The Syndicate

So as some of you already know from the 99 Problems thread, [mention]Spacedaisy[/mention] and I unfortunately have hit every possible financial obstacle it seems in the midst of this massive transition to California (among other things namely I have been denied for loan after loan). The school is actively trying to work with me now to try and get me funding before my first paycheck on October 1st, but that is still up in the air, and realistically by sometime next week we definitely would have been completely broke if something hadn't come through in time.

I never would have imagined a random vent in a thread about our situation would receive such instantaneous and incredibly generous outpouring from so many of you already, let alone at all.


I suppose though really I should have, given just how incredible, caring, generous, and loving the people in this is community really are. I could never fully express just how proud, thankful, and amazed I am by that fact. (But I have cried at least 10 times the last couple of days so that ought to at least provide some indication.)

I started working on this website nearly 6 years ago now primarily with Daisy's assistance (as well as S~V~S, bless her as well) both so that I could play online games of mafia with my friends -- friends that I had made from 2010-2012 at all of the Lostpedia-based mafia subcommunities, friends that I made from 2008-2012 from the fine folks in the Just for Fun section of ProgArchives, friends that I made from high school, from college, and other avenues of my life -- and so that all of those people could also share this experience with their friends and the people they care about.

This game helped me bring a lot of very important people in my life whom I care about more than I could ever express from various communities all together. The decision to start working on this website in hindsight certainly ranks as one of the greatest little decisions I ever made, and despite 6 years of incredible memories with you all, I never fully understood just how great the decision was until now.

To think that I very probably wouldn't even be here if I hadn't stumbled onto the Lostpedia community forums in 2010 because I really wanted to talk about an awesome TV show. Then I was introduced to mafia by [mention]nutella[/mention] who assured me it was a lot of fun. She wasn't kidding. To think back on all the memories I've made interacting with you all in and outside of mafia games (despite what it may have seemed like in game upon occasion!) fills me with so many outstanding emotions that I could never fully express. Mafia has been an important part of my life the last 8 years, to say the least, but that's not due to the game, it's thanks to all of you.

I certainly wouldn't be the person I am today without the love and support of all of my friends, and I always considered myself very fortunate for that. Nonetheless, despite so many incredible reasons I've considered myself thankful for this community, I didn't realize just how fortunate I really am until these past couple of days.

One of the many amazing people here by the name of [mention]Dragon D. Luffy[/mention] once summarized it well:

Dragon D. Luffy wrote: Whenever someone in the internet tells me asshattery is normal, or that political correctness makes the world worse, or some BS like that, I remember this place exists and and shrug it off.

Thank you all so much. This community wouldn't be what it is without every single one of you.

I gain a lot of faith in humanity every time I interact with all of you. I somehow gained even more the last couple of days.

Spacedaisy wrote:I don't think it would surprise anyone to hear me say this has been the best week of my life thus far. The wedding was not without its hiccups, but it was so wonderful because in the end I was married to the love of my life! That said, there are so many people we want to express gratitude to. First of all, the bridal party included members like Boomslang, Russtifinko, birdwithteeth, Devin the Omniscient, Jigsaw, Captain Bunnykiller and leamiteo. We love you guys and are so grateful to you all for playing such a meaningful part in our big day! Secondly, Elohcin and Epignosis, I don't think people realize what a huge part you two played in our wedding. I don't think the two of us even realized it until the wedding reception, lol. We started out our engagement by planning surprises for each other so it is so very fitting that we did the same for our wedding, again without any clue what the other was doing. You guys were at the heart of it. I know how much time, work, effort and love you two poured into making or wedding something really special for us with the music you wrote and performed at the wedding ceremony, the cakes you created, and the amazing album you did for my wedding gift from Alex. It is truly something special. Thank you both so much! Finally, to all the syndicate family members who traveled to come to this shindig, we are really honored that you invested your time, travel and money to celebrate with us. Sorry we didn't have booze at the wedding, but that's why we wanted to have a get together the night before with you guys to give you some booze, lol. I'm sorry that I didn't get more time with you all, stupid wedding projects kept me busy the night before, but I can't say how much we enjoyed hitting the bar with you guys after the reception! You all are awesome and we can't wait to get together again!

