ways_back_room | Ben's Fourth Milliversary

It literally just occurred to me that it was four years ago today when I made my first EP in Milliways. I came here indirectly via TV Tropes - I was looking through their Half-Life fanfic recommendations and Cam's Gordon journal was one of the top suggestions on the page. Despite the LiveJournal format, I really enjoyed it. I was, however, deeply perplexed by all these references to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe that kept popping up. Was this some sort of highly intermittent crossover?

A little more digging revealed it to be a roleplaying journal. I was wholly unfamiliar with the LJ roleplaying community, so I was pretty confused at first. As much as I enjoyed (and still enjoy) fandom and writing, I was intimidated and actually a little weirded out by the idea. What's more, I was really busy at the time. But the idea of Milliways just stuck with me, and kept sticking with me. Before Cam had even answered the lengthy and nervously-worded e-mail I wrote to inquire about joining, I had already submitted an application. The choice of character hit me in a flash - the Waco Kid from Blazing Saddles. I thought it would be fun to play a character who KNOWS he's a character. In retrospect, it's a good thing I went with him instead of my original choice, Rael from The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, a rock opera whose plot no sober man has ever understood.

Since then a lot has changed in my life. I've moved several times. I've switched careers. I've had some ups, and I've had some really serious downs. But even through hiatuses and quiet periods, Milliways has, with varying frequency, always been there, and so have I. I know I haven't been as active lately (I've been working through some stuff), but this place and this day still mean something to me. It's been a lot of fun playing with you guys. I'm glad to have spent four years here.

Here's hoping the next year is another good one. Happy Holidays, everyone.