On being "Crew"

[darkladywolf]

I admit I was kind of shocked to think anyone might feel excluded. I mean, I'm stuck here on the other side of the planet, unable to get to any of these cool things, and yet I still feel a part of this whole community a part of the development of Unity.

While we don't necessarily get to see Yak twiddle the bits, there's a feeling here of watching the whole thing build and progress.

I feel really included.

[aurora]

and I will do that or I will die trying, and that is a promise

please don't die on our account, we're not worth it man ...

[arron]

On your old site Jeff, there was a list of hates - one of which has been "Exclusion". After I got to sit next to you on the bus at RV3, I realised how much you meant it!

We've all got a part to play, a purpose in Unity. If not holding the controller, then it's spreading fluffy love to people whilst being Unity.. You can assign any term you like, I know what and where I am.. I consider terms immaterial..

[Jon]

Jeff that post was llovely.

It's wonderful and inspiring to me to see you write with such passion about something that you obviously hold very dear to you. Good luck with the rest of Unity and don't worry if you sometimes feel that you should 'be a poet', there's at least 500 people around here who have boundless faith in your abillities for when you feel a little unworthy.

You are a top bloke and I look forward to meeting you someday.

[Ahchay]

they *should* have sent a poet

They did.

:hug:

Cheers
Chris

[eb]

Great words Yak, you're indeed a nice guy and thats for shure.
I'm proud to be a LLamasoftie. (/me hugs everyone here)

[koworld]

This is the most inclusive place I have ever been. Real or virtual. Of course there are cliques; what Gribbles said elsewhere summed up why best. But I'm sure most people can understand that they are geographical, co-incidental and 'open' cliques.

That this 'place' is so special and so open and so inclusive is an extention of your character Jeff. It means that we can all, if we open our minds, feel like we are part of the wider YakYak clique. I've never flown VLM but I feel like I have because the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of those who have are shared so honestly, freely and expresively here.

I love that Korruptor, or Rik, or Bluey, or whomever, always happily post a 'we're fucked and lovin' it' thread on here when the crew are in full flight. That lets us all share in the spirit and thrill of the ride. It really does.

We are all Unity here. Lets love it while we can.

Love and hugs to all; what a wonderful thing this is, and you all are.

[korruptor]

The people on this forum are the nicest people I've ever met. Every one of you gives me things I was missing in life previously, and the amount I've learnt, seen and touched has changed my life in very real and very important ways. I won't list names, cos there's too many to go through, but my social life is rich, I have real people I can trust and rely on in times of need, and I have dreams and plans that I actually believe I stand a hope of realising now. I'm also having a shit load more fun, be it in London, Oxford, Wales or the grim north...

That a monkey like me can change his life and chase a dream, with friends like you watching, egging me on and supporting me when I'm low and in a few instances, taking a risk on me, is one of the most special things in my life right now. I'm proud to be a part of this community and follow what everyone is doing with a real sense of joy. There are so many creatives and thinkers around these parts that it's hard to be involved and not do something positive for yourself. I wanna be one of those people that I look at in this forum and think "damn, he's good".

This forum, Yak's work, and the people I've been introduced to over the last year have been an inspiration. The last three months have seen some serious highs and lows in my life, but I've got through it, knowing that there are real people out there, that really care. I don't feel anywhere near as lonely as I used to.

I dread to think what state my life would be in if I hadn't wandered down to Oxford for that first retrovision, or joined the forum on Rik's advice. I'd be a lot darker inside, that I know for sure.

The next 10-12 months are going to be very exciting, not just for Yak and VLM, but for loads of you here, including me. I'm really starting to feel a bit excited about the future, and what each of you are going to get up to next. I'm just proud to play me small little part in the llamasoft community. You guys are at the top of your respective games. And you all rock

*hugs*

[Ryan]

Great post Yak, but I'm still boggled that anyone can believe there's a "cliq" (sp=crap) here..

[Mayhem]

The "C" word is natural to happen because people tend to group in like circumstances, even within a bigger picture such as the Llama forums. But it is not as if there is ever any noticable animosity or spite because some people get to do stuff others only dream of. Sure I'd love to be able to go to Jeff's place once or twice a month and chill out, but it isn't quite as feasible (even though the driving part was fun over 230 miles!). If someone was to invite me, then no way would I be turning it down

I am glad that I got to try VLM proper @ Altwallis (courtesy of pointers from Fuseball and Rik) along with some "shoot shit at shit and blow shit up" action. Which is why I left the "non-experiencers" to try it out at RV3.5 and watch on smiling as they too emersed themselves in "the dream" of something that I am damn well hoping turns out to be another of Jeff's classics.

I am glad I know the people here. Sure there are a few little tensions (you know who you are ) but it's not as if I dislike anyone on the forum. Everyone is fluffy in their own way. We just come together as a whole and try to pull off something rather spectacular. I've made good friends and even better people realised in real life from the boards. And I damn well hope that continues well into the future...

Btw where did all of this spring from as I've seen pretty much naught about "unrest" here on the posts?

[Jimaroid]

Ay up that brought a sniffle to my nose that did.

We are all privileged to have such a great human being sharing his gift and visions with us. Keep up the great work Yak. I don't know what else to say, but somehow "thankyou" seems appropriate. Thankyou for sharing and reminding us that there are indeed some very fine people in the world.

[PVB]

I was on a course in communication yesterday, and it made me think about the unfluffy feelings I have for one or two on these forums, which may in part have started the thoughts of animosity about the crew/clique.

If so, then I apologise.

The course amounted to the fact that some people have different ways of saying the same thing; some say it well, some say it badly/with ill-chosen phrases/un-truths(lie is too strong a word).

The cause of my unfluffy feelings had nothing to do with Jeff, just something someone else said to me that later turned out to be untrue.
It gave me the impression that I was being excluded for some reason, whether that reason was down to me or others I don't know, but it's in the past so I'll leave it now.

I agree with all that Mayhem says (for once ) and say to Jeff; keep on with what you do best, and don't die before you finish Unity, or I'll be angry.

*hugs* to all, have a

[Jedburgh]

My hap'orth:

Over the past year or so I've had the best, closest group of friends ever come into my life. To say the very least, my life has changed a lot - for the better, obviously - because of these guys. I don't think there's one of us who wouldn't drop everything if another was in need.

On top of that there's this place, filled with (mostly) the fluffiest, best people ever to gather in one online location.

We're incredibly lucky that the worst we have to worry about is the occasional shouty or snidey cretin.

Is all.

*hugs*

[shimeril]

Jeff, after reading that I think you are Ellie Arroway. Exactly the same amount of passion.

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

What a group of people on these forums. Absolutely top shelf.

[Ragnorak]

Great post Jeff...

Most of us grew up with llamasoft games and Jeff's creative talent from the 80's into the 90's and became part of the llamasoftie family so to speak.. God I even still remember when Jeff and his mom use to send me his updates via snail mail . - bless those days

So when Jeff decided to kick start llamasoft and the web site again some time ago now, I was filled with such happiness and joy... watching him create Deflex, HB and GR ++ and when the announcement of Unity came along.. WE WERE ALL OVER JOYED and SO HAPPY for HIM. ( I think there was something like 50 people on line when he announced it).

It was over this last 2 years or so that I came to know most of you, not face to face but via postings and the IRC, and what a SPLENDID BUNCH you are, always willing to help out etc. You even offered morale support when my dad was ill and sadly past away recently.

I know that I've not been to any meets yet, God I'm hoping to soon, and I've not experienced Unity or VLM first hand, but I do feel part of the crew and I hope everyone else does and we need to show the YAK that we love him and need him.

My pennies worth

Rags