Haven't played for several years. Just recently tried out W107 and found out I still suck. To be honest though, I wasn't really trying. All of the excitement and adrenaline I experienced from W2 was not going to be equaled.
Every six to nine months, I do stop by this forum just to see if there was any activity. Not much at all really not sure what I should expect. One slow night at work, I actually went from the beginning of the first thread to the end. That was weird, but fun, I think.
The adventure I had on this world was very good and will never be forgotten. I loved the players on my team and hated with a passion our enemies. However, as time had passed, I learned to greatly appreciate those enemies. I don't miss it, but I do think about it with fondness...
Unfortunately, this game can lead to addiction. The more hours you play, the better chance of survival and success. Well, that is what I came away from it. Eventually it began to affect my relationship in my marriage and caught myself lost in the game when I should have been spending quality time with my kids.
After quitting, I founded a soccer league (Oklahoma Squadball League). It folded after three years of operation. Was really just a one-man operation and lost almost $18,000 from the venture. But I did learn a lot from it (like... that I actually have limitations of what I can do!).
Still working in the oilfield, got laid off twice and quit another oil company. During my layoff time, worked as a postal worker and a car salesman for a few months each. That gave me the opportunity to experience what normal life with normal pay is all about (yeah, it kinda sucks overall). Got back in the oilfield and just working away for the past four years. So, yeah. Life just kind of balances itself out.
2020 will be my 25th year being married. Marriage is the most wonderful and frustrating experience. I want to self-destruct in life projects, but she finds a way to guide me away from those strenuous waters. You just come to a point where your idea of love was actually something very shallow and what you have now is one of profoundly deep and one full of respect (how can you not respect the woman willing to deal with the crap I was!).
My oldest is a youth director at a local church doing amazing things for the kids she leads. My middle son is a Junior at Oklahoma State University. He is going into journalism and my youngest is in the middle of 2nd grade (a kid from every decade -lol).
Anyway, that is all I can think of to say really. Merry Christmas, God bless and Happy Holidays. May your health be stronger than ever.