Time to Fade Away...

[Tempest]

I've been doing some serious soul searching lately and I think I've come to a realization...

The more I sit back and think about it, the more I realize that the community has changed over the years. Most of the people who I started out with in the gaming community have packed up and left. Now with my fellow Arcadian Ward leaving and many of my other long time friends bearly posting I'm starting to wonder if it isn't time for me to fade away as well. I've put alot into my collecting and community involvement over the years, but now it's begining to feel like the thrill I used to get just isn't there. My muse is gone and I'm starting to wonder what's the point anymore.

There comes a time when you begin to feel you've accomplished all you've set out to do. I've designed a game (Cypher), I've been a moderator, I've helped get one of my favorite obscure systems (the Arcadia) get into the main stream, I've established friendships with several classic programmers, I've become a prototype guru, and I've created a widely acclaimed webpage. Now I starting to feel burnt out and wondering what's left?

When most people reach this stage they have a decision to make. They can either become one of the heads of the community like John, Joe, Curt, Sean, Albert, etc. or they can slowly fade away. I'm starting to think that the first option isn't for me, so that leaves the latter...

Sorry if this all sounds boastful, self-serving, melodramatic, or like the ravings of a lunatic (no offense Scott), but it's coming from the heart. I'm seriously begining to question my role in the community and my future in general. Has anyone else ever feel this way?

Sometimes it's better to fade away than to burn out.

Tempest

[WiseSalesman]

If it means anything, I'll miss you should you decide to leave. It was you, Kid Fenris, and Yashiro who first made me feel welcome here, and got me to post instead of just lurking. I'll always be grateful that I found this community and left the PA forums behind for an ultimately better board, experience, and group of people.

In any case, I just wanted to say thanks. You can add "making a difference in the life of a gamer" to you list of gaming related accomplishments now. :D

[Raedon]

Hey now, I'll do the raving around here!

Seriously if you feel you are not bettering yourself with what you do in life today you need to do what you can asap as your greatest asset is time, and it's ticking man. If your work in the VGC community is not bettering you as a man then you need to look into something else. That's just laying it down. I think your a master of prototypes.. You already have your "spot" as you say. If I found some obscure cart with a sticker on it and a chip hanging out the side the first person I would PM would be you.

This isn't a job, it's a hobby.. I guess sometimes you have to take a vacation from a vacation..

[scooterb23]

I know how you feel, not in the video game world per se, but I feel the same way whenever I go back to the comic book shop I used to work in.

Everyone there respects me, the work I did to keep the shop alive, and even after I left, how much I was actually able to be a force in the scene.

But it's been a couple of years now, my friends have ALL moved on, and I wondered as the next generation moved in if I still had a place in my old home. At first, I thought about just leaving it all behind, so I stopped going there. My fire had burnt out...

I took a while off, went to some new places, met some new people etc. and then I went back, and found that I still had a place, even among the new crowd. And that I was probably even more respected because of my experiences...and now my fire is back in full force!!

So do what you need to do, obviously you love video games with a passion, but if you feel a little distance is needed...then so be it...just don't go too far away because you have a large network of friends here. Burnout happens to all of us...take your time, go outside (although I don't know if you want to go out this time of year), we'll all be here when you come back...because you know, they always come back...

[zektor]

I know exactly how you feel man. You need to take a rest from everything for awhile is all. I went a year without gaming/collecting/etc back in 95-96. I just fished alot, hung out with my girl, and drank....alot. Well, needless to say, after the year was up I was really dying to get back to playing and collecting my games. It isn't abnormal to get bored of these things. And you will get bored expecially if you spend a ton of time and money on it. This is a pastime, something to enjoy. Take a rest, have some fun. I'm sure you will feel different about it after some time..

The gaming community will always be there. Maybe not always the way it has been...but this isnt a bad thing really. It is evolving...you'll want to be a part of it once again, and you'll be gladly accepted, because we'll all remember you and your contributions. :)

[NvrMore]

To be honest you've always been one of the more level-headed and respectable posters here, and imo it would be a real shame if you did decide to fade out of it all, but if you feel your interest is burning out, maybe rather than disappearing completely, it would be better to just fall back into the shadows for a while and persue whatever may interest you most, rather than trying to remain in the VG community picture just for the sake of being active in the community (I really hate using the term community).

