Hey Kiddies,

I haven't been around lately because... Well...

The first time one of your old college chums slips off into the Great Beyond you take note of the fact that he was a couple years younger than you and then you factor in that he drank a bit too much, never quit smoking, hung with a rough crowd. You conclude that someone had to be the first to go and that you are not really surprised it was him.

The next couple to cross over were all older than you. That happens.

One day you take count and discover that you are out of uncles and one short of being out of aunts. Your surviving parent has sunk so deeply into dementia that he has momentary lapses during which he forgets to be malicious and you find yourself on the verge of feeling sympathy for him.

It's a Saturday evening. The Murder & Mayhem Society has decided that since the Gnome(whom I have known for more than twice as long as I haven't known) hasn't been able to shake an annoying case of bronchitis for three weeks we will just play "I Hate This Game". Besides, the Kid, hasn't seen the new cards.

The Gnome begins sorting chips, shuffling cards and quietly hacking when the phone rings.

It's Smoker. You haven't heard from Smoker in over a decade but you already know who and what the call is about.

You say to the Gnome, "It's Smoker!" The Gnome knows too.

"Ogre has died. We're holding a memorial next week"

There was more to the conversation, of course, the usual 'how have you been's, when did it happen, where will it be? Then you hang up.

The Gnome says, "If it had been Ogre the message would have been Smoker has died."

Foul-breath agrees.

We get back to playing "I Hate This Game".

After everyone has gone home and over the next many days you begin to think about 'things left undone' and realize there are way too many.

There are little things like cleaning up your office - the ongoing project,
clean out the garage - the interminable project,
what to do with 3,000+ books
what to do with 1,000+ board games
what to do with a dozen old computers
what to do with the stuff that SWMBO won't let you throw away.
the Great American Novel - after five years you learned you had nothing new to say,
get the Taiwan photos up on your web page - reduce 1,200 photos to 100 or so,
three board games in final play test - get them ready for the spring convention,
four games in various stages of testing - find the flaws,
four games in various stages of design - finish the prototypes,
clean up the shop - so that you can build the prototypes & finish three plinths
two new game ideas - start the sketches,
more than seventy books on your 'I'll get to them later' shelf - read them,
eliminate the Sandford & Son quality of the back yard,
repair all of the slightly broken things around the house that you have put off
finish writing "A Set of Historical Parameters",
do you normal weekly work
take a bath...

And you notice that you have less than of third of time in front of you than you have left behind you. Not only is there less of it but what remains is a lot shorter. Where time used to drag by in weeks in now flits past in moments. Suddenly it's Wednesday again - wasn't it just Wednesday the other day. It's February again - Happy Birthday to me - but it was just February a moment ago.

So, I'm not being morbid. I'm just beginning to feel a bit rushed. I don't want to have too much left undone.

What this means is that I will need to step away from TTanks. I will need to do it now.

That's not easy for me to write. I enjoy TTanks. I like the folx in TTanks. Modding TTanks is fun. Playing TTanks is fun. But it's just too easy... It's just too easy to play some TTanks rather than doing any of the little things that I need to have done. It's too easy to visit with everyone, to enjoy the comradery and the competition. Too easy... Instead of getting things done.

Will I wander in from time to time? I don't know. I do know that right now I haven't time. I will check my email and I will likely drop a line to folx now and again... And I will always be available for advice.

With great affection,
...granpa sluggy

Last edited: Friday, February 11, 2005 at 6:43:16 PM

It's never too late to have an epiphany Slug. It's funny, not in the humerous way, how a tragedy can make you take stock. I had one myself years back but my wife just wasn't into thought of me, her, another chick and a circus clown. Hehe. I kid. Take care and have fun.

Oy slugo, nice prose...ok then. I'll give you a ringo when I'm in PDX this summer...time for pints yet, ya?

Say it isn't so! :'( We will miss you old man! Your friendship and many contributions will be greatly missed. But alas time is precious and what you say is so true. TT is much fun, but it can be an escape from reality as well. Take care and do jump in from time to time!

-Reagent X

Last edited: Friday, February 11, 2005 at 6:41:39 PM

Slugthog, my friend. We have had some wonderful time. My favorite moments in TT were on your server, just you and me, talking about the ways of the world. There were times when your server was a lifeboat. I safe haven, a place to meet your friends, have great conversation, and play a good game....

I was careful to savor my time with you, I will always carry you with me.

Good luck my friend,
I will be cheering for you, and missing you.

Oxoxoxoxoxoxo

Katherine

Last edited: Saturday, February 12, 2005 at 6:55:38 AM

Slug,

Alas. Mon ami. What to say but don't forget us, we remember you with much affection too. And judging by the writing at the top of this thread, maybe you shoud in fact finish that book. At least a short story or two.

Missed you already, I am changing my name in honour of you. You started it.

-ducky

Ah Slugger, say it ain't so...

