1911 Beta

Nerds,

I've been pretty MIA from the community lately, and I just wanted to take a moment to check-in so you know that ESL and Vegas LAN and all the other projects we've been working on here are all still happening (in some capacity, at some point, eventually-ish), but that real-life requires my full attention at the moment.

For those of you that don't know, I've had a very unfortunate run of bad luck in the past year or so.

I battled some rare health issues for all of 2013 that forced me to resign from my job, and landed me in the hospital on several occasions, at times without any insurance (THANKS, OBAMA!).

I lost an uncle with whom I was very close after a short battle with lung cancer on Christmas eve.

Just last week, a friend of mine who was helping me with Vegas LAN was struck and killed by a train while trying to help someone off the tracks who was trying to commit suicide (they survived).

Yesterday, my mother was rushed in for an emergency quadruple bypass. It was very sudden so we had no time to plan, and had to make a judgement call to pull the trigger on doing the surgery right now or risk losing her without any warning while waiting for other treatment options. A roll of the dice to save her life.

She dominated the surgery and is resting in ICU, but the road ahead is long and arduous, and my entire family has moved in with me so that we can all be close to the hospital and support her as much as we can.

As a result, I'm going to be taking an extended "leave of absence" of sorts for the time being while I attend to much more important matters than DoD in 2014, which I'm sure you can all understand (except gskill).

It's been an insanely difficult time, and I've had zero capacity to organize all these things that I wanted to for the community. That's been incredibly frustrating for me and at times I've taken it out on some of you, I'm very sorry about that.

I care about this community a lot, much more than any sane person should, but it has very little to do with DoD. We find a lot of really dumb reasons to say awful things about eachother over the most trivial of things in this community, but at the end of the day, I consider you all to be friends (even you Voldemort).

So, I appreciate your support and patience in my absence. I promise when I'm ready to come back that I'll be full of energy and ready to organize some kick-ass events for you guys (and girls).

Please, find some way to have fun and be good to one another.

Godspeed friends.

p.s. - Still doing Vegas LAN, I just don't know for sure when because I am unsure what my availability will be, I'll announce something once I figure it out.

I'm so sorry to hear about all of that, Eric. To say that is a run of unfortunate luck is the biggest understatement one could make. But all things considered, relative to this game or just life in general, you are one fucking hell of a dude. The least we can all do is band together and keep the community/this site and all things that come with it on an upswing during your absence. We ALL can relate to letting extreme serious real life shit seep into our treatment of people on the internet and by that, you really don't owe anyone an apology. We can handle this for ya big guy and obviously any way you think that I can help, just say the word. Or if you'd like me to reach out to anyone else for things you feel they could contribute, no problemo. You just focus on life for as long as need be, and know that this community without a fucking DOUBT will be here standing strong as fucking always for you, just as you have for all of us. I am so sorry again for the awful things that you've had to endure and I wish you and your mother both the absolute best of luck. Knowing the kind of guy that you are, given that you came from her, she will have no problem making it through this. My grandfather had similar circumstances about 9 years ago and it looked as abysmal as could be but we rallied around him and he lived to be fucking 89 years old, 7 years passed the complications of the emergency bypass. I'm sure everyone here will have their little bits to share and, though mine may border on excessive, they will all mirror the outright sentiment and real care. ANYTHING that any of us can do, you say the word. and that's on behalf of myself and thunder as a whole (whether they know it yet it or not, I've not a shadow of a doubt that they would all echo my statements here). Best of luck to you mang. You managed to hold together a community that has been irreparable for an absolutely absurd amount of time with your love for the game, community, your philanthropy and your overall kindness and sort of glowing personality and there's not a doubt in my mind that all of those things will help turn it around for you and your entire family. Keep in touch brotherman, I'm always a message away and can at least lend an ear or a couple of excessively fake legs. Take care, we'll all be here when the time comes for you to make your triumphant return.

Wait...

Half life 3: Confirmed.

