I started to blog six years ago, and I was thrilled when people started to leave comments. One of the first was a fellow who signed himself as Triticale.
He wasn't just one of the first, he was also one of the most insightful and polite. If pressed, I would have to say that he was a gentleman with a tripwire mind.
Bloggers usually rate themselves by who links to their work, and I was always sort of amazed that Triticale included me on his blogroll. I don't know what value he saw in my own musings, but it must have been worthwhile to him.
I'd go over to his blog every so often to see if he had posted anything new. If there was one thing that I found frustrating about Triticale, it was that he didn't post enough to suit me.
I found out why just today. It seems that Triticale, a fellow named Tom E. Arnold, had suffered for a long time with leukemia. The disease finally took him in his sleep, and stilled one of the most polite voices in the blogosphere.
I never met Tom in person, but you know what? I'll still miss him.
Comments (4)
I was browsing through his archives and found your site. It looks like a lot of people shared your sentiments.
(BTW, his name was Tom E. Arnold.)
Posted by jan | December 18, 2007 5:02 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 17:02
Thank you for the correction, Jan.
Posted by James R. Rummel | December 18, 2007 5:14 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 17:14
I've known my brother all my life, and yet I've learned so much more about him the past two weeks from reading comments from his fellow bloggers.
James, you made your post on what would have been Tom's 57th birthday. Thank you.
His obit is at the Chicago Sun Times legacy site, together with a guest book which all of you are invited to sign.
Posted by Walter S. Arnold | December 18, 2007 9:17 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 21:17
Thats not a uncommon feeling across the 'net these days. The passing of that ole rascal Acidman screwed me up but good for awhile. I miss his rants & raves on the world around him. Reminded me a lot of my grandfather in his attitude. Tough old codgers, both of them.
Sorry for the Arnold families loss, Tom only lost the mortal coil, thats not too terrible except for the ones that lost access to him, for now.
Posted by RickR | December 19, 2007 8:55 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 08:55