Well, where to start….I asked my self the question, ‘What did the LAN mean to me?’ And it seemed like an easy question to answer, then I thought about it some more and it got harder.
How can I put into words what it meant to me? So, I’m going to try.
The LAN meant a LOT to me. More than a lot of you will ever know. From being one of the first 10 people to buy a ticket, back in the winter, to 4 weeks before the LAN giving the gut-wrenching bad news that I was not going to be able to make it, to a week after that being blessed with an opportunity to go again (Kudos OldManRiver48!!!).
My life has been a roller coaster for the last 8 months and I NEEDED this LAN. To fully understand, I’ll briefly explain. Since my daughter’s birth, back in February, she has had to deal with some major health issues that have lead to countless nights in the hospital, 2 surgical procedures and now enduring life with a feeding tube in her stomach. From the moment she was born, I posted updates in the forum about her continuing health struggles. And from that moment, I have been overwhelmingly blessed by the response from those on the site. Many of responses from folks that, not only, have I not gamed with, but I have not even met before on the site. Thoughts and prayers aplenty.
When I arrived in Chicago on Friday afternoon, I did not expect a whole lot, when it came to meeting with people. I’m shy enough as it is. I just thought everyone would be playing games and wouldn’t really know I had arrived. But I was totally wrong. Derek (DSmooth) met me at the front door with a hand shake and a hug and from that moment I knew the LAN was going be an awesome experience. And, for me, a special time.
Every one I met, first asked me how I was doing then asked how Megan was doing. No concerns for gaming, finishing setting up, asking what I brought etc. It was all about getting an update on the family. THAT was awesome!!! I went around the room meeting folks for the first time, getting gigantic hugs from SysChaos and Em, meeting the man in charge (Doodirock) and just putting faces with names. After countless inquiries about Megan and letting those folks know the whole situation, I felt like I was at a family reunion, not a LAN. It was about more than just gaming, drinking and just making fools of ourselves.
It was about our site family getting together. Putting faces with names and voices. Building on friendships made over a headset and a computer screen. Comraderie, fellowship and genuine bonds were formed. Mike James put it best. As I was saying my good-byes, I gave him an update on Megan. Afterwards, he told something that made a permanent impression on me as an individual and said a lot about the site. He said “If you need anything, anything at all, do NOT hesitate to ask. You are family and we take care of each other like family.” Well said MJ. What did the LAN mean to me? Everything.
My heart thanks you J and Derek and everyone else who makes this site what it is. Not just an internet page with words and pictures. It’s a scrapbook of our lives as gamers. It’s a family webpage. It’s home.
JollyRoger (Jimmy)
Official LAN pictures to come...
How can I put into words what it meant to me? So, I’m going to try.
The LAN meant a LOT to me. More than a lot of you will ever know. From being one of the first 10 people to buy a ticket, back in the winter, to 4 weeks before the LAN giving the gut-wrenching bad news that I was not going to be able to make it, to a week after that being blessed with an opportunity to go again (Kudos OldManRiver48!!!).
My life has been a roller coaster for the last 8 months and I NEEDED this LAN. To fully understand, I’ll briefly explain. Since my daughter’s birth, back in February, she has had to deal with some major health issues that have lead to countless nights in the hospital, 2 surgical procedures and now enduring life with a feeding tube in her stomach. From the moment she was born, I posted updates in the forum about her continuing health struggles. And from that moment, I have been overwhelmingly blessed by the response from those on the site. Many of responses from folks that, not only, have I not gamed with, but I have not even met before on the site. Thoughts and prayers aplenty.
When I arrived in Chicago on Friday afternoon, I did not expect a whole lot, when it came to meeting with people. I’m shy enough as it is. I just thought everyone would be playing games and wouldn’t really know I had arrived. But I was totally wrong. Derek (DSmooth) met me at the front door with a hand shake and a hug and from that moment I knew the LAN was going be an awesome experience. And, for me, a special time.
Every one I met, first asked me how I was doing then asked how Megan was doing. No concerns for gaming, finishing setting up, asking what I brought etc. It was all about getting an update on the family. THAT was awesome!!! I went around the room meeting folks for the first time, getting gigantic hugs from SysChaos and Em, meeting the man in charge (Doodirock) and just putting faces with names. After countless inquiries about Megan and letting those folks know the whole situation, I felt like I was at a family reunion, not a LAN. It was about more than just gaming, drinking and just making fools of ourselves.
It was about our site family getting together. Putting faces with names and voices. Building on friendships made over a headset and a computer screen. Comraderie, fellowship and genuine bonds were formed. Mike James put it best. As I was saying my good-byes, I gave him an update on Megan. Afterwards, he told something that made a permanent impression on me as an individual and said a lot about the site. He said “If you need anything, anything at all, do NOT hesitate to ask. You are family and we take care of each other like family.” Well said MJ. What did the LAN mean to me? Everything.
My heart thanks you J and Derek and everyone else who makes this site what it is. Not just an internet page with words and pictures. It’s a scrapbook of our lives as gamers. It’s a family webpage. It’s home.
JollyRoger (Jimmy)
Official LAN pictures to come...
