The time has come to end my SL ;(

I’m sorry ya’ll but the time has come to end my SL.

Hora, you had asked me twice why I haven’t been myself over the past few days. And I didn’t want to jinx myself or cause a stir within the group so I wanted to wait to see what happened in RL before I had mentioned that it was possible that I would have to leave. I think the only person I have even slightly mentioned it to is Tracey Kato. But I have been in negotiations with a company in Philly about a project their working on for over a month. Four days ago I was informed I was one of the final two candidates and ever since then I have been on pins and needles and stressed out beyond belief. Yesterday I had an hour phone interview and today I was informed that the project was a go and I have landed the position. I got till the first of next month until I start. So Hora, I have been real stressed thinking about the RL possibilities of moving and starting a new job not to mention the thought of having to leave all you fine folks, I have been trying to sew the seeds about team and community so much over the past week because just in case I did get lucky and land the opportunity that the team would not fall apart and that everyone would feel that it is their project and not just an idea Geo had but a true team effort one in which if any of the key members RL called that the community would be able to live on.

It’s an extremely happy and sad day for me my head is going in all directions. Happy because the economy has been terrible, I’m an independent consultant and haven’t reeled in a big fish in over a year, this project will make all my money troubles go away for a while if I give it my all. Sad because of the obvious; man am I going to miss everyone, the team of folks we all got together for Americana has been amazing, everyone else’s support for our project has been truly special and most importantly the friendships and partnerships I have made and I’m just plain old addicted to it all. I have met the nicest people in a world of pixels and I thank you for your friendship.

If this was just some regular 9-5 job or something that didn’t mean a lot to me in no way would I be actually thinking of leaving SL. But this new job is going to take a lot out of me and I mean a lot. I have two weeks to find an apartment or hotel room and get my butt to Philly ready to jump full steam into this project and give it my all. I got my work cut out for me, the project requires certain Java skills and I’m more of a VB guy, so I also have to find some kind of night classes or training in java as soon as I get down there. So between, the new job, new place to live and now night school I couldn’t possibly be able to handle my SL addiction. Knowing myself and how much I’m always thinking of SL, if I’m going to be able to focus 100 percent of my energy and mind I really need to quit cold turkey, go through a few days of SL withdrawals, back to my development books again and hopefully be ready to concentrate on my new venture.

I tell you I have never really played any other MMRPG type game and have heard the stories of people getting addicted to them but I had no idea. I’m not sure there is an hour in my day that I don’t think of something to do with SL and now that SL is 24 hours a day my real world friends and girl friend think I have abandoned them; and in many ways all this time in SL has definitely changed my relationship with some key folks in my RL and I must make that up to them, especially before I move 300 miles away.

Well I didn’t want to just leave without given all you folks that put your faith, effort and money into the projects we have worked on a real explanation of where I went, why I had to do it and how much I’m going to miss you all. I hope in a few months or so once my life has more balance again I will be able to sign up for on of the monthly accounts or maybe a free trail just to be able to see how things turned out for you all and marvel at your accomplishments.

Over the past week or so we all have raised over 45k L$ from various events and donations from members. Plus I got about 20k free cash available that I had set aside to help some of the less fortunate members of the group that had the dedication and devotion needed but not the time in world yet to make or have the money needed to buy land and build Americana. I have just had the time to login and thank god Tracey and Flea where on line, I deleted most of my non-group objects and anything that would pay me money like the donations boxes, that would not make it back into the teams hands if I didn’t get to login before the 23rd. I have given permission to all my objects to Tracey, Hora, Flea, Dio and Sin so that you all should be able to make copies of my stuff and textures so it could be moved to the new sim. I only wish I had a bit more time to help you guys take care of this all. I have given 68k to Tracey in front of Flea so that you can all select the land plots and the members that will receive the cash. 3k of the money was given to me by Alexis to hold for her as a down payment on 1/16 of a sim so make sure she gets that. I’m sure I forgot something but I’m so glad I was able to see tra and flea before I had to go on my trip tonight.

