The eyes are indeed the nipples to the soul...

I've probably have known Alex longer then most people - save for one old man (chuckles -hi Bob). I met him in 1985 and the adventure began. Over the years we grew close, then apart, then close, rinse, repeat, but we never were out of each other's lives. I was there for the aftermath of his 21st b-day, some of you might recall the Jaeger story? I was there when he dropped the tranny out of his car at the back gate to Gunter, getting a call the next day and laughing my ass off because of it. *sighs*

He and I were brothers, all but in blood, and like brothers we had our differences - Lord knows we had those, but we always seemed to find a way back around. Through him I met all of you and extended my family - for that I'm eternally thankful.

We fought over who was Batman in our 'Batman and Robin' relationship - then we both decided to say fuck it and became Nightwing.

Best damn Cthulhu GM ever.

Pissed? You have no idea. Hurt? Goes without saying.

I'm thankful that he didn't suffer and now he's at Peace.

I was fortunate enough to get a final conversation in with him a week or so before Thanksgiving. We stayed on the phone for a good 45 minutes while I commuted home, talking about this and that - at what game CC was going to run at DDC this year. We shot the shit, laughed and I told him to suck it up. Dying is easy, it's living that's so fucking hard. We were like that. We earned the right to call bullshit on each other. Family does that.

So here I sit, at work, remembering....everything. I always thought it was going to be me to go first....and welcomed that fact.

Before we got off the phone the last time we made the usual "I'll call you after Thanksgiving" kind of wrap up, we were silent for a few moments and let the emptyness fill the air. We knew - hell, better then anyone.

I told him that I love him. He replied with the same, then we said goodbye.

It's killing me that I can't be out there, especially for a final goodbye, and to be with all of you. Please know that I AM with you and that all of you are in my thoughts.

Well, Dr. Jones....it looks like you got to go on the Great Adventure first. Fucker.

I miss you Alex...take care of yourself and save a seat at the gaming table for me, ok?

My sincere and humble apologies for not getting this out sooner - Happy birthday to you. I hope you are well and things are indeed favoring you and yours.

New job = no time

Much love, hugs, and smooches...

Grimm~

Yeah, I know...WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?!!?!?!?

You can find me on Facebook...the dreaded Facebook, with its cool little mini games and its charms...lousy bitch...soul sucking creation!!!

Seriously though...not a whole lot going on here, trying to keep it together in the face of it all...feel worn out - like THAT is something new. ;)

I've been riding more often and am working up to a race sometime in the near future. Bri is doing a 10k down in southern VA on Halloween - so that'll be fun. The ADA does a big race out here, like 100 miles or some such that I'm thinking about training for. Did a few good miles this past Saturday along the bank of the Potomac...beautiful day....great ride, just wish it didn't feel like I had my ass handed to me afterwards, y'know?

Well...catch me on FB...I'll be back around in a bit. Hope everyone is well....take care! Love/miss all of you!

Happy Birthday Sandy....I hope your birthday was filled with all sorts of goodness for you!

A Happy Birthday wish to you Amy (the robbergirl)!! I hope today was splendiforous for you!!!

Missy (moonlightgdss)!!! I hope your day is filled with wonder and granted wishes!!

Happy Birthday to yaz!! Hope yer day is shaping up!!!

Happy Birthday Dutch....hope all is well in your neck of the woods!!!!

Yes...yes...I know, it has been a while hasn't it? Well you know what they say about time flying and all that. The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated I can assure you. There really isn't a whole lot to say in all honesty. I've been busy, you've been busy so there hasn't been any nekkid time between us--unless you count me typing in the nude just now, but I digress. I lie, the last part was to see if you all out there were actually reading this, or if you were just skimming content.

I know...i'm an ass and I shouldn't tease.

*sigh*

Been trying to catch up on everyone's posts and I see that the world still turns and nothing much has changed. Good to know. I hope all are well and know that you're thought of.

I'll drop back in another few months to keep the torch going.

TTFN

Yes....Dave Arneson died...found out yesterday. "The Other One" has passed on....which is sad really because the up and coming generation of gamers will never be like us old bastards. Do I feel old just saying that? You bet I do, but it's hard to imagine that I've been gaming for 30 years now and have played almost every game out there at one point or another, even if it is was just one time.

