Hermes

[sweet, sweet marrow]

Jan 3, 2022 10:04:48 GMT -5 jeanlucio10 said:

GAF participated with the video turned off last time.

I just spent ages wondering what GAF stands for. I decided it must mean 'God-Awful Face'

[The famous March Fool's day]

Jan 8, 2022 8:58:25 GMT -5 @semblance said:

On November 7th, 2008, Hermes created his account on 667 Dark Avenue. He made his first post the following day. Although the 7th was when he officially joined 667, he lurked on the site for some time, but didn’t feel qualified to join because he hadn’t read the Unauthorized Autobiography.
Hermes completed an online quiz to see which A Series of Unfortunate Events character he was, and wasn’t too surprised when he got Klaus Baudelaire. He also described himself as a Ravenclaw.
He took part in all of the 667 Re-Reads, and had very notable comments on the series. Hermes was often called Dante’s rival, their ideas of the Snicket books colliding regularly. In more recent years, when disproving theories, Hermes would say he “put on his Dante hat.”
On June 9th, 2012, Hermes was given the title “Head of Birthdays”, for his dedication in making birthday threads. During December of 2018, Hermes became co-moderator for Bothersome Birthdays, which is currently named Menacing Miscellaneous. He was also given the custom title “Birthday Beaver”. Later in 2020, he became moderator for Our Wicked World, and became the only moderator for Bothersome Birthdays. Hermes was appointed as moderator for The Ravaged Resources, and The Burdensome Books on March 1st, 2021. He stepped down as moderator for Menacing Miscellaneous and Our Wicked World, later in the same year.
Hermes was the host for the 2020 Darkies, which was given the name The Germies.

Notable Feats:
Member of the Month July 2009.
Member of the Month September 2009(Shared).
Member of the Month July 2011.
Member of the Year 2011.
Member of the Month July 2013.
Member of the Month December 2014.
Most Lemony 2014.
Most Valued Poster 2014(Shared).
Most Valued Poster 2015(Shared).
Most Compassionate 2017(Shared).
Best Organizer 2020.
Most Compassionate 2020.
Most Valued Poster 2021.

Thanks for organising this. He definitely made a big impact on 667.

[wow. you're cheap.]

That's an amazing post, Semblance, thans for doing that. I still can't believe he's gone :/

[Songbird]

Wow- I saw someone post on Facebook and I'm in shock. Hermes was a valuable member of this community, I'm so sad that he's no longer with us. May his spirit live on in this forum and my condolences to his family.

[Uncle Algernon]

I am afraid I can't make it to the Zoom thing — nor would I feel, somehow, that I belong there, spotty and comparatively new as my involvement in this community has always been. Nevertheless I am greatly saddened by this new and offer my condolences to all who knew Hermes, on- and offline.

[The famous March Fool's day]

Jan 10, 2022 11:55:43 GMT -5 Uncle Algernon said:

I am afraid I can't make it to the Zoom thing — nor would I feel, somehow, that I belong there, spotty and comparatively new as my involvement in this community has always been. Nevertheless I am greatly saddened by this new and offer my condolences to all who knew Hermes, on- and offline.

The zoom has already happened, but just for future reference, they aren't exclusive at all, anyone is welcome regardless of how long you've been a member here

[Invisible]

Sorry I haven't really said anything about Hermes, I just don't know what to say. Other than I hope he didn't suffer or was in any pain.

[The famous March Fool's day]

I took these pictures in October of MisterM enjoying a joke with Hermes while eating his wedding cake. I was also eating cake, but behind the camera. I wish I knew/could remember what they were laughing about. It's weird to think they might be the last pictures of him taken.

(I had MisterM's permission to share them, but put them in spoiler tags for obvious reasons).

SPOILER: Click to show

[Liam R. Findlay]

Thanks for sharing the news. He was a big part of this forum! And it's so very lovely to see his face in those photos.

[bryan]

I'm really glad to see the joy in those photos, makes me emotional. Wish I could pay my respects somehow, Hermes was always so kind.

[TheAsh]

I just saw this thread. I'm heartbroken.
Hermes always treated me with respect and was a great person to interact with.

[gliquey]

I am no longer active on this forum, but being part of the community here (which I am happy to see is still thriving!) was a formative part of my teenage years. Hermes was a huge, huge role model for me. I discovered the forum primarily by the (first) Great Re-Read, where I spent hours reading and re-reading in great detail each idea put forward there, a huge number of which came from Hermes (in discussion with Dante). This opened my eyes not just to an immense amount of details in my favourite book series, but to a world of media literacy and critical thinking.

Participating in this forum improved my writing skills, critical thinking skills, my sense of self and discovery of an identity. It taught me a lot of important social norms, like how to communicate positively, inspire the best from others, write praising feedback and constructive criticism, and stay open-minded. Hermes' endless patience and politeness was a large part of this. He will be greatly missed, but he lives on in our hearts.

[Agathological]

I too, like gliquey are no longer active on these forums but I too am saddened to hear the passing on such a fundamental member within the community.

[Lily]

Just logged in for the first time in a while and I'm so sad to hear this news. I've always struggled with being too shy to post my work or talk with others in online fan spaces but Hermes definitely played a huge part in making 667 a very welcoming place, I always loved reading his thoughts and discussions. 

[Christmas Chief]

I learned about this very late after not logging in for a long time, so I am just now posting a tribute.

It's strange to write about someone you knew only online and in one very specific context. It feels like Hermes was as much a part of my life as other friends. He offered a remarkable example of compassion and humor coupled with keen, sometimes jarring, insight. He advocated for the most correct and just course of action in all cases, unbiased by personal relationships and unswayed by fallacious appeals to authority. I consulted him frequently in my time as admin. When I read his perspective, whether on matters forum or literary, I would frequently think "yes, that's exactly right - how had I not seen it before?"

I think about Hermes all the time. I think about him when I encounter Plato's allegory of the cave (this post or around it was the first time I had heard of it). I think about him on St. Lawrence's Day. I think about him when I hear or find myself humming "Here We Come a-Wassailing." I think about him - and blame him - when I find myself using too many em dashes. 

I am grateful to be one of the people who knew him and to have access to years of his thoughts, archived in this forum. Pax requiem Hermes.