My life is going to be a whirlwind over the next week or so, I will not be able to attend the meeting tonight as I will be on a train to Philly to go look around the town and see where I good temporary place to hang my hat for a while. I have only been there once before hopefully I can find a nice place to live in a few days. When I get back I will have to pack up all my stuff and take the old u-haul back. I not sure I will have much free time before GoLive. I hope that I have the time in-between all this excitement to at least pop on before the 23rd and just say goodbye to each one of my friends but please understand if I don’t get to reach all of you. The main reason that I will not be signing up and keeping my account is that I’m the type that when I get into something or get an idea in my head I go non-stop until its exactly the way I pictured it, I usually take anything that I do seriously and do nothing half assed. I do not want to give myself the means to get swept away in SL and spent all my time in front of this computer when I need to concentrate on my new job, studies, new co-workers, friends and my new environment and venture. At least until I got it all under control and reached a better balance in my life. RL has presented itself with a whole new set of challenges for me in an extremely short time period and I must answer the call.

Thank you all that have been a friend I’m sure I might forget a name or four but:

Oda, Sassy, Lynnix, Hora, Dio, Asher, Ramon, Raven, Jon, Bone, Mariko, Fleabite, CrowCatcher, Tracey, Fen, MJ, Alexis, Sin, Shelley, Fey, Roo, Ian, Pituca, Eggy, Ope, Ralpha, Nyna, Raiya, Kat, Dave, Bill, Evie, Cailyn and many that I have not have the time to really get to know. Special thanks to the Lindens that gave me the chance to play in their world all this time and the super support they have given me.

gl ya’ll and I hope to see you all again someday.

Geo


-

George, you are going to be missed like crazy in Americana.

You have always been there to answer questions, take charge, and are a really great guy.

I remember when i first joined and I saw the name George Busch on the leaderboards (i'ma republican so it had a significance to me at least), I knew there was a guy i had to meet.

I promise to you that we will not let Americana fall apart, we will continue your idea, our dream and make it one of the most amazing areas of SL.

I hope you make it back someday and when you do we will hose the biggest event/party ever!

very truly sincerely,

JV (Jonathan Read)

PS, not sure if the lindens will notice this, but Geo, since your leaving and you are the founder of the Americana group (actual game group) we will need them to allow someone else to take control of it.... hmm i'll post this request somewhere else too once we find a new "leader".

JV

Good luck in your NEW life George. I don't know what the Lindens will do as fas as access to the forums after the 23rd, but I hope you can at least keep up that way.

I will do my best to keep your ideals alive in Ameracana. If it wasn't for you and all your hard work, we wouldn't have Ameracana.

YOU WILL BE MISSED...........


Tracey

George-

You are a man of true class!

I'm sorry to see you go, and wish I'd be staying to help complete your vision.

Good Luck with the job!

George, all the best in your new job, I really hope it all works out for you.

Sorry I didn't get time to know you better, but hey, maybe one day!

Good luck hon

So sorry to see you go ......wish you the best of luck in your new job...and you were such a wonderfull leader .


We will keep americanna going for you !

Aw man

I am really very sad to see you go. I do however understand and respect your need to. I hope you are able to pop on for more goodbyes since I apparently missed you today. I also hope you have arranged for your builds to live on with Americana. You have been a real asset to SL and friend to me and you will be missed.

Best of luck to you in your new adventures.

-MJ

All the best in your new endeavors. You will be missed greatly.

I know you will be successful in anything you do... you always give everything the very best it deserves.

Americana without George Busch?

hmmmm, hard to imagine...

Yours,
Sinatra

George, I'm sorry to hear that you have to leave. I'm so impressed by your kindness and honesty not to mention your leadership skills. You definitely fit that name, maybe more than the real GB SL just got a little poorer today. But don't look back too much, you're doing what you have to do, whats right. Good luck in your new job. We won't forget ya.

Now what are you doing reading this? Go hit them books!

ACK!!!!! **faint**



.. uhh... what happened? ::Reads post again:: ACK!!! *faints again*


..wait... ok, I'm ok now...

Well... Congratulations George... I hope whatever you do is fun and exciting and all the cool stuff that it should be. Americana will be an emptier place without you, but I'm sure well find a way to carry on with our lives...

I hope I get to see you IW before you're gone forever... And Americana will survive, it'll just feel like it's missing an important part.

