The time has come. To all my friends whose paths I have intersected, I thank you. I apologize if I was an unwanted intersecter, if that's even a word. I would love to list those bloggers and friends that I have met and interacted with since I first showed up on this doorstep in May of 2006, but I would inevitably leave someone out. So I'm falling back on my reputation, and my gambling nature, and betting that you know who you are.
I first showed up here on a rush. The Phoenix Suns were undermanned and underdogs, yet still managed to split the first two games in Dallas in the western conference finals that year. And I was excited, looking for some coverage on the 'little team that could,' or so I hoped, get to the mountaintop. In fact, I was so pumped I even wrote my first blog that night. Or maybe my second one. Oh what the hell, you can look all of that up, so I won't bother going into it any further.
I have met some extremely great writers and people on this site. Of course when I say "met," I mean via the written word, for the most part. And I am thankful to Fox Sports for giving me the opportunity to express my (sometimes bent) offerings, and for the forum to interact with all.
So thank you Fox. I will be etenally grateful. Thank you to all of you who have read my musings and have given me support and an impetus to write the next one. You may not realize it, but you are what kept me going. And keep this in mind readers--support and appreciate those that spend their time saying something wortwhile. And also keep in mind that criticism is easy, relationships are not. But they're worth it.
There are some writers here that I have gleaned some knowledge from. In some cases, quite a bit. I only hope that I imparted some to them in return.
And now, I bid you all the grandest adieu. Aim high and shoot straight.
I thought this was a sports blog? I guess it turned out to be a tear jerking good bye, yet we didn't even get to find out where you are going too. I don't quite get it. What was the point?
We always enjoy reading your Blog...
Sometimes we do comment, but most of the time we just read them and laughed because you are a very funny guy....Goodluck....
"The king is gone
but he's not forgotten
This is the story
of a Johnny Rotten
It's better to burn out
than it is to rust
The king is gone
but he's not forgotten."
Okay, maybe that is a bit over the top, but I wanted to throw some Neil Young lyrics in here to go with the name of the post.
Good luck Ricko with whatever you are moving on to. You were one of the first people to comment on my blog and one of my first "favorites". We didn't run into each other often, but when we did, it was a good thing.
Don't say goodbye say Hors d'œuvre or whatever it is them fancy pants French say right after they surrender...I remember reading your first post like it was today, come to think of it is was today, yes all those other times I was faking it, but today I really mean it...you were shorter then, or taller, what difference does it make and you had just entered the Foreign Legion to escape your gambling debts...how you vowed to never ever bet on professional wrestling ever again...good times...then you saved the regiment by walking up and down the same sand dune until help arrived to add a touch of humor to the regiment being pinned down by a Mameluke and his camel. Camels spit as I recall, nasty business, farewell ricko, or as I like to think, until we screed again...
I asked you about a year ago if you good give some help to a friend. You were kind enough to answer that call -----His blog you gave the handle-----
FenFan. Thanks to you he is a happy fox blogger and has away out for all his knowledge on sports.
Well if he is moving to So. Dak. we all know there is no internet there. Ricko you are always a cool head in a not so cool place sometimes, take care and come back for a visit.
Thanks ian. As you may know, I think the recent trade was a bad deal. I could be wrong.
Dwindy-Thanks. Same to you.
alaskanballa-See, it's like this. I didn't win a title here. And we all know it's all about titles, right? ; )
onesouthernlion-Right back atcha. Best of luck to you.
underage-Thanks for the kind words. Glad I could bring at least a little levity to you. Speaking of being funny, did I mention I have a severe case of diarrhea? Gotta run . . .
pump-My voice of reason didn't always show that often in the past. But I've become a kinder, gentler sort as I get older. As you know, I'm against the recent trade 100%. But I could be wrong. Time will tell.
bafongu! One of my all-time faves. Thanks for stopping by. And apparently it WAS you spying on me last time I played golf.
Hoffman-Will do. And wouldn't it be great if it came down to the Lakers/Suns in the WC finals? Honestly, I like the Lakers' chances better than the Suns' at this point. We'll see.
Rooster! Always a pleasure. I can't add any more than that. You've go my email. If you get in a tight spot, hit me up. I'll try to help out.
HalfBaked-Another of my faves. I was worried about when you disappeared for awhile. Great story about the daughter and grandaughter. I'll never forget it. Take care, my man.
klvalus-Oh, I'm not really that cool. Thanks for saying so, though.
Rev-It's a little harsh . . .
