I find myself in the camp that NB is not truly gone, merely reinvented, and good on him. I've been putting off the task of dusting off any remaining issues between us and getting back on track with our friendship. I take it as a given that we can resolve any outstanding issues. In the meantime, I wish him nothing but the best. (This too was posted under the influence, so if I trend toward the maudlin, so be it.)