Apologies...

[MADMANMIKE]

..Well, I met more people than I've ever met at one time. I wanted to meet more than I did, and didn't get to really hang with many of the one's I did meet.

..My Asperger's Syndrome makes being in places like that a serious challenge; I get physically ill when I'm in a mall, for all the sensory input. So when I meet people in a crowded environment like that, I can't concentrate enough to remember names in association with faces. On a movie or television I can almost remember things photographically, thanks to the frame of the box, but in real life I have too much active peripheral vision to focus in on what's right in front of me for that much detail.

..To help you understand, imagine you're meeting someone for the first time. You're shaking their hand and exchanging names. On the surface, that's exactly what was happening. However, for an autistic person like myself, it was more like this. Move everyone within 15 feet to within 5 feet around you and the person that you're meeting, take the level of their speech up about 10 more decibles, double the intensity of the ambient light and sound, and then try to focus just on that new person's speech.

..So I'm sorry that I didn't talk more with the people who's hands I shook. And the few times I was in between games or shopping, I kept to myself instead of looking further for more contacts. I didn't want to, but it was necessary to avoid a break down.

..Slag, dude I wanted to game, sit down and shoot the breeze and just chill. Hopefully in the future we can do just that.

..KC, man, we met what, two? Three times? Same as with Slag, I was looking forward to gaming and talking games with you, it just didn't happen.

..Holy Oak, I didn't really know you on the boards before, but the first thing we found when we arrived around 2AM on Saturday was your game at the Ramada. I would love to have been in on one of those, but it just didn't happen.

..And D, man talk about lousy near misses. Across the fricken hall?! Geez.. I know you had family to see in town, so you weren't always there, but man, five minutes talking would have doubled the contact all weekend.

..This was the most fun I've ever had, hands down. It was like a family reunion with cousins I'd never met before. For 18 years I've been game mastering Palladium games and with the execption of a few play by posts, I've never played. How cool is it to have your first sit down game run by Julius Rosenstien? And your second by Carl Gleba?

..Everybody was awesome, and for the first time in my adult life away from my wife I was able to feel good with more than 10 people in my imediate proximity. For that I thank Palladium for inspiring so many cool people, and everyone who was there for being so cool.

..We were half way across Indiana when I geeked out. "DUDE! WE JUST GOT A GUIDED TOUR OF PALLADIUM FROM KEV! AND SCOTT JOHNSON CALLED US AND CARL ****ERS!!"

..That same geek out hit me a couple more times on the drive home.

..Thanks Kev for giving me this. It's the best thing outside of my family I've ever experienced, even better than when I got my picture taken with Spider-Man when I was 4. This weekend has been a defining moment in my life, up there with being struck by lightning, discovering RPG's through Mutants Down Under and meeting my wife. I know that if I'd missed any one of these events I would have ended up at best like Adam Sandler's character in Punch Drunk Love.

..Thanks to Tony (Erick Stormbright) and Heather for riding up with us. Good conversations, I look forward to gaming with you soon. Don't forget to download the boobacabra.

..And thanks John (Xar) for going with me. I would probably have backed out if it was just me going alone. You invited me to carpool never having met me offline, and turned out to be cooler than I imagined.

-Mike >8]

[Killer Cyborg]

..KC, man, we met what, two? Three times? Same as with Slag, I was looking forward to gaming and talking games with you, it just didn't happen.

Yeah, same here. I didn't get nearly enough time to talk with the people that I wanted/intended to.

[Spectre]

Dude, no need to apologize man. One does what he can, nothing more can be asked of him and nothing more should be asked.

The real question is... Did you have a good time? If the answer to that is yes, then that is what really matters.

[NMI]

I am not sure if I met you or not MMM.
What do you look like? Or are you in any of the posted pics here?

[MADMANMIKE]

..Absolutely, best time of my life.

I am not sure if I met you or not MMM.
What do you look like? Or are you in any of the posted pics here?

..You were always GMing when I was there; I was in Julius's first game, wearing the blue windbreaker; Afterwards, Xar kept ending up in games at a table perpendicular to yours, so I kept invading your players space to cut across a pallet between your tables.

..You probably didn't notice, but you were on sentry duty over my camera bag for several hours on Saturday.

..I'll try to do a screen cap of the one bit of video I got of myself at Julius's game; you're in the background running yours.

-Mike >8]

[NMI]

..Absolutely, best time of my life.

I am not sure if I met you or not MMM.
What do you look like? Or are you in any of the posted pics here?

..You were always GMing when I was there; I was in Julius's first game, wearing the blue windbreaker; Afterwards, Xar kept ending up in games at a table perpendicular to yours, so I kept invading your players space to cut across a pallet between your tables.

..You probably didn't notice, but you were on sentry duty over my camera bag for several hours on Saturday.

..I'll try to do a screen cap of the one bit of video I got of myself at Julius's game; you're in the background running yours.

