Just wanted to say thanks to all my buds here, some of whom I have known for about 9 years now in forumville. Lots of funny times on the board, debates won and lost, tons of laughs, friendships made, mistakes learned from, and in-game rants fallen on deaf ears.
Moving forward I will continue to do what I can to improve, do my best by the players, be here for anyone that may need a friend on, or off, the forums, and continue to work hard to keep this place enjoyable as we hope the gambling environment changes for the better.
One of my biggest thanks actually goes to reagan who first gave me a chance to run a sports forum on my own for a bit. He couldn't be a classier guy and it was a tremendous experience, though short lived. Huge thanks to SBR John as well. He gave me a chance to make some money doing something I love, took me out to vegas which was one of the best times of my life, and was a friend to me at all times and continues to be today. While some people allow where someone posts to determine whether or not you can maintain a friendship, John has been nothing but a wonderful person to me and someone I am humbled to call a friend.
The Shrink....aaahhhh The Shrink. I can't help but laugh at the ignorance of many who think they know the man. I can't help but laugh at how seriously I took some of the things he said about me when I first left eog. I truly believe that he has grown as a person since I have known him and he has been an absolutely amazing friend and mentor to me. A person who opens himself to criticism and confirms, to the masses, some of the things he has done that he was not proud of. This is a gentleman who truly has it all. Absolutely lovely wife, gorgeous home, beautiful family, great personality, great heart, and even a championship handicapping crown. A man with all this shows his own humility as he opens himself up to questioning, and with his honest replies merciless criticism from some. When I first came over we would talk about lots of things, but far too often what other forums were up to. Now, I don't think I have heard Ken mention another site in months. His focus is on us, he wishes others well, he speaks negatively of absolutely no one. We have all seen some of the things that have been said about Ken on here and on other forums, he takes it all in stride and doesn't even consider letting it get him down. People calling him asking for this, insulting him about that, wanting this, trying to take that...all the while he demeanor is calm and he shares his infectious laugh over the drama that takes place. Not enough words to fully display my thanks and gratitude for not only the job that I enjoy so much, but for the friendship he has extended me.
All my friends on here have been far too good to me. People post with me where ever I go and that is why I have a job. I am a 2% handicapper, I don't have tons of money to hand out, but Im here for my friends always and many would be surprised to learn the offers of friendship/help that have been extended to me over the years. While some people see me as a bit immature when I get crazy in my in-games, I take this position seriously. I take the chance to be there for people seriously. I enjoy being the person that someone comes to with a problem because I know that I will not let them down. I will give what I have got and then some.
The people I work with have also been great. I have nothing but fond thoughts of hache, bucs, ego, gyno and everyone else that used to work here with me. I hope nothing but the best for them and hopefully down the line we'll be able to expand our staff a bit. Maybe if WVU buys the place I can get a raise myself.
No chance I can even think about trying to name the hundreds of great people I consider friends on here, I would undoubtedly leave people off and feel badly for that. I am indebted to all of my forum friends and I will work hard to bring back some of the old timers that may not have be around as much. Traffic numbers have never been better in the sports forums or overall, but one post from some of the greats can be invaluable. I recognize that my place is one of a student in this industry still and I am soaking up all that I can. I constantly ask people for suggestions on how to improve eog and how to improve myself. I get lots of great replies and I am always open to more suggestions. My phone is also always available to anyone who would like to talk; I have had many great conversations with lots of people on eog on a variety of topics.
The people who are still on staff...well thanks to them goes without saying, but I will say it just in case. Jimmy, reload, Blondie, ball, and dio are some of the most helpful and caring people I know. They are all extremely different, but I feel very lucky to work with them each. Sometimes I don't even know how I got so lucky as to be surrounded by so many talented and good people.
This has dragged on longer than I intended it to, but; thank you, slurp slurp, slow pays > no pays, and lets have a great week.
Joe
100K Club
:+excited-