You don't know me well but good luck Sears. I can't say we all relate to unfortunate events followed by a sudden turn for the worse but keep your head held high man. Everything will get better and you seem to have a great family by your side, so hold onto that. And like Jaggon said, no need for apologies here. As rude and dickish this place can be we're still a community together.

The rest can wait, 1911 will still be here when you get back.

Shitty situation. Even though we aren't the best of friends / get along all that much, Good luck.

Sears wrote:THANKS, OBAMA

Good luck brah. Hope it all works out.

hope everything works out for you. i'll just sit here crushing n00bz until you return. gl

Good luck Sears, known you a long long time, hope everything works out.

Tough luck Eric hope everything works out for the better with you.

Best of Luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery and that everything works out well!

Sears wrote:Just last week, a friend of mine who was helping me with Vegas LAN was struck and killed by a train while trying to help someone off the tracks who was trying to commit suicide (they survived).

wow, read about that on polygon the other day: http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/25/534439 ... ue-attempt

mad respect for him

Tread lightly, Eric! Take your time friendo!

I have entirely enjoyed 1911 since I found it and for that I will forever be in your debt. You are one of those people who has helped keep this great game and league alive and interesting and i think that's a great thing.

1911 tought me what a "gif" was

Damn, that ain't easy. Best of luck to you and your family. Will be tagging up #forsears until you return.

I have been around this game and community along time, I must say, after all the bad things i have seen over the years from players, to come on this post and see people actually be adults and show kindness and respect, is pretty damn cool. GL Sears! dont know u much, but i feel for you!

that was tough to read. after each line that described one of your hardships, i finished reading the line and expected the post to continue underneath, only to find another hardship. read that, thought you were done, and then another hardship. and another. very sorry bro and thank you for all that you do.

praying for your family

Eric, im sorry to hear about all of the unfortunate events that have been happening to you. I hope this new year brings brighter, happier events. Take care man.. Be well

Stay positive!!! things will turn around

Good luck sears. Stay positive. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Sorry to hear about all your bad luck recently Eric. Hope all is well for you in the future.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. Like others have said, it says a lot to see the community has matured as much as it has when it comes to situations like this (dyoung excluded).

My mom is doing well, all things considered, its just a very slow and painful recovery process for her. But, it's been great getting to spend so much time with her and the rest of the family.

I'm in a family-filled holding pattern until at least mid-March, and then I'm going to travel for awhile before returning to normal life things.

Today is the first day I've been able to tinker with 1911 at all, and while trying to get the new rep system working I accidentally deleted our previous forum style, so we're going to have to make do with this for a little while until I can find a little more time to get everything working. Sorry about that.

Once again, thanks for the kind words and support.

Good luck to you, Sears. Hope everything works out and gets better. Sorry to hear about your friend though, holy shit..

Still hoping the Vegas LAN can happen in August as originally planned. I already have my vacation and time off from work in place.

rwc8thc wrote:Good luck to you, Sears. Hope everything works out and gets better. Sorry to hear about your friend though, holy shit..

Still hoping the Vegas LAN can happen in August as originally planned. I already have my vacation and time off from work in place.

Thanks man, I appreciate it. It's been some kind of year.

It's looking like I'll still be able to pull Vegas LAN off in August, but I've got some small details to iron out with the new venue still. I'm expecting to be able to post some announcements/open up registration within a few weeks.

logging in for the first time in a while to say Im sorry about your friend, losing friends is all to familiar and it sucks. And im glad your moms surgery was a success i hope for a speedy recovery. as far as dod goes im pretty sure gskill is done after this and im pretty sure highball is aswell but id deff go to vegas lan if its still happening.


gl searsss

I'm sorry for what you've had to deal with and had to go through. It's tough to see bad things happen to good people.

I wish you only the best, and I am truly grateful for what you've done for the community.

Good luck.

Hey Eric sorry to hear this news.
If my medical knowledge can be any help let me know - hopefully your situation is progressing positively.

Take care.