To Josh

[karmaleafbarer]

Well, since the brushfire has already started and most everyone knows about Josh's recent departure from Neopets, I guess there's no reason to wait on this any longer. *a-a-ahem*

Josh, I wanted to take this time to say thank you for everything you've done for me. I know yours and my conversations have been sporadic at best, but you've changed my life drastically since I started writing for the Times and you've done something for me that is very rare:

You've made me feel proud to be a part of something..and even more, proud of something that I do which is extremely hard for me considering I really don't like myself very much.

When I took my two-month hiatus from the Times awhile ago, I had all plans of making it a permanent one due to a few obnoxious individuals. I likely would never have contributed again if you hadn't Emailed me and asked where I'd gone and gave me a shove back into the ring like you did.

People know who I am now...I have people writing me from all over the place telling me that they like my drawings and that I make them happy which is something I've wanted (I'll go so far as to say needed) for a long time after being told for years that my drawing ability was useless and terrible by my parents.

I have you to thank for making this all possible. And for turning the Times into what it is today. Whether you feel it or not, you've left some pretty big shoes behind for Felicia to fill and I hope she'll do her best. I'll keep contributing regardless.

Best of luck to you and all of your ventures in life, Josh. I have no doubt you'll be a success no matter where your career/life takes you.

And in closing, the two goons that I babysit in my strip would like to say something:

[Lappi]

Bye Josh! I hope you come to visit us once and a while! I have a poem somewhere that's worse than my Space Faerie story ^_^ Want to hear?

When I heard the news
I couldn’t believe my ears.
I was filled with the blues
And my eyes were full of tears.

I felt happy for him,
Yet sad at the same time.
The environment was grim
And it felt like he did a crime.

Why did Josh leave us?
I knew it was for the best,
A happy life was a must
But without him, everything seemed a mess.

Josh did very much,
From aiding to laughing
From cheering to editing
And doing things for us.

Josh helped the innocent,
Yet was kind to the guilty.
He was very decent
And had a great responsibility.

All he did,
Will be remembered forever,
And he himself,
We will remember.

Our last goodbye,
For something good,
And something bad,
For Josh’s future.
Goodbye…

[/i]

Here's a little something for you . . .

atlas.imagemagician.com/images/maemi_ayame/Josh.gif

[/img][/center]

Umm, do you mind if I cry? *gets some Neokins* Uhh, Myrylla and Faye say "Goodbye for now!" I hope you enjoyed the chewing dung and stuffies I gave you, and the story I wrote. I hope you can read my story once I get more in the Times ^_^ And maybe even a few novels I write in the future!

Goooodbyeeee!

Your fan forever,
Lapin

[poy222]

Hey Josh,

Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'll miss you a lot.

I remember the first time I met you: you had logged into the Neopian Times Apreciation Guild and you were repeating the line from "There's Something About Mary": "Have you seen my baseball?" Heh.

Thank you for all your devoted time for me and my friends. I'm sorry I didn't get to give you more of my work. Ah well... must've been a mutant Chia mix-up.

I'm going to continue writing stories with Vicious, Eatmore, Furball, and Shadey in them, in memory of you. I'm also going to write other stuff of course.

Eatmore: Thank you, Mr. Josh, for painting me Starry, and giving me Beanspasm, my Meepit!

Bye Josh, and good luck.

Your friend, always,
-poy222

[Princess Ember Mononoke]

Thank you Josh, for making the NT what it is today. Thank you for publishing my work and giving me a place in Neopia. Thank you for replying to neomails - something that very few staff members do these days. Thank you for talking to me when I got mad about the kill/destroy incident. Thank you for just being a great guy and putting up with our constant teasing and even better: actually encouraging it! You should always know that no matter how much we make fun of you, we love ya just the same.

[hippiesoul]

Dearest Josh,

I wish I had something really original to tell you, but I guess the only thing there really is to say is "Thank you for everything - for putting the Neopian Times together, for making it wonderful, for killing the idea that all staff members are monsters skilled in the art of ignoring, for being the nicest guy"...

I still remember the first thing I ever heard from you, in reply to one of my submitions: "My ear owns you." While I had no idea what you meant by that, I was thrilled to get a reply from you. Oh, what a memorable day. Just like when Dalí became Fire.

I was certainly not expecting such a great act of kindness, and you can be sure my house will remain a Shankly appreciation shrine, except that now it is Josh appreciation. Because you are definitly one of the coolest people I have ever met. I hope you do stop by for tea. ;D

I wish you all the best, and may you always succeed in all that you try. We'll miss you, but we love you, so we understand.

Don't forget to pay us a visit every once in a while!

Lots of Love ,

Hippie

P.S. - I just wish to leave you this line from my favourite song, "Vogue":

You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are.

[Averyangryshaylir]

Wow, I don't know what to say.

Except Thank you...I don't think you realize how much I appreciated you. You've done so much for me and everybody else, just the fact that you published my work made me feel better about my writing and myself.

I'm speechless really... but Good Luck in whatever life brings you. I hope what you do next is something you enjoy. All I know is the Neopian Times will never be the same without you.

Thanks Josh.

[Deleted]

A heart felt thanks:

I know and appreciate that I havent been aroun as long as the others, but I can tell from their reactions that you did some truly great things. The way Lapin get even mroe happy and buble than normal (if thats possible) and how Megz and the other constantly boast on talking to you. These are the signs of a truly great person.

