Comments for Hoosh

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Joe Nuxoll

Joe Nuxoll — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:51:44 +0000

I grew up with DJ. Or Darin. Or I guess Nick as he went by in later years… He was one of my very best friends in grade school and high school. After high school, we mostly lost touch. I saw him a few times, but eventually we faded out of each other’s lives. He was one of those guys that I knew in the back of my head that I’d meet up with again randomly, and it would be an amazing walk down memory lane – and a wonderful story telling time to catch up on everything we had missed. He was a great story teller, and made me laugh so hard it hurt. I didn’t know he was in Antarctica. I didn’t know he wrote a book. When I heard the news about his passing, my heart totally sank. Months later now, I’m still really bummed out. I bought and read his book immediately, and it really felt like he was telling a story in person. I’m so glad he spent the time to write that – or anything – just to relive an imaginary in-person story telling. I can’t help but think that he was in a dark place that *possibly* could have been lighted by bumping into one of his long-lost friends from grade and high school. Like me. So many of us loved him, and surely would have loved to spend time with him to hear his stories. If that chance re-meeting had happened, maybe he would have had something to look forward to – rather than end it. I am so bummed.

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Charles Krafft

Charles Krafft — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:32:21 +0000

I met Nick through his publisher and got him some help with his drinking which was spiraling out-of-control at that time. I felt that he didn’t stick with the program long enough, but he did cut out drinking anything stronger than beer for almost a year after a weekend of counseling. I didn’t know him very well, but I really liked him and when I heard that he’d ended his life I was shocked. Had I not been out of the country at the time I would have attended his memorial service.

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by AS

AS — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:10:10 +0000

I only knew of Nick through the book. The book made me fall in love with the ice, so I went there for 2 seasons. I’m saddened to hear this news. He was a folk hero to me.

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Tom Laurie

Tom Laurie — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:49:29 +0000

I did not know Nick very well, in fact, we only met a few times (Through you, Jason) and I only wish I had gotten to know him better. I did not have a relationship with Nick but I have, over the years, formed one through his writings. It will never be the same as knowing someone in the physical sense but I am grateful to be able to read his writings and views on living and working in the Antarctic. May your thoughts and wonderful insight about life on the ice stand the test of time.
Peace be with you.

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Jen

Jen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:56:23 +0000

Jason, thanks so much for writing this. You said exactly what I’ve been feeling. Nick had been in touch with me recently and recommended your book, as I’m a bit of a foodie and write a blog. I went through the program back in 2002-04, and that’s how we got to know each other. Although it’s been a long time since USAP, Nick always dropped me lines every now and then. I’m really going to miss those updates. He was really a remarkable guy.

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Kellie

Kellie — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:16:20 +0000

Darin (Nick) was my cousin and, though we weren’t close as adults, we spent our childhoods together. I can’t call him Nick…that’s not who is was to me…but Darin was in my wedding and was godfather to my oldest son. I loved him and my heart breaks for him and the rest of our family who wish we had done more, stayed in touch…anything that might have prevented this. I am so gratified to read all the comments of those who knew him better as an adult…thank you for giving me insight into the man he became. I will forever remember him as the little boy that was devastated to learn he couldn’t marry my little sister, Kerrie. They had their whole lives planned out and I dashed their hopes with the simple fact that first cousins can’t marry. Boy, were they pissed!

Thank you, Jason, for the article. And for the picture…it’s classic Darin!

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by An Unworthy Tribute to “Big Dead Place” | From Here to Where? - Stephanie Prince

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:04:52 +0000

"From what I’ve heard about Nick from others who spent multiple seasons with him, he was a very kind, smart and interesting fellow. May his written word live on for centuries so that others may learn about the strange, menacing, quirky and sometimes backward way of life on this continent – this Big Dead Place." Read the whole post [...] if you're interested, you can read a very well-written and heartfelt article written by a friend of his about his life, his death .... [...]

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:18:05 +0000

Jason, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Nick. You are an excellent writer, as was Nick. I lost touch with Nick after my last winter in 2008 but not in my heart and I always thought I’d see him again. Like most Winterovers, he’s family and if he were in my presence today, it would be like no time had gone by and we’d be sitting in our dorm room laughing at Wunder Showzen or some other twisted thing. He was like nobody else, a really stellar person. I am sorry for your loss and for all of us who knew him and loved him.

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Joshua

Joshua — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 03:23:57 +0000

Sorry to hear…. He will be missed.

Comment on Death of Antarctic writer Nicholas Johnson by Ang

Ang — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:54:55 +0000

Thanks for this article, Jason. I had lost contact (except for an occasional facebook hello) with Nick since our winter in 2008 when he lived across the from my boyfriend and me. I always enjoyed running into him in the hall and occasionally stopping by his room for a chat. Whenever he saw my friend, Kim, in the hall he’d sheepishly remove his hat as he approached her and then stop so that she could run her fingers through that thick head of hair he had. It was almost a ritual. My sister knew him from their first season (her only season) as DA’s in the galley in 1998 and she spoke highly of Nick. We each had little schoolgirl crushes on him at one point or another. He always had a smile on his face that could brighten my day, especially if it wasn’t going so well. When I picked up his Big Dead Place book, it was almost impossible to put it down until I read the whole thing. It made me laugh out loud in public places, which earned me odd looks from many strangers. So many people adored Nick. Never in a million years did I imagine he’d do something like this, but like many of his closest friends, even those of us who didn’t know him as well felt close to him and we would have done anything to help him out of that funk.