Tell me more about Andreus

[HoodedRat]

He faked his own death and carried on posting as his younger brother. But he gave himself away.

[BostonPirate]

He faked his own death and carried on posting as his younger brother. But he gave himself away.

Bullshit.

Pure Bullshit.

[Ryuukie]

I didn't know he died. I always liked him.

[bankside]

I recall his English being polished and articulate; his brother's, less so though certainly not an impediment to communication.

I understood him to be the son of a wealthy Greek family, of Greek Orthodox and Muslim heritage, but he dwelt primarily in the Muslim side.

He was a man with principles he felt worth dying for and if I recall his brother's reports correctly, that may have cost him his health and perhaps his life, as he placed a sense of religious obligation ahead of the interests of his health.

As it happens I don't feel that being willing to die for a principle ennobles the principle in the least. Foolhardy piety should be beneath us all. And though I cringe somewhat at writing those words (First; I was not a close confidante of his and I fear that my understanding of the end of his life is necessarily incomplete; second, I take no joy in dampening the comforting memories of him that others may have, with my obstreperous recollections) I nonetheless recall his pleasure and passion for the pursuit of ideas, and in honouring that passion, I must remember him thus.

I expect he would have made very good dinner company. (And not the polite forgettable tedious kind of dinner that might please a socialite; the vivid and transformational kind of dinner that ends up getting a school of thought or a social movement named after it.

[star-warrior]

Why this unusual interest in someone who seems to have been gone years before your arrival at JUB? Perchance you're one of the people who had words with him when he was around under another guise?

[Telstra]

Why this unusual interest in someone who seems to have been gone years before your arrival at JUB? Perchance you're one of the people who had words with him when he was around under another guise?

ummm if people still talk about him,
chances are other people might be interested about him such as enchanted.

[MoufOfKhaos]

In my opinion, given your proclivities, you don't deserve to know unless you plan to learn from him.

But then again, i'm talking to a ghost.

[blackbeltninja]

We didn't interact directly much, Andreus and me. I didn't always agree with his point of view, and I'll admit I wasn't always convinced his words and opinions should have been viewed as handed down from God, like some in here constantly made them out to be. But I don't think he promoted that image himself; it was just foisted on him by certain JUBbers.

He did seem like a genuine guy, though, and he earned my respect. As Bankside has suggested, I suspect knowing him in person must have been something quite special. Although no surprise given his health when he went on hiatus from here, I thought the news of his passing had quite a significant effect on the overall mood at JUB for a few days.

-d-

[star-warrior]

At that time I was still a kid,and didn't had a fucking idea JUB existed.
I'm just curious as I was compared with him in few ocassions.And when you see the way the jubbers talk about him,it's just so damn tempting to get more info about this controversial guy.

Jubbers also talk about the demons of jub too. It's all a can of worms in the end.

[Telstra]

In my opinion, given your proclivities, you don't deserve to know unless you plan to learn from him.

But then again, i'm talking to a ghost.

That wasn't the question the OP asks for. Bitchy again ...!!!

[BostonPirate]

Knowing Drew IRL was much different than the experience people obviously had here. There are some things about him that would anger both his admirers and detractors.

Complex. He spoke too many languages to count and had the ability to humiliate anyone in any of them. He got away with it because of his looks.

He died because during a health crisis, during a holy month, he refused to eat or take antivirals because his faith demanded a fast, in his estimation.

The brother is in Prison in Greece for arson.

The Thanos boys are troubled, all of them, and there were more than just the two.Drew and Mitri's fates were interwoven in very sad ways.

[ronboy]

Andreus was a beautiful soul.
He was a first class Jubber, who always wore his heart on a sleeve. You always knew what side of an issue he stood on. He was resolute.
He was passionate, feisty, and yes, physically beautiful.
His spirit still lingers here, and lives on in our hearts, for those of us who knew him and loved him.

[BostonPirate]

Andreus was a beautiful soul.
He was a first class Jubber, who always wore his heart on a sleeve. You always knew what side of an issue he stood on. He was resolute.
He was passionate, feisty, and yes, physically beautiful.
His spirit still lingers here, and lives on in our hearts, for those of us who knew him and loved him.

