as Bob Hope used to say at the end of his shows. All good things must come to an end. First and foremost if this post is not under the correct topic, Tris feel free to move it to the most appropriate section. My xbox has died a second death tonight, which MGM and Grand Master I apologize but I doubt I will be able to get back in time to try and finish as many games as I could to finish out the season. While I am upset that the box has died... again.. it only moves up my retirement from LG and its leagues a couple weeks early. Before I go to the end let me start at the beginning... I was new to the website and so badly wanting to be a part of the NHL league here. It was the Premiere league by far, but just like anybody else I needed to earn my stripes. Well at the time there was a little game called "Links" and I was asked if I wanted to be drafted and I said sure and a very funny and nice gentlemen by the name of Shush drafted me and at that moment the "C-Biskits was born. That league was the most fun and probably the most team building video game sport that LG has ever offered. I have met some great folks during that game and should I say friendships.... Friendships that are weird because at least for most of us none of us have every really met except with everyones comon love affair... The xobx. The C-Biskits were made up of some of my first friends here at LG: Jujimum, who I have not seen on here in a while but was quick witted and intelligent as I have every run across hopefully things are going well for him... Then there is Shush, our fearless leader who has the uncanny ability of leading with out being able to touch or see his team...MGM was on our team who has proven to be a good leader here at LG and having some good old game competition on Friday nights after he had drank a little to much, Trying to make those putts was pretty difficult at that time.. Right Mike.. You know it is funny because some of you call each other by their first name and some of you call us by our Gamer Tags but it is still personal and a bond does happen over the course of the years. Then we had Jman on our team and he and I probably hit if off the best, we always would talk on live and we had good talks about life and our day to day drudgery. We seem to be closer to age then most on this website and it was always good to have those late night chats. I just wish some of the newer guys.... Swiper... had a chance to play Links like it was played back in the day. Then I met Sports Junky through Links and he was uncanny because no matter how bad he was losing or winning he never changed in his tone, manneriesms, or anything. He rolled with it . Very much like a certain Swiper that I know. I apologize up front for the long rant but as silly as it sounds I am hanging up what I enjoyed for the most the last 30 years of my life.... Now on to the "WHY"... Those of you who have or getting ready to turn 40 might understand what I am about to say, and some of you will understand when it happens. Last year was a big year for me... My wife and I turn 40 years old and I had to go away on a 60 day temporary duty (for those of you who know what I do will understand why I had to do this) to work on Katrina Fraud Task Force. I know 60 days is not long to most of you but when your family is affected it does have a profound effect when you have kids and they can't see you for 60 days.. During that time I guess I did a lot of soul searching and realized that I just don't enjoy playing the games much anymore and I have become harder and harder to track people down and I dont' want to be one of the "guys" that never is around and can't get his games in. So I thought that I would make the last NHL my last season and the Baseball would be my final swan song. Turning 40 has had an effect on me... Yeah I know age is only in the mind, but I tend to disagree with that when your first born is turning 13 (a freaking teenager) and your baby is turning 10. I am just at this point in my life that I have more important things to do then to play videogames... I would rather spend more time with my wife because each day it gets harder and harder as life passes us by because of both of our busy schedules.. I know it sounds nuts, but we are getting ready for our 16 year anniversary and too many folks get divorced nowadays and it is real easy to see why... You focus all of your energy on your kids and when they are gone to college you look at your wife and say "who they hell are you and what do I have in common with you" I don't want to be that husband. I know a lot of this does not make sense to most of you and I am sure most of the players here will think it is sentimental hog wash, but that is OK. I just wanted those special "friends" and you know who you guys are to realize where I am coming from and to know that I will miss you guys. I will certainly try and venture back every once and while to see how many LG Hockey titles Tris has won and to see if the old battle of EA Hockey or 2K hockey is still the rage. I would like to offer a special Thanks to Tris for putting this site together and for giving everyone of us a unique place to call our own, and without this site a lot of us would have never met. I think through all the bickering back n forth regarding rules and who did not play this or who is not playing that we tend to forgot about the one individual who has made all of this possible. Thanks Tris and good luck to your future with your home and possibly your future bride.... Comon in the water is just fine. I promise you. With all that being said I would like to thank the admins for keeping things on the up and up and to all the league commissoners you have my deepest gratitude. I apologize becasue there are lots and lots of folks who I have shared some memories with but have not mentioned. I did say I turned 40 so I think I am losing my memory I wish all of you a great life time and happy memories. Your friend t roy Troy S. McCracken
Troy i dont think i ever had the pleasure of playing with you but ive always heard only great things so i just want to wish you all the best. Im also one of the older guys here (married 12 years) so i understand where you're coming from. Take care, you will definitely be missed. Oh and happy birthday
well, good luck to you, and i am sure you won't forget our 24 inning marathon in MLB. Good luck and take care!!!
