Warspite

[Lord Durham]

AAR Writers of the Week : Warspite

Well, shoot me Jerry.

I've decided the time is right to honour one of the Pillars of the AAR forum.

I will paraphrase some of what I wrote previously, but it should be stressed that when I first discovered the EU I AAR forum there were a couple of names listed as Moderator. The problem was, they were absolutely nowhere to be found. Consequently, everyone did their own thing with no semblance of community or organisation.

Finally, the Paradox gods saw fit to make Warpsite a Mod, and the rest, they say, is history. Almost immediately there was a noticable change to the way the Forum was run, and several changes manifested virtually overnight. It was obvious they sprung from Jerry's mind, and I am not so brash to say that I adapted many of his ideas. Many live on to this day.

The Italy AAR still stands as one of the most popular threads of all time. It's appeal generated a unique loyalty among those who contributed. Oddly enough, most of those people never bothered to branch into other threads, and have faded away over time. It's a shame, because there were some very good writers.

Last week I had the priviledge of meeting Jerry when he decided to fly to Toronto to visit. It was a spur of the moment thing that kind of suits the person he is. After the pleasantries were finished, we found ourselves tossing around ideas over the next two days.

Bottom line, Jerry is one of THE nicest people you would ever want to meet. I was saddened that the trip was to short, and we didn't have the time to spend together that I would have wanted. But, from what I've gathered, he's so in love with the TO women that I truly expect him back shortly.

Though Warspite lays kind of low these days, he's still very passionate about the EU II AAR Forum. That doesn't take away from the fact that he continues to write enthralling AARs and offers up the odd Forum tidbit (like this Honouring people thread thingy... )

Please give it up for Jerry. He's a great guy who deserves the accolades.

 

[Norgesvenn]

I remember when first registering for the forums here. The AAR section was one of the last ones I visited. I still struggled to hold any country together, so I read the advice put forth in the FAQs and in the general forum.

Then I discovered the AAR forum.

I remember Warspite from the Free Company episodes from EU 1, and I've read up on the Italy RPG now. A very good initiative, Warspite.

Your competence and knowledge about the Roman Empire is enviable, and your Byzantine AARs managed to get me to start a few (largely crash-and-burn) GCs with them. Shame on you for making me look so bad!

I've noticed that you've been very helpful and encouraging to other writers, so I see no reason to doubt Bruce's statement about you being a nice guy. You seem to be!

Sadly, I haven't read everything you've written, but I think this award is very well deserved!

Good going, and keep up your tireless efforts, Warspite!

Tomas

 

[Rictus]

Aha! I caught this one, this time!

I believe Warspite earned his Modship as a birthday gift. That is, of course, not to say he didn't earn it. Far from it, Warspite has been a cohesive force on the forum probably ever since he loaded up internet explorer on that fateful day...

Sadly, I never participated in the Italy AAR. It was simply too much a daunting task to catch up. And it was my loss because the snippets I did read were top quality works. Which reminds me, what happened to the proposed Book? Or the Italian Scenerio? I think Gandalf was making it (though I could be wrong)

These days, I think he's settled down on to smaller (but no less grand) projects, such as many Encyclopedia Warspitica type works. While I read a couple, most half fallen by the wayside for me. Again, my loss I suppose.

Finally, a congratulatins on a honour well earned. You deserved it

 

[Warspite]

Bruce you bugger!! I just got up this morning and am trying to find the article I wrote to post for the next two Writers of the Week when shazam, I saw this, looks like you beat me too it Bruce, you sneaky guy

There is so much I want to tell, I will be like one of those guys in the awards shows they boo off the stage for talking so much hehe. Alas, I am off to work for now .

Thanks Bruce, this is a very nice surprise, I have a loss of words to say, so I will say more when I get home tonight.

Thanks everyone for your support, this tickles my soul and warms my heart, I look forward to the future of these forums like never before, you will see why soon

What a Game!

Jerry

 

[Barkdreg]

To quote Warspite himself:
"What a guy!" or should that be "What a game!"