It was his passion that inspired people around him. That was what made him worth the ride, so to speak. You may not have believed as he did, but there was always a fire in those frightening green eyes of his that people found captivating.

He WAS a beautiful soul, and a beautiful mind. Some of the best conversations I've ever had were with him, and he wanted more than agreement, he wanted understanding. He would not have wanted pity, that's for sure.

He just never could believe that he was worthy of love, like so many other gay men.

[bankside]

Knowing Drew IRL was much different than the experience people obviously had here. There are some things about him that would anger both his admirers and detractors.

Complex. He spoke too many languages to count and had the ability to humiliate anyone in any of them. He got away with it because of his looks.

He died because during a health crisis, during a holy month, he refused to eat or take antivirals because his faith demanded a fast, in his estimation.

The brother is in Prison in Greece for arson.

The Thanos boys are troubled, all of them, and there were more than just the two.Drew and Mitri's fates were interwoven in very sad ways.

Interesting. He seems only to have acknowledged one brother in his blog, which I have just taken a moment to reread. I think what I know of him or don't know, doesn't really lessen my estimation of him. He was either an interesting person or an interesting persona, for our benefit, and likely a mix of both.

I think he comes across as intimidating or is portrayed that way in many people's image; I can say without intending any hubris or condescention that I did not experience that. Nor because I escaped his attention or was oblivious; I just didn't see it in him.

[BostonPirate]

Interesting. He seems only to have acknowledged one brother in his blog, which I have just taken a moment to reread. I think what I know of him or don't know, doesn't really lessen my estimation of him. He was either an interesting person or an interesting persona, for our benefit, and likely a mix of both.

I think he comes across as intimidating or is portrayed that way in many people's image; I can say without intending any hubris or condescention that I did not experience that. Nor because I escaped his attention or was oblivious; I just didn't see it in him.

I've never read his Blog here. Can you link to it?

He was more than interesting... he was captivating. He knew it, though. Did he ever have malice? not usually. He was very socially skilled though, a trait I don't have, and was willing to take extreme measures to make a point with those skills.

The shots taken here at his brother Mitri that I've seen over the last two years is rather disgusting, to tell you the truth, considering the kids mental disability. One more thing Drew was embarrassed about.

[bankside]

Embarrassed by his brother or by the reception his brother received here?

I can't recall Mitri posting before Andreus's departure. I was not aware he had any mental disability from my limited interaction with him.

I found Andreus's blog many years after first laying eyes on it at andreusthanos.blogspot.com. It was your use of his family name that reminded me.

[Telstra]

Embarrassed by his brother or by the reception his brother received here?

I can't recall Mitri posting before Andreus's departure. I was not aware he had any mental disability from my limited interaction with him.

I found Andreus's blog many years after first laying eyes on it at andreusthanos.blogspot.com. It was your use of his family name that reminded me.

No such blog exist now.

[BostonPirate]

Embarrassed by his brother or by the reception his brother received here?

I can't recall Mitri posting before Andreus's departure. I was not aware he had any mental disability from my limited interaction with him.

I found Andreus's blog many years after first laying eyes on it at andreusthanos.blogspot.com. It was your use of his family name that reminded me.

Wow, I had no idea that existed. Thank you so much for that. It's like getting a message from a long dead friend.

I had a few run ins with people over the last two years, that said unkind things about Mitri. I have no idea whether they were here together, but based on what people here have said, I just assumed they were.

The Kid fell down a flight of stairs drunk when Drew was supposed to be caring for him when he was a young teen. Drew sought his religion because he wanted some kind of redemption from feeling responsible. It's also why he clung so tightly to a religion that outlawed alcohol. Anyway, the bottom line is the brother had some behavioral problems as a result of an open air head injury.

He felt responsible mostly though, because his Father blamed him for it, as well as his homosexuality. It couldn't have been that the same Father produced two gay sons. It had to be because of the fall. The father was... unpleasant.

[BostonPirate]

No such blog exist now.

what amazes ME is that people say things like this that are not true even when they are easily proven about these guys. Whatever it is that he WAS to this place I was not here for, but it's odd that he still makes people froth at the mouth.

Yes it's still there.

http://andreusthanos.blogspot.com/

thanks again to Bankside for the link.

[frankfrank]

Embarrassed by his brother or by the reception his brother received here?

