Your wish is granted haters; Patrick is leaving to venture onto parts unknown.
How do you say goodbye? You can't, really. Not perfectly. Two hours later, I'm still typing. When I stop, it also means I'm saying goodbye to this job, these people, and this great community. You've given me so much, and I can only hope I've been able to give a little bit back. It's been a dream, and know the incredible, heartfelt notes you've written me over the years will remain in my backpack. In the past, during a tough moment, I've turned to them. In the future, I still will.
Thank you for everything.
Before I go, though, a few parting thoughts to my colleagues.
Dan: I hear there's more to life than wrestling and Metal Gear, but in case there isn't, you've got us all covered. You've brought a tremendous (and seemingly boundless) amount of energy to the site at time it really needs it. And hey, if you need another rollercoaster buddy, holler. This time, let's go backwards.
Jason: I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to work together longer, but you're bringing a valuable set of talents to Giant Bomb, both editorially and in the editing room. Plus, you're impatient enough to import Guilty Gear because it came out on Japanese PSN a few weeks early. That's the kind of weird we need.
Drew: One day, we're going to launch a Kickstarter to travel the world, visit foreign game developers, and taste bizarre foods. Who knows what other hot dog stands exist out there?! Until then, know one of my career highlights was heading to Iceland with you for the EVE Fan Fest. Exhausting, weird, totally fun. When I try to explain what I do at Giant Bomb, it's the first thing I pull up. You did a great job.
Ryan: I'll see you in another life, brother.
Alex: You've spent the last two years indulging my desire to see what it's like to be a mediocre host of a show that probably should have been once a week. Bombin' the A.M. has been a treat. One, it made sure I got out of bed at a reasonable time. Two, it's been fantastic to spend hundreds of hours talking to you about games, news, and ghost cats. Remember when someone spotted a bong on your shelf?
Brad: I've known you since I was an early teenager, back on the ol' IRC. Then, you were rudds, dammit. I don't know what people call you now, but I'm gonna keep calling you rudds. You've been a friend for nearly half my life, and it was an honor to call you a co-worker the past few years. Something tells me it's not the last time, and I truly hope that's the case. Thanks for all the beers, laughs, and grammar fixes.
Vinny: When I found out we were gonna share a hotel room for 10 days in San Francisco for game of the year, I joked to my wife, "aw, we have to share a room." She turned to me, laughed, and said "shut up, you're excited." She was right. There are few people I imagine having a series of enjoyable, insightful, and hilarious conversations with for 10 days straight. You're one of 'em. At least New York isn't that far.
Jeff: Thanks for taking a chance, and supporting me over the years. Being the boss isn't an easy job, and often thankless. You've always had my back, and not only did I appreciate it, I won't soon forget it.
I can't say where I'm going yet, but I'm not leaving editorial, and I'm definitely not working for Dave Lang. Keep tabs on Twitter, and you'll have an idea of what's happening soon. As for some of my regular Giant Bomb features--Spookin' With Scoops, Worth Reading, Coffee Videos for Answering Questions, etc.--those will reappear. Stay tuned. Twitch, YouTube, and Tumblr are probably solid places to bookmark.
Take care, and don't be a stranger.
-pk