I admit I'm very much a lurker, I don't post as much as many do, and for the most part I don't post nearly as much as I could because I don't want to get drawn into anything which won't hold my interest and I'm quite content keeping to myself. Indeed I'll admit many of my posts haven't been geared towards serious gaming dicussion, instead they've been more casual or flippant (which judging by your posts in other forums is the type of post which may be part of what you are growing tired of).
My point is though, that its easier to lurk and only post when YOU feel like it (which can even be never) such as only when something really catches your attention and interest rather than trying to remain a visible part of the community (ack!) for the sake of some misplaced sense of having to be known, that way at least you can follow whatever is going on and get on with what interests you.

Forget roles and forget "maintaining your place in the community", when you post it's clear to see that you're credible regardless of how often you do so. This is supposed to be your hobby, something that interests you, forget about your "place in the community", people will recognise who you are regardless of if you're a mod, run a board or how often you post.

[kainemaxwell]

We're all in this to have fun and I'm one the people here who would miss you if you left. I'm still prett ynew to this scene and I dunno how far or how long I'll go at it, but veterans like you are th eones the new people starting to thinking of collecting look up to for advice.

[Tempest]

Rest assured that I won't leave forever, but maybe I do need to take it easy for awhile. Getting my proto page up took alot out of me (both time and mental effort), and even that's not complete. I feel as though I should keep updating and finishing but doing so right now is more of a chore than a joy. When things like this start to happen it's a sign that you need to step back for a bit.

Maybe taking some time off over the Christmas holiday will bring me back into perspective. Sometimes I worry that the community has changed and left me behind, but then again we can't live in the past (even though that seems to be the central theme of this hobby). Sometimes even the Master of Prototypes needs a vaction...

Tempest

[digitalpress]

You will certainly be missed Matthew, even if you leave for just a little while.

I'm not sure why you feel you need to do either - burn out OR fade away. Go with the flow, do what you wanna do. I don't think anyone expects anything from you, you've just given freely without requesting anything in return. As such, you should be able to take a break today if you want and come back tomorrow. Or next week. Or go on a power-mad posting spree in the middle of a sleepless night.

If the desire isn't there, they you probably do need a break. I certainly know that feeling! But don't commit yourself to anything. You don't have to. Like I said, do what you wanna do. But don't disappear, because many of us here consider you a friend, and we'd like to know what you're up to - even if it doesn't particularly involve video gaming.

In any case, you're always welcome here, and you know how to find me if you ever want to chat "offline".

[ManekiNeko]

Bah, why leave? You can always take a peripheral role in the hobby and still post here from time to time.
I'm getting fed up with the video game industry myself, and I find myself more interested in fur- uh, animal characters, but that doesn't mean I'm going to abandon the hobby entirely. It's still fun for me, even if it's not AS fun as it was ten or even five years ago.
I can't speak for Tempest, but you guys are gonna be stuck with me for a while. LOL

JR

[christianscott27]

i wasnt able to figure out if you are tired of video games or being part of the video game community. i've noticed over the years that some of the greatest collectors never post and some of the greatest posters hardly collect so one does not need go with the other. i found a sense of excitement in this hobby before i ever discovered the community and thats still there for me. maybe what i'm saying is go back to basics and just enjoy the games, then if it moves you to discuss them the boards are always here. you should still keep an eye on the scene though, you never know when some long lost proto is going to surface, surely you're still into that :)
________
M272 engine (http://www.mercedes-wiki.com/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M272_engine)

[Sniderman]

i've noticed over the years that some of the greatest collectors never post and some of the greatest posters hardly collect so one does not need go with the other.

Hmmm. I just had to comment that I found this observation quite asute. Not "blanket correct" of course, but an interesting observation nevertheless.

[Tempest]

Well perhaps I was a bit too dramatic in my original statement, I never really thought about leaving forever just maybe taking a smaller role. I guess sometimes when I see all the bad crap that goes on behind the scenes (the polictics, the backstabbing, the profiteering) I get a bit disheartened. I start to wonder if the hobby has lost its innocence and its fun.