I can't recall Mitri posting before Andreus's departure. I was not aware he had any mental disability from my limited interaction with him.

I wasn't aware of any mental issues with Mitri, either - and YES I DO remember him posting *before* Andreus died. I remember a post where he was very worried about Andreus and, in his broken English, he said that "I am very scare."

I also remember being very surprised that, even with Mitri's mediocre command of English, he seemed to get his ideas across very effectively (or at least in a way that resonated strongly with me). Perhaps more so than some people with post-graduate degrees in English...usually broken English is an impediment to effectively getting ideas across.

I think I may have exchanged PM's once or twice at most with Andreus, and I saw him as a very strongly opinioned guy who didn't pull punches, and I had plenty of respect for him. BP, you are so fortunate and richer for having had the opportunity to meet him...even more than once. (Were you here with a prior username at the time? I don't remember you being here more than three years, perhaps four - which is still after the fact.)

[bankside]

Wow, I had no idea that existed. Thank you so much for that. It's like getting a message from a long dead friend.

I'm glad to have brought it your way. It was only today that I read this:The Digital Ripples of an Analogue Life.

[ozguy]

Yes it's still there.

http://andreusthanos.blogspot.com/

thanks again to Bankside for the link.

Is that a picture of Andreus on his blog? If it is ... wow! Always wondered what he looked like.

[BostonPirate]

I wasn't aware of any mental issues with Mitri, either - and YES I DO remember him posting *before* Andreus died. I remember a post where he was very worried about Andreus and, in his broken English, he said that "I am very scare."

I also remember being very surprised that, even with Mitri's mediocre command of English, he seemed to get his ideas across very effectively (or at least in a way that resonated strongly with me). Perhaps more so than some people with post-graduate degrees in English...usually broken English is an impediment to effectively getting ideas across.

I think I may have exchanged PM's once or twice at most with Andreus, and I saw him as a very strongly opinioned guy who didn't pull punches, and I had plenty of respect for him. BP, you are so fortunate and richer for having had the opportunity to meet him...even more than once. (Were you here with a prior username at the time? I don't remember you being here more than three years, perhaps four - which is still after the fact.)

He was a student of mine, and later a colleague. Eventually we became friends when he told me of his HIV status. We were not best friends but we were close. I came here two years ago because he placed JUB on a log as an online resource for support for HIV poz people who are housebound.

I have mobility issues. We can leave it at that.

I was not here when he was here. Wish I was, though, by the sound of it.

He and his brother also rented an apartment from me but...

Anyway, they both were very good with communication, I think because they grew up in a bilingual home. Mitri had urge and impulse control issues.

[BostonPirate]

I'm glad to have brought it your way. It was only today that I read this:The Digital Ripples of an Analogue Life.

It's the strangest thing. I guess if you are active on the internet, you never really die. Never thought of it that way.

Is that a picture of Andreus on his blog? If it is ... wow! Always wondered what he looked like.

No

I would post pictures of him, but he was very particular about that for religious reasons. how about the ones he used as his avatar and signature... I have managed to locate those and he used them himself.

He was fond of being nude, and you only had to see him naked once to never forget it...lol

Wait, I think I can find a few relic pictures here at JUB....

[BostonPirate]

Andreus is one of the first members I clashed with when I came to JUB (5 years ago, almost 6 now), and though our relationship never ended in friendship like the other poster whom I threw purses with constantly (Jasun), we did finally come to a mutual understanding. Dreu did not get why I was allowed to be here and was one of the more vocal JUBbers who claimed gay porn was not for women, and I was not welcome here. We came to verbal blows early and often until we finally figured out we were never going to see eye to eye but there was nothing wrong with that. He eventually softened his anti-female stance (when it came to JUB, I do not know how he felt outside of here), and we were able to coexist without the tension after a while. We were never each other's favorite people, and for a long time I was still one of the ones who felt his "death" and Mitri's sudden rise at JUB were a rouse.

When I first saw this thread I cringed, got angry, and thought about reporting it because the name Andreus still polarizes people here, but now that I have been able to read BostonPirate's accounts of Dreu and Mitri I am kind of glad it exists. I always knew there was a beautifully tortured soul under his harsh words, I only wish he would have shown it more before his death and not just in the few weeks leading up to it.

