Thread: Remembering Erin Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Six years ago today, we lost our beloved and fierce and brilliant Erin. But we hadn't known it yet.

There are a lot of Shipmates who never knew her. Hopefully they've read some of her posts and were able to get a taste of what our Blessed Gator was like. I personally lived in terrified fear of displeasing her! Yet, she was always showing her huge heart, gifting us with words of caring and comfort and spreading festive anthrax at Christmas. She also had NO problem with using those gator jaws to bite, chew and generally destroy those who really needed a dose of Come to Jesus.

One of my favorite memories was when the weather was being obnoxious, (we are both Floridians), she would pitch a fit even bigger than mine!

She was a sister of my heart and I really miss her!

What great (or terrifying) memories do you have?
 

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Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Several of us traveled to attend her memorial service. Here is the link to the MW report we filed.
 

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Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
Recollections? Just the fact that Erin was always honestly herself. She took no prisoners, called a spade, an effing shovel. But was more than capable of a very humane compassion, often in the face of others' insincerity or contrived emotions. Some people found her hard to debate with. They couldn't comprehend how, with her sometimes difficult and uncompromising approach to discussion, and her challenging use of vocabulary (ahem), she could also claim to be one of God's little sunbeams! She didn't care. I thought she was fabulous, and I still miss her.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you Judy for this thread. I was one of those who learnt early of her death because of international time differences. I burst into tears when I read about it, quite surprising myself.

I was never threatened by rusty farm implements or felt her sharp bite, but she kept this place running smoothly.

At Christmas I take the time to read the Christmas play script and also Fields of Gold for Miss Molly, another thread which makes me weep. So many others too, Gambit, Ken, Kenwritez, Genevieve and more.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
She overawed me a bit too but my overall impression is what a HUGE star she was in the Ship firmament. I was [one of] the last Hosts she appointed and for some bizarre reason that means a lot to me.
 

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Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
Our first visit to Florida was in early December 2010. We promised to wave when the plane passed over Jacksonville, which we did.

On our last day we went to the cinema at Downtown Disney, and I spotted loads of Green & Black's chocolate for sale. I was the one who introduced her to G&B Maya Gold, and when I saw it for sale I remember thinking 'Must tell Erin'. Alas, I never got the chance.

She would probably love the fact that I think of her whenever I smell urinal cakes. You have to be a pretty old Shipmate to get that reference!

[ 31. December 2016, 07:12: Message edited by: Gill H ]
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I miss her and think of her often. All the more as I may find myself in need of a Gator if I can talk the powers-that-be at my new job into a particular community project. She was so awesome for this place.
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
She was very encouraging when she asked me to host Keryg. I wasn't sure I could manage because I have nerve damage in my hands that makes it difficult to type fast.

Here is the famous thread about the urinal cake.

Moo
 

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Posted by sold (# 14667) on :
 
I'm a long time lurker who even before registering enjoyed her posts and it seems fitting to unlurk on yet another thread she inspired.

May she rile in peace.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've just read one of her posts on that thread about the smell in her flat, and, God love her, she didn't like GIN.

How on earth did she rise so far in the Ship's ranks???

I hope* there's a plentiful supply of Cabernet Sauvignon in Heaven.

* well, of course there is.
 

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Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
Welcome aboard, sold!

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:
I've just read one of her posts on that thread about the smell in her flat, and, God love her, she didn't like GIN.

How on earth did she rise so far in the Ship's ranks???

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She was here before there were ranks.

Goes off muttering, "What do they teach them at these schools?"
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by RuthW:
Welcome aboard, sold!

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:
I've just read one of her posts on that thread about the smell in her flat, and, God love her, she didn't like GIN.

How on earth did she rise so far in the Ship's ranks???

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She was here before there were ranks.

Goes off muttering, "What do they teach them at these schools?"

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If you want to know Erin's role in the early days of the Ship, read page one of the History of the Ship thread in the Styx.

Moo
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I just remembered one of Erin's sayings.

"Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya."

Moo
 

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Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
I think "Jesus Christ on a cracker!" was one of hers too.

To be honest, I was always a little intimidated by Erin. But she was very supportive of me, and when I made a couple of mistakes as a rookie Host she stuck up for me.

I think it not an exaggeration to say that the Ship exists largely because of Erin's hard work and fierce dedication, and that all of us owe her a debt of gratitude.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thanks for that link to days gone past. I knew about Joanne - is she Castilian by any chance?

It may not be able to answer this, and I can understand if it is not, but the Gordon Cheng days preceded my joining. Is that his name IRL? If it is, he's still authorised to officiate in Sydney, and most recently was a part-time assistant minister at St Andrew's Cathedral. He used be a prolific writer of letters to the editor of various Sydney daily newspapers. Very much a Sydney Anglican at heart, theology degree from Moore College, although deaconed and priested in Melbourne.
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
Yup, same guy.

