...have this website still up so we can wean ourselves off of Glitch gradually, isn't it? Since the game ended, I've been exploring other games, shoveling lots of snow, and trying to figure out what it means to have a life again...lol.
But I keep coming back here, to download snaps (manually, cuz the auto-archive thing f***ed some up, though the text docs of captions were a nice touch!), peruse friends' status updates, check my mail and see what's new in the forums...glitch is a hard habit to break, and I'm glad I don't have to go cold turkey.
Those of you who know me well know that I'm not much of a people person. Oh sure, I can DO the whole social thing (somewhat), but as a rule I much prefer the company of other species to humans. In real life I tend towards reclusiveness and introspection (although I DO love a good party!), and I have a pretty low opinion of the human race as a whole, so it was a surprise, a delight, and a privilege to meet so many cool folks here.
I started actively playing Glitch in Sept. of last year. In the beginning, I played it in spite of the social aspect, certainly not because of it. In time, I grew to both despise the social aspect, because of the forums, and paradoxically, to embrace it wholeheartedly...also because of the forums, and largely because of the beautiful friends I made here. Someone said recently that "This game has changed me." It changed me too...I'm still not sure quite how, but I think I would say that it deepened me in some way. At the very least, it touched me deeply.
Here in these forums we've argued and fought and called each other names...many of us adults (and yes, I include myself here) have behaved much worse than the young folks who discreetly played alongside us. And yet, I have made some incredible friends here...many of you are closer to me than my real life friends, some of whom I haven't spoken with in years. You have been my family, and while we as a community of players have been a sorely dysfunctional lot, I can honestly say that I am grateful beyond words for this experience that has been Glitch, in all its multitudinous facets.
Although I am heartsick it is over, I am also feeling a strange sense of relief. I'm sure this statement won't be popular, so feel free to rant away. But basically, like all things in life, Glitch HAD to come to an end eventually. Like all of you, I wish we'd had more time...a week, a month, a year...to grow our world together and to solidify and cultivate our relationships. But at the same time, SO much of my time was spent here, that it took energy away from other areas of my life, and I'm looking forward to getting that energy back.
I mourn Glitch's passing, but I'm also looking forward to what lies ahead...hobbies to persue, a new rl job to find, new game worlds to explore, and new ways to maintain and grow friendships made here. I love you all (well, most of you...ok, ok, ALL of you), and I'm glad we still have a few weeks to "hang out" here and do our Glitchy thing in our little Glitchy community. Cheers all...thanks for reading, and good luck in your new adventures!
(Speaking of endings, last week I bought what I am sure was the very last 12-pack in existence of Blue Moon's Harvest Pumpkin Ale. If you never tried it, I'm deeply sorry...it's the best beer ever, and it's sadly seasonal. Not only is it delicious, but I've spent many a night enjoying my rl pumpkin ale while my glitch enjoyed her moon-walking pumpkin ale, and both are sadly no more and...well, at least Blue Moon has other varieties to enjoy. Hey, maybe I'll apply for a job with them! Good times, my friends, good times. :)
So what will YOU be doing with all that extra free time on your hands, huh? Do tell!