 

[Sharur]

Well, I've said this before, but I'll say it again: No Warspite, No Sharur

Originally posted by Lord Durham
The Italy AAR still stands as one of the most popular threads of all time. It's appeal generated a unique loyalty among those who contributed. Oddly enough, most of those people never bothered to branch into other threads, and have faded away over time. It's a shame, because there were some very good writers.

Too true But I think that it's actually to the AAR's credit, because some of the people it did attract, such as Jeep, Xanadu, and Mariani, were not normally inclined towards the AAR forum. So you could say it had wide-ranging appeal Besides, I'm still here , as is Daniel McCollum, Carolus Rex, and occasionally Misha and Gandalf. I really wish Meerschaum were still here, he'd have a lot of fun with stuff like the Righteous BastAARds.

Anyway... Warspite, you were the one who really kick-started the entire AAR forum, and brought it from a group of people whose interest was mostly elsewhere, and were just posting log-AARs to show off what they could do, to a group of people interested in the AARs for their own sake, to see how they could go beyond a simple log. And that, more than anything, is what makes you so great in my eyes. Thanks for the guidance, Warspite

PS. If anyone wants to try to build the Italy scenario, I'd love to help. I don't think Gandalf is active enough to do it any more.

 

[Syt]

WAARspite, what could I say which has not been said? You are definitely one of the foundations, walls, and roofs of this little place we like to call AAR forum.

Your pioneering and continued dedication has helped turn this place into what it is today, and something which I cannot help returning to, even though there may be delays in between.

And I am still waiting for you to publish the Complete, Definitive and Annotated Encyclopedia Warspite, as those are definitely one of the best reads I have come across here.

 

[unmerged(7996)]

Just wanted to send out a big thank you to a guy who has:

launched many AARs and ideas,

covered a lot of territory in Europe,

and moderated the forum through both sunny days and rough
seas.

Be sure to kick back and soak up some rays...errr....praise.

Thanks Jerry for all the help and encouragement you've given to
me.

Sidenote: Will you write an AAR about the HMS Warspite for HoI?
I've thought of doing one that follows a single infantry company
through the entire war...but...following a single ship would be
cool too IMHO.

 

[Warspite]

I kid my co-workers that I almost got married in Toronto . Fact is besides the great women there, it is a great town full of life and activities. Best of all though I had a chance to meet two guys I enjoy writing with, Bruce and Chris. Meeting them was a spark that lit the flame in my head for an Idea to expand the bounds of this forum. After putting the human element to these two writers, I really, really, really, hope that we can pull this AAR-CON 2003 off next year because I want to meet so many of you guys who write here.

A bit about myself. I am from Milwaukee Wisconsin, born 1972. Before I graduated High school I was in the Navy. I traveled much and saw and experienced more than I could have imagined, I almost got married a few times too , I love oriental women, I just hope I dont have any half and half kids overseas . I am a rather conservative type and the navy got old. I love the pictures Backpack, I was on the aircraft carriers Ranger and Carl Vinson. I miss the ocean and the many experiences I had aboard ship operations. So after the navy I traveled around the USA for about four years working a few jobs in aviation and finally landed in Appleton WI in 2000. After having moved I think it was about 12 times in 5 years I was ready to settle down a bit. I still love to travel though and it takes up much of my time be it big trips overseas, or little trips on the lakes or camping. I love History and I use to write lots when I was younger. I wrote a 200 page novel under candle light and with pencil when I was about 14 years old. Still have it too hehe it’s so funny. I was huge into Dungeons and Dragons then and have always had a broad/twisted imagination. My favorite old game is without a doubt Nabunagas Ambition and Ghengis Khan from Koei. I did an AAR last year based on a GK game playing the Mamelukes while I waited for EU to come out in the states, check it out if you get a chance.

The game EU has become a big part of my life. It greatly introduced a period of history to me that I didn’t pay much attention too previously. The waves of information that followed have been a cleansing experience for my mind. Meaning I have soaked in history and learned so much thanks to this game motivating me, that it literally changed the course of my studies and life. I came up with the What a Game sig back in january of 2001 when I joined up. I use to put it with some of my earlier posts then just made it permanent. It sums up what I think about this increadible game.

