The last important life announcement from KMan

[K Man]

Hello All,

I've been absent from the boards for a few weeks because I'm debating how to word this post, and I've been thinking it over for months before that. There's no easy way to say this so here it goes;

I have to quit KMan's.

This decision doesn't come lightly and believe me, I have a HARD time walking away from 2,010 days of great gaming (yes, that's two-thousand and ten days as of today). It's been a great ride and I don't regret a bit of it - in fact, I'm sure I'll have withdrawals soon enough but I just can't do it anymore. I could come up with excuses but I don't need to bore anyone with those. You've all seen how absent I've been in the last six months. I made some life choices and those choices have cost me my dear posting time.

It was easy when I had a job that I could mess around five-six hours a day, but that time has decreased greatly since my departure from Comcast and even farther with the new business. Whatever little time I do have I use for school, research or just to unwind - which unfortunately doesn't include this.

Hardest for me is to walk away from all the unfinished stories. I've got a few great games that never made it the end, especially Go Find Your Dead which has blossomed into a great story thanks wholly to the great players. I've always been about the stories and to leave the pages unturned is perhaps the worst thing for me.

So what happens now?

I don't know. I had hoped KMan's could go on without me so that if life ever frees up, I could return and put my ink to the screen once more. It doesn't seem that way, but I still have high hopes. Maybe someone will step in and take over, maybe it'll be archived forever in the annals of the web...who knows. I would be happy to turn over my password and authority to anyone with the urge to keep it going.

I would like to 'scrape' the pages into files so that we can all have this site to go through time and time again without fear of it disappearing. Maybe we can all work together on that? Maybe I will do it myself and make it available as a zip file or something. Despite quitting, I CANNOT allow everything we've built here to just disappear. Depending on response to this thread, we'll figure out how to get it done and get it to everyone that wants it.

Also, I've made a good number of friends here on the site and I'd like to stay in touch. You all have my email address, it's at the bottom of every page, but in case you never read it;

[e-mail]

If you want to leave your address for me, that would be cool. I find it easier to reply to an email than post for some reason, so hopefully it'll be a better means of communicating for those that want to stay in touch. Anyone is welcome to email me, I look forward to reading.

So, not sure what else to say at this point. Other than sorry.

...

And just like that, a dynasty comes to an end. Thank you all.

- Kyle

[TheUdjat]

Wow.

I'm not really sure how to start this response. I don't think there's any way this announcement couldn't have come as a shock, though I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice your increased inactivity. It's hit all of us at times (myself rather recently), but I have noticed life devleoping in new and exciting ways for you, and it's perfectly understandable that an online message board wouldn't be your priority there. Don't let the guilt overwhelm you, because it's a good set of priorities. I'm sure I speak for everyone in saying that we all really appreciate all the time you've put into this place--all the games, the organization, the friendships. I love this site, and I consider you a good friend.

And it's because I love this site that I need to also make it clear that I ain't leaving. I may have been blasted with stuff lately, but that's been fading, and I've been feeling just as enthusiastic as ever--even starting a brand new Short and everything. Dark Sun will finish, by dammit. More games will follow.

So if nobody else is up to the task of taking over (though I know we have two other mods around here with plenty of authority), I'll do it, and willingly. Hell, if I've got the time and inclination, why not?

For that matter, I would also be sad to see Go Find Your Dead end where it is. It doesn't seem right. I once offered to run a sequel to BOYD before you found the inspiration to conclude your own story. I'd be glad to take up your reins and notes and finish up GFYD. Though that may spell doom for poor Wanderer.

I have a feeling this is going to be an across-the-board sort of reaction. I don't think any of us want to see this place die, and i know that several of us are just as enthusiastic as ever. You've put a good--God, how many years?--into this place. You've earned a retirement, at least from here. Sit back, relax, and focus on your life. And if you find the time to cruise back online and read our stories, I'd love it. No posting required!

But to reiterate: I'm staying.

[VemuKhaham]

So everything is finite after all... I can't put my initial reaction in other words. Kman quiting Kman's, it's like the earth shaking under your very feet. I've never met you outside through the internet, but with you leaving it feels like a friend leaving nonetheless, which is something entirely unique for me that I don't have anywhere else on the net. You can consider building up something like that to be mostly thanks to your dedicated effort. It's a fact that we've seen time after time, upon your temporary periods of inactivity, how vital you are to the boards, which isn't just because you were a great DM, as is evidenced by an increasing number of games that have been going on without your participation, and still they fell silent upon your absence.

