The Simtropolis Annuarians Club

[Abrams 1,744]

I'm going to reach my 3rd year here soon.Unfortunately i haven't been very active here,i hope some day that will change again.

[TekindusT 3,809]

It is already a tradition that I miss my Simtropolis anniversary, and of course, 2018 wasn't an exception. But this time it is more flagrant, because I wanted to post something a bit special for my 10th anniversary here. Sadly I've been a bit busy this weekend with a couple of friends visiting and had no time for celebrations.

10 years. I have such a huge stream of stuff coming to my brain that it is difficult to articulate a proper train of thought... it will be a very long post, but I feel like writing this in such days like this.

I can't remember exactly what was happening on the January 28th 2008 but I remember the general mood. It wasn't good. According to my university record, I had just failed miserably my first semester in industrial engineering. Failed 4 out of 5 subjects. My relationship with my girlfriend those days wasn't going anywhere, but I still didn't know for sure. I preferred waiting for a few months more. Out of this panorama, I turned my eyes to videogames, to the very few my computer those days could still handle. An old SC4 vanilla copy was one of them.

I played a large city and probably looked around for cheats and stuff to download. I was confused of the strange layout at Capital SimCity, which was telling me stuff about brown boxes and Rush Hour, and all links seemed to lead to an obscure website, Simtropolis.com. It featured a terrible home page back in those days, full of colours and banners, flashy ads, a lot of acronyms I didn't really understand... I just wanted some custom stations, so I signed in, took a while. I had been using the TekindusT nickname for a while, but who could know that TekindusT would become my alter ego on in the virtual world for so long. Downloaded the stations. Had brown boxes. Searched in Simtropolis just to find out I needed an expansion for the game, which I couldn't really find in any physical store around my area. Still, Simtropolis' city name generator was fun to use.

From there on, I peeked at every videogames discount bin I could find. Until the jackpot fell.

Although I don't remember the exact day I got SC4 Deluxe around mid or late 2008, it helped make it through some of my personally darkest hours. A very good friend of mine had just died out of a bike accident. I had just finished my relationship with my girlfriend at that time, and I'd be expelled out of industrial engineering a few months later. I made it through the days in automatic pilot mode and playing SC4.

2009 started and Simtropolis was just celebrating the 2008 Trixies, with a sophisticated-looking black and gold banner. At some point, I became that TekindusT who was always connected, always lurking, never saying a thing. Slowly learning how the gears of Simtropolis turned. Slowly improving my gameplay too. Marveled at guys like suplado!, Retep Molinari, woodb3kmaster, Amerikaner, SimHoTToDDy... There was already no way back. I decided to break my silence on March 10th 2009 according to ST's archive and became active in ST. 

Simtropolis became since then a part of me, my virtual home. I'd resort to it during breaks during my new studies, mechanical engineering. Facebook and Simtropolis would start by default on my explorer everytime I started the computer. I felt accepted at ST, surrounded by peers, by like-minded individuals, by a stimulating micro-society. Nowhere else was like that on the internet (maybe SC4D but I discovered that way later). I can say confidently that Simtropolis had its share of responsability in helping me put my life back on track.

The rest, is history. That same year I started Taxi Driver, my very first CJ, now full of dead links. Later came Tenements & Rust, and later a MOTM award. I'd stare at the small medals under my avatar in satisfaction, happy and proud to be a member of Simtropolis, the "society" that accepted me in those dark times. Life was getting back on track, I was progressing in my mechanical engineering studies and passing all subjects. Later, Zelgadis invited me to become a mod in 2012. My ST time had diminished, as I was working part time by then and had almost no time to play SC4 anyomre, but I was hugely proud to serve the community in any way I could. The largest pyramid is just made rocks, and I'd push mine hard to build up that pyramid.

In early 2013 my presence in Simtropolis diminished even more I moved to Germany to study my final mechanical engineering semester away. Since then, I had barely no time for my virtual life, no more CJing and no more SC4 as I was devoting the 100% of my time to my internship and to enjoy the very best time ever of my life. I knew dozens of people in dozens of parties, drank dozens of liters of beer, laughed dozens of times and shed dozens of tears. In roughly 7 months of 2013, made lifelong friends, got a job in Germany and settled in a cold, dark country where I couldn't even order a döner kebab properly. Slowly made it back to a normal state of mind and to ST. Now I can order a döner kebab with yoghourt sauce, without onion and a bit of extra cheese.