John
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thanks, thought so but good to have the confirmation. I am very unlikely to meet him.
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
Erin is often remembered for her Alligator nickname (for which I was partly responsible) but she could be very funny as well. One of my favourite posts of hers was describing how to administer a pill to a cat, and who could forget the "my apartment smells like a urinal cake" thread?

I still have the PM she sent inviting me to take up the role of Admin on the boards only a few weeks before her untimely death. It was written with her special brand of wit.

I still miss her.


 

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Posted by Ferijen (# 4719) on :
 
Six years.
 

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Posted by Robert Armin (# 182) on :
 
Shortly after I joined the Ship I lost my job. Erin sent me a kind and helpful PM, which I still have. In public she often was "the ship's alligator" but there was a softer side to her as well.
 

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Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
I still have the PM conversation in which she asked/told me to return to Hosting after I'd been on a work-related absence from duty.

She was as wonderful, witty, scary, honest and caring as any other Christian in history. The whole planet, never mind this website, is worse for her loss.

I will always remember her coining the phrase "great googly-moogly, you are crazier than a shithouse rat". And to me, this thread will always be one of her greatest moments. Who else could have turned a throwaway April Fool into a fundraiser that made over a thousand pounds for the Ship?
 

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Posted by Emma Louise (# 3571) on :
 
Wow I remember that thread. Can't believe it was 12 years ago! All the familiar names.

I loved my early years on the ship community and Erin was a huge part of that. Had so hoped to meet her!
 

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Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Emma Louise:
Had so hoped to meet her!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:

quote:

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Originally posted by Emma Louise:
Had so hoped to meet her!

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You and every other person on the Ship. She avoided Meets like the plague.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:

quote:

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Originally posted by Emma Louise:
Had so hoped to meet her!

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You and every other person on the Ship. She avoided Meets like the plague.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Moo:
She also avoided posting any pictures of herself.

Moo

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quote:

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Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:

quote:

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Originally posted by Emma Louise:
Had so hoped to meet her!

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You and every other person on the Ship. She avoided Meets like the plague.

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She always said that she couldn't do what she did if she actually knew people and they knew her ... Not going to meets was one way of maintaining that distance.

When I was a new host, I managed to close the boards whilst tidying some threads. I rang her in floods of tears, she fixed it instantly and was so nice about it. I still miss her.

Tubbs
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
I have kept her PMs, they were lovely too.
 

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Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
So why did this recording appear on the BBC yesterday?

Jengie
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Let Shakespeare teach us:

Melania. Donald, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
A Gatoress hath walked in the streets;
And spies have yawn’d and yielded up their tapes;
Fierce fiery women march on Washington,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
With signs and placards on the Capitol;
The noise of booing hurtled in the air,
Children did fear, and troubled men did groan,
And pussycats did shriek and squeal about the streets.
O Donald! these things are beyond all use,
And I do fear them.

[ 17. January 2017, 13:03: Message edited by: Lamb Chopped ]
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
The people taking that gator's picture were just as unwise as those who crossed our Erin.
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I remember that once someone posted a link to what was described as a nude picture of Erin.

When you clicked on the link, you saw a picture of an alligator.

Moo
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sadly, the BBC being what it is, the video in Jengie's link doesn't work outside the UK.


 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:
Sadly, the BBC being what it is, the video in Jengie's link doesn't work outside the UK.

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Hmmm, it worked here in Arizona, and I don't think we've moved across the Pond.

 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Maybe it's just me they don't like ...

Actually, now I think about it, it may be to do with this computer - it either doesn't like or doesn't have Adobe, so it might be that.

[ 18. January 2017, 02:49: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
Check the CBC website -- they ran the video last night on The National, and I'm reasonably sure it will be available somewhere on the site.

John
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
I presume it's that gigantic gator that was in the news yesterday? That ain't no gator--it's a small dinosaur! 13 ft. long, and IIRC estimated at 1000 lbs.! 13 ft. is the length of the room I'm in.


And I miss Erin, too. Currently, I wish she were here to comment on the US election and the inauguration.

 

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Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
I miss Erin too.
She changed my vocabulary, for good or for ill forever.
I have a small scar where she nipped at me once.
She sent me a big box of cookies all the way from the US, which came at an opportune time.

Above all, she was the adult in the room. Now we all have to be the adults.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Amos:

She sent me a big box of cookies all the way from the US, which came at an opportune time.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:
And to me, this thread will always be one of her greatest moments. Who else could have turned a throwaway April Fool into a fundraiser that made over a thousand pounds for the Ship?

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