Sorry folks....

[Cerinia]

Dear RA,
Effective immediately, I am cancelling my EQ2 account and can't say when I'll be back.

Most of you know my daughter, Ellone. Today, Ellone came to me in tears and told me point blank that she feels like my games matter more than she does. Talk about having your heart ripped out.
Her words strike far too true, however. I've worked so hard on leveling up and gearing and getting my dirge raid-worthy that I have disgracefully neglected Ellone and instead encouraged her to get just as addicted to computer games as I am, therefore repeating the whole cycle.
This is not a way to live.
I am the only parent that Ellone has on a regular, full-time, always-there level and as an only child in a single-parent household, she needs me to be there on all levels to play, or to talk, or to advise and to generally be a parent. I am aware with painful clarity that my focus on my daughter has been disgracefully lacking.
With school just around the bend for us both, I want to maximise the time we have together rather than spending it in a game that will really never benefit me, even though I adore each and every one of the people I play with.
I am uninstalling EQ2 from my computer, though I will keep vent and will occasionally troll the RA forums. You all have my facebook (under the email Amnita_Rose@yahoo.com if you don't) or my phone number (503-990-8917 if you don't) and I really hope that you will stay in touch while I am gone because you are all amazing people and I very much enjoy your friendship.

Love,
Uyulala aka Lily aka The Dementia Unit of RA

[Tearl]

I can totally understand that Lily. We've crossed that bridge here...which is why our time is pretty much limited to raid nights. In the grand scheme, your sweet daughter comes first and we all understand that. We support your decision, though we'll miss you to death!
Not trying to change your mind, but here's my thinking on this whole gaming vs family thing:
Apparently, the average American watches 3.5 hours or TV per DAY! That's over 24 hours of TV per week! At our house, we play EQ2 (really the only game we play) about 12 hours per week (including sitting around waiting for raid to form up)...
We do not have cable...so we don't watch TV much. We stream 1 or 2 shows (2 hrs) per week when they are airing. We also watch movies as a family together most of the time we are sitting in front of the TV.
So, my justification is that we spend half the time playing EQ2 than most people do watching TV. This is also the bulk of our social life...so we don't go out much. When we do, it's usually as a family. So all that extra time is soent finding new ways to mess with the kids

Just my take...

Love ya Lily and we'll miss you in game for sure!

[Cerinia]

Thank you Tearl
After further thought and talking to Robert on the subject, I'm not going to say I won't EVER be back. As was suggested by a few people, I will likely start again in a few weeks after school starts for Ellone. Then, I can play for an hour or so after she goes to bed and work on my aa's during that time and reserve one or two nights a week for raiding. I agree with you in that, with me not working and getting ready to start as a full time student, this is (and would continue to be) the bulk of my social life.
This "cold turkey" break is more for the time between now and when she starts back to school because mine and Ellone's schedules are exactly the same and I want to make sure every minute of her remaining summer vacation is spent doing things together, not her being cooped up in the house after her camps are over with.
That being said, I'll look at things around the 15th of September after she's gone back to school and started getting back into "the groove" of things. Keep an eye out for me around then.

[Tearl]

Yuo do realize that your "cold turkey" break from us is also a "cold turkey" break from you? What will we do?!?! Where's our normal dose of naughtiness going to come from now?!?!?!

[Cerinia]

I know Tearl.... /comfort. I'm afraid you'll just have to have Patience and Rosy start performing regular stripper dances in the crafting and merchant area, or possibly the council chamber

[Nyliad]

Glad to hear you can come back!! Spend time with that little girl. Its the most important thing you can give her!
love,
Nyliad/Deb

[Veldrin]

So all that extra time is soent finding new ways to mess with the kids

ooooooo, I need to take notes and get some pointers before mine gets big enough to poke back.

[Veldrin]

I know Tearl.... /comfort. I'm afraid you'll just have to have Patience and Rosy start performing regular stripper dances in the crafting and merchant area, or possibly the council chamber

Breaca can craft some poles and we can install them on the council table!

[Kiala]

thought the poles belonged to Marina...

[Veldrin]

Well they do but she nevers comes by the guild hall anyway so who will know the difference? I was thinking about making a swing or something similair for those rare times we get Lily to come back by and visit, that way she can join in the fun. Problem is I don't think we have to many items spaces left in the hall.