Wow Jim...seven years later...look at the monster you created.
Our friendship grew from simple kindness. I exchanged a few posts with you, fascinated by the pic on your original sig - who I found was your older brother. From there an offer to send you a book and a return invite to join you, Cold_Gambler (what kind of name is that, Angus), GurryPuddle (WTF does that mean Ed?), BunBun and Duffbear for a night of flying.
I remember that first night well: the six of us starting with B239's against Il2's, and the night finished hours and several scotches later with a free for all...flying under bridges for fun.
I think you said the invite was to balance out the amount of Canadians and Americans at three apiece. Who'd ever figure we'd need to balance out Brits, and so many various Europeans as well.
Eventually, we met up with the Hell Hounds (trivia: did you know it was Dubbo who came up with the name DangerDogz? The double D's came like D-Day. First letter of the word. Just like the Hell Hounds). Back then it was only flying on Saturday. We'd fly first then go join BeeBop, Dubbo, PlanB (aka uditoo), Zeus-Cat, Quazi and the nutjob know as LuckyBoy.
More trivia: Jim's suggestion for our squad was the Cunning Stunts. I would hate to think how the logo would turn out. The first logo, also courtesy of Dubbo I think, was Snoopy in his flying hat against a red circle background.
Special times. The game was newer and the squad mates were just getting to know each other. Someone joining in was special.
Bun, Leon and Duff eventually stopped flying and we had an epic decision: Accept the HH's invite to join them...or expand. Well, being the business guru you are, we decided to expand and thus the first recruitment post went up July 31, 2005. http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/48310655/m/4021028243/p/1
First person responding was the killer known at Rattler. Then the floodgates opened and we got the Brits like Rog, Friar, Painless...and the likes of Doubletap and Psycho and so many great friends from the US. My brother Badaim among them.
Since then we've had over 93,000 visitors to our recruitment thread. More than any other squad.
I remember you chortling over each and every new sucker recruit who you reeled in. Doing Joint Ops and raping and pillaging them for members was your best one.
A lot has come about since then. We had at least a hundred join (who can keep track) and almost just as many leave (losers).
Through that time we've had one constant. Sheep.
Well, two I guess. Sheep and your friendship and stewardship.
Many don't know, but I've used Jim as a business mentor through the years. I've consulted him on job changes, business decisions, moves (we're now in our 3rd city since I met Jim) and business ethics. Some of the toughest decisions I've made in business have been after consulting Jim. He has been a business and moral guide for me for many years.
After accepting my first move - but before I left (Jim tried to convince me to stay in Ontario where he lived. I almost did, as gay as it may sound, I wanted to live close to Jim) I drove out to Trenton, Ontario with Jensen and Parker to the Trenton airbase to meet up with Jim and see the Halifax they were rebuilding. Helen came along. True to Jim's habit, he left her in the car most of the time. We spent a good day together and then I took off. Angus, giving us a glimpse of his future, was not allowed by his wife to join us...lol.
Since then I've been lucky enough to visit with Jim and Helen in Duxford and at his house.
Ah, the famous house. All these years I've been telling everyone of Jim's wealth and land holdings. I think some of you didn't believe me. Some of it was myth...much of it was true. It was nice to see it first hand. I think it should be a pilgrimage required once in your life. The Mecca of the DD's...except with scotch. Lot's of scotch. On nights when I feel down, I read through the recruitment threads and revel in the humour and first posts by many of the Dogz as they seek to join the best damn squad in the Il2 world.
Jim, my friend, you've created so much.
Hundreds of us have become friends - nay, family members - because of your selflessness, love and generosity. I myself have met about 30 to 40 Dogz, from Vancouver Island to Toronto to the US to England to wherever the hell FT is from (I think he is Irish?). I will have this new family forever because of you.
Most of all, I will have forever you in my heart and my prayers.
I'm a wealthy person in so many ways. Wealthy in family, in fortune (ok, middle class) and friends and opportunity. But I'm a richer and better person for knowing you.
You are my friend and brother.