You will be sorely missed around here. The late night games just won't be the same without your presence. Please drop in and say hello from time to time.

Take care, friend.

Tony (aka MonkeeMan)

Dam it, now I will have no one to private message me in TS, " I hate you : ) "
You will be missed my old friend :(
Please feel free to pop in from time to time, even if its here on PTT just to say," Hi gang ! "
Take care and don't over do it ! B)

Last edited: Saturday, February 12, 2005 at 2:26:32 AM

@ Slug

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Take care.

Chris (Chief)

Yes I hear you, gaming certainly is addicting and in my own life a serious competition with doing more crucial things. :(
Sometimes there is no choice but to quit cold-turkey... I threw my Myth2 CD twice, and I'm about to do it for the 3rd time 8o

I'm playing Battle of the Bulge these days Sluggy - Avalon Hill 1981 I think... Played PanzerKrieg (AH as well, Ukraine 1942-44). 2 awesome games. Would love to hear about and playtest your games in development, let me know if you need help. I played loads of boardgames over the years...

If you wonder what to do with your boardgames, they sell really well on eBay:
http://toys.listings.ebay.com:80/Modern-1970-Now_War_W0QQfclZ3QQfcoZ1QQlotrZ3QQsacatZ2558QQsocmdZListingItemList

Lastly... You have to come once in a while for a visit on TT servers... (DEMO) Sluggy XD

Take care, see you soon!
Hugo Brain

Cya Sluggy!

Hope you don't just up and leave forever!

:S COME BACK TO SEE US! XD

Cya sluggy!
And hugo, please don't quit too much...
Keep the brain logo. I beg you.

Oh Sluggy, Don't go...

We'll miss you!

Odd, that is exactly what I want to spend the remaining days of my life doing when I get in the upper years!

I've been spending most of my life "getting things done." I got the house, education, job, family, military experience, etc.

Sure, there are books to read, projects to finish, hobby rooms to clean (yah right), etc. Projects will always accumulate faster than they are completed. The ambitious simply get into more projects.

Well, if you feel there are some goals you MUST complete before you quaff your last ale, then go to it. I wouldn't start isolating yourself for the sake of reading a few more books or cleaning a shelf, though.

In any case, the nights in Slugland have been grand. Sorry I couldn't get a few last games in before you departed. I'm afraid my son has become something of a full-time job as I execute my "duty" of teaching him the love of airplanes, power tools, and the all-important task of how to embarrass Mommy. A full-time job that is, indeed!

Good luck to ya, Sluggy. Just remember, you can't take it with you, so concentrate on what you wish to leave behind for the rest to remember you by!

- Bomb…James Bomb

Humanness above the electron flow is a hard thing to do; unplug the wire and virtual contact is gone.

An antidote you have always been and your civilizing abilities are always needed.

"Weekend Warrior" mean anything?

Clean your darn garage but save a Saturday or Sunday night!

Last edited: Saturday, February 12, 2005 at 4:01:24 PM

Hey sluggy, I heard that somebody (maybe 56k) and u (was it u) made a script that will open a window with a link to any site if a person that didnt pre-download enters the server..
I'm desperatly in need of it as in my mod ppl that dont pre-download will see mostly white squares!

I would really apreciate if u sent it over,
thx,
Art Crazy

PS: E-mail in profile (send to the yahoo one plz)

Sry to cya go

You kinda grew on me

Not a bad rash....but like a flower that was always there to make me laugh when I needed to most!

Save us one night a week...or month

K?

Take care

B

... :(

Farewell Sluggy. Ah'm gonna miss ya and yer witty banter during the late night games :( I do hope that you find your way to get in a game every now & again, just for old time's sake ;)

Ahhh! Say it aint so!
No one else to criticize about having too much admin power!
But then again, this is an online game.

And for all the old stuff, hell, just donate the gd things to charity, it'll save ya time

Cya slug, good times.

Sluggy,

"Fair well old man
Till next we meet
Upon these digital lands...

...and the horse you rode in on"
-MAX

Last edited: Sunday, February 13, 2005 at 12:37:27 AM

Slug -

I know we have always run hot and cold. At first, no me gusta...then all was good in the hood. Then what I will refer to as "the incident" had my ignore button permanently depressed.

Thought I would take this moment to apologize for my disrespect...my temperment can at times lead me to make snap decisions...for both good and bad. Your presence in the game and forums always brought a positive aura with it (although your game play is a different matter ;) ) One last jab for fun :P

Good luck, Sluggy...you will be missed.

Prof

Well I am happy that I was finaly able to get in a few games with you. You always made me laugh, thank you. I, "sir nuts" will miss you and look forward to seeing you once again.

NUTS!

BTW-"you may check out anytime you want, but you may never leave". Welcome to hotel ThinkTanks.....

It's been my pleasure to make your aquaintance Sluggy.

Gdi boss.

AHHH say I ent so :(

Well I guess it is so...
you and your servers will be missed :P
hurra to the gastropod!