Well, can I thank everyone for their kind comments and Ashantai for the nomination. I do firmly believe that writing and commenting are the two things that keep AARland in existence. The first is obvious, no writing=no comments & no writing=no AARs, but also no comments means a lot less writing. It also tends to mean the AARs that do appear take on a very narrow gameplay reporting format (going by other forums I visit). There is nothing wrong with that approach and its one I use myself (my current Pride of Nations AAR being nothing but detailed gameplay ... and the occasional off colour joke about missionaries) but you don't see the range of styles we are treated to. People taking risks with narrative, producing lavish history book treatments that place the game results into their full context and, in one case I could mention, I think indirectly offering a more detailed exploration of Victoria 2's mechanics than you could using a conventional game play.
Equally I do firmly believe that if there were more comments, there would be more AARs (or more AARs that are sustained) ... so I'd urge all to go and leave their mark on the forum.
Now, unfortunately I do have to pass this on. And its a difficult and invidious choice, but I'd like to give it to someone who has been a member since 2002 and last won this in 2007. That is far too far back for someone who comments widely and always in a gentle supporting manner. I give you your new fan of the week:
Murmurandus