Some of you may still remember my very first pseudo-AAR the “Impatient American AAR” back in Jan of 2001. I was so anxious for this game to come out I could hardly stand the wait. It is true that I would joke with the cashier at the store about the game, and it is true that I was engaged back then. Unfortunately events took place last year that had me on an emotional roller coaster and she is history. I became so consumed by this game and the AAR forum that I went into over speed and burned out. Something I regret to this day is having left the forum and my Italy AAR after this last Christmas Holiday. Sorry to all those I left behind.

It took me awhile, but I realized I still wanted to get back into the game and the AAR forum, by March or April I was back at it. The reason is because I love history, I love writing and I still think there is a potential in this place that has been missed for over a year. I have learned much about how this forum needs to work, thanks to Bruce and Chris and so many others. It’s not just about creative writing and a game, but also about working together and respect. Last year I started an ambitious idea to write a novel (alternative historical fiction) based on an AAR, some of you may remember that. Well it started out fine and Paradox was behind me on it. However after a couple months I realized it was not going to work. I knew (my opinion) there was no market for a book about a history created by a game. It just wouldn’t sell (I may be wrong), not to mention I am not the greatest writer. However ever since that fallout, I still felt there was an opportunity deep within this arena of creative writers and writing.

I have for the past weeks tried to figure out how to find my calling for this forum again. I mean there is something I want to do but I can’t put my finger on it. On one hand I want this forum to blossom more as it has with creativity, but I also want to see Paradox get some productive use from all of this, more than we have seen already. I am currently trying to work with forum Admin and Paradox to start an AAR reorganization and expansion that will be explained in detail later. In the coming weeks I will be asking for your ideas and motivation to help get a plan into motion that will launch the forums into an ambitious and promising future. If it works out as I have foreseen, not only Paradox will benefit but all those writers involved will as well.

I am very much into sailing and I love the water and weather elements. I am always fascinated by the wind and that it is never fully predictable. There are those times when an unexpected gust of wind will either benefit your position greatly or by its force and odd direction bring you leaning dangerously against your will. I am optimistic about the future of these forums and I think we are about to have a good, productive gust of wind in our sails that will carry our forum faster and further than we have ever been. I hope that you will join with me as we continue to enjoy this game, these AAR forums and the games and forums that are to come. It has been a pleasure to write and enjoy this all with you.

Bruce and Chris, thanks for a very splendid stay in Toronto, though short it was worth every moment of time.


"This is my first ever AAR "
http://www.europa-universalis.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186

"This is the Ghengis Khan game AAR I did while waiting for EU to make it to the states"
http://www.europa-universalis.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=236

"This is the thread that started it all for me, the rest is history (pun intended)"
http://www.europa-universalis.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9201

Until next time I reply to your comments and write with you all, let me just say one more thing.

“WHAT A GAME!”

 

[Bismarck]

I guess it is a grand statement to just how long you've been here if your first AAR was thread 186... and we are onto at least thread 47750....

You've come a long way Warspite(I don't call people by their real names on a forum unless I have permission... just one of those odd things... you may have noticed that already though )

Way to go, and way to play...

M

 

[Warspite]

Originally posted by Bismarck
I guess it is a grand statement to just how long you've been here if your first AAR was thread 186... and we are onto at least thread 47750....

You've come a long way Warspite(I don't call people by their real names on a forum unless I have permission... just one of those odd things... you may have noticed that already though )

Way to go, and way to play...

M

Hehe yeah i kinda got a chuckle outta that myself with thread 186.

By the way you can call me Jerry, heck you all can call me Jerry, in fact I think im going to change my screen name to Jerry

I was hoping we could all get more on a first name basis here. Helps that community feeling I like so much. Oh, here comes UglyDuck to get my autograph, gotta run

 

[unmerged(4007)]

Warspite,

Never would have guessed you were younger than me. Might have guessed we both shared past Navy experience and a love for history though, as well as that teenage D&D phase. I'll forgive you for being a target sailor (I served on Trident Submarines myself). I'll forgive the fact you're a cheesehead too. (Can you guess where I was born from that?)

Other than that, I can say very little that hasn't been said. You and Bruce are the reasons people feel welcome and free to create here. Also your writing has always been enjoyable. In particular I thought the Cambodia AAR was a beautifully well-done piece.

