Thanks for everything, gals & guys! :)

[Peppoah]

Oh man,
If I had known, you could have my 10 fragments, i still have them and don't know what to do with them.
Anyway enjoy your free time from the game. It was a pleasure reading your posts.
You'll be missed.
Cheers, Pepp

[Crazypants]

I completely feel where your coming from Wit. Im in the same boat myself. You were an awesome Trooper and a great part of the community. Best of luck to you!

[Witkacy]

Good evening gals & guys

I am really surprised and touched reading your comments... I was expecting maybe 10-15 posts and there it happened four pages of them... Once again THANK YOU! Honestly feel like we all were one big family... So far doing pretty great - not missing the game at all - quick look at all this what's going on - just assured me there's nothing to regret - besides sticking with you all gals & guys... I may be start playing one day again (seeing POSITIVE changes and at least some decent rewards - not random useless stuff), but for sure I won't go full 50 troopers (this system as it is - is NOT acceptable at all), might do some quests for sports, while be very boring - so far I am NOT and I guess it won't change anytime soon...

Some of you have written to me that gonna be missing my posts and so my stories... I don't remember that sharing too many of them with you, though... Well... It happens that I have some time (not being involved of playing right now) and I guess I could be told you one of these for you to enjoy ;-)

It will be about one failed economy exam, back in 1998...

OK, here we go... It was quite long ago, yet remember everything like it was yesterday...
I took the day off cause I wished to prepare myself to the economy exam next day...
About 12:35 the telephone rang...
- Mum, could you pick up the phone, please? I am eating a soup now...
If it's someone from the office - tell them I am busy...
Mum picked the phone...
- It's for you... Not from the office... Some guy says his name is 'Jack The Beatles' and this is urgent... Do you know him?
- Yes, Mum... It's my friend... Tell him that I am coming...
(Me and Jack being friends for years... He's a music journalist and running a second-hand shop with rare vinyls and CDs - it's his passion... The other one: The Beatles - simply love them :-D)
- Hello, Jack... What happened?
- Hello Witunio... I am sorry that calling a bit late - was ringing to the office first, then they told me you are in home now...
WAKE UP! Do you know who just came to Warsaw? Blaze Bayley and Janick Gers... Yes, THOSE Blaze and Janick...
I am going to the press conference with them in Sheraton Hotel at 13:00... If you want me to get some signs for you - bring me some items before 13:00 and I'll get them for you...
- WOW! I mean THANK YOU, JACK of course, please DO!!!... But, but... Could I come with you, please... I would like to meet them very much... Please...
- No, you can't... Sorry... It's closed conference... For the press only, not for the fans...
- *sigh* Pitty :-( I wish I could be there and meet them in person... But sure THANK YOU once more for getting signs for me :-D
- Stop talking and start to dress yourself up, OK? LOL Time is running away...
- Could you do something that I would be able to go there? PLEASE PLEASE!!!
- Ah, you're so stubborn... OK, ok, but stop talking LOL I'll think of something - but can't promise anything for sure, OK? ;-)
Remember... 13:00... Don't be late... If you do - you get nothing...
- Thank you, Jack!!!!... I'll be there...

About 12:40...
I started to dress myself up in a hurry... Was so shocked that didn't know what to give to sign...
My hands were shaking a little bit when took off the booklet from CD case - good that not torn it into pieces LOL

- Witunio!!! What has happened? Why you so in a hurry??? Maiden came??? LOL
- You bet, Mum!!! :-D I have to leave now...
- But... Your soup!!! Haven't finshed eating...
- Not hungry anymore... Love you... Byyyeee!!!

About 12:45...

Ran at the bus stop... Live quite close to the centre of the town, yet time was running away and no sign of the bus :-(
Started smoking a cigarette and look nervously at my watch... For about 2 minutes - here it is!!! I am saved! :-D
Yet it seemed that there was a new driver in the bus and he missed the route :-(
I thought 'Oh, no!!! God why you doing this to me... Just now when the time is so precious to me :-(
I am NOT gonna make it and be late :-( No Jack, no Maiden, no nothing :-(
I was just resigned and very sad, so stopped staring at my watch constantly...
Luckily the driver when he spot his mistake - was driving quite fast (as for bus) and took the shortcut...
So... When I finally got to my destination and off the bus... I was about couple hundered meters far from the hotel...

