So I'm sorry but this is probably going to be just a stream of consciousness, but I'm going to give it my best shot.
It's really crazy to look back and to think that I've been a part of this league for almost 3 years irl. I started back in February 2018, and I can remember really clearly what it was like. I was at work and had just come across an advertisement for the league posted by a member of Head Office at the time (he might have been the Commish), @AsylumParty, in a fantasy website that I use, fleaflicker. Honestly, the way that it was worded sounded a little gimmicky (it hasn't changed much), but I was in a particularly daring (or bored) mood and decided to click the link. I was so confused by the whole thing that I had no idea what was going on. Something though made me come back several times over the next few days so that I could try and make sense of it. When I finally realized what was going on, I thought it had potential to be one of the coolest side things I'd ever done. Honestly, even then, there is no way I could have possibly imagined what the next 3 years would bring for me in the league.
Since that time I've chatted with and got to know complete strangers. My first friend in the league was @iseedoug. We ended up teaming up together and did a pretty bang up job for the next 12 seasons or so. I like PTs like this, because it does get me reflective on this league and forces me to say what I normally am reticent or just too negligent to: that I've really grown to care for some of the people around here. I genuinely look forward every day to chatting with people and making the league a better place. It's an escape from reality which isn't always easy, but escapes from reality aren't always good for you. This league has its faults and flaws, that's for sure. And for some people it's been more taxing on their mental health than helpful. But, for me, I've been blessed to encounter some really great people that also help to keep me grounded in what's important in life (spoiler alert, not the stats), and generally uplift me as a person. And really, what better escape from the world is there? I'll take that over vegging out over video games any day.
My wife (who is not in the league and has 0 desire to learn about the this league) recently made a humorous side comment, saying that I would never leave the league. And truly, I think she's right. Unless I were to find out this was all a sham somehow, I doubt I'm going anywhere, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next 25 seasons are like.
It's really crazy to look back and to think that I've been a part of this league for almost 3 years irl. I started back in February 2018, and I can remember really clearly what it was like. I was at work and had just come across an advertisement for the league posted by a member of Head Office at the time (he might have been the Commish), @AsylumParty, in a fantasy website that I use, fleaflicker. Honestly, the way that it was worded sounded a little gimmicky (it hasn't changed much), but I was in a particularly daring (or bored) mood and decided to click the link. I was so confused by the whole thing that I had no idea what was going on. Something though made me come back several times over the next few days so that I could try and make sense of it. When I finally realized what was going on, I thought it had potential to be one of the coolest side things I'd ever done. Honestly, even then, there is no way I could have possibly imagined what the next 3 years would bring for me in the league.
Since that time I've chatted with and got to know complete strangers. My first friend in the league was @iseedoug. We ended up teaming up together and did a pretty bang up job for the next 12 seasons or so. I like PTs like this, because it does get me reflective on this league and forces me to say what I normally am reticent or just too negligent to: that I've really grown to care for some of the people around here. I genuinely look forward every day to chatting with people and making the league a better place. It's an escape from reality which isn't always easy, but escapes from reality aren't always good for you. This league has its faults and flaws, that's for sure. And for some people it's been more taxing on their mental health than helpful. But, for me, I've been blessed to encounter some really great people that also help to keep me grounded in what's important in life (spoiler alert, not the stats), and generally uplift me as a person. And really, what better escape from the world is there? I'll take that over vegging out over video games any day.
My wife (who is not in the league and has 0 desire to learn about the this league) recently made a humorous side comment, saying that I would never leave the league. And truly, I think she's right. Unless I were to find out this was all a sham somehow, I doubt I'm going anywhere, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next 25 seasons are like.