Stepping Down from Site Moderator

[Absolute Dog]

I am stepping down from the position of Site Moderator of 343industries.org. I have worked over the past many months training and watching RedStarRocket as he has taken on the reigns of the site moderator position. I know I have made a good choice for a successor and am confident he will continue on with the traditions of this forum. RSR I wish you the best!

 

I have made an unending list of friends over the years on this site and in the Halo community and am grateful for the opportunity to have met and become friends with so many. My work with the forge community will continue by promoting and highlighting the incredible maps and game types they create. Forge has always been close to my heart and I have met and become friends and associates with some of the best forgers in our community. I will continue the Meet Your Maker series along with THFE and the incredible group that has helped judge these contests. My work with Forge Cafe and Halo Customs with the 2v2 Forge Tournament will be seen through to the end as well. I have hopes that it will be the first in a string of similar events between our communities.

 

As for the members of 343industries.org, it has been a privilege and honor to serve all of you. Thanks to all members, past and present, who have helped to build and maintain this site with your ideas, participation and love for the game. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Here are a few facts about me as a moderator, a member and a Halo player.

 

I have performed 2,272 administrative actions as a moderator. This tops all other admin actions, which is 13 more than Twam and nearly 2 1/2 times that of my friend and former co-site moderator Jester. I have performed 6,068 moderator actions which is 2,200+ over Jester and Twam and no other moderator even begins to comes close to us. Though these are all lofty numbers, know that all moderators, save a couple, have done some serious work for this site and should be thanked. I never had any intention of being a moderator and came close to turning down the position. I had no plans on returning after I stepped down to care for loved ones. Life is funny that way.

 

I met, then moved across the country and now live with the woman I met on XBOX Live playing Halo 3. I am an old school Halo fan, playing Halo CE since 2001, and have logged over 30,000 match made games and an unknown number of custom and Lan line games with all of my accounts over the years. My name, GT, was given to me by friends years ago because I hated being sniped from across the map and would hunt down snipers with a passion. I would literally 'dog' or hound them to death. Ergo my friends comments were, "He will absolutely dog you if you have the sniper rifle.". Halo 3 is my favorite of the Halo series because I truly enjoy the arena style of competition it offers and play it regularly. I have a deep rooted love of forge and genuinely admire the competitive play of professional Halo players. I love the Halo community and this site and all the good memories they have given me.

 

I want to thank a few close friends and noted members of this site.

 

Spectral Jester - Friend for life

Choot 'em - Friend for life

imakequilts -  Love of my life and unsung supporter of this site

Twinreaper - Tech Guru, mean as a badger, miss you

Vitamin PWN - Forgive and forget

Total Mayhem - Fellow Christian and friend

RSR - She is all yours now, take care of her

Drizzy Dan - The shinning star

The Director - Never a dull moment

Spades N AZ - Thanks for everything, miss you

Twam - Thanks for the opportunity

 

Thanks to all of you. I will miss serving you.

 

                               - Absolute Dog

[Church]

Absolute Dog. What can I say. You are a friend, more like a father to me. I also share a faith with you, and pray that God will be with you wherever you go. You have been so much to the site, and to me, in your time here. I remember joining, and being a new member, with you being relatively new yourself. The most unlikely and motley crew of mooks have been brought together by a lover. That lover is the game of Halo, which we all hold so dear. Even the ones who come here with complaints, the ones who say they hate the game, they really love it too. It is our passion, and it is theirs too. So many people, united in a common love, a common desire, is something beautiful to behold.

 

As you now take your place with the Legends, we beseech you not to fall in the past. You will always have a place here, and if this place is torn down, if this mere existence is foregone, then you will always have a place in our hearts. There is nothing that can compare to what you have done here, to the place that you have always impressed us with. A member, rising first to the position of Community Moderator, to the Orange of Site Moderator, and then leaving for a time. But to return, in even greater glory, to bear the immense weight of this site alone. The release of Halo 4 damaged the site. There is no question about that. And it is only through you that this site is still what it is today. And I hope and pray that it will continue to be. Be sure that I will do my part to make it so.

