Neverending Nights

Stephen Crouch – Tak! – or Talhallen – was someone I met way back in the days of the original EverQuest. He, like me, had a crazy sense of humor. (And he, like me, also played a Barbarian Shaman). I should have known immediately, I’d really get along with him. Stephen always wore a smile and a crazy look in his eyes (I mean that in the best way, I promise!) He moved out to San Diego to find a new path for his life – and in those years he spent here, I got to know him better. When Paul declined to reprise his role as Pawl the Dorf for Season 3, I asked Stephen to fill the role. When he asked me what I wanted from him in regards to the character – I said, “All I ask is that you have fun with it.”

And when I listened to the lines, I was in Heaven. Stephen kept true to the character’s previous personality; and then added his own little bit to it, to really bring Pawl the Dorf to life and make it his own. Stephen eventually moved back, and to be honest, there’s been times I have missed having him around and sharing that crazy humor I found in him. Stephen has an amazing ability to turn a dark day around, and fill your heart, soul and mind with laughter and smiles.

Stephen first appeared as Pawl the Dorf in Episode 47 – but that was a quick line. He really made a full appearance in Episode 48: The Assassin Strikes Back.

Every once in awhile, you meet someone who will change your life forever. Who will leave an impression so deep into your heart, soul and mind, you’d think they were a giant.

Well, granted – when I first met her, she thought I was 5 years old.

Her name is Lindsay Archer, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine my life without her. She and I met through an ElfQuest list called “Ivy Holt” – where you’d create a character and basically interact with other people who had created characters. It was a fantastic way to exercise the creative side of the brain. Well, since the Holt (Holts are essentially the community of homes in ElfQuest) lacked any young, child like characters – I went ahead and made one called Leaftop. So Lindsay naturally assumed, the person playing Leaftop was also very young. (I still laugh about her comment, “This five year old is an incredible writer for being so young!”) I eventually developed and created a new character, Tymber – which went on to be my main character in the Holt. My character (Tymber) and Lindsay’s character (Sureshot) became inseparable in the stories (I think because I was so enamored by her amazing artist ability that came through in the Ivy Holt newsletters that the owner used to send out to members).

Eventually Lindsay and I broke away from Ivy Holt, and began writing adventures of Tymber and Sureshot exploring the world. We eventually even recruited Mary Jo, and the three of us started a Holt called High Falls Holt. It was run by the three of us writing several characters – but it always centered on the three main characters. (Sureshot/Lindsay, Tymber/Sureshot, and Foxfire/Mary Jo).

Eventually, Lindsay and I continued writing together – developing new characters, new world – by the name of Lyra (Lindsay) and Helm (myself). That went on for a great many years.

Finally, Lindsay was coming to the San Diego Comic Convention – and this was going to be my chance to finally meet this person I had gotten so attached to, and connected so well to – because she and her (then friend) were both staying at my place. I was, admittedly, a nervous wreck. (Not even sure I have ever been as nervous as I was that day to finally meet her). So many scenarios were going through my head – listing about a thousand reasons she’d not like me in person, or that awkwardness of when you meet someone for the first time – and not knowing what to say or how to act.

Amazingly – it wasn’t like that at all. When we saw each other, we embraced, hugged, laughed and immediately began talking. It’d been like we had known each other forever, and she was just coming back from a long trip. It was an amazing feeling to know that someone I had gotten to know, love and adore so much online could be so easily loved and adored in person!

I could probably go on and on and on about the fun and stories the first time Lindsay came out here. (From “No, THAT sounds like a flat tire!” to staying up all night because she couldn’t breathe!)

Lindsay has enriched my life in ways words will never be adequate to explain. I am thankful for my unusual persistence in getting to know her on the Ivy Holt, and the incredible amount of love that developed over the years since then. You can check out the Art of Lindsay Archer Facebook page as well as her newly designed website.

Lindsay first appeared in Episode 43: Got Some Time To Kill?

Today, I would like to say I am thankful for Patsy Freese.