And it was 13:00 on a big clock hangin' as banner above the street...

At first hesitating myself what to do - thought: I AM late, no doubt... Jack probably is inside now and I won't find him there :-(
What to do? Go back home or what? After a few seconds I said to myself: F--k that! Time for another running now! :-D
And started running like crazy, shouting all the time 'GET OFF MY WAY, PEOPLE!!! WATCH OUT!! EXCUSE ME!!!'
After a few meters - sadly concerned that I shouldn't smoke that bloody cigarette and it was very bad idea :-p
When I was near the hotel - saw Jack - he was waving to me and shouted: HURRY UP, MAN!!! HURRY UP!!!
Finally I stopped in front of Jack being all sweaty...
- Where the hell have you been? You know what's the time? Nearly 13:02...
Told you not to be late...
- Look... I know, Jack... I am very sorry... I had troubles with the bus...
- Okie... Listen up! You take my camera and say nothing... Got it? Hang the camera on your neck... That's good...
Now we go to the hotel...
- Thanks you were waiting for me, man... Wait a second... I hardly can breathe...
And we entered the hotel...

Inside some man from hotel's security walked to us...
- Good afternoon... How can I help you?
- 'Only Rock'... To the press conference with Iron Maiden...
- May I see your press ID?
- Sure... Here you are... This man is with me - he will be taking pictures...
- I see... Thank you... This way, gentlemen... Follow me, please...
And he showed us the way to the conference room...
In front of the room was standing another man...

- Could you open your bags, please? Any audio-video recording equipment?
- None... We have just this camera...
- Thank you... You may go inside...

As we both seated, gave back the camera to Jack... I WAS INSIDE!!!! :-D:-D:-D
There was big room with full of seats, table, two chairs and hi-fi system on the floor...
Was wondering about that - yet didn't want to disturb Jack, so sat quiet like one brown mouse :-D
Later on some man came in with some equipment and began to install it...
I was so much curious, so whispered to Jack...
- What's that for? For Maiden?
- No LOL I guess it's some scrambling system... Nobody can record anything when the system is on...
- Ah, I see...
Next came some nice lady from EMI Poland... She gave us the details of the new album and showed us a bit of the cover (not the whole one - for obvious reasons ;-))
Told its gonna be called 'Virtual XI' and the idea is about football and the World Cup gonna be soon in France...
Next she put out some CD-R (you can see this CD-R on the pic, gals & guys :-D) and said that we gonna be listening the whole album...
(me almost dead!!! Thought: is that happening for real or just a dream, anyway??? If yes - not want to wake up just yet :-D
I even not dreamt that I would have the chance to listen the new album a few months before it gonna be availabe in shops, actually!!!!)

- I will meet with you for about an hour... Then will be time for conference with Mr. Blaze Bayley and Mr. Janick Gers of Iron Maiden...
After that they will be signing items and posing for pictures... In the meantime - Please enjoy the music!
Walked to the stereo on the floor, played the CD, smiled to us and left the room...

[Witkacy]

Couple minutes after listening, the door opened, we heard loud 'heeeyyy!!!' and THEY entered the room with the lady...
The conference has started... Questions about the new album, the forthcoming tour and the gig in Poland...
Unfortunately I can't remember exact questions and answers now... Just enjoyed the moment then LOL

When conference was over - lady said it's time for signing stuff and taking pictures...
Almost everyone of journalists rushed toward their table pushing one another that hard, Maiden's glasses with water almost fell on the floor :-(
In some moment I thought that if they won't have enough room or air to breath - piss off themselves and walk away...
Being just 170 cm of height not like to push myself through being shy, and not like being pushed either...
Anyway... Somehow managed to get near the table and give my booklet to sign... Being still in one piece...
Said hello and kindly asked for signing... Jack shouted at me to watch to the camera for pic - yet I couldn't turn myself LOL

