So Long, Farewell....

Hey guys, so I bet some of you have noticed that I haven't been posting regularly over the last couple of months, and almost never since the shift to the new Fantaverse. My apologies for not doing so, and for what I'm about to say.

Basically, over the last 2 months, I've been struggling to devote enough time to my slates and to the forums of the Fantaverse. I often found myself running to a campus computer between lectures and making a hasty change to my slate before lock-in time, only to regret it a mere 24 hours later because I didn't think it through. Even in its old convenient format, I wasn't able to keep up just the 3 slates I had for the Regulars and the 2 Super Leagues. As a result, with the switch to the new format and our having to double-check our slate totals and other such time-blackholes, I'm absolutely unable to be even a reasonably competent player.

So it is with a heavy heart that I must, for the sake of my education/grades/sanity , take a hiatus from the Fantasy world that has been such a huge part of my daily routine for almost 18 months. The plan is to ban myself from the Fantaverse until I graduate (fingers-crossed) in 4 months' time and then time-permitting, return to the Fantaverse with a bang and a half and win every damn new game you guys come up with in the mean time *WINK*

It's been a great 18 months. I remember my first league like it was yesterday: It was the Get Rich or Lose Tryin' League in June 07 and I came in 3rd out of 34 studios. I remember checking daily for updates on how unbelievably well 1408, Transformers, Rush Hour 3 and Superbad were doing and cursing every living being in sight (and then some) for Andy Samberg's failed outing in Hot Rod. I still maintain that I'd have won my debut league if Hot Rod had pulled in even a third of what Superbad did. That said, I did manage to make up for it by winning the next league I played in, which was the Chocoholics Anonymous league in July 07.

Anyway, shortly after that, I was invited by Shryke to join my first regulars league, which to this day remains my favourite game of all. There's just something about competing against the best that brings out the best in me (I've won 6-7 leagues during my time at the Fantaverse, and 4 of them were Regs. Leagues). So to all you guys: geez, anny, MrHam (who I haven't played as much as I'd like to), Shryke, Barca and thegreenarrow (who also I'd like to have played against more often), thanks for keeping me sharp and on the ball week in week out. And to all the other regulars: dranscht, chien, #6, Nico, SS, Aly, becs and any regular I didn't mention, it's been a pleasure playing you guys, and God-willing, I'll be back for more in a few months time.

Lastly, I thought I'd throw out a special mention to the most freakishly funny guy who (I must admit, unexpectedly) gave me the fright of my life - if you haven't guessed who I'm talking about, where have you been?? - in the first ever Fantalympics. Donte is probably the most politically incorrect, outlandishly funny person on these forums, and until the Fantalympics, I thought of him rather as the class clown *GRIN*. But then I faced off against him, and he nearly delivered the KO punch in Round 1 itself, picking The Dark Knight correctly in the BO league, while I went with Hancock. I thought for a few days that all was lost, and only bit by agonizing bit was I able to claw my way back with a 1st place finish in the Ultimate league (of course, he won the BO league) and a fortuitous turn in the Bankrupts league. It was probably the closest matchup of the Fantalympics, and caused me more ulcers than an 80-year old racist with high blood pressure being dropped off in Harlem *WINK*. Between us, we had 2 of the 3 leagues of the Fantalympics, and he and I placed 5th and 4th on the individual leaderboards separated by a mere 2 points. I remember counting my individual score at 100, and watching with bated breath as Barca posted names and scores that got closer and closer to mine and Donte's name hadn't yet appeared. That had to be possibly the closest contest I've (and I daresay the Fantaverse has) ever seen and I won't forget that in a hurry. So thanks for a memory I'll treasure, Donte. You stay funny, bud!!

And with that, I'll close out this farewell. To everyone who's been a part of my life in the last few months, I wish you all the best in the future and hopefully somewhere down the road, I'll be able to make a return to the Fantaverse and play you guys again. So long, farewell and to anyone I might not have the good fortune to meet again:

Good night, and good luck!

ash, believe me when I say: Ah fill yer pay-yin. The Fantaverse is a fickle, jealous, all-consuming mistress, and has an often misunderestimated ability to vacuum the spare time out of one's life, even as it entertains, educates and enlivens. Spending time in the Fantaverse is a little like being married to a vampire: Sure, it might start out promising enough (once you start "sucking," there's nowhere to go but up, right?), but can really screw up your days and eat into (yuk, yuk, har) your nights. Many, many times in the last eighteen months or so, I've found myself compelled to "drop" the Fantaverse in favor of what passes for "real life." It's a tough decision, like quitting Oreos, sex or Monday Night Football (in ascending order of difficulty). But you gotta do what you gotta do. (In truth, I've never ACTUALLY quit MNF.)

So let me encourage you to take care of business with a clear mind, an unburdened conscience and a mercifully free calendar. Go finish school -- I can vouch for this, it's the best five-plus years of your life. [Grin] We'll be here when you get back. Just leave someone -- Shryke, Chien, Barky, somebody -- your E-mail address so we can keep you advised of current events.

Best of luck to you, and we'll see ya on the flip side. Study hard. Do well. Go see a movie every now and then. [Grin]

P.S. I am not Nico. [Grin] I just look like him.

haha, I didn't need the hinter at the end to recognize one of your posts, bud. Thanks a lot, and I hope to be back here once I emerge from the tunnel of university education.

Like Un-Nico over there, I too have felt the pinch on my time lately such that I have no clue where I stand in leagues and haven't checked a slate since before the old site went under. However, I've renewed my focus and intend to at least participate in the community as best I can. I think we all understand other things take priority, but be sure to drop in and let us know how things are going if you can.

Study hard and come back to us soon!

The Real World (whatever that is) has claimed another victim. Curse your cold heart, Mother Nature.

Good luck with college, Ash, and we'll hopefully see you shortly!

Well SHIT!!! That stinks man. I feel like Lex Luthor when Doomsday killed Superman. "It should have been me!!!" and all that. I understand why though and I hope your school work goes well over the next couple months. It won't be the same without you around but I really hope you do come back.

And wow to me for getting an entire paragraph. That was a great contest and we definitely deserved a special award for that war. We didn't get any of the medals but we made it exciting. I got 1st place in BO and tied for 5th in Ult and still lost my match. That is impressive. I think it was an even better match since it was the class clown against one of the best players in the game. Ahh, but my rakish exterior and buffoonery merely hide a keen intellect and a cunning mind. Sort of like the Poker or the Diddler to your Ashman.

Have fun in the real world until school gets out and you come back here. Then I will put you back into school again as I put ass whippins upon your fragile form.

In other words, don't be a stranger, pal.

Don (te77)

Ash, old pal, your absence won't go unnoticed, but as long as you do not totally disappear and promise us you'll be back from real life one of these days, have fun !!!
You'll be missed mon ami, in the meantime.

See you around !!!

Good luck with your studies Ash. Hopefully by the time you come back we will have figured out a less time-consuming game method.

Take care mate.

Having said that, with Ash going for a while and Anny in China this opens up a whole new realm of possibilities without those two to bogart the league titles..

Yeah, now no one is left to challenge me

Geez, I suggest you get some insurance for pianos being dropped on your head