 

Now I too am up here in the Mod booth, and the view is both sad and happy. When you asked if I wanted to be on staff here, I wanted to make a difference. I hope I have. I will try my best to preserve and uphold the values and morals that you have upheld, that you have established through your blood, sweat and tears.

 

AD, I will miss you. The site will miss you. You will still be here, but it will never be the same. You are the Absolute Dog. And we will never forget.

[TDM]

And this is where I shed a tear from such an amazingly crafted post... Much luck on the endeavors you seek buddy!!

 

Remember, Every story has an end, Or a sequel... Or a prequel. But for now, We need an epilogue to keep our spirits high and mighty, Like our race. Like your race, As I am a robot with feelings, Mostly robot... But human.

 

[Sikslik7]

After a week of thought, here is what I wish to say here and now:

 

 

We all came to this site looking for a community that loved and believed in Halo. Each of us has chosen a different path on how we use and help the forums. Some have taken Staff positions, some create lengthy fan-made stories, others organize playdates, many play in playdates, forgers promote their maps, and people come to complain. 

 

But why do we do this? We care about Halo. We care about the game in one way or another. Because of this love we give ourselves to the forums to enrich that love. We all have taken different paths, but all have brought us here. 

 

Absolute Dog, you went above and beyond the call of the forums. You helped shape it into what it has become today. We all have, but you have had a bigger impact than most of us. I hope to see you around some time soon.

 

 

Remember:

 

Ad finem ludum ire impignorantur in eodem arca rege et

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhx-ZDIwu4w#t=0

Edited December 16, 2013 by Sikslik7

[Ranger Intel]

I feel really sad right now. One of the first times I post a sad face. You will be missed by all of us.   Will you still be active on the forums? Who will l take your place?

 

It has been on honour to serve by your side. Hope to see you around. 

 

[Zelda]

We will miss you dearly.

 

It was great knowing you. I remember back in the day I had no idea who you were much less what you were. I just kept hearing about you from all the other members. Then one day you suddenly reappeared. I admit, I was scared to death of you. But once talked on the xbox live allowed me to relax.

 

But its really sad to see you go once again.

 

I wish you the best, and will be glad to see you from time to time.

 

I also want to thank you for comforting me during that rough time in my life earlier this year.

 

Farewell AD.

 

[Buns]

This is actually really sad wow. I didn't even see this coming it's going to be different without you :c 
Thanks for being an awesome moderator for the short time I've been here so far  Absolute 

Thanks for helping making this site what it is now. 

Thanks for helping unite different Halo sites. That will no doubt have a huge positive effect on the Halo community, and when we're united when the next Halo game releases you can no doubt bet you're paw that you contributed to that. 

 

Edited December 9, 2013 by Buns

[GryffinGuy007]

So AD, I don't actually know you all that well. We haven't spoken much and I barely see you around due to timezones. Nevertheless, you were here since the very beginning - from when I joined last year.

 

I've seen your outstanding moderating skills at work, slapping order into those who break the rules. It hasn't all been the 'mighty wrath of AD' though, as I've seen you being very friendly to members on countless occasions. Indeed, I can only imagine the pressure you're going through.

 

I solute you for your extensive time of service.

It's not all bad though, because I bet you'll look good in gold.

 

I'll now end with this:

 

[BeckoningZebra1]

I'll miss seeing you in orange AD. You've worked so hard to make this site the wonderful place it is today and I can't say I know you as well as I'd like to, but you truly are a hero in my life because of your dedication. Thank you for your hard work. I'll see you around Absolute Dog

[Drizzy_Dan]

My mind could hardly process this the first time you left and it's funny now that it's happening again, in a more serious way, it still almost brings a tear to my eye to see you step down from the site AD. You've been more than a friend to me I'm sure you're aware. You've been a friend, a mentor, someone I've always praised and looked up to since joining and continue to whether you know it or not. Any little compliment, even a like on your, now on hiatus, Wrapup meant something to me. You never made a dull one liner in a single post on anything unless you were locking something. And even then they weren't dull one liners, some had punch lines!

