The 11/18 Thankfulness!

Sierra On-Line had been my true doorway to the World of Computer Games.

When I first saw KING’S QUEST in 1983 or 1984, on my friend’s father’s computer – my mind was blown that you could control a character and walk around objects. Sierra Online games became an obsession for me – that, to this day – continues. I have collected all the Sierra Games from the classic lines (King’s Quest, Gabriel Knight, Police Quest, Quest for Glory, Leisure Suit Larry, Space Quest), among an assortment of other Sierra (related) titles, like Codename: Iceman, Heart of China, Torin’s Passage, Laura Bow, etc etc.

Who would think that many, many, many years later – I would end up on the Sierra forums (first under the very easy to spell name of ‘Vaprakgruumsh’ – don’t ask unless you’re really bored; then switched to Tymber (see the Lindsay thanks for the details on the name), and eventually just to just Tawmis. On that forum, I met a number of people I clicked with very well. Eventually, Sierra sold to Vivendi (or however that went), and it eventually led to the forums for the classic games being closed and shut down. But a small number of us gathered to host our own sites, to keep the classic games from Sierra alive. Collector made Sierra Help, Alm made (or was a part of) Gabriel Knight Campaign, Andrea made Police Quest, Rudy made the encompassing Sierra Chest, and I made Leisure Suit Larry.

Collector’s Sierra Help page (and mainly the forums) became the “center” hub for all of us who had been on the previous Sierra forum. Now with the forums far more personal, those of us who were on there, really got to know one another. The site had originally been hosted on my Tawmis site, but had grown so rapidly that Collector moved it to its own domain. And there, many of us continued to get closer and closer.

One of the people I got extremely close to was Julie Lieby (or Jules, as I have always known her). One of the places I had always wanted to go – further enhanced by playing Gabriel Knight 1: Sins of the Father, was New Orleans. Jules, who met (her now fiance) Patrick, had moved to New Orleans to be with him. So we arranged to meet up in New Orleans when I flew out there.

It was one of those things where – yet again, I felt so fortunate – that there was no awkwardness. When we met up, it was like seeing a friend I have always known, and just reuniting with them. Both Jules and Patrick were incredible people. So unbelievably nice, warm, welcoming. They drove out from their home (which was 45 minutes to an hour away) from New Orleans to come hang out and meet me, and be with someone they’d never met in person. I was floored.

So needless to say, it’s become tradition to go back out to New Orleans once a year. The following year, Jules was not able to meet up with us. But the following year after, she was once again able to. I think it was one of my favorite times – because we were really comfortable – and just had such a good time – from being on the wrong Ghost Tour, to the excessive amount of drinking (and unbelievable amount of pictures taken as we walked around!) It was just such an incredible time. Then we went out this year in 2012 – rather than on our traditional January trip – went out there in July (never again… You think you know humidity? You don’t. Not till you have been in New Orleans in July!) But once again, Jules and Patrick joined us again – and we had such a wonderful time. This time, I was even fortunate enough to meet Patrick’s mother and father who had been in town also (as well as Jule’s and Patrick’s dog – Milo, at long last!) One of my favorite things, was Patrick’s father telling them that I looked familiar – and eventually realized it was because of the Christmas card that had been on their fridge, which had a picture of me. Made me feel loved that I was hanging on the fridge.

Meeting Jules, and getting to know her is one of those things that felt like destiny – an obsession from 1983, to modern day, to forums, to my desire to go to New Orleans, to her living there. Whether destiny, fate, or pure chance – I am thankful for the pieces falling as they did – because my life became richer, and more blessed by gaining such an incredible, beautiful, giving, heart warming and loving friend like Jules.

I offered roles to Jules and Patrick; but Patrick declined. Jules appeared in Episode 55: All Time ‘Lowe.’