Well, it's that time.
Many people knew this has been in the works for me, most haven't. Either way, I've found my way into the Army working in Intel as a human intelligence collector (nice way to say "interrogator"). I'm leaving on Monday. I've been an Army brat all my life, and after 2 civilian careers that panned out to essenially crap, I've come to the point where I realized the Army is just where I feel at home. I got the job and perks I wanted, so I signed the papers and did the whole swearing in thing.
Recently with issues on the mud and off, I've been going into a wee state of burnout. It happens, we go through it as players and as imms alike. It's different on either side of the fence, reasons and all, but the outcome is the same. I knew I needed a break and some space from the mud, and I knew I was headed into the military. As an imm things get a bit less enjoyable than a player at times, and lately it's just been adding up on me. The same newbkillings, multiplayings, complaints and 'traditional' problems of the mud the imms are up there handling every day do get tiresome. The thought of retiring has been heavily on my mind for a good amount of time now, and my burnout and bitterness has done nothing but fuel it along.
However, while there is much I can complain about, there's much that I just simply enjoy about the mud and working on the staff. Regardless of the public rumors, complaints and gripes from players, and H8 from folks for all the hard work, I've still got the <3. I still feel obligated to the responsibilities and tasks I perform on the mud, and when it boils down to it, I very much enjoy doing it. Regardless of the feedback. The mud is, for all it's worth, a great thing in everyone's lives that play it. We've got a little online world which I think is fair to say most of us really enjoy. I'm glad to be a part of it, when the day is through. In the last few days and talking with some friends and other imms, I finally made the choice -not- to retire, but instead go on a hiatus.
I'm posting this now because starting tomorrow, I'll be kicking off a last weekend with some friends. A few bottles are invited as well, and between all the copious inebriation that's due to occur, I'll be pretty much AFK from this post until when I ship out.
<---------that's me on the right.
As for a ballpark when I'll be back around....tough to say. At the very least, early 2005. In all honesty I may be too involved with things then to take up an active imm position again, or I may simply not wish to. Then again, I may be refreshed and ready to go. Bottom line is we'll just have to see, come that point in time.
I've tried my damndest to be a good influence and addition to the mud, straining (admittedly, sometimes hard) to be fair to everyone and give everyone the attention needed. If I missed an email reply or a PM response or something along the way, I do apologize. It's been nothing but a blast working with some of the players of the mud (twinks as well, although typically asses they do have much to teach) and I'll miss you guys in the meantime. For now, this spirithorsie is out.
Stay in school. Eat your vegetables. <3
~The Ainal spirithorsie.
P.S. Ain > Marfik.