 

But again this is like saying goodbye to someone I thought I'd never say goodbye to. Doing something I knew I didn't want to but eventually would have to. This is not just a loss for me, this site, Twam, or its members but actually a little bit of a loss to our small community that you've pulled together almost by yourself. We get along with THFE, HaloCustoms, ForgeCafe, BeyondHalo, reps from Certain Affinity, and even some from 343 Industries and that's literally all through you. This site would not be where it is without you leading it and we wouldn't be as big as we are now. It is with the utmost respect and humility that I say:

 

 

ALL HAIL THE ABSOLUTE DOG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You'll be greatly, greatly missed.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ΠΘVΛ]

Congratulations on the gaming girl AD! We'll have to play Halo 3 again sometime, I had lots of fun playing on Last stand a while ago. We should all play it. For now, farewell!

[VinWarrior]

Absolute Dog... Friend... Father-figure... When I was in a bad place, the vision of being someone like you brought me out. A kind, and amazing human being.  I want to thank you for that. Wherever you go in the future, whatever life holds for you,  I wish you the best of luck. Goodbye sir. Go out with a bang.

 

-Edward

[Surveillance]

Absolute Dog. You are perhaps one of the greatest and most influential people I have met over the Internet... ever. I joined in 2012, coming in completely unknowing of the adventures I would have. However when I needed help and there wasn't a Community Moderator there, you always were. I cannot imagine my time on the site without you, and I have to say: Twam picked well. You did to, RSR will be an extremely amazing successor.

 

I hope this is the right choice for you. Good luck with your future endeavors.

 

~HaloGeek, and love from Russia

[Cooliest]

Well...

Hmmm..

Let me start with the beginning...

I remember my first day on the site. I went into the shout box (this was before the 5 post minimum) and started talking to some of the hooligans that were in there; Zag, Mr Bashful Brute, Mr Payne, Azaxx, Archangel and so on. They all started teasing me for having a name that no one understood. At the time I was Cooliestrap and everyone was like "What's a Coolie-Strap?" and I was trying to explain that my name was actually Cooliest Rap. And then you butted in and said something along the lines of

"Hey what's up, Coolio?"

Me: "Hello Absolute Dog. Actually it's Cooliest Rap"

Dog: "I really dig your name, Coolio."

Me: "Oh thanks.... Blah blah blah..."

 

Anyways then at every playdate and skype call we had after that you always called me Coolio instead of Cooliest, and I always tried to correct you but it didnt do any good. lol. But all in all you came in and stood up for me on my first day and it went to show time and time again that you truly are one of the most compassionate and kindhearted people on this site. Standing up for others and just giving a hand when someone is in need.

 

You've put so much work into helping out this community and with every other forum and site I've been on before I think you are the longest lasting mod I've ever seen. You hear that RSR you have a goal to shoot for now. lol

 

I'm sure well all see you around here then and again so I won't say goodbye but rather just until next time, 

Absolute Dog!

 

 

You're the most hardcore Puppy on this site.

 

[Halo6 Follower]

I'm in the same boat as Gryffin; Time Zones hampering our time together. However this did not stop me from witnessing your moderating prowess on more then one occasion. There is no doubt that your Moderating skills will be missed. And i'll see you in the Shout Box as a yellow now (timezone willing, of course). Thank you dearly for your services to this Community. 