-Mike >8]

I recall the peopole going back and forth around my table. I think what helped bring attention to my game is

• I am naturally loud
• My table wasnt blocked on sides like the rest were.
• I am a big guy

[MADMANMIKE]

..You can see my computer bag through your chair in the pic El Magico posted.

-Mike >8]

[NMI]

..You can see my computer bag through your chair in the pic El Magico posted.

-Mike >8]

you are right! huh cool. glad I could help protect your bag. You know I felt quite safe leaving my stuff on my table and walking away from it.

Next time something like this happens we need to get together and BS and game.

Heck who knows, maybe I will attempt a marathon type game and see how long I can keep the same game going.. just continously. I mean hell, word of my game reached all the way to Kevin S.

[Warwolf]

I had no idea MMM, I just thought you were a bit sleep deprived... you have absolutely nothing to apologize for.

It's good to hear that you had a good time, I know what little time we spent chatting was time well spent. I can relate to your feeling on the drive back, Spectre can attest that I had a similar response when he asked if I had a good time. Also, you live fairly close (and I travel through Cuba on the way back home ALL THE TIME), so we might have to schedule a get-together this summer. Between you, Eryk, Stardust, and my crew, we should have a barbeque/game night or something... heck I'd even GM if you wanted to play again. This Open House has given me memories that will last a lifetime. However, it also introduced me to many cool people that I hope to remain friends or at least acquaintances with for a long while. I've been saying since the appeal to the fans that Palladium s one big, dysfunctional family. This family reunion just made it all the more real.

[MADMANMIKE]

..Well, thanks to record sales on my previous route the year before last, I have plenty of room for gaming here, despite the growing size of my family.

..My office isn't quite as big as Kev's, but I do have a couch and can pull the matching chair in from the attached sitting room to make seating for about six; there's probably room for my inflatable chair too, that'd make seven.

..I've got the room wired with my surround sound, and wireless from the laptop, so we could Skype in countless others, although I don't really have a good mic for everyone in the room to get onto that.

..Nice patio too if you want to B.B.Q., although I'm no good personally for that. My wife does that stuff, I just marvel that food can actually taste good.

-Mike >8]

[Xar]

..And thanks John (Xar) for going with me. I would probably have backed out if it was just me going alone. You invited me to carpool never having met me offline, and turned out to be cooler than I imagined.

-Mike >8]

Dude,
It was my pleasure. I'm proud to call you a friend!

[Danger]

Also, you live fairly close (and I travel through Cuba on the way back home ALL THE TIME), so we might have to schedule a get-together this summer.

Cuba's my old home town.

[Warwolf]

Also, you live fairly close (and I travel through Cuba on the way back home ALL THE TIME), so we might have to schedule a get-together this summer.

Cuba's my old home town.

And being that you're just across town from me, I'm sure you and the Missus would be invited.

Palladium Gamers of Southwest Missouri, UNITE!

But seriously, one weekend when there's good weather, we all need to get togeter and game. I know at least seven to ten people that would want to get together. That would be enough for two seperate games... I think I just had an idea... oooh, this could be good. I'll have to get back to you guys when I have more time!

[Xar]

I'm good for coming down also, with enough advanced notice.

[Warwolf]

I'm good for coming down also, with enough advanced notice.

From Kansas City?! Wow, that's cool. Seems like this is turning into quite a shindinanny. You sure you're up for hosting this MMM (or I guess the correct question would be, can your wife stand a bunch of us yahoos taking over her house?). Seems like we may need to bring tents and pitch them in your back yard! By the time everything is said and done, we might have to call it MADMANMIKE's mini-Open House!

[MADMANMIKE]

..Actually Xar lives in Columbia. I'm the one who is originally from KC. (not Killer Cyborg, as much as he'd like to take the credit).

..Last year around this time I had 17 people staying here, and nobody had to sleep on the floor, so I'm sure a day of gaming can probably be worked out. Of course, I'm not the boss here, so I'd have to put it past the wife, but given enough notice and planning, it should be cool.

-Mike >8]

[Danger]

My folks live in St. James now (about 15 minutes away). They moved from Cuba about 5 years ago. *sniffsniff*

I'd crash at their place if such an event were cooked up, so you wouldn't have to worry about me taking up space. I'd just need a couple weeks advance notice to get the time off from work (I have a 2nd job on the weekends).

The next thing would be to talk my fiancee into coming with me.

[Warwolf]

Columbia, KC, close enough for government work.

Anyway, sounds good fellas. I'll talk to the crew about it this weekend, then get back to you guys about potential weekends.

[Spectre]

I wanna join.

[MADMANMIKE]

..Thanks Holyoak, I enjoyed what I saw of your games.

I wanna join.

..Well, I'm about 85 miles from St. Louis..