Many of the people are no older than me (12) and if you can bring out these excelent qualities in people so young, it really gives them a good prospect for life. It sounds a bit soppy and far fetched...but its true.

My english teacher says creativity and litriture are one of the greatest of lifes gift. And seeing what you given to all of us by giving us the chance to write and draw, really makes me beleve she's not as crazy as some would think.

Ok, that has to be the most soppy thing I'v ever writen. But thanks to you, I'm goin to carry on writing. I wonder what it would be like if you were here to watch me blossom? Or if Felicia will inspire the hundreds of new writers as much? But one thing is for sure, were gonna miss you Josh!

Bye

[calvinseviltwin]

I don't really think there's much I can say. After all, you did laugh in my face when I got smacked with vollyballs in gym, but I'm just dwelling on the past.

I gotta thank you for publishing half my crappy stories though. They all smell like dung, I'm sure. Of course the computer isn't scratch and sniff. (Although I think you'd perfer if it was.)

You taught us a lot too. Even if we weren't aware. Shing brought that up last night through a horrible rendetion of 3-headed broadway star, which I'm sure you would have loved.

Right. I'll get this out of my system now. For you Josh, since I can't draw.

Thanks: A Poem Dedicated to Josh

We joked
And you did too.

We'd crack up
And you followed

But you taught
And teached
And we did learn,
Even if we weren't aware

One's important cannot be measured
Until they have left.

Thanks for everything, Josh.
We always did learn,
Even if we weren't aware of it.

Written 1/24/03 10:38-10:40 PM EST

[oddhatter]

Dear Josh,

You kick so much friggin ass.

love, shing.

[sticky]

Dear Josh,

You were such a great person, whether it came to the NT or not. You helped me when I was hacked...something most workers wouldn't think twice about. I even made you a picture since you helped we through that frightful incident...but now, I can't send it to you. Instead...I will post it here, in hopes that you will view it.

I also hope you kept the rare item code I wrote to you...because...it will remind you of all the great memories at Neopets.

You are very missed...
Your friends,
~Stickycattabby

[TK]

You've been an awesome editor Josh. If you didn't accept my first article, I probably would never have tried again. It wasn't good, but you still let it in and since then, the quality of my work has improved...hopefully.

I also wrote a poem...nobody make fun of it please...here it is...

Ode of Josh Filan
By too_kule

You sat there day by day,
Picking the best of the best,
Everybody hoped that,
We could pass the test.

Whether we drew a comic,
An article or story too,
We all hope that our stuff,
Would be liked by you.

But alas! The days are over,
Your parting time has come,
We'd really like to thank you,
For being such a great chum.

I hope you enjoy your new job,
And that is no lie,
We will not forget you,
So Josh Filan, GOOD-BYE!

Yes, I'm not very good, but I meant all that.

[Oily]

I'll guess I'll leave my little dedication here too.

People go, things change,
Memories we retain.
Things go, people change,
Nothing eases that parting pain.

People change, things go,
And life is not the same.
Things change, people go,
But we remember your name.

I'd just like to thank you for all that you've done into changing the NT into what it is today and encouraging many writers and artists into giving their best. The NT has given me an outlet for my writing and allowed me to view others creativity. It has given me a sense of self worth and strengthened my conviction in myself. I hope that wherever you go and whatever you do will be as worthwhile and rewarding as writing for the NT turned out to be for me...

Goodbye.

[starchild1]

Hey Josh,

I know I haven't been a reglar. In fact, I have only just sent my first story to the NT. I always found it funny though that whenever you went to our guild, people would start freaking out. "OMG! Is that Josh?!" heh. Well, Beanspeam, Josh, Mr. Shankly, beanie, whatever you are called- I hope you the best. With this in mind

We are the writers,
No longer lost,
We drew are comics and kick butt stuff,
With our Insane leader here,
Asking for hair gel and dung,
We were insane.

But sanity has comer back to bite us,
And now he's gone, gone,
Very gone.
Where are not sure where he is, or where he plans to go,
But surely in his pocket,
Is some newpaper and some dough.

Don't forget us please,
For you know we can't even try,
Maybe come back someday
To eat dung and pizza pie.

[ecicca]

Bye bye josh, I'll miss you so much! None of my work has been published byt he times, but that's okay! Bye Josh! Well definitely miss you~! I just feel like singing this one of Avril's songs (I think it fits in a tiny bit with this subject):

I'm standing on the bridge
I'm waiting in the dark
I thougt you'd be here by now
There's nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I'm listening but there's no sound
Isn't anyone trying to find
Won't somebody come take my down
It's a darn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but i'm with you

[Kerri]

Hey Josh:

You don't know me - I'm just one of many, many people who have had their work published by the Times.

But I want to say thanks. Thanks for all the hours that you put in every week going through all the submissions. Thanks for all the time and effort you made putting together every issue. Thanks for working with so many people I know - people who sing your praises.

Thanks for making all of us feel as though we are special when we see that trophy for being published, for making so many of us feel that we really do have talent for writing, or drawing, or for giving advice. For making us feel as though we are funny, or smart, or just worthy of having other people read our work. You've touched more people than you will probably ever know.

I hope that you have lots of good luck wherever you go, and that wherever you end up, the people there realize how lucky they are to have someone like you.

We're all cheering you on.

Kerri