When got booklet signed, moved back a bit as others were pushing me away... Jack said he shot one pic of me and Blaze - yet not sure if its gonna be good LOL
I wished to have a pic with Jan as well, yet it was impossible to reach him :-( So many persons crushed themselves in front of the table :-(
Jack said - just go there, near Janick... I will shot another pic for you :-D
- Yeah, easy to say, but how??? :-( You're big man, I am NOT :-(

Then some idea came to my mind and said to Jack:
- I would like to have a pic with Jan - and I WILL get it!
Could you keep my booklet for a while to be safe? Thank you :-D

Got as near table as I could, then said 'Excuse me', fell on my knees, onto the carpet and began to crawl under the table - to come out right before sitting Janick...

- Jan! Could I have a photo with you, please? :-D
- Sure... 0.0

Later on when the signing and taking pics was over and everybody got what they asked - most of journalists just left...
Yet the boys not left just yet - probably having some more time for us, according to schedule... So started to talk with those who didn't leave...
Jack wished to leave as well, me - not!!! Yet then Jan come to me (me - panic!!! LOL Jack - will wait outside for you...) and asked:

- Mate, what kind of newspaper you representing? :-)
- None... I am just a fan of yours...
- How come? So how you get here?

And I told Jan the story - well not that long, with all details...
When I finished - Jan started to laugh and coudn't stop for a while LOL LOL

- Man... YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CRAZY, you know that? LOL LOL
- Why thank you, Jan! LOL LOL
Then I thanked him for coming, for having great time today... And simply for that they ARE...
Giving me and all other fans around the world so much joy with their music...
Jan wished me good luck - we shook hands, I came outside to Jack, got my things and back home - being all the way in deep shock...

[druid138]

< moved post down in thread >

[Witkacy]

Then what's happen next... Needless to say that I was so happy of meeting them and listening the new album that I couldn't focus myself on anything else than Maiden LOL
I failed the exam... My economy professor wasn't very pleased while reading the results couple days later... Remember that before everyone's left, she stopped me, putting her hand on my arm and looked deep into my eyes...
- We need to talk, I guess? Wait for me outside, OK?
- Sure, Lusia (she asked that every students called her per name, NOT "professor", or "Mrs" - to make things more simple)
As for her look: not being tall, delicate woman, aged over 40, with nice attitude to everyone, seemed constantly shy and not knowing exactly where she is (but you could be very wrong when it came to the questions about economy though LOL ) being recognized at once thanks to huuuuuge plait she had... Up to her bottom... Really amazing :-D

Waited for her, as she asked...

- Let's take some walk and smoke, shall we? And she smiled :-)

Both started to walk a bit, then sat on one bench in front of university...
Felt not very well, knowing I screwed up the exam... Kinda bad, cause really liked Lusia, not missed any of her lectures and having one of the best marks in my group :-(

- Thought you like economy, Witunio :-) Being glad you chose my lectures instead drinking some pints in the pub with your pals... Having good marks either, being bright... Recognized your handwriting and so your name, but had the feeling that what I read was written by someone else, not you... Everything was wrong... I checked your cases twice... What happened with you? Fell in love? Writing having hangover? Smoked some stuff?
What's your story? What I should do with you? Tell me...
- I know, Lusia... I AM sorry :-( As for the story... There's not much to tell... It's because Iron Maiden :-)

She smiled once again and said:
- I have to say that I hear such an excuse for the first time :-) What about them? You made me curious... You got ten minutes and I would like to hear the story how Iron Maiden made people fail their exams, okie? ;-) Let's smoke a cigarette and the floor is yours, Witunio :-)

So we both smoked and I told Lusia my story, though skipped the names - just said I've met vocalist and so guitarist of Maiden, not bothering her with such details...
When I finished she was laughing very much...

- You ARE unbelievable, Witunio! LOL You have amused me very much! LOL LOL LOL Always KNEW that I have crazy students, but you beat them all up! LOL At least you have the pictures, eh? So I guess IT WAS worth anyway? LOL
You could show me the pics while you got them, please? Not that I am checking you out - no, I believe you, no-one would bother to tell such crazy fairy-tale LOL I am just curious :-) By the way... What you gonna do in next thursday from now on, at about 13.00?

