Me an P lifted a couple days ago, and I am still quite sore. If you see me walk, it kind of looks like how Edward Norton looks in American History X, after he pisses off the prison guys. Not good.
I had a bunch of stuff written for the political blogs I was gonna publish, but I accidentally overwrote that file. So those might be a little slower in coming. In the meantime, enjoy the following short story.
The Awakening
The empty room sits cold, deserted and empty in a silence that is almost deafening in its magnitude. There are no windows, no markings on the walls, nary a hint of life to be seen. To a random passerby, it would likely appear as though this were just another empty room, one no different from any other room you might find.
But this is no ordinary place. For within these walls, great warriors once gathered. From this room, many a soldier prepared himself for battles from which his very return was questionable. To this room, some have fled, weary from the fight, seeking a haven of rest. Others, meanwhile, perhaps came simply to enjoy fellowship, to share wisdom and experience among comrades.
Though the echoes of war cries have long faded, this ground is far from ordinary. Indeed, it is a room with an all-too-real life of its own, a room that a select few still hold sacred. Yes, it is none other than the Battle.net Channel 509.
In the age when fresher, flashier newcomers as CounterStrike or WarCraft III have stepped to the forefront and lured many away, room 509 has sadly fallen to the wayside over time. Its greatness all but forgotten, the room now quietly rests, like a leviathan in deep slumber.
Has this once-revered channel seen its best days pass by? Has time taken its toll? Will the 509 be content to slowly fade into its dying moments? Alas, the answer to all of these questions is a clear and emphatic "no".
Footsteps can now be heard in the distance, approaching quickly. Strong, forceful footsteps, each emanating its own authority, leave no doubt that great men are about to storm into this place. As these footsteps get louder and nearer, they are followed by more and more footsteps like them, but each forceful and authoritative in its own way.
The door flies open, and in steps `sniffles`: mouse in one hand, keyboard in the other, and a fiery scowl on his face. Shortly after, he is followed by Folken32, also arriving with battle gear ready, and game face on. One by one, the great warriors enter in similar fashion. BrotherD... Dudo~509~... and BrianCook34, once known as Dostovi[spoons] and Enis44.
Hardly a word is uttered, but all are aware that something special is happening. It is only a matter of time before ISRmonger, Buddha5000, LOreaLPhiE, wetnight89, tink2000, Shubes~509~, PopiChulo~509~, coksuka, Gujuplaya, and countless others return to their homeland. One would not even be surprised to find the mysterious Poongbunkor's arrival in this place, although it is uncertain whether it will be with the face of xMAdMx or as PazLenchantin[ZWAN].
The tension and excitement in the air is palpable. Years have passed since this many quality craft masters have been found in one place. But the spirit of 509 has undeniably lived on, and nothing short of a full revival is upon us.
Many have wondered, what had caused the crafting spirit to lay dormant all this time? Was it merely the competition from CS and WC3? Was it driven away by competition from "labs" and "exams"? Was it simply a natural progression through time?
Some have said that the problem all along is that they all needed to "mine more minerals", but a true crafter knows that life is not all about minerals. As the Protoss commander so wisely and poignantly says, "You require more Vespene Gas" as well.
Whatever the reason for this extended hiatus, all is now forgiven. With one simple word, "gone", the warriors let out a collective shout and flood out of the 509 to mine, build, and conquer. Will they return, satisfied and invigorated with a "gg"? This is something that only time will tell.
As for now, this room again lies empty, just as it was only moments ago. But this time, it is empty in appearance only; it is hardly empty of life and energy. For the sleeping giant has awakened, and it is ready for battle once more.