My presence in ST ever since has ups and downs, now depending a lot on my job and my free time. I feel anyways rooted to ST already, rooted to that neighborhood you've lived in for decades. ST teaches, same as a real life neighborhood does, that neighbors and people come and go. Some are very important to you, some less important. Some are very missed. Some are in for a short stay, some for the long haul. You see some very often and some not so.

I hope I can remain for the long(er) haul here, or at least, for other 10 more years.

- Daniel

 

[redfox85 659]

I hit 12 years on January 5th. Yeah I've been lurker like but my medical issues have freed up some time to really dig into the game again.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

What a post there, Daniel! Makes my own Simtropolis history feel all trivial - which it probably is.

Knowing this background now, I'm all the more happy we have you around, and glad to hear that Simtropolis managed to lift your spirits in times when you most sorely needed it. It's amazing what such an online community can mean to a person's life, and the best reason to try and keep this little oasis alive and hold up the general atmosphere of friendliness and shared enthusiasm for our hobby.

Greetings and all the best wishes from that same cold dark country of Döner Kebaps with yoghurt sauce, without onions, and with some extra cheese!

EDIT

Oh, and almost forgot: Here's to the next ten years! *raises glass*

[Larks2242 251]

Can't believe I forgot to post here but I am now 8 ST years old or is it 9 (Do we count the year we joined?) Anyway it has been an incredible journey and I'm glad I have been part of the community, I never thought I would have been somewhere for so long and yet I'm creeping up on 10 years of my life, I was a little kid in school and I grew up with some of the friendships I've made here, I thank those that have been such good friends to me over the years and even helped me get through some rough times, Here's to 10, 20 and 50 years from now!

[adsii1970 85]

Could I be added to the appropriate list? I've been a member for a while... (May 30th, 2006)...

[CorinaMarie 29,884]

9 hours ago, adsii1970 said:

Could I be added to the appropriate list?

Yes, ofc. This thread is the list.

Traditionally one posts on their anniversary date. You'll notice some peeps miss it by a few days or even weeks, but that's ok.

[adsii1970 85]

40 minutes ago, CorinaMarie said:

Yes, ofc. This thread is the list.

Traditionally one posts on their anniversary date. You'll notice some peeps miss it by a few days or even weeks, but that's ok.

Hehehe, just call me a goober... You know, being almost 50, I'll try hard to remember when my anniversary comes back around again!

[Haljackey 17,398]

You know you've been away for a while when...

Guess I have some catching up to do!

 

[couchpotato 8]

Couchpotato - joined June 21, 2003 - name changed to Purringcat on later sites (Sacred, Banished)   

[CorinaMarie 29,884]

2 hours ago, couchpotato said:

name changed to Purringcat on later sites

That name is currently available here too should you wish to change to it.

[huskerman007 26]

I have been a member for 15 years now. Time goes fast

[blade2k5 1,523]

My 13th anniversary at Simtrop is next Tuesday the 26th.  Doesn't feel like it's been 13 years, but time seems to go faster the older you get, especially when you're in your mid-50s.

[Ryan B 35]

Time sure flies when real life hits.  I joined ST on January 10, 2003 ... which means I'm about to have my sixteenth anniversary here in a couple of weeks.

It's amazing to see the community and the game still going so strong - so long after its original release.

[McDuell 301]

It's been a looong time since I last was logged in here, but today is the day I go into my 16th year since I joined Simtropolis.

[TekindusT 3,809]

Another January 28th out for a conference, another ST anniversary missed again, as it is traditional. 11 years already!

