As I sit in a hotel room tonight, I am haunted by this story since I read Chris' post. I can't get Dennis off my mind and trying to leverage off Chris' well crafted account of his friend.
I'm compelled to say more as that story published doesn't describe the Dennis I met on a few occassions. Certainly, and in no way, am I conveying his behavior that has shocked us all. Just wanted it clear that he was just a regular good guy and life sure went terribly wrong.
As JJ said, we all had a blast hanging out with him in Vegas. I met him on the forum first back in 2008 when I was a noobie to this GTO vitual world.
I remember the "Sac thread" was
way more active in my beginning here and there were always good stuff going on there. There was this guy, ls2weber(Chris) who was friendly and a "crack up" in my book, King408 (Adam), another super friendly chap, and Dennis the Mennace. Between the 3 of them. there were always lively conversations and funny stuff.
One time, when I mustered up enough courage to join in, I said something wrong (didn't know it) and got blasted by one of the veterans on the boards for being a bit of a dork (which I was). Thought I had really blown it and a "On-Line Bully" had really laid into me. Well, Dennis had recognized that I was being blasted and stood up for me. I never forgot that.
Couple of days later, I drove to Sacramento on a rainy night and met ls2weber and Dennis the Mennace to do a little go-cart driving at RPM indoor track. I made sure to thank Dennis for looking out for me that night on the boards and he was as humble as anyone could be and said, no worries. Instant friends.
Seeing him in Vegas last year was great and he fit right back in to the gang.
Reading this ending to his life today, certainly makes me sad that a life could go so wrong, but it's important to stress even good people make poor decisions. Wish there was a way I too could have returned his favor to me to change the course of his destiny.
Chris lost a good friend, and I'm sure Dennis' family is hurting as well. I'll pray for them.