Thom’s Crossworlds Blog

This is not an April Fools joke.

This is one of the hardest things for me to write.

In February, Darin, Anne Onymous (of the Wotch) and others had conspired against me.For a little background about what their conspiracy is, you need a little background.

Despite my writing Crossworlds and the presence I have as Administrator of the Wotch/910CMX forums, I prefer to stay in the background. I’ve never been a glory seeker. Seeing the job done and helping people out is more than enough reward to me.

Then I found out that Darin, Anne and others had talked and set up a “Thank Thom” month and asked for people to help me out financially since my car blew up. People who I consider very dear friends wrote some very touching things about me — and embarassed me down to my socks.I’m not use to people saying such kind and compassionate words to or about me. Usually, I’m just the idiot who wants to help out — and gets used until “friends” feel they no longer need my skills. (As a side note, I’m not so pious that I’m not pleased when they don’t have the level of success — or outright fail — without me around. Karma does exist.)

So, I want to thank everyone who sent me money. Everyone, no matter how much or how little you donated, said something to me that I am not use to hearing. Thank you. No matter how good a writer I may think I am, I don’t have the words to describe how I’m feeling.

But it had me thinking about my past and other friends who I’ve lost contact with over the years. I truly hope that I can hear from some of you.

People like Dave Royce, my childhood friend back in Indiana and another of those people, along with his parents, I owe an immeasurable debt to — I wouldn’t be the man I am if not for you and your family.

People like those I knew from when I lived in Sebring, Florida: Bruce Glover, a fellow writer and comic book fan who collaborated with me on what I still think is one of the best Star Trek: The Next Generation story ideas ever and Art Bostick, the owner of the local comic book shop. (There were others who I knew back from those days, but my memory fails me.)

And people like Bill Schwab, the man who built Starfleet Region Three and trusted me to do the job I knew I could do. (For anyone who belongs to Starfleet, if your region has a constitution, a book of guidelines on how to do new shuttles, interregional events, or many other things, if you trace back the origin, you’ll see that they probably lead back to this man. Starfleet — especially in Texas and Louisiana — had been blessed to have Bill Schwab around.)

I don’t mean to slight anyone, especially those near and dear to me now.

Anne, Robin, Darin, Lilly and Phantom-Inker: People who are across the country and yet are probably some of the closest people I have ever known. People who have opened up their hearts (and sometimes their homes) to me, despite just knowing me through words on a screen. (Didn’t your parents ever tell you about talking to strangers…? *grin*)

John and Becky: Out of the friends I’ve made from the webcomics, these two are very dear to me because they are the same age as me, have gone through many of the same experiences as me, and know what I’m talking about with some of my off references. Thank you, both of you.

And to everyone else out there. You may not be as close to me as these, but don’t think you don’t mean anything to me. I keep watch over the forums and do all the behind the scenes work I do as much for you as I do for them.

Well, enough sentimental blather. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I hope to meet many of you at San Diego Comic Con this year.

God Bless.