T_roy, you and I have a very limited history playing at LG but those few times have always been a pleasure. Your decision makes complete sense but you'll be missed at LG. Stay in touch and let us know how things are going from time to time. Take care. Army
FYI. My son says my xbox has more life to it. Last night the 3 rings of death and today it works..... Go figure. So I will be trying to finish out the baseball season, and thanks for the kind words.
Troy you are a true gentlemen and will be deeply missed. Hopefully we will still see you around the site and xbox live. The pleasure over the last 3 years has been strictly ours to have you.
t roy, it was a pleasure playing my division games with you in the 2k league a few seasons ago. Our games were always close, intense and fairly played... all the reaons why this site has been successfull. I believe we also had a few team Links matches as I was a Bushwood member (also the highlight of my LG experience). I completely understand your reasons for leaving; while I'm not quite as old, my family is beginning to grow and my priorities are certainly shifting. I still play video games, but not as often as before and specifically not as much online... these kids have a habit of getting into trouble with no notice so being able to pause the game is often needed. Best wishes in your life going forward, it was a joy to meet you. ElNino
Crap... First Sportsjunky, now Troy... I definitely understand what your saying T_roy and i think its all for the right reasons... Maybe a break from it all would do wonders, and not a full retirement. But if so you will be missed and GL with life after LG. Tris we need a Hall of Fame for guys like this... Like Names that cant be used anymore and such...
I am in shock , Troy you are one of the best people I have ever come across in my gaming experience. The class and sportsmanship you displayed game in and game out will truly be missed , I hope that some of the T-roy attitude rubbed off on some of the guys you have played here. I was the first LG'er to have his 360 die , when my replacement FINALLY came it was missing the remote that came with the premium launch systems. Troy volunteered to send me his remote free of charge , something that meant alot to me and he never once asked for monetary compensation. I will never forget everything you have done for me Troy , from showing me the ropes to sending a remote ! Someday down the road if you feel the need to play , we will all be here. Carry on bud :wink:
Troy you will be greatly missed around here. I completely understand where you are coming from. Your retirement from LG is for ALL the right reasons. I wish you and your family nothing but happiness going forward and hope to see you around occasionally. Take care my friend, Mike
T_roy!!! I'm still around, just not in the leagues anymore You are one of the nicest guys I've come across while playing Live!. The reason you're leaving just adds to the evidence of why you're such a good person. Like MGM (Mike, lol) said, you're doing it for the right reasons. I thank you in return for making the C-BisKits and the site so much fun for me. Without guys like you, the team aspect wouldn't have been nearly as fun. Nor would I have stuck around the site as long as I have. Things are going well for me and it seems like they're going well for you too. You're making the right decision to say the least, but you know a lot of us will be around if you ever need to come back for a friendly hello. I'm thankful that you "got" my wit Either one gets it and can laughs, or ends up hating me. Sometimes they do both :-?. Anyway, take care of yourself and your family. Hopefully this isn't the last time we "hear" from you. Good luck, Jim...I mean, jujimum :razz:
Listen to Nosice, a break did me wonders, but I am a little disappointed with this "Next Gen" crap. This is the first year I will not pick up Madden and maybe even NCAA. Nothing has come close to the Links and earlier experiences in the past and I miss that. Family has taken most of my time lately as well. It is also much harder to keep in shape at 31, as now it is about being healthy to stay alive rather than working out to play ball etc. Just keep in mind, these games are the best stress release you can find. You don't have to be in league to look us up to play a game for fun! :razz:
Hit 'em straight Troy. The Xbox will remain in my entertainment center long after it has stopped working. Simply for the reason that it will remind me of the times you are reflecting on here. I think we all found something in each other we needed. Literally with no strings attached. Just good conversation and great fun. There may have been a beer or two but no need for specifics I hope you are well. I am sure our paths will cross again.
Take care Troy. I enjoyed the hockey games. I see a lot of guys on this thread that have either "retired" or pulled back from gaming a bit and it has worked well for me also. I came for the football, stayed for hockey and eventually hung 'em up all together. I still visit the site though just to stay in touch and hopefully you will too.
Although I can't remember palying your or not, I want to wish you luck. I read your post from top to bottom and wondered when will I hang it up. Family is a great reason for stopping your gaming career (funny how I call it a career). I know guys older than you that still play, and strangely enough, most of them are having marriage issues. I only hope that I can make the ssame decision if and when the time comes for it. Good luck to you and best wishes to your family.