I’m sitting in a dark convention hall with about two hundred other like-minded people. The room is divided into two areas, Alpha and Bravo sections and each section consists of row after row of folding tables with all sorts of computer equipment piled on top. Everything from laptops to e-machines to water cooled gaming rigs. There are more of that latter than the former but some people, like myself, like to travel somewhat light.
This is my seventh MillionManLan (MML). I’ve only missed one since its inception when my wife and I were in the Bahamas on our honeymoon. I have a feeling that this will be my last MML. I’ve had an okay time but lately I just haven’t really been too excited about video games. Maybe this thirty year old man-child is finally growing up or perhaps other pursuits have taken over.
I’ve spent about thirty hours here this weekend, far less than the sixty to seventy hours I spent at MML1. Back then I didn’t have a wife, kid or personal hygiene to worry about. Of the thirty or so hours I have only spent maybe ten hours actually playing video games. Most of those were only because my friends were playing and despite my melancholy about video games of late, I still enjoy the social experience of gaming with friends.
What I missed during this event was a great deal of writing time and a considerable amount of sleep. Both are things I value more than video games these days.
It’s been a good run. MML 8 marks the 44th Lanwar event of which I attended at least twenty over the years. I’ve made some great friends and if it weren’t for Lanwar I would have never gotten to know my best friend and he would have never introduced me to my wife and we would never have produced the most awesome little guy in the world.
When I hit publish for this post I will close my laptop and pack up to leave. When I walk out the doors to this familiar hall I will do so for the last time.