- Dunno yet... Anything interesting gonna happen? And where it suppose to be?
- Here... No, not quite... Rather boring LOL but thought you might be interested anyway ;-) I will have an economy exam with another group of students... That's an invitation... Shall I expect you here then? ;-)
- THANK YOU, LUSIA for giving me another chance!!! :-D
- So we are set then... Let's go back inside... You have one week... Just look over your own jottings, okie? Already seen them - half of group already has your jottings copied LOL Very nice ones - made on the computer... With that familiar sign on the top corner of each page (it was old Derek Riggs logo LOL ) and so "copyright by Witunio" next to it :-) There won't be anything more than I told you during lectures... Take care... See you next week :-)

One week has passed and I met with Lusia again...

Before the exam started, I met her in a smoking-room...

- I am glad that you came, Witunio :-) Are you ready? ;-)
And whispered to my ear: I hope that you haven't met any musicians lately? LOL

- Yes... And no... I haven't LOL

Wrote all the cases during exam and give it back to Lusia few minutes before time was up... Later on all the students (except me though ;-)) crowded next to her wishing to know the proper answers for cases and so questions... And when there will be some results announced...
She was smiling and laughing:

- Easy, dearies, easy... I know that you all very much like me - but there's no need to push all of you towards me, OK? LOL
Give me some days - I'll check your exams and announce results on the board as usual...

Everyone left at last - I stayed...

- Lusia... I know that the break soon be over, but if you could just look on my cases - I would be much more calm... Please...
- OK, but just one look ;-)

After a while she found my exam, took a look on the first page... - Looks promising and she smiled - don't worry, okie? ;-)
- Thank you and have a nice day :-)

While I was at the door and supposed to leave she called me:

- Witunio... Wait... She wrote something on paper... This is the number of my private cellphone... Usually I am NOT giving it to anyone - yet for you made an exception... Remember it and not write anywhere and so not give to anyone as well, please... Or my private life will be over LOL
- Thank you very much, Lusia... Well... I don't know if I can... I wouldn't like to disturb you, you know...
- It's OK... Call me tomorrow, okie? I'll check your cases as the first one... Have a nice day as well... We'll see soon again - I guess you would like to get my autograph in your index and some mark, right? ;-)
- Would be nice, indeed :-)
- Okie... So you're free now... Take care :-)

So I called to Lusia as she wished and it turned out that I've got 4+ :-D (the gradation of marks as follows: 2 - failed, 3 - poor, 4 - good, 5 - very good and +/- used, so 4+ was very good mark indeed, close to the best one - 5 ;-))
Lusia told me when she will be at the university, to catch her there and get the entry in the index and so discuss the exam as well...
Before I got there, I popped up to the florist's to buy one red rose and being very glad went to search for Lusia...

She was discussing the results of the exam individually with every student and it usually took 10 minutes, sometimes longer... She told what you've done wrong and get the mark into the index... I waited for my turn, then entered...
- Ah, Witunio :-) Please, come in and have a sit :-)
- Good afternoon, Lusia :-) But first I would like to give you this little something and apologize I grated on your nerves :-o
- Thank you very much! :-D You shouldn't, really :-o That's so sweet of you!

***

- I think you have enough economy for a short while, right? Or being interested what you've done wrong, afterall? ;-)
- No, not really, Lusia, to be honest... Being happy of my mark and kinda sad it's over on the other side... It would be cool to have some other lectures with you...
- At least some enjoed them... Nice to hear! LOL I dunno if I will be having any other lectures with you folks later on... But despite if we'll meet again in the future or not I would like to tell that you were one of the best groups I had so far, with some beloved students - like you, Witunio :-D
Always liked you since I saw you for the first time on my lectures :-) I dunno why but very much like men with long hair LOL You being very special cause just you having long hair in your group... So I turned my attention on you since the very start LOL You might not remember that but I do remember you being on my lectures in leather jacket and Led Zeppelin t-shirt once at the very beginning... I thought to myself: "Point for him - at least listening good music... If turn out that he as bright as having good musical taste I will very much like him..." So you DID :-D
- Speaking of musical tastes... Already have these pics of the meeting... You might be take a look at them if you wish ;-)
- Sure! Show me, please :-)
So I did... Lusia looked over the pics and said after a while...
- Cool! :-D Really cool! But who are these guys anyway?
- Iron Maiden?
- These guys are off Iron Maiden? Strange... Where's Dickinson? And the blonde guitarist you told me - I thought it's about.... I guess the guy's name was Murray, right?

