In fact, I desperately miss playing in ALFA and all of the wonderful players I have met. You are the greatest. I never really left ALFA, I left NWN2, and it was very very hard for me to do. But, I just hate NWN2. Can’t go there ever again, despite missing all of you in game.
Anyway, as I said ALFA has an on/off been a part of my life since 2004. I was posting to the forums here back and forth to White Warlock within a couple hours of his death. Now it’s my turn.
I have been diagnosed with brain cancer. I had a brain tumor in my left parietal lobe, centered in my speech and motor cortex. A fantastic neurosurgeon from USCF removed 100% of it, which is good. Of course there are side effects. I have a hard time speaking still, my gait is unsteady, I have a seizure disorder controlled with medications, but I should resolve neurologically in under a few months. I have retained 100% of my memory and intelligence. Unfortunately, the tumor turned out to malignant.
There is no cure for cancer, of course. I don’t have the worst kind, the one that killed Ted Kennedy. I have the second worst one. Statistically speaking, I have a 50/50 chance over the course of the next 5 years. Pretty good odds, actually, especially in D&D! Probably sounds crazy, but after all I’ve been through the last month, I feel pretty happy and optimistic. If I die during these next 5 years, I’m good with that. There are no guarantees in life for anyone.
And I mean it. I have had a very good life. My wife and kid are fantastic. I was a successful attorney and a skilled Law Professor, and my family will be cared for no matter what. I accomplished a lot in my life already, and I already feel like I have been blessed, in large part due to my own efforts. Life is a gift worth appreciating and using, and I did. So, don’t feel too bad for me. Besides, I may outlive you all yet….
I’m not going to drone try to spurt out trivial or obvious observations about life. I just wanted to be open and honest due to the respect and just plain gaming fun that I have had in ALFA over the years, including all of the flames and arguments which are part of D&D.
I’ll likely lurk, and maybe even post occasionally in off topic. I’m still around for a minimum of 2 years, and I can no longer work for anywhere for 3-4 years assuming I make it, so I’ll be gaming a lot I suspect. I splurged on a brand new gaming desktop, so I can finally play Fallout3 and Bioshock and Dragon Age and everything else I’ve been wishing I had the time to play. I am no longer running any campaigns at NWC, but I’m still playing there, and I’m sure I’ll be back once I’ve recovered more.
I play in The Tales of Silver Marches PW with my wife, though we just started. We plan on trying to play PST Saturday evenings. Maybe I'll see some of you there. Grymbjorn, of course.
If you are reading this and don’t know me, please do not comment in this thread. This is personal.
Take care ALFA.
