I'm absolutely devastated. I doubt it hurts me as much as it does his widow, his family, Jeff, Brad, Vinny, Drew, Dave and all who actually knew him--but through a film of tears and welling sadness, as a genuine admirer of the guy, I can tell you: it hurts an awful, awful lot.
I've heard Ryan's voice practically every day for the past five years; watched him presenting shows weekly for just as long; read articles, reviews, tweets, and, most importantly, have laughed and been reliably entertained by him every single time his voice reverberated through my speakers or his face lit up my computer screen.
I'll remember Ryan as a true legend. I went through early adulthood with him: coming home from university, there would be a Quick Look, a live show, a write-up--something that made money worries go away, relationship squabbles unimportant, and looming deadlines disappear, if just for a fleeting moment. He's sentimental to me: an unforgettable part of a specific era in my life. Ryan's Giant Bomb personality was always there to fall back on when times were rough 'in reality' and I needed an escape--and his infectious laughter never failed to brighten my morning, noon, or night. With his reliable squad at his side, Ryan always made me feel like I had a wealth of company when I was alone--whether I was watching a TNT, Monday or TANG show, life was alright when he came on.
To have that suddenly end--to know he isn't gracing the world with his presence any longer--is horribly painful to contemplate. My tears almost feel like a disproportionate response. Objectively, they are, as after all, I didn't know him personally, yet I'm majorly broken up. I guess that demonstrates how special a guy Ryan was: he touched the heart of someone half way around the world, who he never even knew existed.
Goodbye, you irreplaceable, brilliant human being. You've given us more laughs and great moments than we ever deserved.
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