This message is posted under my account but it is from both MP and myself. We love you all!

This, so much. I was reminiscing about the wedding today with Daisy and it was truly perfect. I loved getting to meet and hang out with you all too!

I really can't wait to do more meetups in the future. You guys mean so much to me; such an awesome group of friends here. I am grateful for all of you.

Bass, I am so glad to hear that. Your friendship has meant much to me too. I'm really incredibly glad that the community here has been such an important part of your life, as it has been in mine. We really love having you here, buddy.

So this is my 10,000th post on The Syndicate.

What a ride it's been.

I am very happy with the progress this site has made since my first post. I'm so glad to see all of you that have made this site your home for mafia. I'm also very glad to see the influx of new people here as well and hope all of you really enjoy your time here. I'm very excited to see what the future brings for our community and I'm thankful for the fantastic group of players and hosts that has flourished over the past couple of years. I definitely look forward to more great memories arguing with and deceiving all of you. :P

Seriously though, it's been a great couple of years, and it's funny how we've all bonded so much over a game built around deception. I've made many friends here and my interactions with you folks have meant a lot to me over what has been a really crazy but mostly awesome period of my life, with many changes. Over the last few years, I started and quit multiple jobs, I got my Master's degree, I passed the CPA exam, I moved away from my friends and family, I lived on my own for the first time, I started my accounting PhD, and most importantly, I got engaged to the love of my life, all the while playing mafia with all of you.

It was through this game that I met an absolutely wonderful, amazing, and loving woman over 3 years ago. You all know her by the name of Spacedaisy. This site most likely wouldn't even be here now if it wasn't for her supporting me and I am very thankful for that. Of course, I also had the help and support from many of you not only those on my administration team (who all rock and work very hard to make this site great) but those who have hosted and played any number of games here. This site is all about you, the members, because without you, there would be no mafia experience at The Syndicate.

With that said, it was the love and support from Spacedaisy that really pushed me to create this site and pursue my vision. Even though I knew I wanted it, at times it was stressful and I always wondered whether all of the work would be in vain. She helped to keep me going and keep me focused on something I really wanted to do, and thanks to that we are all here today, enjoying the outcome of a successful website. I know we aren't nearly the size of mafiascum or any other number of other internet communities. I know that we all have our moments where we get mad at each other and get heated in games. But overall I think we have achieved a really great atmosphere here filled with all kinds of truly awesome people.

I know 10,000 is just another number, but nonetheless I wanted to make this post special, as it represents a milestone in my existence on this site. Consequently, I decided I wanted to dedicate it to the one person who has always been there for me, in my corner, rooting me on, through all of the good and bad, and all of the crazy changes in my life since this site's inception. Thank you, Annie. So very much. I love you!

And here's to another 10,000 posts spending time mafiaing with all of you amazing people.

This is a truly awesome thread. Fantastic idea, Mongoose, and I think your example is awesome and definitely inspiring.

I thank every single one of my friends here, from RL, or whatever facet of my life, and also my immediate family and wonderful fiance, Annie. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had a support team throughout my entire life, thanks to my parents, that has only grown stronger over time with the additions of others. I like to believe I've contributed to my own success greatly, but conversely I feel I really don't know where I would be right now if it weren't for the support and advice of others who have helped guide me back up whenever I've fallen down, and I'm really infinitely grateful for it. Those of you who make up this community have all helped me in your own way, even if it is being a member of the site and we don't even converse that often, or ever, because forming this site, playing and hosting these games, and interacting with all of you has been and continues to be a really significant aspect of my life, and something I really truly enjoy more than almost anything else.