Well, it's birthday time for Vern Shields (you know him as vsheilds_ash), but it's also the day that
Vern has chosen for his Halo retirement day. He's been a little under the weather lately, and he's about 3 times older than most of the people on this forum, and so he's decided to hang up his hat. He tipped me off to this a few days back, and today
he's made the announcement formal over the HBO forums. I posted a fairly lengthly reply over there, and I'd encourage you to drop by and leave him a note as well. Vern is one of the first people I came in contact with here in the virtual community we all know and love, and I wish I had a hundred just like him. He'll be missed, but I hope to prod and shame him into visiting from time to time. :)
Comments
Eek, I knew it was his birthday, but I didnt realize he was leaving as well. =\
Ah well, best of luck to ye.
*is tremendously sad* :( Vern is one of the greatest of the greats, and has been a hero (and helping friend) to many a fledgling trickster. It's a bittersweet birthday.
I find this to be quite unfortunate. I have made the acquaintance of many of the big names around here, and even know a few of them decently well (apart from Ducain who continually ignores my marriage proposals <_<), but have never quite made your acquaintance, Mr. Shields, except for that smidgen of conversation we once had concerning like, your only speedrun :p
For the tricksters I haven't made the acquaintance of, it was nice atleast to view their old tricks, learning just how this community built itself, and if only for a second, catching a glimpse of what that person was like and how this place was back when they were huge. The only person I never got to see was you, Vash.
The only video I ever viewed from you was your (if I remember correctly) 6 minute run through Silent Cartographer (which was MAD back then), but concerning all your tricks, I never found them. I only got little bits of information from people.
NOKYARD: I was inspired by vshield's "Goldie does AotCR" video.
insidi0us: He was sitting next to me and said, "if you can snipe like that, you don't need green thumb." His pistol is insane.
I think that was about it.... So my knowledge of your accomplishments is non-existant. I have seen you romping around the forum from time to time, droppin' the knowledge, being harsh to people in incredibly blunt, funny manners.... But again, I find it unfortunate that I can't fully appreciate you because of your accomplishments though. But you're an icon to many, and that's enough for me. Besides, I suppose I could just assume I know you, because wherever I get to in Halo 1, there's a "vshields" written there already =\
Although, when insidi0us was talking about your multiplayer ownage, I honestly assumed you were a radiant teenager of sorts, and was shocked to learn that indeed, you were a haggly old man : D!
55 years old. Damn. I don't even think either of my dogs are that old in dog years =D!
Who wants the pressure and stress of wielding high powered assault weapons to brutalize aliens at that age? Or better still, setting off gigantic explosions in an effort to place a vehicle where it has never dreamed of going? Hell, I wouldn't....
So while I can't fully appreciate you, I am among the many who have heard your name, and that is quite enough for me. Take care of yourself, old man ;)
EDIT: As a good birthday present, someone should make a "Vern Shields (vshields ash) through the years: Great moments through Halo" video or something. It seems only appropriate.
Well, he has 1 more video coming. i gotta finish it up. hella hard.
Wow. I didnt really know Ash at all, never really talked to him, not once i think. But i read alot of his posts, especially on the Regret Overload glitch. He was really the man, its truelly sad to see him go. But age is age i guess, so have fun man. Have a great life. With the patience and perseverance it seems you have, there aint much in this world that will be able to bring you down.
And Happy Birthday. Have a piece of my cake as well your own and have a swig of wine. Its good for you every once in a while.
Sincerely
Mike590
The Streetlight is always on.
If I knew you well enough... I would write you a poem. Maybe just one of my old ones, eh? >_<
Today is your birthday
So I wish you a good time
As much as I love poetry
I struggle to rhyme
May good fortune rule over you
You have my best wishes
From your family and pets
You should get many kisses
May you find love on this day
May you also find laughter
May you never change
May you remain another year after
While there is still sun
Go have some fun
So I bid thee a fun play
Because today’s your birthday
I am not so good, by I don't care. >_>
Happy Birthday mate; it's a shame to see such a nice gent leave, but I respect your decision and wish you happiness in whatever you decide to do next. =) Take care my good man.
I didn't know he was 55....
I don't really know you, but good bye, and good luck.
didnt kno him either... but i enjoyed watchin his vids.... back in the day that is.
HALO 1 FOR LIFE
we are reading the posts...tears and red eyes ;)
your all special, try to remember that, on the hundreth attempt at a stunt. ;)
what can we say. hope you enjoyed our werk, and hope somebody else does twohogs :)
our love to you and your families...sniffle, be nice to each other, and enjoy christmas and all that stuff. :)
it's been interesting, to say the least. i apologize to those i've offended, and will attach plasma grenades to the first grunty that says anything !!!
we got owned...and we mean owned...on some stunts. (omg)
was it the hog blasting? ya gotta credit randall glass, he opened the door... when it became normal to watch hogs fly over your head, from on top of the sc donut, i was stunned. !!!
Duke...what can we say to a trixster like yourself? ;) tanx for makin some of the best movies in halo history . told ya we'd get rich. ... remember us to the lil one :)
all the best to the wife, we never forgot her ;)
it hurts to use numb thumb...can't get around it.
ur all very talented around here...interesting bunch ;)
my personal thanks , and doggies, to all who helped us in our efforts. some of you made our stuff possible...tanx :)
hugs and kisses, emphasis on kisses ;)
it's lonely out in the space of trix , and stunts :)
ash ,the dog, mom , and kitty...whose real name is belle ;)
Huggles....!!!!
We will miss you!!!!
I hope i am as cool as you when i am 55 in 35 years......
vshields ash says:
we are reading the posts...tears and red eyes ;)
your all special, try to remember that, on the hundreth attempt at a stunt. ;)
what can we say. hope you enjoyed our werk, and hope somebody else does twohogs :)
our love to you and your families...sniffle, be nice to each other, and enjoy christmas and all that stuff. :)
it's been interesting, to say the least. i apologize to those i've offended, and will attach plasma grenades to the first grunty that says anything !!!
we got owned...and we mean owned...on some stunts. (omg)
was it the hog blasting? ya gotta credit randall glass, he opened the door... when it became normal to watch hogs fly over your head, from on top of the sc donut, i was stunned. !!!
Duke...what can we say to a trixster like yourself? ;) tanx for makin some of the best movies in halo history . told ya we'd get rich. ... remember us to the lil one :)
all the best to the wife, we never forgot her ;)
it hurts to use numb thumb...can't get around it.
ur all very talented around here...interesting bunch ;)
my personal thanks , and doggies, to all who helped us in our efforts. some of you made our stuff possible...tanx :)
hugs and kisses, emphasis on kisses ;)
it's lonely out in the space of trix , and stunts :)
ash ,the dog, mom , and kitty...whose real name is belle ;)
Most smilies in a post...ever!
Vshield Ash...farewell my friend.
I, along with the rest of the people here in the Halo universe, would like to thank you for your contributions here, and at other places as well.
We...humbly thank you.
You are a great trickster, and a good man.
You'll surely be missed.
Godspeed
it's sad to see you go. you're one of the few (along with Duke, Frogblast, and Randall, and then later POTS and KORHAL) who initally inspired me to start tricking. have fun out there in the real world, but please drop us a line every once in a while about your happenings.
much <3,
Dan
Perhaps a tribute is in order?
I don't know your work from the top of my head, but as each month rolled by your name was sure to be up somewhere on a Front Page post. I would like to congratulate you for being such a helpful and important part of this community. : )
Perhaps we will see you poke your head in from time to time. :)