The Angry November 2024 Update

November 19, 2024

Happy November all… just two weeks before it’s December.

That probably sets the tone for this update; clearly, things still ain’t great. Or remotely on track. That’s despite my optimism in my little interim update a week and a half ago wherein I insisted I am still alive and everything isn’t totally still in a state of collapse. Well, I am alive and everything isn’t totally still in a state of collapse. Despite what it looks like. But things are still tough and I’m now facing the very clear reality that chaos and depression have effectively robbed me of a year of my life.

But that’s neither here nor there. We can talk about what that means and where I’m going next month. Because I literally don’t have time to talk about it this month. Once again, it’s the back half of the month and I have four articles in various states of undress that need to show up for the ball before the clock strikes midnight. If you know what the hell I’m saying.

That means my entire focus, right now, is on finishing — and in some cases starting — those Feature articles and cranking them out. I know a Live Chat is missing and a few other things that need addressing, but until I’ve got my content up to date, everything else is a low-tier priority.

The first November Feature will arrive tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning. That’s either November 20 or November 21. It’ll be True Mechanical Managery: When Death Comes Calling II. That’ll be followed up with True Mechanical Managery: New and Replacement Character Creation. Also, next week, I’ll be starting the True Scenario Designery module on Winning and Losing. The fourth Feature, which will show up just after Thanksgiving is a toss-up, but I suspect I’m just going to do the next True Scenario Designery Feature because it’s already partly outlined.

At this point in the month, I am not going to try to schedule a Live Chat or any other events, but I am planning to do a Live Chat early in December and I’ll announce the date once I know for sure. I am not even thinking about anything else until I get caught up on content. So that’s pretty much it.

I would leave this update here but for two things…

First, a few of you have asked about my health. Especially after I made a couple of comments here and there to some of you. I am doing okay. I am not great, but my health is not imminently or directly threatened. In fact, part of why I fell off this month was because I ended up seeing my doctor, doing some medical tests and follow-ups, meeting with my counselor, and meeting with my pastor. Despite things, I’m actually in very good physical health. Some issues need addressing, but I’ve got a game plan with my doctor to handle them. However, those people helping me with my care are all very concerned about my mental health. It is not in a good place. Fortunately, they are supporting me in building a plan to address that as well in different ways. So, even though I’ve hit a big setback and fallen back into darkness a bit, I am well-supported and actively working to improve things. Which is all I can do.

Second, I made a doom-and-gloom declaration a couple of months ago that if I wasn’t “on track” by the end of December, I intended to shut everything down and give up this whole dumbass endeavor. Some of you are concerned that my continuing struggles suggest that I’m probably not going to make it and, come January 1, you’re going to find my site condemned and my Discord boarded up and everything gone. Despite my saying that — and despite being terribly vague about what “on track” means — I’ve nonetheless reached the conclusion that I am in a good position to keep doing what I’m doing, reverse the downtrend, reclaim my lofty position in online gaming circles, and move beyond blogging — as was always the plan — to publish the absolute best damned roleplaying gaming content ever made by anyone. It’s going to take time and hard work to get there, but none of it is beyond me and I’ve got pretty much the most amazing community in the entire Internet cheering me on even though I keep calling them dumbasses and questioning their ability to run games.

I will have more to say on that subject next month and even more in January. But for now, I’ll just leave it there. I’m healthy, I’m not happy, but I am being helped, I am not going anywhere, and I am grateful for your ongoing and wholly undeserved support.

Now, back to telling all you dumbasses why you suck at handling death and loss in roleplaying games. Coming soon.


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19 thoughts on “The Angry November 2024 Update

  1. I’m sorry that things have been so hard. As an army veteran with ptsd/depression, I know how hard this stuff can be. We are here for you.

  2. Angry, do you have any idea how valuable it is to have your dumbassery pointed out to you in a manner that facilitates remediation? (Not YOU, you, the general you, you’re clearly not the dumbass, here…)

  3. Call me a dumbass, but the only thing that’s going to stop me from supporting you will be either of us kicking the bucket. You’re literally the best thing to happen to my pretend-elf experience-free-time-hobby-thing. And I ain’t done getting better just yet.

  4. Good to hear your health is at least ok and you’re going to move forward. I’ve been right with you on the tough mental health year impacting life and work. I really value all your articles, both as entertainment and good gaming advice. I’m not in the financial position where I can support you, so thank you for the amazing content. I’ve been spreading the message on Reddit though, and linking a lot of articles, even old ones. Hopefully that brings more eyeballs and Patrons.

  5. Not that it’s likely, but if I ever had the opportunity to game with you, RPG, tactical, Monopoly, or whatever, I imagine it’d be really cool.

  6. As someone who also struggles with depression, you have my full sympathies. Rest assured that the entire community is rooting for you. You’re not only our great gaming guru, but has become a true friend to all of us.

  7. I have been running “Silverpine Watch” for some new players, and while I think I have ideas about how to rewrite it to be easier to run from a GM perspective, for new players and introducing the concept of role playing, I think it is excellent.

    Most guides skip over role playing as something that people might have to learn. “We already know how to do that!” people insist. But I think your experience led you to emphasize this.

    Not sure how to join Discord or message you, but thank you for the blog, etc.

  8. Have you considered bringing someone on board to help manage the site? Maybe editing or some other area? It seems like you’re doing it all by yourself, and that is very difficult when you’re having the year you’ve had.

    • I am basically doing almost everything myself. That’s true. And it is not easy. I do have a new editor/proofreader joining the team next month. Rattercrash does sound mixing on my podcasts/recordings. I am working with a graphic artist on the Angry Hacks project. Right now, though, the simple fact is I can’t afford to bring on additional help. I have to get past a couple of milestones before I’ll be able to bring people on to lighten the load.

      Thank you for the suggestions, but, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m not really seeking help or advice about how to manage my business at this time. I appreciate the kind words though.

  9. Aim for the stars dude, and when you land on the moon we’ll be right there with you. Take care and know that as long as you make content you’ll have a reader in me. Love your stuff, have since I found you, and still do now. Looking forward to more… whenever you get around to it.

  10. Glad to see you still hanging around. You’ve improved my games immeasurably and your advice is the best bar none. I still come back to old articles all the time to refresh and improve myself and my games.

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