Pat Freese is none other than Adam’s mother. Both her, and her husband (Adam’s father, for those confused on how family structure works) – Grayson – are some of the most incredible down to Earth people you could ever hope to meet. One of my favorite memories of Adam’s mother is – when she first met me she was slightly scared of me. Granted, at the time she first met me, I had long, dark, brown hair to the middle of my back and I was wearing a trench coat. (Silent Bob anyone?) It was many weeks later when she confessed to me that when she first saw me, I made her nervous, because she thought I was some psycho. (It’s always those good first impressions, you know!) But then she said she discovered, I was perhaps the nicest, scariest looking person she’s ever met in her life. (I still can’t tell if that’s a compliment or not…)

Both Pat and Grayson welcomed me into their home on Christmas – and let me tell you, no one does Christmas like Pat and Grayson. They get their own giant sized tree. It’s covered – and I mean – COVERED with Disney decorations. They have a model of Disneyland that they’re building onto – that is an amazing replica of Disneyland. When I see them, I see what I want to be. So loving, welcoming, so spirited, and caring, and still so youthful and down to Earth. They’re what I think every relationship should aspire to be like. Not only do they love each other, their kids (as difficult as they can be sometimes!) – but also, their friends.

Every year, especially around Christmas, because that’s when I think of them the most – even if I don’t get to see them – they’re in my mind and heart – and I am thankful and blessed by what they’ve added to my life.

Pat, who voiced the Evil Crimson Mother (ironic that she thought I was evil, and I wrote her character as evil, eh?) first appeared in Episode Thirty Eight: Mandatory Flashbacks – but my favorite Episode with her is Episode 42: Oh Mother Dearest – which was the final episode of Season 2.

My next thanks has to go to perhaps my first “Work Wife” – none other than Jamie King.

I met Jamie King at my previous job, where we both worked as techs. Now it isn’t very common (though it’s becoming more common these days) that there’s a female tech who goes out and fixes computers. But that’s what Jamie did! She and I worked together all the time and became very close. Jamie has one of the most incredible hearts you could ever get to know. If you saw her – you might not think so – because she’s definitely a woman who looks like she could hold her own with the best of them. But behind that tough exterior is this really warm heart, who almost ALWAYS thinks of others long before she thinks of herself.

During the time we worked together, we’d go to lunch and discuss our various lives, what was going on, and always just being there for one another with words of wisdom, or just a shoulder to lean or an ear to listen (or scream at – depending on the situation). She shares my obsession of enjoying Halloween to the max – for her, it’s about winning the Halloween contests (where as for me, it’s about being able to dress up as a pirate – AGAIN!) Speaking of me and pirates – Jamie once bought me this “put it together with paper cut out” pirate ship things that was for like ages 5 and up – and I somehow got stumped and couldn’t finish it. (I just recently took it all apart to start over; if work wasn’t so busy, currently, anyway! Imagine! Work making me work!) She just recently bought me a Make It Yourself Pirate Ship In A Bottle, too! (I think she may be trying to rush my insanity with these things I have trouble putting together!)

She and I fell out of touch, shortly after she got pregnant. Her life became extremely busy – but just recently, she returned to work, and we got to meet up again for lunch! It was so wonderful seeing her again and being able to hang out, catch up, and just talk.

I absolutely love Jamie. She’s an incredible person with an amazing heart, and so much love to give. She’s also a mother to Chance (who is like 15 feet tall these days), as well as two, new younger additions: Garrett and Conner.

How fitting, considering the pirate things that Jamie got me – that she made her first appearance in Episode 33: There Be Pirates!

Season 2 would have never been the same without him.

Travis Richards (sometimes credited as “Travis Smith” – long story!) – was worked to the bone – and for free. Travis approached me through email, saying he was a fan of the series. (What? We have fans? How come no one told me this?) We batted some emails back and forth – and before I knew it, Travis had offered to do music for us for Season 2. I was not about to turn down Travis’ offer for some additional music.

Travis took the Original “Neverending Nights” theme and completely enhanced it. It was mind blowing what he had done with a tune that was a few simple guitar plucks – and turned it into real music. It took a lot of people to get used to what Travis produced. A lot of people said they enjoyed the simplicity of the original tune (as it went with the simplicity of the series – Hey – wait a minute, is that an insult?) Anyway – Travis continued to relentless produce music for us throughout the series. I gave him free reign to create the music. I gave very brief, simple descriptions of what was coming up in the various episodes – and let him handle what he did best – the music. Time after time after time – Travis delivered incredible music. His music, whether it was for intros or endings, or just ambient music for the episodes truly helped Neverending Nights stand out more – and gave each episode quite a bit more “Umph!” to them.

I have yet to meet Travis in person, but I am hoping to one day meet him – and thank him in person – for everything he’s done for the series.

Travis played a surprise character in Episode 42. But rather than show off just that episode, I figured I’d share the Season 2 Playlist and Season 3 Playlist on Youtube.

Thank again Travis for giving so much more life to Neverending Nights, and spending all the time that you did making our series very special to me.

Travis is now doing his own series – also using the NWN engine called The Dark Tide. He has graciously included me as a special guest character in his series – as a pirate! So check that out!