One thing that has begun to turn me off is the amount of fighting that seems to be going on lately. Many of my close friends (and you all know who you are) are at each others throats over things that could have been worked out in everyones best interest if we all a bit more mature and trusting. Unfortunately there seems to be alot of territoriality in the collecting world as of late with people forming what I can only describe as "factions". This becomes most evident when things like prototypes are involved (which is why I probably see it more than most) because they're a very limited resource (one of a kind in most cases). So it's become a "our group will have this at any cost" kind of mentality and that pits people against each other very quickly. I happen to be in a unique position of knowing and being friends with people on both sides so I try not to say I'm in one faction or another. But after awhile being the "Switzerland of Prototype Collectors" begins to wear on you. I wonder how much more we could discover if we put aside petty disagreements and all just worked together. Alas I know this will never happen so I grow more and more disheartened. I think everyone who has been around for awhile knows what I'm talking about...



with the flow, do what you wanna do. I don't think anyone expects anything from you

This is probably true, I guess I just expected things from me. While I know that no one expects me to keep my page up, people really want to see it (and I thank you for that). I start to feel guilty if I don't update it regularly and feel as if I let people down. In the end this is my own fault because I'm the only one putting pressure on me, but it's pressure none the less.

Tempest

[slapdash]

Hey Matt, just wanna ring in to say that I agree with the others, if it's not fun right now, then take a break, or just break your routine, and see if that helps. If it still isn't fun, you will eventully fade away and we'll miss you, here and wherever. But if you find new joy in the hobby for it, all the better.

[digitalpress]

One thing that has begun to turn me off is the amount of fighting that seems to be going on lately. Many of my close friends (and you all know who you are)

Some people just like to fight, Matt! I'm happy to say that at present I have no enemies (well, maybe I should re-word that - I don't hold any ill will toward anyone, they may hold it for ME). Some people are confrontational, some are not good at communicating, and some choose unusual ways of making a point.

You're not any of those three types. Sit back and let them fight it out. They probably deal with real life the same way, but you know the saying, "cooler heads will prevail". It would suck for the community to lose one of those cool heads. But then again, do what you wanna do! Or have I said that already? :P

[Sniderman]

There will always be confrontations Matt, regardless of the hobby. Right now, there are two humdingers in progress (in Battlezone and over on AA) and I can recall a doozy that encompassed CGE a few years back. And then there' JerryG being taken to task - or the whole "repacking or hacks/protos" arguements, etc. I'm not sure what this "magical non-confrontational land of peace" you describe, because there've been folks at each other throats since I got into this hobby years ago.

If you need to take a step back and take a breath, be my guest. But I've found that the true enthusiasts far outnumber the mudslingers. Easy enough to avoid those.


I'm happy to say that at present I have no enemies

I forgot to mention - You suck, Joe. >:(

[Tempest]

Sit back and let them fight it out. They probably deal with real life the same way, but you know the saying, "cooler heads will prevail".

Sadly I wish this were true but as I've sat back and watched things have grown steadily worse. I think the problem is that once you get into one of a kind items there are only so many to go around (like one), and people are bound to fight over them. I also think some people want to be king of the mountain but they don't realize that there is no mountain to be king of. No one can (or should) be the king of any one area...



I'm not sure what this "magical non-confrontational land of peace" you describe, because there've been folks at each other throats since I got into this hobby years ago.

Sad but true, although it has gotten worse over the last couple of years. I suppose things like this are inevitable, as the hobby grows so do peoples egos, but I hate to see it happen right before my eyes. I like to be friends to all people and have all people be friends to me. I guess I just find it puzzling that some people in this hobby can't get along no matter what. Lately it seems that you have to becareful what you say to who and watch out that you don't do too much for one person without doing the same for another or it will come back to haunt you. It never used to be like that. I guess it all boils down to politics and I can't stand politics.

The more I think about it it's not the hobby that's got me down it's the politics of the hobby. I miss the days when I was blissfully unaware of the things that went on below the surface, but those days are gone never to return. I guess if you want to run with the big boys you have to put up with such things. I've never been good at being diplomatic or hiding my true feelings, which is probably why I'm in the bind that I'm in now.

