I badly need cheering up -- but then what else is new

[Michael Hopcroft]

I managed to celebrate the Forge's birthday by getting myself into an accident and ruining my career.

I had been picked up by a group of students from Eugene to go to SakuraCon iN Seattle. Just outside of Portland we hydroplaned into the back of a Passat and found ourselves in a three-car pileup. I thought I wasn;t hury, but once I got back to Seattle (the SUV I was in was still drivable) I started getting miscellaneous pain and suffering. Two uninsured trips to the emergency room later I discoeverd a.) I'd sprained my neck, b.) I'd been horrifically shaken up and c.) I needed to get back to Portland immediately.

So I still spent the money I was going to spend atg the convention, this time on a Greyhound ticket and cabfare. I didn;t get to meet with anybody but con staff, am personana non grata at that particular convention, and feel more humiliated than I've felt in a long time.

I know I would have saved myself a lot of agony by seeking medical attention immediately in Porttland and not even going to Seattle. And I'm seriously thinking that in between medical bills and my state of health, I should cancel my summer travel plans.

If I didn;t know better, I'd say God had a thing against me.

[Jason Lee]

Armadillos have hair on their bellies.

Rub the Buddha belly, it brings you luck.

[rafael]

Michael -- I'm sorry.  Sounds like you're having a rough time of it.  Remember that hard times come and go.  You'll get through this.

When I'm down, I listen to metal.  This song cheers me up.  Hope it helps.

-- Rafael




Stealing From A Thief, by Anthrax

Don't want a life like my parents had
Don't want a life like my rich friends have
Don't want to live by association
Don't want to live the great maybe

I want a life, not a name online
I want to live it in real time
I want a life just so I can be
I never asked what was in it for me
I never asked what was in it for me

Stealing from a thief
My humanity
I know my name, I know my pain
I know my frequency
Stealing from a thief
Dancing with the beast
I know my name, I know my pain
I know my frequency

As a kid I'd play make believe
As a man I play make believe
As a kid I'd do anything
As a man I do everything

I live my centered and humane
I live my life like a man insane
I live my life just so I can be
I never asked what was in it for me
I never asked what was in it for me

Stealing from a thief
My humanity
I know my name, I know my pain
I know my frequency
Stealing from a thief
Dancing with the beast
I know my name, I know my pain
I know my frequency

I get up, I get up
I get up and go
I grab a hold and reach way down
To find something that I really believe
I don't need to console myself
If I don't like what I see

I never asked what was in it for me

Stealing from a thief
My humanity
I know my name, I know my pain
I know my frequency
Stealing from a thief
Dancing with the beast
I know my name, I know my pain
I know my frequency

[Clinton R. Nixon]

Michael,

Hope things get better, and I'm damn sorry you didn't have my number while you were in Seattle. I'd have come to help in an instant. E-mail me before you head this way again.

I don't want to force a belief, but here's one that helps me: adversity is life's way of showing us what we can handle. Smile, grow, and good luck.

Best,
Clinton

[xiombarg]

Amen to what Clinton says.

I got in a very bad traffic accident on April 1 of last year (no joke), and in a lot of ways, it turned my life around -- there's nothing like a reminder of your own mortality to get you going.

Hang in there, it WILL get better.

[Trevis Martin]

Michael,

You are alive.  And we here are privalaged to continue to see your work

Thoughts and prayers

Trevis

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Michael,

First things first: your health. Please do all you can to make sure that you're OK.

Second thing? Based on all your efforts and accomplishments last year, you're amazing. I am confident that you can beat this too.

Best,
Ron

[Christoffer Lernö]

Just wanted to offer my sympathies. I hope things make a turn for the better soon, and do look after your health. Like Ron said: health first.

/Christoffer

(The convention people didn't think you being in a car accident was an excuse for arriving late?!)

[Michael Hopcroft]

It's wasn't the time I arrived -- it was my mental condition when I got there that concerned them. It was one of their staff that took me to the first ER visit.

Once it became clear, however, that I could not fulfill my obligations as a guest, we came to the mutual decision that I needed to be home. Mind you, it took a while to get me home but I finally did make it.

As for being amazing, I am not amazing. I'm deluding myself if I think I've accomplished anything worthwhile.

[greyorm]

Not amazing? Haven't done anything worthwhile? Hello?
YOU PUBLISHED A FRICKIN' RPG! (and supplements)

I wish I'D published a frickin' RPG and supplements.
I swear, Michael, I'm going to bitch-slap you the first time we meet.

Now go get better so I don't knock you on your silly ass when I do this.

[Jason Lee]

Hey, Michael...I'll wrestle you over it.