I got the mean part of him aimed at me for being Catholic, a group he held in particular contempt. If he took aim at you and you stood your ground, he respected that. And I feel you. He was very good at figuring out what a person's weakness was and hammering it... To the point of antagonism.

If you stood toe to toe with him and came away with his respect then you are a formidable mind. I noticed IRL that he always went after people that he liked or considered an intellectual challenge the most. Another odd character trait of his.

Thanks, I have been hesitant to share anything about him here, because there is so much that I think is misunderstood about him from the bits and pieces I've read. He made fun of people that he thought were fawning, yet was quick to do anything for attention especially when it came to his looks. I think it had something to do with the fact that he really didn't like himself.

[herry1]

My memory of him is joining in with silly threads.

[justaguy]

My memory of him is joining in with silly threads.

Good reply. Me too

[BostonPirate]

Are you saying you knew Andreus and actually met him in person? In the flesh?

Yes, of course. He was not a shy man. He was not unknown in Boston in the gay community. A few people from Boston may have seen him as well without knowing it. One other thing he liked to hide was that when he would fall on financial hard times, he would dance at gay bars. I think Paradise in Cambridge was his favorite place to separate men from their money. It's a gay strip club near MIT.

[bankside]

If you didn't post here until after he had withdrawn, you might not have seen that he wasn't shy here either. I don't recall him mentioning dancing, but certainly prostitution on occasion. Perhaps he used his discretion in sharing that information IRL, but he could be perfectly frank about it here.

[BostonPirate]

I came to JUB open, honest and without an ounce of knowledge of how to behave on a public forum. I never hid anything about me, and Dreu knew immediately where to hit me to keep me coming back for more sparring. Thinking about it now, he is the reason I had some of the best, worst and more heartbreaking experiences in my online world, and one of the reasons I became so close to the other female member who I met here - after we teamed up and agreed that wherever we could have each other's backs, we'd be there. That usually meant some silly thread where Dreu was laying in wait for one of us to open our silly mouths. Which we did. Often.

At the time it was hard to go through. Now that I understand the workings of being on a forum, I am able to laugh and point fingers at myself. There are many things I have learned over time, but Dreu's initiation will always be the one I remember most. Was I not the stubborn, argumentative, never tell me I can't, bitch I am, he would have been the reason for a short JUB shelf life. His words only made me want to come at him stronger and harder. Which is odd seeing as I am on about my 5th or 6th reincarnation here. It was always other meaningless nonsense that made me run away.

I am glad that you decided to come talk about him here. Gives some understanding to those of us who experienced a negative side.

Thanks.

I have a feeling that I am busting some bubbles for the people that liked him though.

[JayHawk]

What a fitting tribute to a man who impacted so many that he still has the power to reach from the grave and impact others.... that is true immortality....

[BostonPirate]

If you didn't post here until after he had withdrawn, you might not have seen that he wasn't shy here either. I don't recall him mentioning dancing, but certainly prostitution on occasion. Perhaps he used his discretion in sharing that information IRL, but he could be perfectly frank about it here.

Interesting. I think perhaps I have as much to learn about him from you guys then.

[ozguy]

.... I think I can find a few relic pictures here at JUB....

Oh yes, I remember those ... just don't recall ever seeing a face pic of him on here.

Andreus was a fascinating, opinionated and somewhat enigmatic presence on J U B, but no more so than many other Jubbers who've come and gone over the years. It's interesting that his 'presence' is still felt here several years after his death, while other long-gone Jubbers, equally as fascinating and influential, appear to have faded from our memories altogether. Perhaps the fact that Andreus was the epitome of a Greek God in looks, and died so young and in such sad circumstances has a bit to do with his memory living on.

[justaguy]

He faked his own death and carried on posting as his younger brother. But he gave himself away.

Just out of interest. How do you think he gave himself away? Because there were some of us that, at the time, were sceptical, wrongly it seems, about his story, if I remember rightly.
I remember he said he caught HIV from a bullet wound he got in Iraq, I think.

[BostonPirate]

What a fitting tribute to a man who impacted so many that he still has the power to reach from the grave and impact others.... that is true immortality....