This time I looked kinda stupid and confused LOL

- But... But How come? You DO know Iron Maiden, Lusia? :-D
- Of course I know them, sweetie! :-D I was at their Warsaw's gigs in 1984 and then 1986... Later on somehow not listened much music and stopped following what's going on due to lack of time...
- These are new guys... Blaze Bayley on vocals and Janick Gers on guitars... Murray still there, yet Dickinson and Smith have left some years ago...
- Well... Pitty... And I guess we could be talking till late night here then LOL Thanks for the nice chat and educating me a bit - it seems that even Lusia doesn't know everything, eh? LOL
Happy to know you Witunio... Keep it up! :-D Congrats of passing economy exam and I wish you further sucesses during your studies... Then she came to me, shook my hand and asked to call another student waiting by the door...

So... That's the story... It turned out that thanks to Maiden I knew another Maiden fan - that one I should never expect being LOL And the moral of the story that listening to Maiden not always being helpful during studies, eh? LOL

That would be all from me now - take care gals & guys!

Cheers,

W

[druid138]

Great story, man! It goes to show that a lot of the time, we make our own "luck" by being open to amazing opportunities and never giving up along the way. I hope you stick around and keep posting these kinds of things!

[Jofer16]

Yeah this thread confirms the community > this broke game. Sad they take advantage of that. Got my closest in transformers minus the soldiers that quit all together, so the struggle was worth it lol There are more rewarding avenues than a team that exploits loyal fans for their love of $$.

Godspeed Wit, for all your contributions, Miigwech!

[Witkacy]

Yeah this thread confirms the community > this broke game. Sad they take advantage of that. Got my closest in transformers minus the soldiers that quit all together, so the struggle was worth it lol There are more rewarding avenues than a team that exploits loyal fans for their love of $$.

Godspeed Wit, for all your contributions, Miigwech!

Jofer

Very true and to the point... as always First I've concluded that the game is NOT worth my money (considering it's still very faulty product), though I do donated the devs with some payments from time to time (which now I regret, to be honest - seeing where it all goes)... And now I find that is even not worth my time... Like it or not - we all have just one life to live and and don't want to wake up someday with experience that I've wasted some part of it on things being just rubbish... Now I just take my time and enjoy reading good books over mug of good coffee - perfect combination of something good for the body and for the soul either...

Thank you kindly for the wishes - there was a time I'd wish to be as good as you - now it won't happen too soon (or never LOL) I guess, cause dropped playing... And so changed my priorities and attitude... Sad to say - yet I've just discovered that not everything with familliar shaped white-red letters is as best as it should be...

All the best,

Cheers,

W

[Jofer16]

Jofer

Very true and to the point... as always First I've concluded that the game is NOT worth my money (considering it's still very faulty product), though I do donated the devs with some payments from time to time (which now I regret, to be honest - seeing where it all goes)... And now I find that is even not worth my time... Like it or not - we all have just one life to live and and don't want to wake up someday with experience that I've wasted some part of it on things being just rubbish... Now I just take my time and enjoy reading good books over mug of good coffee - perfect combination of something good for the body and for the soul either...

Thank you kindly for the wishes - there was a time I'd wish to be as good as you - now it won't happen too soon (or never LOL) I guess, cause dropped playing... And so changed my priorities and attitude... Sad to say - yet I've just discovered that not everything with familliar shaped white-red letters is as best as it should be...

All the best,

Cheers,

W

Agree 100% Let me know if you run out of good books to read, I got a couple shelves full so plenty of recommendations