Perspectives at 199

This is my 199th blog.

I know other folks have that many. Certainly lots of people have thousands and thousands of posts. But blogging is different; a post is part of a conversation, or a thought, or an essay whereas a blog somehow seems to be more of a monologue- a one person day dream.

A lot of life has passed under the bridge since I began blogging here. From the heyday of Scape, through the cancellation, on to the present day of custom waves.

In my own life there have been employment struggles, a car accident, custody battles and a whole lot of life.

I joined the site Feb 27 2009, through the largess of Onacara, who offered to pay for a one year membership to someone who submitted an essay on why they should be considered for it. I was lucky enough to win.

I’ve had the opportunity to share so many stories – I hope you haven’t been too bored- as well as lots of creative ideas about Scape, the occasional humorous piece and lots of battle reports and Scape hunting reports.

I am not by nature a blogger. I have learned a lot about myself and had a lot of fun in the process. I find it odd that we define ourselves and yet we can change that. Though I don’t feel like a blogger I now have 199 examples to prove it- so I guess I am a blogger.

But I have not just been a writer. I have read all the blogs and most of the posts as well, even if I have not commented. I’ve made trades and purchases, entered contests and my son played in the online tournament- in short my family enjoyed many of the things this community offers. It has been really wonderful and I thank everyone, since everyone has had a part in it.

As I get older the past fades away and I don’t remember so many things. Scaping is just one big happy blur that is still continuing for us. The kerfuffle of WOTC discontinuing the game seems a distant memory, not particularly relevant today. I even find myself looking forward to a potential rerelease... someday. It could happen.

But we must not only look back-one must consider the present and look forward as well.

At present we play, due to a hectic schedule, 3 or four times per week. That’s pretty good I think. We’re not newlyweds anymore. I have tried to stop purchasing new figures. There are boxes and containers of figures I fancy just waiting for me to make customs and I really should make some of them before buying more, don’t you think?

Time always seems to be the challenge. I’m looking forward to the holidays because there will be extra time to play and possibly work on some customs. Although my daughter doesn’t have time to play anymore it is still the main game for my sons and I.

Probably one of the oddest skills Scape has given us is one of calm discussion. We all make customs and we are all passionate players- and sometimes we have great long discussions, passion just under the surface, about improving (weakening) someone else creation. We have an idea of the game and we try to keep building it- protecting it, defining it.

To my dismay as I get older I have more of a challenge seeing up close. Painting figures and reading cards requires eyewear now. On the positive side the boys are all older and the figures don’t see the rougher play they once did so reparations are infrequently required.

And what of the future?
I can’t imagine not playing. We have a play room in our house which is really the Scape room. There is always a large map up. I guess I cannot pretend that my sons will always be around. They swear they will now but they will grow up and go to school and find lives and jobs and spouses that will take them away and occupy their time.

Thinking of the future certainly makes me realize just how great the present and past have been. I have been lucky to have such great co-players for so many years.

As the plastic terrain grows old and brittle so will I and I’ll pass our version of the game on to my sons and their children if they have any. The joy of our games will be a brief moment of time, a golden era when we had time and something we loved doing and good company to do it with.

I imagine I’ll play alone, an old man who can’t read the cards- but nothing in the future is certain.

This has been a bit of a ramble, I know. But something about the number 199 has made me wistful.

Thanks for the good times, and for reading my blogs. If you’re interested, check back for I’ll be writing 199 more.