You are one of the four names he left as contacts. He trusted you immensely. But I already told you that. At first I couldn't figure out why, and it stumped me. Frankly I was jealous. I was one of his closer friends, and I know he would not have recommended me.

Now that I've been around and read your posts a while, it's clear that you and he are alike in more than one or two ways. Only you would know though.

[BostonPirate]

Just out of interest. How do you think he gave himself away? Because there were some of us that, at the time, were sceptical, wrongly it seems, about his story, if I remember rightly.

You've only been here as long as me, and he passed away long before that.

Edit: I see you added an edit let me just say this....

His little outing there was not as innocent as he let on. That's all I have to say about that mess.

He wanted to believe that it wasn't because of something that he did, but anyone that is HIV poz will tell you, there's no real way of knowing the method of transmission of HIV.

[justaguy]

You've only been here as long as me, and he passed away long before that.

Edit: I see you added an edit let me just say this....

His little outing there was not as innocent as he let on. That's all I have to say about that mess.

He wanted to believe that it wasn't because of something that he did, but anyone that is HIV poz will tell you, there's no real way of knowing the method of transmission of HIV.

I've actually been here since about 2005, and posted with Andreus quite a bit as I was a prolific poster around that time. I self deleted and re-emerged.

[Telstra]

what amazes ME is that people say things like this that are not true even when they are easily proven about these guys. Whatever it is that he WAS to this place I was not here for, but it's odd that he still makes people froth at the mouth.

Yes it's still there.

http://andreusthanos.blogspot.com/

thanks again to Bankside for the link.

oh i thought it wasn't it because of .au
So he was an Australian ?

[BostonPirate]

Oh yes, I remember those ... just don't recall ever seeing a face pic of him on here.

Andreus was a fascinating, opinionated and somewhat enigmatic presence on J U B, but no more so than many other Jubbers who've come and gone over the years. It's interesting that his 'presence' is still felt here several years after his death, while other long-gone Jubbers, equally as fascinating and influential, appear to have faded from our memories altogether. Perhaps the fact that Andreus was the epitome of a Greek God in looks, and died so young and in such sad circumstances has a bit to do with his memory living on.

I have pictures of his face, but he was not fond of being photographed. It has something to do with the religion thing.

I've actually been here since about 2005, and posted with Andreus quite a bit as I was a prolific poster around that time. I self deleted and re-emerged.

Ahh that would explain it.

[BostonPirate]

oh i thought it wasn't it because of .au
So he was an Australian ?

what .au? He was never in that part of the world that I know of.

[bankside]

I think blogspot diverts you to a national server wherever you are. His blog comes up as .ca when I click on it.

[Telstra]

Oh yes, I remember those ... just don't recall ever seeing a face pic of him on here.

Andreus was a fascinating, opinionated and somewhat enigmatic presence on J U B, but no more so than many other Jubbers who've come and gone over the years. It's interesting that his 'presence' is still felt here several years after his death, while other long-gone Jubbers, equally as fascinating and influential, appear to have faded from our memories altogether. Perhaps the fact that Andreus was the epitome of a Greek God in looks, and died so young and in such sad circumstances has a bit to do with his memory living on.

I joined joined JUB after Andreus was gone so i don't know much about his postings.
However AndrewD is still in many people's mind about his mental issues ?

[Telstra]

I think blogspot diverts you to a national server wherever you are. His blog comes up as .ca when I click on it.

That must be it ...

[Telstra]

Perhaps you could make a thread about him Telstra, hopefully it'll be as wonderful as this one has turned out to be.

LOL, if you wanted more, you can create one.
title " Tell me more about AndrewD" ? they both starts with Andre

[BostonPirate]

Sorry, I can't find a picture of him on my computer, guys.

I will check with a moderator or admin to make sure that it's ok, and if it is, I will scan the picture of him I have on the wall in my office and post it tomorrow.

It was one of his favorites.

[BostonPirate]

I saw his face pics on a number of occasions, plus some nudes. He had wavy, raven-black hair that he wore brushed back from his face.

He had an impressive endowment, which I saw in pictures that also had his face, so I had no doubt that the pics were him. I mention his endowment because this issue--and his attitude towards it--taught me a lesson.

He liked the attention his endowment brought him, but in truth, he found it a curse. He never achieved full sexual satisfaction, he said, because no one could take it all--they'd just nibble on the ends.