-Mike >8]

[Eryk Stormbright]

well i know for a fact that me and Stardust would love to get together with you guys for a game, wouldn't even matter what game really lol. and MMM since your Always running, maybe i'll run something for you and everyone else that way you can actually play for a change *g*

[MADMANMIKE]

..That'd be cool. Although I'm starting to get the GM bug stiring inside again now..

..Timing, timing, timing...

-Mike >8]

[Spectre]

I wanna join.

..Well, I'm about 85 miles from St. Louis..

-Mike >8]

... and I'm about 450mi from St. Louis.

[Subjugator]

..My Asperger's Syndrome makes being in places like that a serious challenge; I get physically ill when I'm in a mall, for all the sensory input.

*hat tip to another Aspie*

Subbie

[Slag]

Same, man, same. I'll catch up with you next time, M^3. We'll chuck some dice...

[Warwolf]

I wanna join.

I knew you would want to, but I thought you were limited on trips this summer. We'd enjoy having you there, I just didn't know how feasible it was. We can still try and scedule you in though.

[Carl Gleba]

No need to apologize, heck I couldn't keep the O.C.C.'s straight at the gaming table, let alone everyone's names, and they had name tags!! Besides, anyone that whips out a box of cookies is cool by me Ok, you were cool before that, and it was nice to meet face to face.

Carl

[MADMANMIKE]

..Heh, I forgot about the cookies. There were still more in the car; I got Xar to take those to work with him.

..Man, I just went by my Frito-truck to see how the vacation driver did, and I have got my work cut out for me.

..They really don't expect much out of those guys, just a semi-warm body behind the wheel. He did me over something terrible, and it's going to be hell trying to get caught up.

..And of course I can't really work next Saturday, as my 4 year old has a dance recital and my cousin is getting married. Oy...



-Mike <8]

[MADMANMIKE]

Well Mike I had a blast just Talking with you and Xar, Just to let you know we were totally down to game sunday night, just didnt happen.
I would love to be there for the game your planning, but you understand I live in Denver Colorado, Its quite a trip.
Allen.

..Sure, I know. My grandparents took my sister and I to Colorado Springs 18 years ago. At 45mph. Stopping every two hours to pour our drinking water in the radiator.

..Not since the early 20th century has it taken two days to get from Kansas City to Colorado...

-Mike >8]

[Xar]

..Heh, I forgot about the cookies. There were still more in the car; I got Xar to take those to work with him. ...snip...
-Mike <8]

And the college students loved you for it!

[rat_bastard]

I was unbearably shy throughout, but I did get to say hi to you MMM, to many crowds, not enough intimate venues...

[MADMANMIKE]

..I started this thread after the first Open House, so I guess I should update it now.

..Thanks to last year's experience, I have evolved socially almost as much in the past year as I did in the twenty years before. The pure positive energy felt like a soothing warm bath. Since then I have learned to accept being a salesman, and have excelled at it as a result.

..This year I only got two hours of sleep each day and enjoyed every waking minute.

..ratbastard, I saw that you were keeping to yourself so I reached out a couple of times; one of the things that helped me get over my own shyness was helping others come out of their shells.

..Subbie, I'm sorry I didn't get more time to talk with you, Yopu're even better adjusted than I would have guessed on the boards; don't give up now, you're closer than you think to where you need to be.

..I know I missed a few people getting signatures in my RUE book. and that is my biggest regret about the second annual Open House. See you guys there next year!

-Miek <8]

[Xar]

I forgot to ever sign it, and I had the most opportunity. D'oh!

[Warwolf]

I was unbearably shy throughout, but I did get to say hi to you MMM, to many crowds, not enough intimate venues...

Yeah, I wish I could have convinced you to sit and chat a bit. However, as MMM likes to point out, I'm kind-of creepy...

Maybe next year?

[MADMANMIKE]

Yeah, I wish I could have convinced you to sit and chat a bit. However, as MMM likes to point out, I'm kind-of creepy...

Maybe next year?

..Wait a minute, I never said you're creepy, I said from a distance you appear to be creepy..

-Mike <8]

[Subjugator]

I was unbearably shy throughout, but I did get to say hi to you MMM, to many crowds, not enough intimate venues...

Shy?

You?

Sh'ya right!

/Sub

[Warwolf]

Yeah, I wish I could have convinced you to sit and chat a bit. However, as MMM likes to point out, I'm kind-of creepy...

Maybe next year?

..Wait a minute, I never said you're creepy, I said from a distance you appear to be creepy..

Well, since that's as far as most shy people get, to them I'm just creepy.

Also, you're not the only person to have told me as such. I guess it's the fact that I typically walk around with an impassive look on my face (unless I'm scowling because I'm agitated or deep in thought). I don't typically try to make myself seem approachable unless I'm actually attempting to be sociable (which I was at the Open House). I chalk it up to being somewhat of a loner.

[MADMANMIKE]

...I chalk it up to being somewhat of a loner.

..I'm goiung to leave that one alone..

-Mike <8]