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Travis Touchdown -> RE: Birthday / Leaving / Returning / Welcoming Thread (2/4/2016 0:45:33)
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Well, folks, it's about that time.
Well, to be entirely honest, "that time" was quite a while ago, and yet... I just couldn't bring myself to let go quite yet.
It's been no secret that my activity for... well, let's call it what it is, two or so years now has been on the spotty side. I wish I could spin you an epic tale of adventure, romance, and incredibly spectacular duels to the death to justify my absence... but that would be a lie. The truth is... no matter how much I hate to admit it, the time has come to say goodbye.
It's been a heck of a journey. When I first showed up here in 2009, I was just some teenage dweeb, looking for an online place to roost. And boy, did I find it.
That was... holy, has it really been seven years? And what a seven years it's been.
We've had some times, haven't we? Many of you, I fought dozens of virtual wars with. Others, we've talked at length over games, movies, even philosophy. Whether the times were good, or bad, this place was here for me. YOU were here for me. Some of you might remember, about three years ago I had a full blown mental breakdown. Some of you, seeing just how deep into my depression I was in, sent me messages of support. Believe it or not, while I've made a recovery, I still keep a copy of those old messages for those times where I start to slip. You have no idea how much you helped in my darkest hours.
You guys are absolutely amazing, you know that? I've plumbed the depths of the internet and I've never found a place quite like this. People quite like YOU. I'll say it (or rather, type it) until my fingers atrophy and fall off, this place is one of the most wonderful places on the internet. And that's all because of YOU. But, ultimately, all things come to an end, and it seems the season for my time here has passed.
There are... SO many people I would love to shout-out to here. Far too many to do one by one. So, forgive me if I generalize a bit.
To my fellow ArchKnights, the mods, and the development team: It has been an honour. Truly, I mean this. You lot, you crazy lot, are some of the most insane and lovely people I've ever known. When I was first approached about joining the ranks of the ArchKnights, I was so unsure of my ability to live up to you that I spent four days deliberating before I accepted. It's a decision I've never looked back on, and if given the chance to do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. The times we shared are ones I might never forget. Thank you so much for sharing them with me.
To the Warmongers: It has been a pleasure. The late nights of banter, the community spirit, and the way that we, as complete strangers, bonded over virtual warfare is an experience I have never seen replicated elsewhere. In particular, Operation Gameocide was one of the most beautiful community efforts I've ever seen. It may have been three years ago, but the way that the defenders of BattleOn, Falconreach, and the others came together was a thing of beauty. Never judging, always supportive, and ever so welcoming. Never change, my friends.
To the forums at large: It has been a privilege. You, my friends, are what make this place so great. I think it says a lot that I hardly ever had to step in directly to keep everything peaceful... because peace was in your hands all along. Some of the various forum activities here were insane in all of the best ways-- April Fool's comes to mind. The delightful madness of the EbilCorp Cookie Corruption was my personal favourite, though the big "SOON" prank is a close second. But even beyond that... whether we were getting hyped, having civil debates, or, well, whatever our moods compelled us to do, we did it in style. And I have YOU to thank for that. Love you guys. <3
Truth be told, I don't know where the road ahead leads for me. I mean, who ever really knows, right? Could rock. Could be dangerous. Could totally suck. But rest assured, come what may, I'll draw my beam and stand triumphant in the garden of madness.
It's been a wonderful seven years, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Maybe someday, I'll return, and we'll pick up where we left off.
Peace out, folks. Travis Touchdown, signing off.
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