I'm Back

Blaaaraaagh n' stuff.

It's been a while since my last blog update so, before I launch into a new series of blogs covering the events of the past couple months, I thought I would take a moment to say hello again and explain my recent absence from the EVE scene.

My last blog was written at the very height of the crisis caused by CCP's actions concerning Incarna and the leaks of the 'Fearless' newsletter.  Later that Friday night I was on EVE Radio with Brendan from Massively, former CSM Chair Mynxee and current CSM Chair Mittani when the other infamous leak of Hilmar's CEO letter to the company came to light. It had been my full intention to keep up the pace of blogging / forum posting / tweeting and keep the information flowing but 'real life' reared up and smacked me from several directions that weekend.

I will not be going into any great detail about these events other than to say that it involved a family medical issue and required my full attention.  For several years now, my business and financial interests already had me splitting my time between Europe and the United States so I found myself juggling more issues than usual recently. Things are on the down slope to being good now though and I can turn my eye back toward imaginary spaceship land once again.

It is worth noting that these past seven weeks (feels like much longer) mark the first time in eight years of playing EVE that I've actually stepped back completely.  By that I mean I actually let four of my accounts lapse, I didn't even log in to change skills and I didn't participate in the day to day happenings of my corp or alliance. It felt... weird. I've been on summer breaks before from EVE but this was completely different and, I admit, a tad dangerous in terms of realizing just why so many people find it hard to return after an extended absence.

Inevitably, I started to feel the pull again and am getting back into things. While I wasn't actually in game, I did make it a point to keep up with forums, emails, etc... While the aforementioned issues prevented me from attending the CSM Emergency Summit, I was able to Skype into several of the meetings and have my say / listen in.  Additionally, all of the meetings were video recorded and I took the time to watch every session. My next blog is going to cover my thoughts on the Emergency Summit and what has and has not happened in the nearly two months since.

For now though, I just want everyone to know that I am back and will be making it a point to blog regularly and keep the information flowing as best I can.  I know that a lot of people voted for me to be on the CSM because they knew I would speak plainly about my experiences as their representative. In many ways, this little break has lent me a new perspective on certain issues and, in the coming months, I plan to use the time leading up to the December Summit as effectively as possible.  Stay tuned.