History

I started playing because of a boy. I think he waited until we started dating before he fully exposed his nerdery. We didn't have a computer. We didn't have much of anything except a scantily furnished apartment and a growing fondness for each other. And some amazing friends. Anyway.

Since we didn't have a computer, we'd use the free computers at the library (which SUCKED because you only have like half an hour and no privacy because people are more likely to make sure you're not trying to look at porn). Better than the library were the university computer labs. We weren't students there, but we had ways. There were computers in the hall there, placed conveniently for students to check their email. We'd telnet in and have that lovely green text scroll by at dizzying speeds. Once, a family was touring the building, and the mom peered over my shoulder in amazement. "Oh wow! How do you type so fast?!!?" I think I might have sealed the deal for the University of _________ for that lady's kid. If the University had such amazing typers, it had to be a great school. Really, I was slightly embarrassed, and I muttered something about my personal email and how people shouldn't peer over people's emails.

Those were the early days when we telnetted from wherever we could. We felt a bit subversive. We also did all that mildly subversive real life stuff. Dumpster dove (although folks that do that know you don't exactly dive), flyering to expose corporate evils, leaving random bits of art in coffeeshops for people to find and get happy about.

Eventually we settled in, became a bit more domestic, and got zmud. Or maybe it's the other way around. Now, years later, we take long breaks from the Realms of the Dragons. Not a BAD thing ever, it's good to be connected with the earth and the sky and a book and other people. But when you've got a position you've been neglecting, that's not exactly admirable.