Neverending Nights

In the previous post I talked about Sierra On-Line. This time, I want to focus on a specific person that worked there – his name is Al Lowe. When I first saw KING’S QUEST I, back in 1983 or 1984, I remember being amazed. But there wasn’t much story to the game. Now, not there was much to the game of Leisure Suit Larry in 1987, when it came out – but I was blown away by the graphics, the amount of content, dialogue, and hidden things to be found within the game. I also immediately identified with the off beat humor of Leisure Suit Larry. (And perhaps in way too many ways than I care to admit, I identified with Leisure Suit Larry himself!)

Back then, Sierra used to release a magazine called “InterAction.” And on a while whim, I dressed up in a white shirt, white pants, black tie (I didn’t own an actual ‘leisure suit’ at the time – so this was my effort to capture that feel). I parted my hair on the side, held a wine glass, and drew a picture of what I thought the next Leisure Suit Larry could be called – leaning, oh so coolly against my awesome powerful Tandy 1000SX. I sent the photo in to the magazine, thinking nothing of it.

The next thing I know – I get a letter back (this is way before the days of email, kids!) – asking if they can use my photo for a Leisure Suit Larry contest that they want to do in the InterAction magazine, inspired by my photo. Naturally I agreed! When the Sierra InterAction magazine with my photo showed up – I was floored with what they had done. (If you’re interested, you can see the original photo and what they did over on the Larry Laffer website).

Needless to say, that only sealed my connection that I felt with Larry Laffer.

As I mentioned in the previous post, when Vivendi closed down the Sierra Classic forums, I made the Leisure Suit Larry website to keep Leisure Suit Larry alive. When I did that, I also emailed Al Lowe from his website (which you can find at AlLowe.com and asked her permission to do the site. (I figured Al Lowe wouldn’t have minded at all; but I just wanted to be sure). Al Lowe encouraged me to make the Leisure Suit Larry page I wanted to make (since most of the new Leisure Suit Larry sites that had popped up dealt with the inferior versions of Leisure Suit Larry that Al Lowe was not involved in). The site I developed focused strictly on the games that Al Lowe had done with Leisure Suit Larry.

I batted back emails to Al Lowe over the years, just reminding him (like he needed it), how much his humor helped me in life. It helped – as strange as it sounds – develop my own sense of humor. Made me feel like that – my often crazy humor – wasn’t so absolutely unheard of. It helped me feel comfortable in my own skin. Al Lowe also developed games such as Freddy Pharkas and Torin’s Passage, which I included on the Leisure Suit Larry website. Freddy Pharkas I have many found memories playing with my wife – with the two of us trying to solve the game together. The same with Torin’s Passage – but with Torin’s Passage, I felt something more. I could see Torin’s Passage as a cartoon, and I desperately hoped that it would get sequels.

A few years ago, while chatting with Al Lowe, I asked if he would autograph Leisure Suit Larry 2 (my favorite of the series) and Torin’s Passage, which he graciously did.

Then, when I was writing the 3rd season to Neverending Nights – I knew it would be the final season. I wanted to include Al Lowe within the series – as a way to say thank you for all you have done over the years – and how his games, his laughter, his jokes, brightened my life and often times pushed me through and created memories I still cherish. Al graciously agreed to that as well – and despite his insanely busy life and schedule – managed to dish out the lines. (I gave Al free reign to improv the lines he had been given; which he did in some cases; and I loved it). I still remember when I first heard, “This is Al Lowe, reading for Neverending Nights…” I was absolutely floored!) Al Lowe is a childhood icon to me. He was something I inspired to become (back when my friend Shawn and I developed our own game that we tried to pitch to Sierra way back when!)

It seems somehow fitting that Al Lowe’s episode was also the first one that Jules appeared in (mentioned in the previous post) – since they’re both tied to my love of Sierra Online games.

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.’

It’s hard to believe I have known her for 13 years now, and counting.

I first met her at a previous job working for a cable company – we were both going to be working in the call center doing IT Support. I have no idea what it was – but from the instant I saw her, I somehow felt connected to her – and knew I had to get to know her. Her name is Sara Graham (well these days – last few years, actually, she’s sporting the new last name of Cadena). I remember, it was during our orientation in class – I discovered she blushed very easily – and so when they were doing rounds of questions, I purposely said things when it was her turn to make her cheeks flush red. (It’s a good tactic boys, if you want to get a girl’s attention – you constantly embarrass her in public!) I honestly have no idea how she ever tolerated me once we were out of our orientation class, and decided she wanted to be friends with me.

Whatever sadistic behavior in here that made her want to pursue my friendship – I am so very grateful for. There have been periods in our lives, as we both moved on (and away) from the cable company we once worked for – where our lives drifted apart. But no matter what, every so often our lives would intersect once again, and weave back together. The amazing thing is, no matter how much time passes, no matter what’s going on in our lives, when our lives do come back together – there’s never any awkwardness, of looking for conversation. It’s like I just saw her yesterday, but missed her all the days I hadn’t seen her. She’s always been so incredibly supportive of me and everything I do. She encourages me to chase every dream. Every crazy, insane idea I have. She pours her love and support into me.

I love Sara, and always will! Just like I love her husband, Rudy, who is one of the coolest, most down to Earth people you could ever meet. And their kiddo, Reade is just one of the cutest kids ever.

Sara was technically first reference in Episode 33: There Be Pirates. The “Scara Sea” oceans is a reference to Sara’s nickname of “Scara.”

But she made her first real voice appearance in Episode 54: “Back By (Somewhat) Popular Demand” in which Alan the Astounding returns to the series. And as one drinker to another, shares a drink with Sara’s character.

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?