Sorry if I'm starting to depress anyone. I'm not trying to throw mud at or besmearch the reputation of the hobby or anyone associated with it, I guess I finally let it get to me (which is something I swore I would never do). Maybe I don't need a break from the hobby as much as I need a break from the behind the scenes politics. However I haven't the faintest idea on how to do that...

Tempest

[NvrMore]

Just to add a little something..


Sadly I wish this were true but as I've sat back and watched things have grown steadily worse.


I've never been good at being diplomatic or hiding my true feelings, which is probably why I'm in the bind that I'm in now.

I think a lot of the problems you're talking about (ongoing feuds and trying to be diplomatic) are increasingly the point of being too diplomatic. That being that people have a problem with each other but for the sake of being "diplomatic" they don't actually resolve anything and just let it go on and on.

Just for example, using the case of your two friends in the BattleZone, we heard that they had been dragging this feud of theirs out for quite some time on the AA boards and it promptly spilled over into the BZ. Your response to this thread was to object to your two friends bringing it out (or indeed to any bZ style arguments) there and that fighting over it so openly and harshly isn't the answer. That is the exact point where diplomacy goes wrong.

Their feud had been going on and festering for a long time because they never actually dealt with it. It may seem childish and pointless to break into a huge slanging match, but it actually resolves quite a lot in such cases as the individuals in question get to air their gripes with each other and just get it out in the open, otherwise they just end up mulling over it all and letting it build up which in turn results in their feud constantly resurfacing time and again as petty sniping and spontaneous flaming, thereby dragging down the tone of things. Then you (being the Swiss) get caught in the middle of all this bad feeling and are stuck there indefinately while they avoid dealing with whatever their issues are for the sake of diplomacy.

It's because of this that things (discussion, VG issues etc.) can be (and often are) so much more fragile and tense, because so many people are harboring bad feelings and not dealing with it.

e.g. general life example

Two guys have a major bust up they'll get into a big slanging match and maybe beat the living hell out of each other.. then it's done (like closure), everyone knows where they stand and usually that's it, done.

Two girls have a major bust up, they bitch at each other and keep it to themselves to "be nice and civil", badmouth each other behind each others backs and the feud festers.

The point is, if there are friends / people who have issues with each other, rather than trying to break it up (and throwing yourself in the middle), let whoever it is deal with it and stay out. If they ask you to take sides or try to draw you in just avoid it, if they have any respect for you they'll respect and recognise your decision not to take sides.

[NvrMore]

Damn X_x .. that's exactly why I don't post much x_x

[digitalpress]

The point is, if you there are friends / people who have issues with each other, rather than trying to break it up (and throwing yourself in the middle), let whoever it is deal with it and stay out. If they ask you to take sides or try to draw you in just avoid it, if they have any respect for you they'll respect and recognise your decision not to take sides.

Well stated! I have a real-life example: This feud in the Battlezone between John and Curt. As I stated there, it's not something I'd get involved in. John's a very close friend and Curt's been good to me in the past too (he's even been to my house on a few occasions). I've listened to John's issues with Curt and Curt's issues with John and quite frankly I'd never get between them - though I briefly dabbled with helping them reconcile, that too was a failure.

And BOTH of these guys know that I'm not taking sides, nor do I particularly care who's right or wrong! It's just like life. I've seen my family do it, my friends do it, and - what a surprise - people in this community do it. I only get involved if it involves me, or if I'm asked to mediate. Otherwise, I just let them duke it out. Like NvrMore said, sometimes these things are best out in the open where there CAN be a resolution, rather than letting them simmer and stew in their own juices any longer.

But as I said before Matt, do what you wanna do :P

[Captain Wrong]

Maybe I can relate a similar expirence to you.

I've been playing drums since I was a kid. Music was always my first love. There was nothing more I wanted to do even from a young age than to play in a band.

As I got older, I finally got into a band, but it wasn't enough. I felt I could do more and tried to. I got involved in the local music scene, I helped bring some great bands to town, I helped expose people to great music, I helped other bands as much as I could, etc., etc.

At first things were good, but then I started noticing competetion between other bands. I saw people who weren't interested in helping anyone else, unless they could benefit. I saw people fighting over stupid shit, and so on. You get the drift.