[Psychoduck]

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dog for everything he's done for the site.  I may not quite be a regular here, but as a site affiliate I would like to say what a pleasure it has been to work with someone so committed and passionate about this website and the Halo community at large.  A community manager can really make or break a community, and it's quite clear that AD has made a huge positive impact on this site and on the greater Halo community by extension.  It has been my pleasure to work with this site and, in turn with AD, and I look forward to seeing what the future will bring regarding the partnership between THFE and 343industries.org.  

 

Dog, thank you for everything you've done.  I look forward to continuing to work with you in the future on other projects.

[Dog]

  I would like to say that Big Dog was a major impact  on how this site runs today. From what he said up in his original post, you can tell he helped this forum grow to its full extent. Dog you are a very humorous and pleasant person to be around, and I just wanna say thank you for everything you did that assisted this website and its members. I will carry on the dog will. I Promise

[Choot 'em]

Now that the little ones are down for the night, I want to take the time to give you proper thanks.

 

We joined the site around the same time. Then it was a small (under 5,000 member), close-knit community with a common interest... Halo. I witnessed your transition from purple to blue, blue to yellow, and yellow to orange. The time and energy invested could never be measured as even when you were not on site, you still worked diligently behind the scenes to help shape what we see today. Your latest effort of bridging the gap between Halo sites is a feat that still baffles me, requiring you to be in constant contact with affiliates and maintaining a repor that would bring the communities together.

 

You never asked for thanks. You did it because of the passion you had for the game and the general desire to give us the best experience a forum could offer. Thank you for helping shape this community. Thank you for the energy you brought to the community. Thank you for the laughter and pranks. Thank you for the endless hours of gaming and the endless hours of conversation. Most of all... thank you for the friendship you offer.

 

Oh and for those that would like to check out one of his first posts, click the link below. Took quite a bit of digging but found it lol.

http://www.343industries.org/forum/topic/858-hey-there/?hl=absolute

 

Later.... MOOK!

 

 

[Maestro]

It saddens me that we never had any extended interactions, and what makes it even worse is that we won't have that chance again in the foreseeable future. The 343i Forums have lost one of their best. This thread alone, and what everyone has said about you is a testament to your legacy.

 

Perhaps someday you will return. But in the meantime, I'll see you starside, Absolute Dog... sir. 

 

 

 

I'd post a Doge picture, but it just doesn't seem appropriate for this situation. Instead, all I can offer is this.

[TDM]

Now that the little ones are down for the night, I want to take the time to give you proper thanks.

 

We joined the site around the same time. Then it was a small (under 5,000 member), close-knit community with a common interest... Halo. I witnessed your transition from purple to blue, blue to yellow, and yellow to orange. The time and energy invested could never be measured as even when you were not on site, you still worked diligently behind the scenes to help shape what we see today. Your latest effort of bridging the gap between Halo sites is a feat that still baffles me, requiring you to be in constant contact with affiliates and maintaining a repor that would bring the communities together.

 

You never asked for thanks. You did it because of the passion you had for the game and the general desire to give us the best experience a forum could offer. Thank you for helping shape this community. Thank you for the energy you brought to the community. Thank you for the laughter and pranks. Thank you for the endless hours of gaming and the endless hours of conversation. Most of all... thank you for the friendship you offer.

 

Oh and for those that would like to check out one of his first posts, click the link below. Took quite a bit of digging but found it lol.

http://www.343industries.org/forum/topic/858-hey-there/?hl=absolute

 

Later.... MOOK!

And that, Is what make a robot cry... man, You really hit the emotions there. Your one hell of a good friend.

[Caboose The Ace]

A bit late but its here in the end

 

Thanks for all the hard work being a mod AD I wish you luck in you're future endeavours it must have been hard being a mod but you kept being awesome and got though it and turned this site into a grade a ossim pussim community Troll free

 

Never ever stop trucking and keep being awesome. 

