A Brilliant Mind, Lost.

[Dimmauk]

First and foremost, let me say thanks to the admins for letting me at least say a few words. What you read is indeed true, this morning Woozie did indeed pass away. Most people here knew about his history of having bat-shit insane insomnia, depression and his restless mind, which oddly enough is why the intricate beauty of Math and Physics came easy to him. He described his intense love of Math to me as a "yoke that keeps the demons busy and at bay". Woozie had been working out, boxing, running and focusing on his piano and guitar playing as a way to keep his head at ease. He confided in me often that he was "tired" of being on these poisonous medicines and how the side effects often outweighed the symptoms they were treating. Unbeknownst to me or anyone else, Woozie stopped taking his sleeping pills and antidepressants about 4 months ago. His family found unfilled scripts that he had not filled. This morning, he left an ominous wall post on Facebook to which both I and Charismatic responded but got no answer. I talked to my brother, just last night and texted him first thing this morning. He had been stressed over everyday life, bills, job, money etc as most people do, however he seemed fine at the time. He was laughing, we spent a good 20 mins talking about Comet ISON that is hurling towards the sun and other nerdy stuff. Asked me about when I was getting on XIV, his plans on getting down here to UNC Chapel Hill and kicking it, then BAM! hes gone like that.

My mind is completely discombobulated right now, so my apologies if I am all over the place as I am still trying to wrap my head around this. I wish yall knew how smart he was. The word brilliant does not do it justice. It came so naturally and effortlessly to him, it was scary. Its like literally, 24 hours ago we were talking. I know that everyone here liked Woozie, but like Spags said "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a fierce battle". That is especially true and poignant in this case. Im got the call from Ragnell while on campus today, to which I said he was full of shit since I had talked to him an hour before his post on FB and before he closed the book on life. This isnt about me or anyone else here, I just want to tell his side for those that like to judge or throw people under the bus for perceived selfishness. His intentions were good, but the method apparently didnt work as intended, but everyone knows where his heart was at and how well intentioned it was. Depression and anxiety is a motherfucker.

Im glad that I got to know him as well as I did, the pleasure was all mine, im sure. I love you now and forever Woozie, but he knows that. I am in contact with his siblings and mother and will keep you guys posted as details emerge and I get funeral information for those interested in flowers or any other mementos. I will quote verbatim a message from his brother "Tell everyone that my brother Lawrenzo aka Woozie loves and appreciates the outpouring of respect. He would be heartbroken knowing he made everyone sad as that is not his intentions. Please tell everyone that the entire [Gulley and Moses] family thanks them and I hope they know that every one of them touched him just as much as he touched them"

Those that have me on FB. I love and appreciate the outpouring of love and support. Thank you a million time over. I will keep you guys on BG posted the second I get information for you. Again, I love you my brother and I miss you more than you know. Going to miss those 2am CMB and Math talks and texts. Ill leave you with this since he always liked the calming effect of this XI theme that we all loved. Here is Woozie, signing off with HIM playing the keys to it.... Love you bro.

Damn man, I got teary eyed reading that. I shouldnt have played the video while reading that.

For me its a reminder of the friends and family lost to depression, and how it shouldnt be taken lightly.

[Arvin]

Like a lot of people here, didn't know him well enough but enjoyed his posts a lot. Woozie and a few others are definitely big reasons why I love reading about science and math now as well, when I used to have no interest whatsoever. He will be missed. To his XIV crew and pals: my condolences friends.

[Moss]

Damn. RIP

[Ryko]

I've spent the better part of the late afternoon and evening looking at old FFXI screenshots and each time I do, I start crying. Woozie was one of the few people I knew on GameFAQs that transitioned over to BG. We never played together due to being on different servers, but I can look at all of my screenshots from when I first got my adaberk to everything past that and see his influences. He'd randomly message me on AIM with fully-explained theses on how he saw a parse or a gear screenshot and how I could improve my output by some miniscule but noticeable number if I replaced this or that. I remember getting the first unicorn shoes on the server and his messaging me to tell me how I should sell them for a crapton of money and just get dusk shoes +1 instead, that if I just wore adaman shoes when I had to move, that the loss of haste here and there would be severely outweighed by the permanent haste on the times I actually could wear the dusk shoes. Granted, he had a more refined explanation complete with complete pages showing his work, but any time I wore something ridiculous or ugly and someone asked me why, I'd respond that someone proved to me that it was better and that all that mattered was "better is better".