[Larks2242 251]

This is the big one, 10 years, 10 years ago today I hit the sign up button for this website, It's an amazing thing an anniversary is, a revelation of sorts as well as a walk down a path of memories. 10 years is a big milestone for anything at this point considering it's my entire adult life. I think back on many moments, I browsed through some old forms and I remember many old friends who I no longer see, I have seen my growth as a person develop as well as moments that were very influential earlier on in my life. I also come into this anniversary with a new level of gratitude that I didn't have in previous ones. I don't really open up about my personal life, but for those who don't know, in late 2017 my life ran into a brick wall of sorts when I totaled two cars almost drowned and was captured and beaten in Nicaragua. It was a long process mostly mentally getting my life back together. I tell you this because the person who helped me more then anyone and was there to get me through it and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for such an amazing person. It was @Chptrk, He really came through for me, Without him I don't think I would have made it through alone. If it wasn't for simtropolis we would have never met, I am so grateful to simtropolis for facilitating our friendship because it has turned out to be one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. While we have been friends since pretty much when I joined, Since our early teens and HS! I have really grown to appreciate just how lucky I am to build such a unique friendship, It changed my life and my entire thought process. I know I am not the first generation to grow up with the internet but I am the first generation in the age of social media and I realize others have spent their whole lives without such a luxury. I also want to thank other people as I look back like @ROFLyoshi, Munch Munch @Munchiez, Frexman @Ceafus 88, ZugEFresh @Zezug Petey Pablo @Paulobergonci, @Metsrule865, @Muck308, @confused04, Dukey @dukeofyork, Vincy McLighten @Vahr, Assbanging (insidejoke) @Shadow Assassin, Sadie @Deathtoall, Misty @mysticdynasty, Philyian @Philadelphia, Nick Nack @Ntq€310, Packy @packersfan, Jake from State Farm @swatmedic, Numbers @7499275, Xylophone @Xyloxadoria, Bri @b22rian, @Raysfan16, @Victorvaldes, @SimHoTToDDy, @Molooo, @NMUSpidey, @un1, Waxy! @earwax_man / SC4IE, Torpedo @617squad, @hym, Franky @imdawon77, @simmaster07, Ressy @residentsim, Can hammy @Hamish, @Tonywolf7, @CSGdesign, cobie @ecoba, @Nilo7, @thepokemaniac, NAMaster @Tarkus, Squeaky clean @Codythemonkey, Waffle @reaps, Archy @Follarch, Niel @NielsC007, Mayor of cackleton @cacks, Twiggs @BlondeTwiggy, Pizzahut/Taco Bell Combo @TowerDude, Mister! @meister1235, @masochist, roger that @Roger51, kj kenny choi @kj3400, @MandelSoft

And many more, All of you in some way have played a role in shaping me to become the man I am today. Some of you I've met in person, Some we plan to, Some I have not heard from in years and miss, But all of you are good people and I'm happy to celebrate 10 years of life on a site with you guys, Here's to many more!

- Larks2242

[masochist 111]

@Larks2242 - Man, I'm glad you're all good now! I agree with you--this community has done so much for me. It's where I learned how to use the internet, proper online etiquette, basic photoshop, and innumerable other things. We were all part of this community, and I'm happy you're still with us. Congrats, man!

[TekindusT 3,809]

Yeah, I became ST active more or less coinciding with @Larks2242's registration in the site, so I have quite fond memories of those times. Thanks for mentioning such names, each of them brings a rush of memories to my brain, I learnt CJing by reading at those users' CJs, and regarded some of them as true CJ masters. I truly miss seeing some of their avatars around...

[Larks2242 251]

17 hours ago, masochist said:

@Larks2242 - Man, I'm glad you're all good now! I agree with you--this community has done so much for me. It's where I learned how to use the internet, proper online etiquette, basic photoshop, and innumerable other things. We were all part of this community, and I'm happy you're still with us. Congrats, man!

Thanks, It was rough for awhile but with great friends and support, I feel like I can fight through anything. 

11 hours ago, TekindusT said:

Yeah, I became ST active more or less coinciding with @Larks2242's registration in the site, so I have quite fond memories of those times. Thanks for mentioning such names, each of them brings a rush of memories to my brain, I learnt CJing by reading at those users' CJs, and regarded some of them as true CJ masters. I truly miss seeing some of their avatars around...

It's funny thing time is, Seasons come and go and so do old faces. I literally grew up with this site, I have made some bonds that have lasted a decade now and hope will last forever. But at the same time I miss many who have over that period drifted away, But memories last a lifetime and I will always have that. 

