Even more rambling!

Ok, a time for reflection. As I've stated several times in my blogs, I don't do them often enough to really count as a blog (in my opinion). It seems that true blogs are a continuing state of being type thing on close to a daily basis. Usually I have trouble finding things to write about, so this time I'm going to reflect on what I've said here before. If you are still interested, keep reading. Otherwise wait for my next blog, it might be fresher.

I joined this site in September, 2005 which means I've been here for just over three years. I was an I.T. mainframe computer specialist. I was a manager, a systems analyst, a programming analyst, and a (primarily) COBOL programmer. Which doesn't mean diddily squat to a gaming community nor should it!

I wrote my first blog in May, 2006 eight full months after joining this great community. Typically, I wrote about how I got into this and outlined my gaming setup. Real exciting stuff!

The next one explained some of my feelings for why I was still here and some general ramblings on the community.

The three blogs that followed "Where am I, how did I get here, why am I here?" parts 1, 2 and 3 were an attempt by me to reflect on the amazing chain of events that led ALL of us to this time and place. The technological changes that most of you take for granted, not having lived through them, that I have found to be incredible. Some of you added your own memories to mine to add depth to my scant knowledge and writing ability. Thank you!

All those were written in May, 2006. After that I had a dry spell (to be repeated later) and didn't write for 5 months. No one noticed, nor should they have. I was just one silent voice among a large number of highly active voices that are part of what 2o2p such a great place.

When I wrote again, in October of 2006, it was an admission of failure on my part to be all that I want to be. Not that I think I'm a failure, just not as successful as I could wish. As stated in that blog, I read a LOT (just ask my wife!). I see how some people in all kinds of genres paint pictures with words and get a grip on your imagination that makes you want to keep reading 'til the end. I have found that I can't do that and it pains me deeply.

Then in November, 2006, I once again wrote about this place and how great it is that such a diverse group of people has created a virtual community that often exceeds the physical communities in which we live for compassion, caring, and a will to help each other.

Eight months would go by without another word from me (July, 2007) and then it was only, in a way, to cry out against the age that I had become (64) with a quote of the great Beatle song, "When I'm 64". A weak blog, but a heartfelt one.

Later that same month, was one of my first really introspective blogs. To me, a "Meaningful" one. My thoughts about how time has flown by and now that I'm what I consider "old", what is truly important to me. As I ended that blog, "Yeah, life goes on and it's good." And you know what? It is!

My next blog was also in July of 2007. Mostly it was a report on the "red ring of death" that I had once again experienced. But I also remarked on going to Niagra Falls and Boston and how no one would care to read about a couple of old folks taking a trip. Surprisingly, several people did want to hear about it, but I never followed up on it. Maybe one of these days I'll go back through my pictures to remind me of the details and bore you all with the account. (You've been warned!)

In August of 2007, I posted (can't really say I wrote it) an article about "Global Warming" with references to a former (great blogger), TheDastard who had to leave our confines due to conflict with his real life position. I sorely miss his blogs and the thinking that he made me (and others) do.

Then a short blog later in August to announce my acceptance into the COD4 Beta! Just a boast to make others feel bad (so petty on my part!).

At the end of that month, I wrote a blog about my marriage of 39 years. I think that this blog was more open and feeling that I am accustomed to be.

It then took almost a year to blog again and then it was to show pictures of my youngest grandchild (at the time). He is a joyous child and easy to be in love with, at least for me. In the words of a song, "he makes my heart sing!".

And my last blog expressed some of my feelings about being retired, another grandson, and 40 years of marriage.

All in all, as I reflect on my ramblings and the changes in my life, the community that we call 2old2play, who we are, what we do with our time, and where we are headed, I find that I still appreciate this community and the ability to express myself without expecting dire consequences. I truly feel a part of a diverse and dynamic community that helps fill my needs and hope that most of you feel the same way.

What I say here will not have far reaching or important impact on the world as whole nor even on our large, but limited community. But I have a place to do it, and that feels good.