I've posted fic for you earlier in the comm, but I actually only transcribed Harry and Snape's conversation (and objectively noted what I observed), so I can't take full credit for that entry for your annals of the snarry_games. This here is my genuine...
First I want to make it clear I'm saying, 'Thank you', not 'Goodbye'. Don't know what you'll finally decide about the Games, but I'll understand either way. And certainly I'm grateful for all the Games-related things you've done: the inspiration, the organization, the hard work, hours of agonizing-get-rid-of-the-feckin-Olympic-rings, omgwankwankitywankwtf?? If anything proves your love of Snarry, it was the hard times, sticking by your authors and artists under fire, giving them every benefit of the doubt, even when what I they really needed was just a kick in the ass and a reality potion.
What I'm most thankful for, though, is peripheral to the Games, and has everything to do with what you taught me about character. Yes, duh, even at my advanced age, joan can be taught!
Things like: biting your tongue until it bleeds, but saying what will uplift and soothe...but also having a righteous sense of timing for when and how to say the hard things; keeping a healthy perspective (this is fandom, not life); doing your best to make sure that a straggler or outcast is pulled in and ends up with a sense of achievement and belonging to something special; turning the other cheek, because being fair yourself is much more important than slapping back; saying the kind things, saying the right things at the right time, and allowing all the rest of the chips to fall where they may; stressing that a team competition is for fun and for the love of the pairing, that losing sight of that makes everyone (even the winners) losers, but keeping the goal in mind and playing 'fair and friendly' makes everyone (even the losers) winners.
Valuable lessons and reminders, both inside and outside of fandom. And you, crazy Canuck that you are, taught us well; you led by example, and I know that I'm not the only one who's the richer for it.
I know we'll still harass each other, throw lousy music through that little chat window; actually, I'm counting on it. Knowing how your mind percolates, I wonder what your next project will be?
Really wanted to post this picture here--Team Snitch has seen it, of course, but as it was actually taken in your room in SF, I think it only fitting that my final parting shot to you, here at the end of the Games, be this ASS one. For those of you who've not seen it, this is my ass on the right, and tripperfunster's on the left(although I'd love to lie and reverse that order). Originally taken by dementordelta (she who takes picture is complicit), it was our gift to accioslash, as a compensation for her not being able to make it to Azkatraz this year. NOTE: OUR ASSES REALLY AREN'T TATTOOED WITH SPONGE BOB AND A DARK MARK! We have veridian_dair to thank for that little bit of...asshattery.
Tripper, I hope you don't mind that the entire world will see this. If you do, shaddup, biatch.
Be well, my friend. I hope that someday I'll get out there to see you and Mad Max, but until then, thanks for the Games, the memories, and especially...you. See you around.