When I first started this blog I wrote a few posts explaining why I enjoyed the sites on my blogroll.  The #1 slot went to Robert Scoble which was at least partially because he was the first blog I had ever read.

But that's not entirely true...

Years before the traditional blogosphere took hold there was a "gaming site" that I read religiously called VoodooExtreme. 

It didn't call itself a blog but that's essentially what it was.  There were a few others who popped in but the lion share of the posts were by founder Billy "Wicked" Wilson and the site was essentially a reflection of his personality.

Three years ago today Billy died and since this is the first anniversary of his death where I have a blog I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to him. 

VoodooExtreme was an odd site.  Funny, a little raunchy, and absolutely dedicated to covering everything that went on in the then nascent world of 3d gaming.  But more importantly it was true counterculture.  Billed as "news from the official VE doublewide" you could tell these guys were just having fun and not the typical "trying to be different just to prove their cool" types that so often pollute gaming news.

I don't think there was a day when I didn't come out of that site with a smile.  A good example of why is my favorite feature on the site which was an off-beat post made each morning simply entitled "Blah...".  There was just no telling what the "Blah..." post would be or where it would go by the end but it was almost always hilarious. 

To give you some idea, here's one of his "Blah..." posts (courtesy of the WayBackMachine)...

Holy hell!  Smack my ass and call me Sally, I'd say I sparked quite the lovely little debate yesterday (in the comments section for my blah) on Evolution vs. Creation.  Needless to say, I don't think I received one negative email, which really upset me :) I mean, hell, why else would I do something like that?  Ok, ok, so that's not the reason, I just like to throw my general thoughts (what few I have) and shit like that on occasion, plus, anything to piss off Flounder (hahahaha)...and let me tell ya, he gets SOOO bent out of shape when I tell him something like "there is no god" then interrupting him as he's trying to actually prove that there is, indeed a god (and if there is, I bet she has big snack trays...call it a hunch).  Out of all seriousness though, I honestly don't believe that you need religion to be a "good" person, I definitely don't think that it can hurt in some cases (some people need the structure) but I don't think that it's NEEDED (key word there).  To each his own, or something, just remember that after she's done, it's really pretty disgusting if she starts to rub it all over her che...oh hell, I'm not sure how I got on that subject.  Of course, I'll ultimately find out of there is a God(s)...well, unless, of course, when you die your really do die, which I'm not ruling out (not quite sure where I stand on that, I know Einstein's bit on how energy never dies, I'm just not quite sure).  The entire concept of a god and how you should be good makes me think...well, actually, here's an analogy of sorts: It's like going to a show that's supposed to be really good, but you close your eyes for the entirety of the shot, and then ask for your money back after the movie is over.  Ok, I'm not sure that even makes sense, but hell, that's all I could come up with.  Oh yeah, and there is no Santa, how's that for a controversial subject?! 

They say the good die young...I'm not sure Billy would necessarily want to be referred to as "good" but whatever he was I miss it and I miss him.  He was taken too early.  Its sad but since things like archiving and search engines were in their infancy at the time much of his contributions have been lost to the ages.  He was a true pioneer on the web and he deserves to be honored for it.

Anyway, I can't think of words to end this post so as an homage I made up a little McBlink as a show of respect. 

Addendum: For the record, VoodooExtreme exists to this day but the VE of today is nothing like the one I refer to in the post above.