Edited December 10, 2013 by Ranger447

[The Stig]

Dog... You will be missed. You were hands down one of the single greatest mods that I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. You were generous, courteous, and laid back... Yet some how you managed to also be remarkable cool. I don't wanna get all mushy and such- so I won't say any more... It's just... *wiping tear from my eyes*.. You were like a brother, ya know? And I'm gonna miss you. (I promised my self I wouldn't cry... PROMISE BROKEN!)

 

It was an honor to get to meet you, I will never forget you man... Peace out. 

 

[Azaxx]

As one of the first people I saw on the site when glancing around in the forums, it's a sad time to see you depart from the massive shoes you've made as the site moderator or caretaker, if you will. Though that being said, the amount of positive content and memories you created for the site will never leave which we all as members appreciate truly.
I could barely comprehend how you could continue to stay up so late and get up so early in the morning just to get onto the site and work hard on projects and complete daily moderating tasks that you set for yourself and then working with others to get a variety of other things completed. That dedication really stood out to definitely not just myself, but the whole site. It's a real shame that someone who brought so many memories to so many people has to depart, but everything you created helped shape the site to which it is now and can never be undone. Your Forge Contests, random giveaways and even little site competitions didn't have to be made at all, yet you spent weeks onto each and worked out in a selflessness act the best way to make members have a great time here, and you made it work brilliantly which I doubt anyone could live up to again.

 

Thanks for all the memories you made for everyone, and thanks for the time you spent making the site a pleasant experience for the rest of us.

[Spectral Jester]

I've been mulling over what to say in this thread all night, and finally have found the words

 

GO AWAY AD!!!!! Only kidding....

 

Even though I've known this has been coming for a couple of weeks, the news still hit like a sledgehammer to the face (or arrow to the knee!!!)

You are one of the originals, back in the old days when the forum was buzzing with Halo discussion everywhere.

We struck up a banter instantly and would to and fro discussion in the forum.

It became became obvious that you were one to watch with your enthusiasm for Halo knowing no bounds, I still say if we cut you in half you would have Halo written through the middle of you.

When you were promoted to Community Moderator, and myself moved from Community Moderator to Site Moderator, it became noticeable to all that we had struck up a great working team for the forum.  Your ideas flowed, the endless hours talking (well me listening) on XBL were commonplace

The chats on XBL were legendary, hours would go by in an instant, (something I do miss) a couple of gossiping old ladies I believe was one comment made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The forum started to grow, and with that your stature within it, the focus point for all members, staff, moderators and admin.

You knew the way to move this forum forward to make it number 1 among the Halo community, playdates and competitions sprang up everywhere.

The staff were born twitter / facebook / youtube all came into being because of you.

 

The affiliates came on board, Certain Affinity, THFE, HaloCustoms, Ducain23, ForgeWorldMaps, ForgeCafe.  All this because of you

 

The forum was reshaped, new areas sprang up everywhere, my inbox would fill up with requests, ideas and things to implement within the forum.

The forum shape as we know it know is all down to yourself, the pm's we exchanged would grow and grow and grow, not 1 pm for everything but multiple pm's, would fire back and forward (happy times)

 

We were there through the good, the not so good, the downright awkward, then the backlash. We did it with a smile on our faces and laughter in our hearts.  You made the job here effortless and enjoyable, which rubbed off onto myself.

 

There have been many things said about yourself in this thread but I feel Choot'em summed it up best for everyone.

 

I never realised you could strike up such a friendship with someone you have never seen or met, until yourself, you said friends for life, you better believe it..

 

It has been an honor to work with you.

It has an honor to know you.

 

and finally it is an honor to call you my friend.

 

'Good friends are like stars, you don't always see them, but you know they are always there'

 

The forum will be a different place without you at the helm, there will be others but there will never be an ABSOLUTE DOG.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Jester

[Is not JL]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Nonononono. You shouldn't be thanking us - that's what WE say. Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts. You deserve it, silly doge food. Your time here has absolutely changed our lives for the better, even if in just the tiniest ways possible.

 

<3

Edited December 10, 2013 by Cerulean Buster