Thursday, July 1, 2010

Thanks, Everyone

I've been meaning to post this for a while and now seems as good a time as any to do so: I'd like to thank everyone who reads this blog each day and whose comments and emails keep me plugging away at it day after day. Believe me, there are days when I wonder why I bother, given the flak I catch in various quarters and the misrepresentations and misunderstandings made of what I've written here and elsewhere, but those days are very few, thanks to all the people who've taken the time to point me to a link of interest, help me complete my gaming collection, hunted down old fanzine articles, and otherwise reminded me that the overwhelming majority of gamers are terrific, imaginative people in whose company I am proud to count myself.

There's a lot of negativity on the Internet, given the anonymity the medium affords people, so I think it's important to celebrate its positive aspects. And I can say, in complete honesty, that the last two and half years during which I've written this blog have been amazingly positive. I've made a lot of friends, interacted with many of the founders of this hobby of ours, and generally had a blast playing and studying the games that inspired me long ago and still possess the capacity to do so today. Much of that wouldn't have been possible without all of you and I wish I could thank you all individually. Since I cannot, let me simply say again: Thank you!

45 comments:

  1. Thanks for the excellent blogging, James! Keep it up, ignore the flak, and keep blogging!

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  2. You are very, very welcome.
    The pleasure has indeed been ours.

    Blog steady . . .

    Ciao!
    Grendelwulf

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  3. Thank you, James. Your blog has been one of my daily pleasures over the past 2.5 years. Here's to many more!

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  4. James, no problem at all! I want to say thanks to YOU for maintaining a consistently interesting blog, one that is regularly updated...and I am sure that's a daunting daily task (thus I totally understood when you decided to take Fridays off!) You were the biggest inspiration for me to start my own blog:

    http://unto-the-breach.blogspot.com/

    Please stop by if you get a chance! Anyway, thanks again, forget the haters (for they are the ones who have forgotten to have fun!), and BLOG ON!

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  5. James, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Some of the longer timer bloggers, especially you, inspired me to do this. It has been very cathartic to let off steam on my blog. Sometimes I even let some off you yours. Whether choaking your chain (we Yanks love to do that to Canuks) or actually heartily disagreeing with you in my own confused manner, you mostly take guff with an easy hand and I appreciate that. If you didn't get some shit, then it would be all too easy.

    Thanks for all the inspiration. Like the man said in the comments that last couple days, yours is one of the the most important gaming blogs in the world (if not THE)

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  6. Ha, upon seeing the title I thought it might be one of the "farewell to blogging" posts that seem in vogue lately.

    Very glad I was wrong!

    You're welcome, and thanks right back atcha for all the great posting!

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  7. I haven't played a pen and paper RPG in ages but your wonderful blog is a great way to remember the good old days of my youth and gaming. Keep up the great work!!!

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  8. Thanks for giving us something interesting to read. A lot of blogs are merely online diaries. Yours aren't.

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  9. Thank you sir for taking the time to give me food for thought, and gaming fodder on a daily basis.

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  10. I greatly enjoy this blog and, to be honest, it's helped revive my flagging interest in RPGs. See? You're doing a public service. :)

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  11. No, thank you, James! We have the easy part of the bargain.

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  12. Checking your blog for updates is a daily ritual for me. You are a fantastic writer and the content of your blog is always thought provoking and entertaining.

    Thank You James.

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  13. I've only been reading Grognardia since last November. I'm pretty picky when it comes to this business of blogging. But I've found a treasure trove of information in this blog, and I'm very much happy I stumbled upon it. Thanks, and again, keep posting the Dwimmermount sessions!

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  14. Thank you for being one of my inspirations to return to playing after a long hiatus!

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  15. Thanks for blogging, you provide one of the best parts of my workdays.

    Keep it up.

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  16. You've taught me so much about the hobby, even if I don't necessarily agree with the Old School stance.

    The credit belongs to you for being a good writer with a thoughtful stance.

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  17. It's great fun to have you around, and to participate in the great conversations on all our blogs. Thanks!

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  18. And thank you for all your hard work and thoughtful insights. Reading your blog is a real pleasure. Cheers.

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  19. Keep up the good work, James!

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  20. You're welcome. And thank you in turn. I always look foward to reading Grognardia.

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  21. Thank you James, I've learnt a lot from the blog and enjoy your explorations into old school gaming.

    oh..but please tell us more about Shadow, Sword and Spell !

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  22. Thank you for such a consistently entertaining and stimulating blog!

    And Happy Dominion Day!

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  23. Love your blog. And like a lot of folks, it was (and continues to be) the inspiration for my own. Great work.

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  24. Thank you James! You are an inspiration to us all. I occasionally disagree with your point of view, but I always find your comments insightful. I hope to see lots more in this blog. :)

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  25. Thank YOU, James.
    I stumbled in this blog of yours a year ago, and have been lurking all the good stuff in it since then. Now I'm emerging from silence, and planning to do so in the future. It was this blog that remembered me of the good old days of fun, days I almost forgot in that mess that is 3.5.
    Now, after years not playing, I find myself constantly searching for stuff on the net, I found Dragonsfoot and other useful sites, I even got a copy of B/X on ebay.
    I don't know if I'll ever find people to play with, but I'm nevertheless writing notes and ideas on a campaign I'd like to run, and all of this is because of your blog.
    To quote you, "I've been meaning to post this for a while and now seems as good a time as any to do so": thank you. If you'll ever step by Perugia remember, a vegan meal and a fresh beer are waiting for you.

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  26. We should be thanking YOU James. Thank you :)

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  27. Beyond the contributions to RPGs which others have mentioned, it's great to find a place of civility on the internet. Both you and my fellow readers deserve credit for that-- so thanks to all!

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  28. There'd be no "I Hit It With My Axe" if it weren't for Grognardia. Take that however you want.

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  29. Cheers James! The reason my thoughts have drifted back to rpgs in general and the osr in particular is that I miss that camaraderie of the group I played with in my undergrad days. Having bloggers like you, Raggi, Underdark Gazette, Bulette, etc brings me back to the great conversations and gaming sessions of yore. Keep writing and I'll keep reading!!

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  30. Well hey, you run a nice blog with a very distinct and balanced view point. Much thanks right back at ya!

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  31. Huzzah to the man who has launched a thousand new Old School campaigns and blogs!

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  32. I read this blog every day, and every time I do, it makes me want to go play some old school games.

    Thanks for the great blog James!

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  33. Thank you for keeping it going.
    You are our anchor, James!

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  34. Don't get sentimental now. Get to work!

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  35. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences--and for having such a great time doing it!

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  36. I certainly have enjoyed dropping by to read the cool stuff that you consistently produce. I do not always agree but I always end up finding the perspective interesting -- which is a rare and precious thing.

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  37. The more, the merrier... :)

    Cheers,
    d.

    p.s. If you want more flak and thanklessness, y'could try editing/creating RPG entries on Wikipedia, too.

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  38. Thank you for writing about gaming 'in the good old days'. Your blog is a blast, and reading it feels like a good bullshitting session with old friends.

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  39. You're welcome, and thank you for writing it. I've learned quite a lot through engagement with your ideas.

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  40. I seldom comment, but want to let you know that the quiet members of your reading public appreciate your dedication. I check this blog nearly everyday.

    I started RPGs back near the beginning of D&D (I think it was about 1976-7 or so) and I really enjoy your comments and insights, as well as those of your readers, even when my experiences have been different. Keep up the good work and remember there are a lot of us quiet ones following your blog.

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  41. Long time lurker, first time poster.

    No, THANK YOU.

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