I think it's been over 3 months since I've posted a blog on here, well besides The 4th Floor posts of course, and during the past I guess year or so, not sure which I've had my fair share of ups and downs.  My first actual blog post got herded by Saint in almost a year in that time, and I became a paid games writer.  I'm dropping the journalist thing from that comment because quite frankly I'm neither qualified academically to be a journalist, nor do I have much in terms of contacts.  The issue though is that in the past year or so I've lost a spark in my life. The passion for writing. Call it whatever you will: selfish, arrogance, or just low self esteem (spoiler alert: all three) but I really enjoyed the sense of interactivity with my audience.  This has been severely lacking in both endeavors, the podcast as well as the games writing.

I miss the community most of all.  When I began writing on GIO it was January of 2010, and at the time I was sans a PS3 or 360 or any current generation console.  I don't even think I even owned a new computer game on my laptop at the time.  In the past two years I have had bitter arguments and disagreements with people who I now call my friend, I have also made a really good friend in Gamebeast.  I spent my free time on this site, I'd open a new tab for every blog written, read them and comment as necessary. I was active, I did what I could to remain active.  Last year things changed, and my participation sank to an all time low.  

It was during this time that I became disconnected, not only to GIO, but friends and family all became a blur of unwanted time.  I isolated myself and I became an addict, I suppose I had always been one but I hadn't quite hit that ultimate low.  As my life became disorganized, my rants on twitter became ever more confused and bitter, I pushed away with all my power because I hated myself.  However things change, they always do and I find myself clean and sober for the first time in 11 years through the grace of my maker, and I desire that sense of community again.  I crave that spark of inspiration, I crave self understanding, and I want to enjoy writing again.  

Most importantly I want writing to be fun again. Which is why GIO I'm making a commitment in the month of August to a 31/31 blog. The best way to practice this art form is to do so every day.  I've been working on a few ideas for blogs to tackle during this time, I may even do some reviews of the games I've been playing recently.  Maybe a movie review here and there.  I'm not too sure.  Everytime I feel like I've written on every possible subject I come up with another.  So GIO I suppose this is what I'd like to call the state of affairs.  I'm committing myself to become a more active community. I'm sober, and I love it.  But most importantly I'd like to thank you all for the words of kindness over these past two years, and also for reading what I put out here.  I honestly can't believe that you guys still do, but it feels good to know you've got people reading.

For Now I'm going to steal someone else's ending.

Cheers!

TOGNick