2...

by lol @ 21 Jun 2007 05:33 pm

Well, as everyone has said before me and I'll say it again: Jack you have one of the best legend of zelda sites ever and I'm sad that you can't be in charge of it anymore. But may your life be full of happiness and success!

by Zeldaforever @ 16 Jul 2007 05:56 am

You should pick a new leader for your loyal TDC fans. Someone with technical experience, someone who knows how to lead a site to become the best, someone who will directly support HA2... :P Someone... Who will bear the name of Jack O'Reilley...

All that aside, I will miss you. You have been an inspiration to me in my site-building days, and your site will always remain my favorite Zelda site ever.

Goodbye, Jack.

by Lokes @ 27 Jul 2007 10:35 am

I bid you fare well Jack, even though your name is not Jack, you will always be the only Jack I "knew".

Thank you for many glorious moments, and for showing me a wonderful world of people; brothers and sisters by interest.
I love this site, and for me it will never die.

May your return come soon.

Kriss-

by BaconWarrior @ 07 Aug 2007 05:31 pm

While this comment may be a little or alot late I have long used TDC but have only recently registered.

But still i feel I should say farewell Jack whos name is not really Jack but you made us think it was and i just confused myself

Well later Jack hope you visit us often and with that Im gonna go get a snow cone.

by BaconWarrior @ 07 Aug 2007 05:32 pm

by ryebud258 @ 20 Aug 2007 01:17 pm

i will miss you greatly, even though i haven't been to the tdc for quite a while. i hope you will visit every now and then... and maybe leave a succesor for ezlo.

good buy person who calls himself jack.

by BaconWarrior @ 20 Aug 2007 04:59 pm

Whoa!

Did I post twice by accident? Well while im here ill say it again good bye Jack. I promised myself I wouldnt cry

by BaconWarrior @ 22 Aug 2007 05:41 pm

I dont know why but I cant quit looking at this post, its been nearly two months now and its still hard to beleive that Jack is gone.

It might just be me but its seems as though this place is nearly deserted, it just feels so lonely here since Jack left. But the question that keeps repeating itself over and over again in my head is what will become of TDC?

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