BoltBacker-I remember it well. I stopped by for a reason. Keep on keepin' on. Love the lyrics, too.
AK47-Mr. Stern told me I cannot comment on your statement. (Psst. Between you and me, he's a schmuck).
edhardiman-Your writing and your style are inimitable. When I think back to the early days, you are one who jumps to the fore. Nice avatar as well, by the way. I think you were second or third in my Top Ten Avatars blog way back when? It's since been taken down. But I will never forget Ed Hardiman. Thanks, bud.
YeeMum-Hard to say at this point. I feel like I hardly knew ye, but what I did know was very good. Keep it up.
Mean-Thanks for stopping by. All good things must come to an end. What I said about edhardiman and the early days applies to you as well. Thanks, bro.
fishrman-I remember that like it was yesterday. Seeing someone grow like FenFan has is one of the things I'm really going to miss about this place. Glad I could help out. Take care, man.
RafterRat-Well said. And best wishes to you as well. Thanks.
slshusker-SoDak? Is that place still around? Who did you hear that rumor from, some of my Pierres?
degraff-Very nice words. Though we only crossed paths now and then, it was always a pleasure. I guess it was a case of quality, not quantity. Best of luck to you.
Ricko,
Buddy where are you going and where have you been?! I should have kept in better touch and I have your e-mail. We'll keep in touch and thanks for everything as mentioned by my good friend fishrmn. I wish I knew why you were going. You'll have to let me know. Also good luck with the Suns and Shaq except when they play the Spurs of course. Well Ricko best wishes and we'll miss you friend. Say it isn't so! Fenfan
Ahh, FenFan. Yes, you do have my email. We'll have to keep in touch. Well, unless the Spurs beat the Suns, of course. Not too sure how the Shaq deal's gonna work out. Not a big fan of it right now. Keep pluggin' away. You've come a long way, with more good stuff to come. Always enjoyed reading your thoughts, as you know.
As I said Ricko please keep in touch and keep supporting my blogs. You are one of the one's who inspired me here and gave me an audience by shortening my screenname to fenfan. Let us know what you are doing if you want to that is. Once again talk later buddy. So long friend and hope for a happy return! Until then, Fenfan
While we seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot the first time we blogged, the amount of well wishers that have commented tells me you aren't grumpy all of the time.lol
From one Suns fan to another. Good luck with whatever you have chosen to pursue.
I know "it's a dry heat", RICKO, but Dizzle is still Keeping Score. It's about to get good and you gotta hang 'em up? What up with that?
Talkin' Lakers-Suns on this site just won't be the same without your presence.
It seems like you're moving out of town, just like Shawn Marion. Don't dis your team like that man.
So the Matrix leaves town and Morpheus, er Ricko, follows suit. Remember that you represent the Suns on this blogsite, not like those other clowns.
Like you always say, you're a realist. And it wouldn't be "real" if you weren't there for the playoffs talkin smack with the Dizzle, ya know what I mean?
I hope you're not just leaving now because you don't want to have to face the possibility of humiliation now that your Suns seem to be on desperation mode. Don't tell me that's the case, because a true fan rises with their team and falls with their team. Herein I present the challenge to stay in the game.
And just when I'm about to write a piece on The BIG SMURFS, Ricko pulls a fast one on us...
But if you're out like you say, it was a pleasure shootin' hoops with ya brother.
Ricko I hate to hear of your demise here. As of this writing, only 4 games separates the number 2 seed in the Western Conference from the number 9 seed, which misses the playoffs. I'll miss your perspective. TC..
Thanks to all for stopping by. You may see me rear my Spackler head from time to time to drop some sarcasm. On the subjects of blogs that is, not the bloggers themselves. Hard to keep oneself from doing so in today's sports world.
So I never had seen your blogs before. Linkes thru another. But since I live in AridZona also, maybe we can get together and swing the wrendhes. Say at Western Skies? I'll even pick up the tee time, if ya spot me 3 strokes!
you commented on my blog about how it was stupid to get rid of Culpepper. Funny you should say that now that he is unretiring. Do you know more about what his plans are? By the way I agree that we should have held on to him. I was also very upset that Randy Moss was let go.
Spent half my life in North Dakota. The other half, so far, in the Valley of the Sun. As a kid, I was always playing, watching, reading, or writing about sports. I lost most of the "playing" along the way, but the rest remains the same. I pledge to refrain from commenting on a blog unless I've read it in its entirety. If I have time, of course.
Carry on.
Email address: rickoblog@ear thlink.net