Good Luck with everything...

Good luck, strive for happiness, and never forget us, because we'll never forget you.

~Dave Zeeman

PS: Thanks for mentioning me in your list of friends!

On the few occassions that one or the other of us were not so busy we could chat, I really enjoyed my time with you George. Best of luck with all the craziness you're about to live through!

I hope you realize what a deep and lasting impact you have made in this community -- and will continue to make through the great people in the Americana group. You guys have all done amazing things so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing your sim up and running soon!

You will be missed, Geo...

Geo

Your contributions to second life arnt paralled by many. Your kindness, generosity, leadership, honesty, and friendship will be sorely missed. Your origonal vision of rt 66 was an amazing acomplishment. Now with rt 66 being americana and having its own sim, I'm even more sure of your dedication. Those qualities will help you in your new job. Good luck with it, I really hope it works out. *hugs*

*Looks at Georgy and grins*

My friend I've seen the work you do and the love and care you put into your gas station. I think this is just a protection knee jerk reaction. Once you get settled in and get used to your new surroundings you will begin to relax. You will find some quit times sneaking in your life again. That's when the call of SL will sneak it's way back in again.

You will be back my friend and I will be waiting to greet you when I see you.

Take care my friend.

George -

We didn't talk much, I was just that wacky neighbor who built an outragously large statue then got into learning the limits of the physics engine (and how to minimize crashes when utilizing it). Your washington monument was one of the first things I saw upon entering SL. The Rt. 66 project was probablya the biggest reason for my starting Little Tokyo (I wanted to create something in our group's style with that much great work put into it).

I know I probably caused you some grief here and there, but in the end we worked thigns out and I learned to watch when Rt. 66 got busy and put my toys away. I watched Rt. 66 grow from a couple half created buildings to the wonderful creation it is today. I hope that the Americana team has taken your words of team and communty to heart and goes on to create the wonders you invisioned together.

You worked meticulasly, you were an active member of the community. You will be sorely missed.

-Gwyd

Just a thought: maybe you could buy the lifetime membership now to keep your account alive, and then give the password to someone you trust. Have that person change the password so you're locked out of the game, and safe from temptation. Then, when your RL has achieved a semblance of normality and you're able to play again, your friend can give you the password.

Congratulations George!! It's been a pleasure getting to know you and I hope you return when time permits.

Ian

In The Wind

In whispering winds
There are thoughts unspoken
Dreams yet to be dreamt


Unfurled in time they
Breathe new life and
Awaken a passion unknown



George,

Although you will be greatly missed by many in SL, I wish you all the good fortune a lifetime can offer. You have been a wonderful friend and confidant and I appreciate you more then I had the opportunity to tell you. I can only say, Thank you my friend.

I look forward to the day you have settled back into your first life and and you find time again to resume your second life. I will be here with bells on and a song in my heart for you.

Be well my dear friend,

O

Geo,
it was a truly a honor to have known you for the brief time that we were able to hang out together. Your passion and drive is what made me want to be a apart of Americana and you will be deeply missed i'm sure by all who had the chance to know you. I wish you all the best in Philly and i hope the new job is all you dream of it being for you, You are great man and i'll miss you Geo. Be safe and i hope to someday see you again .


Sassy

George, Unfortunatley we only got to meet recently in sl. I could not let you leave us however without saying that i knew immediatley i had met a remarkable and unique individual. I wish you the best of luck in your new rl, and will miss you in sl. Your friend, Welina

Good luck with the new job! Congratz!

But, keep in mind that SL is just a broadband connection away! Come back when you can.

-Raiya Jade

bad news folk.........

Geo has been purged from the system
all of his creations have finaly been deleted and all the land he held has reverted to public .......

lets have a moment of silence for such a wonderfull person that is still missed by many and Geo hope everything is working out for you.

This sucks, I always had in the back of my mind hoped that he would all of a sudden reappear right before he purged....

GRRR... oh well I know he will be back someday... who could live without SL forever?

..........

If you are reading this thread and never had the opportunity to meet George and see his wonderful creations... they do live on. Americana, in the sim "Blue" is home to many of Geo's works! Americana salutes you George Busch.

You are missed.

Sinatra