I think what hurt the most was realizing that this thing (music) that I loved so much and was such an importaint part of my life was nothing more than a fashion accessory to so many. Just another thing to brag about "yeah, I got that" without appreciating anything that it was.

Well, I got so disgusted with the whole thing, I didn't just leave the scene, I quit playing drums and hardly listened to any music at all. Kind of drastic, I know, but that tells you how I felt at the time.

After quite a while of this I realized I'd lost something that meant a lot to me. I'd allowed the scene to sap my enjoyment from music. That's the thing, it started out about the music and somehow became about the scene.

There's nothing wrong with being a part of a scene. But people are what they are and you can't control their actions or motives. It's not the hobby of game collecting you need to get away from, it's the scene surrounding it.

Think about it. Weren't you doing this before you knew others were? What was it then that kept you going? Maybe you need to look for that thing again.

There's nothing wrong with being part of the scene or getting enjoyment from that, but at the end of the day you gotta be able to seperate the hobby and what got you started and why you've kept going from the scene surrounding it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[ccc---]

In the last weeks and few months I noticed that more and more of the big collectors and contributors are selling their collections or leaving the scene, the latest two being Ward Shrake and Matt.

I meet up with a few other Austrian collectors every 2 - 3 months. Our latest meeting was last Friday and we all also noticed some burn-out at ourselves, me included. There have been phases this year when I was thinking of selling my collection which would bring about $15,000 and making a great vacation with my fiancee ... only sun, sea, sand, relaxing and simply enjoying life ... then coming back home and doing something completely different.

Well, just thoughts, but who knows what will happen within the next few years. Is it possible that there will be a big "shake-out" in the classic gaming scene like in 1983/84? Or will it kind of "fade out"? Leaving only a scene of 16/32/64 bit systems?

[NE146]

Yep you gotta do what you gotta do. ;)

But in my opinion, how do you "leave" a hobby? Aside from actively participating around the community aspect of it (which is *always* going to have it's little politics and general b.s.), the only thing I can think of is if you stopped playing videogames altogether.. and I DOUBT you're going to do that right? ;) I dunno, saying you're leaving is sort of like saying "I'm quitting the hobby of reading the newspaper" or "I'm quitting watching tv".

Well good luck to you. :) But I think we'll be seeing you around again within the next 10-20 years or so.. who knows when ;)

[ccc---]

Hey hey, NE1, I didn't say I would leave, I said that I was pondering ... seems you wanna have me outta here ;)

When I re-discovered the games of my youth back in the early 90s, I was actually *playing* the games. But the hobby turned more and more into collecting. In the last few years I spent more than 95% of the time in this hobby for collecting and for sure less than 5% for playing. Maybe that was the fault. I should play more :)

But I did a good step in the right direction, because today arrived Donkey Kong 1 - 3 for my SNES ... those will keep me playing with my son for some time ... ;)

More fun, less "business" ...

[Tempest]

I've listened to John's issues with Curt and Curt's issues with John and quite frankly I'd never get between them - though I briefly dabbled with helping them reconcile, that too was a failure.


Been there, tried that, failed miserably, got the t-shirt. I've given up trying to patch things between those two, and quite frankly I don't know if it was even right of me to try in the first place. Who am I to decide that two people shouldn't hate each other? They've got to patch things up on their own.

But this goes well beyond the whole Curt and John thing (although I must admit that does weigh heavily on my mind as of late), but their fight is symbolic of what I've been witnessing in the community as of late. Hate, deception, greed... A collector needs not these things.

I'm not leaving (not yet anyway), but I am going to step back and get a new perspective on things. It seems that I've been operating by an old set of rules and customs that are in serious need of updating. But mark my words: somethings gotta give. The behind the scenes fighting and backstabbing can't go on forever or its bound to spill into the foreground. I think we're starting to see that now.

Tempest

[punkoffgirl]

Besides, who are you kidding? This hobby is like the mob - nobody leaves entirely. You'll be back..................
;)

I think that's "nobody leaves ENTIRE." :D

Matt, I know it's hard to find yourself feeling disillusioned about something you previously thought impervious to the petty squabbles the "outside" word seems to consume themselves with. But, it shouldn't taint YOUR hobby, itself. You still were able to take pleasure in that before you knew what really went on "behind the scenes". Politics exist, but you really don't have to concern yourself with them. From the reputation you've gained, and the friends you've made, it looks to me like you did just fine without them when you never even knew they existed.

