The Angels • The Mentors • The Unexpected Saviors
Heroes of the Legend
Every legend is forged by the people who shape it. Angels who appeared at the darkest moments. Mentors who saw potential when no one else did. Even bullies who forced growth through pain. These are the heroes who made Dave who he is today.
When Corporations Had Hearts
The rare corporate angels who saw potential beyond appearance and fought for the underdog
The Selection: Championed my acceptance into the legendary Transamerica Mainframe Programmer Intern Program
The Crisis: When MS struck at 24, she protected my job with FMLA and short-term disability
The Angel: Saw my potential when I was just a feral kid from Troost who didn't know how to act in corporate America
"DON'T BE LIKE THOSE ASSHOLES. YOU ARE BETTER THAN THEY ARE."
The Mentor: Golf coach freshman through senior year AND American Government teacher
The Believer: Believed in my "shitty golf game" but more importantly believed in my character
The Warning: Looked me square in the eye and warned me not to become what I despised
The Commitment: Now channeling those 4 years to get back on track: For America. For My Profession. For My quest to lighten my Soul to a Feather.
The Bond: CIO of Transamerica who also suffered from MS his whole life
The Knowledge: Taught me his hard-won wisdom about what works for managing MS
The Gospel: I've been a gospel to what he taught me ever since - his lessons saved my life
"You are the first person in my history that doesn't do what I say because I am the President. I asked for this point blank, and not only did you turn me down, you explained why it is the way it is. Thank you David! Never stop challenging me."
The Challenge: Had the courage to say no to a President and explain why
The Recognition: Valued truth over hierarchy, facts over politics
The Promise: "Never stop challenging me" - a promise Dave keeps to this day
"She saw my potential when I was just a feral kid from Troost who didn't know how to act in corporate America"
The Vision: Hired me at Transamerica with no college, no suit, no business casual clothes
The Reality: Polyester dress pants, white shirt with sleeves too short, mismatched belt, Doc Martins - what a sight to behold
The Gift: Gave me the secret key to "educated white collar" society when no one else in Kansas City would
The Legacy: Still carrying that key, trying to give copies to everyone I see potential in
The Guidance: Showed me how to navigate corporate politics without losing my soul
The Wisdom: Taught me that being different was a strength, not a weakness
The Legacy: His lessons echo in every leadership decision I make
The Stability: Provided consistent support through chaotic times
The Wisdom: Taught me that consistency beats brilliance
The Foundation: His steady presence anchored my growth
Angels in Disguise
Sometimes salvation comes from the most unexpected places and people
The Moment: Trying to rent an apartment in 1992, broke and desperate
The Kindness: This stranger saw something in me and took a chance
The Impact: Sometimes one person's faith changes everything
The Discovery: Found by accident in some corner of some bank building
The Healing: Provided the mental health support I desperately needed
The Timing: Divine intervention when I needed it most
"Be a man. Unbutton your shirt."
The Setting: International Male at the mall, invited to be living mannequin models
The Moment: Coming out of the dressing room with every button buttoned, playing it safe
The Push: One simple command that taught confidence, presence, and how to own your space
The Lesson: Sometimes being a man means having the confidence to show up fully, not hide behind safety
The Hour: 3AM, darkest moment, contemplating the end
The Connection: Random internet stranger who cared enough to listen
The Miracle: Sometimes salvation comes through fiber optic cables
Heroes Through Pain
Sometimes our greatest teachers are the ones who hurt us - they forge strength through adversity
The Pain: Made my life hell, but taught me to endure anything
The Lesson: What doesn't kill you makes you unbreakable
The Gratitude: His cruelty forged my legendary resilience
The Challenge: Pushed me to my limits and beyond
The Growth: Forced me to develop mental toughness
The Result: His opposition made me unstoppable
The Higher Powers
The spiritual forces that guided, protected, and inspired through the darkest times
The Comfort: Maternal presence in times of despair
The Intercession: Prayers answered through her grace
The Example: Showed how to love through suffering
The Sacrifice: Ultimate love demonstrated
The Simplicity: Showed that true wealth is in serving others
The Peace: Found God in nature and in the poorest of the poor
The Example: Humility and service over power and pride
The Transformation: From persecutor to the greatest evangelist in history
The Redemption: Proof that anyone can be transformed by grace
The Mission: Dedicated his life to spreading the truth he once fought against
The Plan: Orchestrated every encounter and lesson
The Love: Never abandoned, even in darkness
The Synchronicity: Perfect timing of every encounter
The Flow: Guided the path through chaos
Legends of the Digital Realm
The online personas who shaped the digital landscape and influenced the journey
"Be fully immersed or don't be a part of it. What good is winning the prize if it's easy enough for anyone to get it?"
The Creation: Built the world's most customized, best MUD ever - The Final Challenge
The Philosophy: Tynian beat into me the power of adherence to character, to the realm, to total immersion
The Purity: Madman was strong enough to walk away and let it die rather than compromise his vision
The Lesson: Risk/reward in gaming and in life - epic modules that took YEARS to plan and conquer
The Tragedy: Liberal ideology ruined it - from 125+ players to 5 on a good day when "free shit everywhere" replaced earned achievement
The Final Challenge: A Lesson in Excellence vs. Participation Trophies
The Golden Age: The Final Challenge MUD was legendary. 125+ players at any given moment, all fighting for equipment and achievements that took literal YEARS to plan and execute. Madman and Tynian created something that demanded everything from you - total immersion, character adherence, strategic thinking, and relentless dedication.
The Philosophy: Tynian didn't just teach coding - he taught commitment. "Be fully immersed or don't be a part of it." No casual players. No shortcuts. No participation trophies. You earned every piece of equipment, every level, every victory through blood, sweat, and strategic brilliance.
The Corruption: When Tynian got married and his wife took over during his illness, she turned it into a "free-for-all giveaway." All the unique, powerful equipment that used to require years of planning? Given away to new players so they "didn't have to struggle to get as good as us purists."
"What good is winning the prize if it's easy enough for anyone to get it?"
— The question that defines the difference between excellence and mediocrity
The Death: Player count dropped from 125+ to 5 on a good day. The MUD still runs, but it's a hollow shell of what it once was. Madman, the purist, was strong enough to walk away and let it die rather than watch his masterpiece become a participation trophy factory.
The Lesson: This is what happens when liberal ideology infects systems built on merit. The whole purpose was that there were epically hard modules that literally took years to plan to take over. It. Was. AWESOME. But when you remove the struggle, you remove the value. When you remove the risk, you remove the reward.
Madman and Tynian taught me that excellence requires gatekeeping. Not everyone deserves the prize. Not everyone should get the reward. The struggle IS the point.
The Stories Are Coming
Each of these heroes shaped the legend in their own way. Their full stories will be told - the moments of impact, the lessons learned, the gratitude earned.