I remember still why I joined this place. It seemed a friendly, personal place, and you were the first to give me some feedback on something I had written up. And of course we had a great time during the games. BOYD was the best game I've ever been in.

So I second Udjat in everything. I'm staying, and I hope everyone will stay to keep Kman's alive. If no-one else will do it, I would also step up to run this place, if only to save it, but I'm sure there are better suited people around here for that job. Hopefully that way you find the time on occasion to drop by and see that things haven't simply stopped to exist. God, I really hope you'll keep in touch with this place, no matter how sporadically, even if it's but once a year. Otherwise I wish you all the best in all the new projects and priorities in your life.

[TheZebraShakes™]

Hate to see you leave, love to watch you walk away. . . WOO!

KMan, you go do your thing, live your life without the constant burden of having to think of plots and update games every day. You've done it long enough and we appreciate it and thank you for everything.

Even though you've broken my heart I guess you've posted enough pictures of turtles and latino cruise ship waiters to make up for it.

It's not really a huge shocker as we've noticed your absence, but really, it is the end of an era. No more KMan on KMan's.

And I think that Natsumi's really the one who pays the biggest price here. . . leaving her hanging at the whim of a cloud giant like that. It's just not right.

I am sticking around, and even if my presence here has dwindled a bit, as long as the players can bear with me, I'm gonna continue to run my game and perhaps even attempt to draw in new players with a short and more to follow.

Please do come around whenever you have the time. We'll miss you around here, but we'll try as best we can to keep the site going.

[Rojito]

... Its always sad to see a friend go, but we also must be merry, because if your time on here has come to a close its because there are even more opertunities opening up for you back in the real world. You will return, i know it, even if you dont have time to post or anything we all will know your around some where, thinking about us... And we will always remember and be thinking about you. This place shall forever remain Kman's so therefore every time we log on, or check our posts, we will remember and think of you and send off our best wishes to you and yours.

The long and short of it, i guess, is that i will not leave, not even if you try to chase me off with a broom! I am here, and i will stay! Even though we've hit a slump we can and will recover. Already we once again have new faces popping up and joining us, and i know that others will find this place and become interested much like myself. So never doubt that the world you created will fall into ruin, for we are Kmans, and we will never give up!

[Yakumo]

It's sad to see you go, but at least it's not a mystery drop off. Go own with your life, you have your own thing going and it is a good one too so I'm happy for you. I remember the first time I showed up here I was trying to join the Uttati Asfet game and even though it was already crowded and just began you let me join without a single problem. And even when all but two of us dropped out you followed through to the end of it never lessening the dedication and quality of your posts.

I won't be leaving and I don't think many others will so kmans will still be around for you to poke into and read a thread or two if you ever find you have the time.

[TheZebraShakes™]

Even if we all leave, the Moonhaven game in the shorts will still be running That thing has a life of its own.

[ghost]

First, K-man, Thanks for the honesty. Sometimes dropping bad news can be really hard but doing it helps start things working right.

What can I say but THANKS. You've done and incredible thing here and don't feel bad about being true to your needs.

I agree with the others, their are too many good people and great games for K-mans to end. We should have someone with your same spirit of good will and professionalism take over-TheUdjat would be good for that I think.

For me, I assume my one game will end with this and if it does I'll go 'Ghost' for a while; though I'll return soon as I find a new one to play.

Kman, I'll use your email and don't be a stranger even if you can't post regulaly.

Ghost (snif) 6.0

[Wicksy]

Thanks for all the good times K Man! I played some good D&D here. Good luck with your business venture, i hope you do well out of it!

[at]

Sad to see you go, and thanks for letting us know.
So soon after Spiral moved on (IRL) - the guy who introduced me to this place.

[menatkhufu]

Thank you lots, for giving me the opportunity to roleplay after years.
Wish you the best of life and luck.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Damn man! At least we met, huh? I know what you mean though, and it's understandable. Good luck on your endeavors and know that should you need any humor, cakes, wit, or bickering, you can always come back to get your fix.

Later!

[Wizard]

Yikes...a good time for me to suddenly check the boards, it seems.