[ccc---]

But this goes well beyond the whole Curt and John thing (although I must admit that does weigh heavily on my mind as of late), but their fight is symbolic of what I've been witnessing in the community as of late. Hate, deception, greed... A collector needs not these things.

I'm not leaving (not yet anyway), but I am going to step back and get a new perspective on things. It seems that I've been operating by an old set of rules and customs that are in serious need of updating. But mark my words: somethings gotta give. The behind the scenes fighting and backstabbing can't go on forever or its bound to spill into the foreground. I think we're starting to see that now.
100% agreed. Exactly my thoughts too ... I am for 10 years in the video game collecting thing now, and many things changed during that period ... it's way more "business" than it used to be ... maybe I just have to get used to it ... :/

[punkoffgirl]

I think that's "nobody leaves ENTIRE." :D


Ooo, you ARE a punk, aren't ya? :D

No, I meant 'entirely', as in if you try to leave, you won't leave completely intact :hmm:


Ooh.. and here I thought you meant that you couldn't retire from the mob 'cuz they were always coming back to ask you do to ONE MORE wack job.

[o2william]

I thought I'd chime in to say that I can completely empathize with how Tempest feels. People like he and Ward have invested a lot of time and effort in the hobby. They did it for the love of the games and, I think even more than that, out of a desire to preserve the history surrounding the early days of video games and to make it available to everyone. When they see a lot of flame wars and ill-advised comments coming from people more concerned with personal reputations or money than with the games and the history, it's easy to become frustrated and think, "THIS is what I wasted all my time doing? What's the point?"

When you're as active in hobby as Tempest is, it's easy for it to almost turn into a job. He mentioned how he feels stress to work on his web site and sometimes feels guilty when he doesn't do it. It's hard not to feel that way sometimes. The hobby has grown a lot in the last few years, and it's hard to keep up with, especially if you have a regular job and other responsibilities. If all your free time is going to web site updates and surfing message boards, who can blame you for feeling burnt out? I've felt the same, and even though I've never been particularly active in the homebrew/repro cart portion of the hobby, the recent flame wars on those subjects have kinda soured me on the hobby lately.

However, I don't plan to fade out of the hobby, although I do agree that taking a brief "vacation" may not be a bad idea. Stop working for a while and just enjoy the games, then come back to it. It should be refreshing, and maybe some of the flames will have died down by then too.

I hope to take my own advice soon, but for now I'm going through my old email submissions, preparing updates for my O2 site. I've been spending about 2 hours everyday, just cleaning out email. The hobby really can eat into your free time. But it truly is very rewarding if you look at it the right way, and I'm sure you'd miss it if you "faded out" completely.

[retrogmr]

Thought I'd throw my opinion in, since I've been through this cycle once already.

Do take the break... when you're not neck deep in all the day to day goings on of collectings, it gives you a chance to reflect on the things that you found cool about it. For me, it was becoming OK with the fact that I'd never have a collection as vast as some of the vets, but I'd have one that I could be proud of, because it reflected my own personality.

The second part was that at the end of the day, the community is what will make you come back. Like life, any thriving community is in constant change. Some of the people stick around, some come and go, and some get fed up and bail. I can think of a few people have up and sold their collections, only to come back 2-3 years later and buy everything back. Why? Maybe to keep that connection with the community.

The collector personality is an interesting one indeed; it requires a special kind of nut to be as into this stuff as we all are. Given that, there are bound to be ruffles between players. At the end of the day, everyone has some uniquely cool thing to contribute to the group, every member is just as important. Everyone can't always play nice with each other, but the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts.

Enjoy your time off, we'll still be here when you come back... and I suspect you'll feel right at home when you do :)

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I too have taken various breaks from both collecting and actually playing - though later, when I need a little stress relief or a bit of an escape, I'm always grateful to have that big dresser full of cartridges and CDs. I always come back to play, even if I don't collect for a while.

