Not-So-Confidential to My Gaming Group
by Scott Hardie on August 9, 2006
I started writing this out in an email reply to John Gunter, but I guess it should be shared.
I miss gaming with you guys, but I'm on the fence about continuing. I like each of you guys a great deal, but when we're together I just don't feel the click of a connection like I used to. That evening when we saw X-Men, there were numerous stalls in the conversation where we ran out things to say – it had been months since we hung out, and still there was want for topics? The best I can figure is, my tiring career and the drive up there make it harder for me to engage in a gaming session the way I used to. It's like a few chuckles are all I can get or give for the evening, and that just doesn't feel worth it. :-(
You've all gamed for a lot longer than I have and I can't be the first person you know to go through a funk like this, so how does one snap out of it? For what it's worth, this predates the incident with Sly; gaming hasn't been much fun since last summer or earlier.
Three Replies to Not-So-Confidential to My Gaming Group
Scott Hardie | August 10, 2006
Well, there was that 800lb gorilla in the room the last time we hung out, since it was the first time since the last time before that, and that time was pretty bad. I think you're on to something.
There are probably a few dozen factors in all this, compounding over time, building on each other. See? Now, the next time I join you guys, I have all of this waffling over my future with the group to be uncomfortable about.
John has suggested using his forum's calendar, which seems like a good idea, although it is public. I can program another one pretty well I think, but should I go to the trouble?
I'll give more thought to things. Thanks for your support. Warm fuzzies back, my man.
Michael Paul Cote | August 14, 2006
We do miss you Scott and I think that Aaron was right about the "800 lb. gorilla" as you put it. I also know that exhaustion can play havoc with thought process and the like. I also feel that in an RPG setting, it doesn't take much to have an "off night" whether it be as a player or a gm. I know that I've had off nights running Ravenloft and to all I apologize. It's one of those things where something running in your subconsious just won't be over-ridden for very long and keeps popping up at bad and unexpected times. The more you have on your plate, the harder it is to fill with more stuff. Especially if the stuff already there is more important. Maybe, when you are feeling a little less beat, we can get together for short games, rather than worry about extended campaigns. I have enough scenarios that I have run in convention settings, to last a good long time. These are designed to be run in 4 hour slots. With character creation and everything it could make for an interesting day.
I had fun on our XMen trip. Although I did notice the conversation drags once or twice. But, I still enjoyed the company.
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Aaron Shurtleff | August 9, 2006
Well, I'm not the best person to respond (which is why I'll jump out and respond!), because I tend to have stalls in every conversation I'm part of (what little I contribute)! But, since I attribute that to me, I just go with it. For what it's worth, some of the hesitation might have been trying to avoid talking about a topic that is uncomfortable. Even when the conversation swings away, it's still on the mind, but no one wants to be the one who says it. That can often cause the kinds of problems you're talking about, I think.
It's hard to say what will get you out of a funk like that. If it was gaming related, sometimes it's just that you get tired of the PC and you need a change in that area. Maybe you'd be happier in a different setting. As far as gaming funks, it's usually just a matter of finding why you are dissatisfied, and making a change.
However, from what you say, your funk might go beyond that. I'd like to hope it's just exhaustion and your grueling job, but I always want to see the simple solutions (not that exhaustion is easy to deal with, but it's most convenient, I guess, if that makes sense). I think I can speak for everyone in the group when I say that we're here for you, and we understand.
Since I can't go out on a serious note...
*hugs* *warm fuzzies* :P