Now most of us JUBbers--including me--would like to be a little larger. I have six inches; but I see a six-inch endowment as borr--ring; how much nicer would it feel to have more?

But Andreus told me that he wished he had a more normal endowment, and that people like me should feel happier with what we had.

I realize that bringing up this topic in the context of a deceased man may seem disrespectful to some, but I feel we can learn life lessons from other people--both from those who still live, and from those who have joined the parade that has passed by.

We love you, Andreus. Rest in peace, mon ami.

He was a big man, a little over six feet tall. He shaved his head for the last few years, which I always thought was odd, since he had a few scars on one side of his head that were only revealed when he shaved it. He had beautiful black hair when it grew out, though.

He also had a weird habit of tipping his head back a bit when he looked at someone that was oddly off putting to people. I guess there were a host of little habits that you'd never have known if you didn't spend time with him in person. His voice was a bit rough, but he smoked pot like a chimney. He tended to have a greek accent when he was relaxed, but if he was on the spot, so to speak he knew how to sound generically american.

Do you still have any of the pictures he sent you?

[G-Lexington]

Even though I was here with him for awhile, we didn't interact much. He had a sort of "come at me bro" attitude that I found offputting. Our few interactions in threads were pleasant and usually humorous, and he struck me as at least moderately intelligent. But I never formed the connection with him that others did.

...I supposed this is the sentence where I'm supposed to say I really wish I had, and how much I regret not doing so when I had the chance. But I guess I really don't. Not because I don't think he was everything everybody says he was, but I guess because I stand by my five-year-old decision not to attempt to connect with him. I'm happy he enriched others' lives, though.

Lex

[Kyanimal]

I am Truly envious of BP, and his Personal relationship with Andreus! As close as I felt that I managed to become a Friend with Dreu, through our interaction "Here", I was always at a physical Distance from an Individual that I Admired, Respected, and held Close, through the mere aspects of the Internet, and the Power of His personality!

We didn't always agree with each other! However, I felt I got to (cyberly) KNOW Him! Dreu was one of those Singular Exceptions in the realm of Human Beings!

Though I have experienced the passing of many people that I've know in Real Life, Dreu's passing may have had more of an effect, a "truer" sense of loss!

Yes, He had his own 'foibles', and 'weaknesses'. However, the way he approached them, and dealt with them, was as HONEST, and Forthright, as Anyone I've encountered since!

And, DAMN IT!, I miss Him!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[BostonPirate]

Even though I was here with him for awhile, we didn't interact much. He had a sort of "come at me bro" attitude that I found offputting. Our few interactions in threads were pleasant and usually humorous, and he struck me as at least moderately intelligent. But I never formed the connection with him that others did.

...I supposed this is the sentence where I'm supposed to say I really wish I had, and how much I regret not doing so when I had the chance. But I guess I really don't. Not because I don't think he was everything everybody says he was, but I guess because I stand by my five-year-old decision not to attempt to connect with him. I'm happy he enriched others' lives, though.

Lex

My husband was not particularly fond of him. For him though it was the foot thing. He constantly shook his foot, to the point that you couldn't sit next to him in a booth at a restaurant because it was so annoying.

I am Truly envious of BP, and his Personal relationship with Andreus! As close as I felt that I managed to become a Friend with Dreu, through our interaction "Here", I was always at a physical Distance from an Individual that I Admired, Respected, and held Close, through the mere aspects of the Internet, and the Power of His personality!

We didn't always agree with each other! However, I felt I got to (cyberly) KNOW Him! Dreu was one of those Singular Exceptions in the realm of Human Beings!

Though I have experienced the passing of many people that I've know in Real Life, Dreu's passing may have had more of an effect, a "truer" sense of loss!

Yes, He had his own 'foibles', and 'weaknesses'. However, the way he approached them, and dealt with them, was as HONEST, and Forthright, as Anyone I've encountered since!

And, DAMN IT!, I miss Him!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

We had a memorial here in Boston for his friends because his body was sent to be buried next to his mother. This is the song that was played at his service. It was one of his favorites.

[bankside]

Despite my reputation for aloof buttoned-down rigidity, I think I can still muster a louche grin when I say, I cannot imagine that he shook his foot whilst making love.