As for the "hobby" itself, I'm relatively new to it when compared to some of the bigwigs in the biz, and while I admire and appreciate their efforts, I have no desire to be them. I'm not an organizer of conventions, a programmer of homebrews, or someone with the connections or time necessary to round up prototypes (to say nothing of being in the wrong part of the country for the latter of those). I'm just off doing my own little thing online, jotting down my own thoughts and generally enjoying getting to play a ton of games I haven't played in a long, long time. It's a casual thing for me. I have far too many real stresses in my life to get worked up over the politics involved.

So really, I guess what I'm saying is feel free to take a rest. No one can keep at it 100% all the time, not even on something fun - because that is what it proceeds to cease being. And sometimes I think the feuds start because some of the folks in this and other hobbies are trying to do just that - keep after it like it's their full-time job.

[Tempest]

o2william those may be the wisest words that anyone has ever said to me. You summed up my ramblings completely. I was just about to go upon my merry way, refreshed and with a new outlook on the community when I happened to read the last thing John posted in his Curt vs. John thread...

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4962

I know this was posted in the Battlezone and I understand that John has every right to be mad at Curt, but god damn it if it's not crap like this that makes me want to leave in the first place. People who apperently have nothing better to do than spew crap like this, full of hate and venom, are what's really wrong with the hobby. Just when I think things have changed they manage to stay the same.

Tempest

[Asylum Seeker]

The only words I can offer....

When all else fails.....rise above it.

[Cafeman]

But ... who will dance at the next Classic Game show? :o

I have no sage words of advice that haven't been stated already. It sounds like you indeed need a break. I think it was Zektor above who did the same in the 90's, came back later & re-found his interest in the hobby.

Here's my advice: get off the internet for a while and do stuff you like. Let the spring Philly Classic revitalize your interest.

[Tempest]

The only words I can offer....

When all else fails.....rise above it.


And those may be the wisest words of all. I just wish others could do the same.

Sadly I don't think thinds are going to change just because I decide to take a break from things. Hopefully this thread will get people thinking about the negative things happening in the hobby and people will be more concious about stopping them in the future.

I don't need a break from the hobby, I need a break from certain people IN the hobby. The more you deal with those people the more their negativity and greed begin to rub off on you, and before you know it you're just like them. Well I for one won't go down that road. I think it's time to reconsider whom I associate with.

I just want to thank everyone for their kind words of support. Everyone needs to stand back and take a look at the direction their life is going now and then. Rest assured I'm not going anywhere, but things are going to change...

Tempest

[MankeyMan]

Everything that starts out joyous goes sour. You just have to step back, think long and hard about what it could be on your own. Doing this is the most important, as you find your own reasons for why its gone wrong. When you find out what the problem is, talk to the person you can trust the most about it. Next, try and address that problem to the best of your abilities.

This has been the most useful way I have found to deal with problems, small or major. When my friend got Chrones disease, he started acting like a real twat, and I couldn't understand why. I thought about it, came to the conclusion that the disease was making him insecure because of what he was going through and I talked with his mum about it. She agreed with what I had to say, and I talked to him about what was wrong with him for hours. We have been best friends since.

[CX2K]

Sorry to hear that you need a break from things Matt. Although you don't like the recent Battlezone thread, just remember, I wasn't the one who made this public. Certainly you can't expect me not to defend myself.

As for the greed bit, I hope you weren't referring to me because as you should know full well, for me this hobby has never been about greed and possessions.

Anyway, I said my piece and now I'm done. Hopefully you'll be back soon if you do take a break. I'll miss having someone to pull my April Fool's jokes on. :)

John




Sadly I don't think thinds are going to change just because I decide to take a break from things. Hopefully this thread will get people thinking about the negative things happening in the hobby and people will be more concious about stopping them in the future.

I don't need a break from the hobby, I need a break from certain people IN the hobby. The more you deal with those people the more their negativity and greed begin to rub off on you, and before you know it you're just like them. Well I for one won't go down that road. I think it's time to reconsider whom I associate with.

I just want to thank everyone for their kind words of support. Everyone needs to stand back and take a look at the direction their life is going now and then. Rest assured I'm not going anywhere, but things are going to change...

Tempest