The Return of Aramike (For real this time???)
 

Yes, yes, I'm back. No, I don't expect it to be an event to anyone. I've really only known this community for a bit over four years, so who the hell am I to make a scene?

Well, except that I like making scenes...

Some of you remember me, some of you don't. For the latter, I'm a notoriously sarcastic, insanely passionate, conservative American that loves to hang out in the GT forums - even (especially?) with those who may disagree with me.

For the former ... I'm sorry. :yeah:

In any case, I think I have an interesting story to tell so let me have at it ... I started subsimming years ago on the Nintendo Entertainment System with Silent Service - and I fell in love with the genre. I next played ... blah blah blah 688 Attack Sub blah blah blah blah Janes Something or Other blah blah Silent Hunter 1 or 2 or 3 blah blah SeaWolf or Something blah blah blah ...

So, like I said, I love the genre.

In any case, starting SHIV (no, not what you get stabbed in prison with) I Googled something (was Ask Jeeves still around in '08?) and found Subsim. I made SHIV *my* perfect game thanks to the tips on here. I played around in the General Topics forums. I even had a hand in getting the Best of Subsim off the ground.

Anyway, if you're not bored yet, you at least deserve another beer. Go get one. I'll wait.

Moving on ... at some point, work got kind of crazy, stressful even, requiring more travel than I'm accostomed to. It took a severe toll on my health, ultimately even causing a heart attack.

Not fun.

Sooo .... I culled down on all of my commitments and got away from anything that seemed to be stressors in my life, including this place. Not that it was a bad stressor, mind you; rather, it was just another distraction from my focusing on "important stuff". I kinda forgot that "important stuff" included my person leisure activities, but whatever.

What brings me back? Well let me tell you ... I quit the job that may have been killing me and struck out on my own. That meant the wife telling me to brew my own damned coffee. That led to my discovering a Subsim coffee container I thought I had lost. Extra free time led me to playing more games, especially simulation and strategy games. That led me to screwing up my Darkest Hour saves with a stupid patch download decision. Which led me to my birthday and a Happy Birthday from Subsim. Which led me to Subsim yet again, and questioning myself as to why the hell I stopped playing Subsim games.

Which led me to buying SHIV (again, not the weapon) and needing to download mods again. Which led to my daily download limit. Which led to donating. Which led to me realizing that, while I've donated before, I've never given this place what I should have.

Which led to me being far more interested in spending time with my old friends on here than even playing the damned game that brought be here in the first place.

So why am I posting this wall of text? Duh.

So you have to read it.

Kidding. Seriously, just think about that. That's the community you've got here. Sure, there's a ton around the games and interests we share. But sharing those interests can actually be more engaging than the games themselves.

Anyway, I'm back, and I while I don't know the future, I plan on staying. :salute:

Tell me your secret.:hmm2:

I voted people, but Neal's Dad is a great cook:up:.

:haha:

A working wife and saving money for decades!

I have a coworker buddy, whose wife is a nurse. I asked him why he doesn't retire...
She said no to that.:haha:

:haha:

I probably overstated the working wife part (she also works in the medical community). Having your ticker cause problems helps (really?) but I cannot overstate saving.

Why is there no option for: "Came back for the GT"?

Good question. I guess that falls under "People". Or "Food". Yeah, food for thought.

Food.

Welcome back. :salute:

It's the people here in GT or in the game forums.

I'm kinda like you, don't play SHIV (the game) much lately but check in GT most every night. Always enjoyed your post.

Magic

WELCOME
BACK
TO
SUBSIM!

If you're a conservative, I'm sure we'll end up arguing a lot in the horrific arena of GT :O:

Stress can be a bugger, good that you moved job.
Its a pity the move wasn't before the heart kicked off.

It is nice to see you back again. I certainly do remember you :)

Welcome back :salute:

I'm sure Neil could use a hand with the Best Of.

Stressed out toward invalid status.
 

Welcome home.
We have a nice quiet room with a view prepared for you. But where's the fun in that? Rumpus room it is then! Just mind your blood pressure.:salute:

Nice to see you back Aramike. You can have my seat.