Anniversary Post

It's hard to tell cause not all my posts are RPG related and I have a dozen half completed posts in draft and I'm too lazy to figure it out.  But, sometime soon or recently [been procrastinating finishing this post, think I'm at 215-220 mark now] Troll and Flame passed the 200th post mark. Big deal.


I'm not a fan of anniversaries, perhaps this is related to my denial of time and avoidance of mortality.  But, a comment I wrote somewhere made me realize there are reasons I started and continue to blog.  I'd like to call a few out and thank them.


I started this Troll and Flame for three reasons, in order; 1) I'd been reading the OSR and other RPG blogs for a while and was getting so many ideas and resources I wanted to contribute back.  By adding my own ideas to the mix both in comments and on this blog.  Also, spreading awareness of and driving readers to other blogs/resources.  Sharing the awesomeness.  2) I've always needed an outlet for my creativity.  Blogging fits the bill nicely. 3) I'm a vain, attention whore.

That was enough to get going but the fuel that has sustained me is the wonderful community of RPG bloggers I'm part of.

 Early on Zack Houghton of www.rpgblog2.com offered to swap guest posts with me.  It was a small thing but really made feel welcomed and encouraged to continue. Thanks Zack!  I've recently offered guest post swapping to a new blogger I know.  [Also, if anyone wants to swap posts you can email me, I'm totally up for it.]

Jeff's Gameblog was one of the first blogs I found and it encouraged me to start blogging. Actually, it encouraged my adoption of a whole new gamer attitude. Locking away the "serious, analytical, everything must be perfect in my campaign anal norm" and unleashing the "holy crap yes, I will run that without any prep and it will be flippin rad, monkey norm!"  [I dump such crazed adulations on you, you're probably thinking I'm some psycho stalker.]  My best friend, also named Jeff, cracked my head open and you've continued his mental expansion work.  You two are the Buddhas who brought me enlightenment. Thanks.



The Lair of The Evil DM another early blog I followed and among the blogs that made me want to contribute back more than just comments.  The Lair's mix of  softcore and dress up mandolls posts* encouraged me to write Troll and Flame "as norm", rather than attempting to create a more acceptable/mainstream norm.  Thanks Most Evil One.
* Plenty of other types of posts as well. Just, those where the ones that made me think "holy hotness, what does this have to do with rpgs" / "haha what a dork, grown man playing with dolls"** and that I'd never have that stuff on my blog.  But then "fuck it".  The Evil DM doesn't give a shit what I think about his porn and mandolls why should I give a shit about what others think about my cussing and dorkery.
** A bit of creative license, greatly exaggerating and twisting my thoughts. Your action figures are rad and adults who don't play with toys suck.  And I shouldn't talk shit being the owner of several stuffed animals.


[A "My Advice to Bloggers" aside: In retrospect that, being norm, has been key for lasting over 200 posts.  At times your audience will be non-existent or piss you off and you'll loose the desire to continue.  To last, write for yourself not an audience.   Write what you want, when you want, how you want.  Internet big place, an audience will find you as long as you are true to yourself.]



ChattyDM Thanks for being my first comment!

Sham aka Dave Thanks for being my second comment!
JB Wow, I hadn't realized you've been reading for so long. Thanks!

Grognardia You might disagree and I'd wager you'd prefer it not to be, but, you are a leader of a community of blogs. Thanks for being a good one. And thanks for having a blog roll which started me on this adventure.

There are many others to thank... Daily I read blogs that blow my mind, spark my imagination, and drive me to continue blogging.  I owe a debt of gratitude to all of you, the bloggers in my roll. Thanks. You people are driving me mad with ideas!