Other that that, all I can say is "thanks," and it's good to be part of this community with people like you here.

 

[Sharur]

I'll forgive him for being a cheesehead too, but only because we put the smack down on them in Super Bowl XXXII

Amazingly enough, Warspite, I had never seen that thread until now. How weird is that?

 

[Craig Ashley]

I had to add my meaningless rambling here. Jerry, Warspite, whoever you are, you along with LD are the reason many of us have had the guts to share our humble efforts with this community. This forum is so polite and encouraging it just amazes me. Without the atmosphere that you have helped create, I feel many writers would not be willing to share their works. Thanks Jerry.

BTW, Bears Rule! Cheeseheads drool.

 

[Warspite]

Man its a good thing I am not a big football fan anymore hehe. To be honest with you all, living so close to the Holy City of the Packers (Green Bay) gets kinda old. I use to have my cheesehat though, and I probably use to say "Goa Pack Goa"

I noticed there are a bunch of flatlanders on these forums too

Thanks everyone for the pats on the back. I really look forward to what is to come in the forum.

 

[Xanadu]

Heeeeeelllllloooooooo Warspite!!! (a.k.a. Jerry )

Well lets see here....
It's been what?...1 year and 7 months since you have arrived on these forums (with me joining a couple of weeks later) and I must say you have been possiblly the most influential person on these boards. I remember our first meeting in my first post on this forum. It was about KOEI games, and from there we would go on and on about how good they were (are).
I remember your mall AAR and your Ghengis Khan AAR. Most interesting, and original if I must say (not to mention funny) .
I also remember the PM you sent me asking me to come check out your new AAR....The Italy AAR. I must say that even though my writing skills suck you atleast encouraged me to give it a shot. I am still amazed at how the Italy AAR had evolved into such an epic story with some real deep sub-plots. The characters were numerous, and highly interesting. I also miss By-Tor a bit .
Your promotion to moderator to the AAR section was a much needed blessing to the forums. Sapura was in the army, so somebody was needed, and luckily they chose you. You managed to set a standard for the AAR section, and projected a form of basic etiquite that congratulates, and encourages any and all AAR writers on their work. Your attitude on the forums has always been positive (in one form or another ), and I hope that other forum members can and/or have modeled their attitude and respect of other forum members after yours.
You have my total respect and hope that you make it out to Seattle in September to that I can finally meet you and shake your hand.

HAIL WARSPITE!

 

[Storey]

I had to stop by and put in my praise for Jerry. Like Xanadu I was part of Jerry’s Italy AAR and it was a first in many ways for this forum. He has consistently encouraged others in contributing to this site both by writing and by supporting others who might be nervous about trying their hand at writing an AAR. I remember Xanadu, AKA By-Tor, being nervous about trying his hand at writing but Jerry incouraged him and he turned out to be a natural at it. (Hi Xanadu) My hopes are that Jerry will continue to contribute to this forum for a long time.

Oh and WHAT A GAME!

Joe

 

[Xanadu]

Storey!!!!!!
Where have you been??!!?!?!

(sorry for the minor hijacking...I won't do it again....I swear.....really.....I promise)

 

[Carolus Rex]

Wow. Congrats on being our WotW.

Where to begin?
Ur solely responsible for gettign me into AAR's(damn u! ), when u nagged me into joining ur(back then) little Italy AAR. I didn't regret it, it was a blast all the way. U made me write my first AAR, that was a total freakshow.
I've read all of ur AAR's, some have been better than others, but u've always had a high capacity and a still unused potential.

Ur also the friend that I got to learn during those hours of chatting away on ICQ, prolly my first real friend on this forum.

Thanks for it all man.

 

[Warspite]

Originally posted by Carolus Rex
Wow. Congrats on being our WotW.

Thanks for it all man.

Yeah that was pretty cool, I almost forgot about the ICQ chats we had, its been so long. Your pictures of Venice when you did that trip last year are still fresh in my mind though, and I fully intend on taking my vacation there next year I still cant wait to see you on TV kicking Tigers butt some day hehe. Thanks again Petter