Luckly with the CJs, They will forever be preserved in time for future generations to see.

[CorinaMarie 29,884]

So, it's the 26th of March and this happens to be 3 years from the day I joined Simtropolis.

I still love it here!

[Miss Cuddly 52]

It's a couple of months late for me but I have been on this site since 2012, and absent for quite a few years I'm afraid to say. I tend to go in cycles with playing SC4, playing avidly for ages, then sporadically followed by a long period of inactivity. Then it's a repeat of the cycle.

[GreekMan 246]

Man...ive been a member for 14 years......I have missed ST, A lot of time spent on this site from 2005-2016....huge dropoff since then, maybe i just grew out of playing SC4....Life became a focal point, collage, work, girls, everything in between. I reminisce the time i had here. I was so mad each year after never winning a trixie. I tried so hard to win one. CJ after Cj kept coming up. Each one better than the last. Hit a high point in 2008 when i was runner up 2-3 times. Got a warm fuzzy for that. so close yet so far away. 

 

I think the days of being an active member on here are long gone for me =( 

[Silur 3,308]

April 13 this year will mark 13 years of my joining and Simtropolis. In fact, since 2004, but then something went wrong.

My current communication with Simtropolis came 2006-04-13.

It pleases...

[Edvarz 1,985]

Five years ago today I joined Simtropolis!!!

[RipRap 4,400]

Hey, it's my BIG TEN (football pun not intended) years at Simtropolis!  Now I can make an excuse about me being an old person now.

I'm just going to steal Larks's image LOL

I don't really know who to thank but let me just mention some big ones. @Duke87 Oh yes, you were really the first one to interact with me, The late @A Nonny Moose for getting me started and for being with me at my lowest times, @NMUSpidey for inspiring me about Japan, @Vahr (Blue Lightning), @Zezug, @Larks2242 for accompanying me at the 10,000 post thread when I was still active there and for also doing a lot of forum games with me, A LOT OF CHAT people like @Lot Creator, @meister1235, @Deathtoall, @deathtopumpkinsand both @Thin White Duke (Borgmeisterjojje or whatever that was) and @NielsC007 at chat for being there. It was a pleasure meeting you back in 2016, Niels, and that was a fantastic experience. I'm ready to meet you two soon. 

Of course, those people from the CJ Section. @Skimbo for really inspiring me to start my own journal. I still hold a high regard for you. The first people to comment on my City Journals like @escilnavia, the members of the Times of Troix and Okaiken Times @Schulmanator, @Hester, yes, even you @Ceraton, @Alejandro24, @BuggUla, @jacksunny, Spidey and Escilnavia again, the other Kenny @kj3400, @vivapanda. @Benedict for doing the Ben's Top 10+10. Oh and I wouldn't forget @TekindusT and @MandelSoft from their CJs that inspired me to focus on things that I should focus on.

Oh, and the trap that I fell through. SO MUCH PEOPLE TO THANK on that trap. @KCJC (2b2gbi) and  @k50 for being the two to introduce me to that, @StanislavSoltys, Kurt (sorry forgot your username), Chip (also forgot your username) and to my eventual RL pen-pal @SimEmirate. Hope to see you sometime. Also to @Forsma7 for having that rivalry that we eventually solved in Japan, @TowerDude being that perky Swiss person, @jayguum for being the middleman, @__A for being the main go to K-pop news person.

To the staff members @MushyMushy for being my moderator partner at chat, @Cyclone Boom for being my alumnus, Duke again for giving me the toothbrush and @Dirktator for sending me the STEX disk through Canada Post LOL.

[NMUSpidey 3,956]

OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU!  (...means congratulations in Japanese)

[KCJC 367]

@Tonraq Congratulations on ten years and thanks for the shout-out! Thanks for everything you do here and everything else. 

 

Also, this made me realize that I'm fast approaching ten years. It doesn't seem like it's been that long.

[TekindusT 3,809]

Congratulations on the big milestone, @Tonraq!!! 

[vw_oklahoma 308]

I've been on this site since 2008 and just now found this post. I'm not very observant. Ooh boy.