Dan. wrote:The Day Before ChristmasTwas the day before Christmas, and all through G R
Not a topic was stirring; just a few threads ajar -
Observing the wind-down of A Y A V
And some dead players quoting Memento Mori.
The members were browsing whilst watching their screens
Or scrolling on smartphones, awaiting the scenes
And jawa in his hood-robe, and I in my pants
Still dancing the "are they friends? Are they not?" dance.
When then, in Off Topic (we now call it Stuff)
A voice could be heard, yelling "I've had enough!"
Away to a new page I flew, like a cow
(That is: just as fast as my broadband allowed.)
The red of the text of the newly-made thread
Gave excitement to me, for what's newly been said
And, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a sentient lizard at the wheel of a Kia.
The jade-scaled wizard (and that's not a typo)
I knew in a moment it must be Green Gecko
More rapid than eagles when fixing the forum
Entrusted by all, Gecko spoke with decorum:
"Now Mommy! now, Moggy! now, Lewis and Robbo!
On, Victor! On, Richard! on, Tsundae and Skarjo!
To the top of the page! I have stickied a thread
'Bout a miracle at Christmas; GR's not dead."
Amidst stressful circumstance, Gecko had paid
From his own artful pocket (a designer by trade)
The forum subscriptions, and maintenance cost -
Despite all he'd faced; and a home he had lost.
Subsequently Gecko had posted a cry:
"Will others support GRcade, lest it die?"
The members responded, donations abound;
And Gecko was given some five hundred pound.
The old bear named Albear then summed up the scene.
Twenty-twenty-one has been far from pristine,
With Brexit and Covid (don't use Ivermectin)
But: "ours is a community well worth protecting".
There was once a time when we had scores of members
But
their Christmas spirit? Well, no-one remembers.
Yet now, despite all the adversity faced
I can still
sign the guestbook open at Ad's place.
"We'll always feel older," the wise Gecko told me,
"And feel at Christmas just slightly more coldly:
We'll not recreate that old feeling most missed
But for new Christmas spirit? Well, I've made a list."
"The quickest of wits on the whole world wide web,
Our forumites flow where others only ebb,
And despite Nintendo and "please understand"
We've filled up museums all across the land."
"We may not have changed names, as oft goes the banter
But there's still been games played and new Secret Santa!
We may not have swapped sigs, but I think that's OK:
As most of us have sigs turned off anyway. "
"Those tough times we've shared here, when others supported,
Those moments of anger at Wii U games ported,
The games G R shares and the games it creates,
The stories we tell to our best online mates."
"If you're feeling like this year's not for the books,
I feel you: we're governed by all sorts of crooks;
Democracy imploding while Russia hacks us,
Impeded within by moron anti-vaxxers."
"But please always know: in a quiet online place
You'll always be welcome to come show your face.
(Not your real face of course; that would just be bizarre
- sorry Lewis, notwithstanding your old avatar.)"
"But Gecko," I queried, "I must ask what I meant to -
why are you driving a Kia Sorento?"
"Herdanos, my child," he answered in time,
"It's only to make the fourth verse (above) rhyme."
He spoke that last word, then went straight to his work,
And he undid the handbrake, and turned with a jerk.
And just then the strangest vision came within me
As he steered his Kia up a virtual chimney.
I sprang to my feet, and my co-workers bristled:
"That Dan's skiving work again," I heard them whistle.
But my ears turned to Gecko, as he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Hope the rest of your shift on Boxing Day goes alright for you.
RichardUK wrote:Same, it’s the least Christmasy I have ever felt