I still say that shit and I don't even play MMOs anymore. It's actually a running joke between friends and I've used it in all sorts of discussions and articles. I really hope he found whatever peace he was looking for. I hope this was something he truly believed was better, regardless of what I or anyone else feels.

[cadav3r]

I never had a conversation with the guy, but can say I have learned a lot from him!

You know someones a good person if they can inspire and reach out to complete strangers, the way he has for so many.

RIP bro.

[Aksannyi]

Listening to the music is really making me tear up, such a sad day.

God, this.

[SamanosukeShiva]

RIP, fellow BG poster. You will be missed.

[Siniroth]

Don't check BG for a day and look what happens RIP

[notorious bum]

RIP, fellow BG poster. You will be missed.

Word. Remember watching that Zi'tah video off a random ffxi music search, had no clue it was from Woozie. I always read his posts, even if I understood little.

[Meresgi]

Shit sucks, condolences and everything. Never really talked to the guy at all, but having someone just *poof* on you like that out of the blue is pretty heavy. Best wishes

[Aurara]

My condolences to family and friends, I just lost my grandfather a couple weeks ago...the loss of a loved one is always sad. R.I.P Woozie.

[richardd]

what a wonderful man. hes helped me with my homework plenty of times when he didnt need to, and just had a great spirit and heart. growing up, depression and anxiety in my household and history were so common, that it was considered 'hip' by the time i got into high school. as an adult, someone who is depressed and has anxiety is a truly a terrifying thought. this has opened up my eyes even more to people i know who are in similar positions as him to love on them more and remind them they they're not alone like he did with me at times when i felt isolated with my love of my faith and science.

woozie, you are amazing, and such an inspiration. thank you for you

also, shoutout to miz and chari for pouring out their hearts. im a grown man, and im not ashamed to hide my tears. your love for him has reached out to me big time. thank you for allowing me to see it on your levels.

[Aidin]

Listened to that while reading the post..

Sorry for everyone who lost a friend, I hate seeing any part of any community.. virtual or in person.. be lost like this.

[Cayos]

I always enjoyed reading his math/science posts. He was probably my favorite poster on BG.

Rest in peace man.

[arus2001]

There's a part of me that wants to try and get Jimmy Fallon's attention through Twitter or something just to see if they could get an honorary "Hubble Gotchu" skit going.

[shepardG]

god damn it, sanctuary of zi'tah got me crying and i don't even know this man.

[Hatedregret]

I also had the video playing >.> such a bad idea.

I have always struggled with depression and anxiety. I gave up about ten years ago and went to sleep with the intentions of not waking up. I am so thankful to have been found and taken to the hospital. I don't think anything short of that experience would have saved me but I am grateful every day to have this second chance. I feel for you all and your loss. I can understand that things happen and at times, it feels like the right thing to do, but always be grateful for you. Few others will.

[Nephlite]

RIP, brother. You will be missed.

[Tricen]

Sigh, wow. I don't even. Some of these posts were brutal, couldn't finish them. Got all of 8 seconds into the first piano video before I conceded, not gunna try the Zi'tah one. My heart goes out for those most affected by him. The earth wasn't ready for you yet.

[Viq]

Woozie's knowledge and enthusiasm about science got me more interested in paying attention to science than any of my teachers through high school managed. I can't count the hours I've spent looking up videos on YouTube or tracking down articles to get a better idea of what he was talking about, because that man was talking way over my head most of the time. To me, that speaks volumes about what kind of person he must have been (I certainly wasn't close with him like some dudes on here). To have the power, effortlessly it seemed, to inspire people he had never met to not only gain an interest in what he loved, but to also inspire them to go out and actively seek knowledge is truly rare. Sad day, indeed.