I stand corrected....I have yet to touch D&D 4e. 'Nuff said.

But, and here it comes, kids today are so socially inept that they can't sit still long enough to enjoy a simple hobby. And the fact that some adults put too much stock into a HOBBY never ceases to amaze me. Have I put countless hours into my games? You bet I have. Have I been paid for creating games? You bet I have...but all in all...it's....still....a....game.

And games are suppose to be fun, right?

*sighs*

Dave A. was a fun guy....I got the chance to meet and talk with him several times, Gygax as well--one of the great perks being in the industry, and while they started the industry and we have a lot to be thankful for, I am still thankful that there are creators left...and that I still get to make and play games.

Enjoy life...play games...uncork....relax...and unwind. Life is all based on a d20 and some days you just roll a 1.

A very quick post to wish you a happy birthday my fren'.....I hope all is well!

The usual TV birthday wishes are granted to you....with copious amounts of M.S.Y. with females of your choosing....:)

So it's been a while since last we spoke. For that I truly apologize. It's not you baby....it's me. So let me catch you up and we can be square once again...aight?

I was suppose to come back to California for DDC, but things didn't quite work out as I had planned. Seems that I got hit with the "perfect sotrm" of illnesses: a bronchial infection, the flu, AND pneumonia. This put me in the hospital the EXACT DAY I was to leave for DDC. I spent tendays in lovely Potomic Hospital, which if you ever have to be somewhere it's a pretty nice place to be. For 7 of those days I was in ICU wondering where it all went wrong and musing that cordaroy is may favorite color. Needless to say, I'm Much.Better.Now.

I've been recouping for the last several weeks. Funny thing is the day that I was scheduled to be released from the hospita.l I got a call from a recruiter about a job. Which brings us to the next bit.

After several weeks of back and forth, plus two interviews, I am now employed with a fairly awesome company doing Contract Management/Estimating and Proposal Writing  The company does several things, mostly rebuilding the infrastructure of Iraq and Afghanistan using local resources (qualified people, machinery, etc.). I'm pretty stoked at being part of the team there because A.) it's NOT Sales and Marketing, something that I've been trying to get out of for several years, and B.) in anarea that I've always wanted to be in: Federal gov't contracting, and this gives me experience in that field.

Plus my boss, who my final interview was with, is a cool guy who demands perfection and the team I'll be joining are a bunch of cowboys who continually outperform their peer groups consistantly. Last year they brought in over 1 billion, yes BILLION, in new contracts.

Fuck me running I'm gunna enjoy this. :)

Still plotting on moving, only now we've changed our focus to getting an apartment for the time being while we look for a house. Bri has reached her limit and I'm right there with her. We are eternally thankful for all of the help and support that her parents have given us, and to be honest with you we have it damn good...but we NEED our own place....otherwise I'm gunna shiv someone.....Rico? *snikt* (Madagascar Penguins reference....just for the uninformed).

So that's it, really. Things are going along smoothly. I start work Monday @ 9 and I'll keep you informed as the what's going on. I hope everyone is doing well because, let's face it...I'm out of the loop now. Heh.

Oh....and I'm getting a Harley Davidson Iron 883....a steel horse I ride indeed.

Dammit...

Been trying to fight this damnable chest cold for days now and it's gotten to a manageable point. If I don't respond to you as you are talking to me at DDC it's because I'm wacked out on cold meds....

...I shall return....soon...in only a few short days....can you feel it? I said can you feel it?!?!?!!??

Happy birthday to joo!!

Edit:> sorry, got cut off from intarwebz yesterday before I had a chance to finish my Happy Birthday wish. Well....again, Happy Birthday....all the TV best wishes and I hope that you had a wonderful day filled with your hearts desire!

"There's nothing worse than an inbred Bigfoot...."

David Carradine--Wild West Tech "The Supernatural West"on the History channel

FINTACH

May your day be filled with all the best wishes you can handle....the ease of mind and gentleness of spirit that Life affords you...and all the Mad.Sex.Yo. you can stomach without going into traction!!!

Be good amigo, and again...Happy Birthday!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/4241443/Prisoner-star-Patrick-McGoohan-dies.html

Be seeing you No. 6...