Some weeks are years in disguise

Well, well, well... It feels like my heart has been down a well and back up again. I'm now enjoying it's rickety ascent into the sunshine (not Mario) in a little wicker bucket. Now, you may say, rightly, wicker is a bad choice for a well bucket but... its my brain and thats how it works.

It's this well ride which has promoted me to type this blog. I guess I'm typing this for myself to articulate my feelings this past week.

I am of course sad to see the Hentai master move on from my semi-imaginary family at Giant Bomb but... I think he's happy, having more time to do what he loves, and that's great. I also love the new crew (even Dan) and feel the guys (non-gendered) have achieved the near impossible of making GB still feel like a place filled with people who care.

I've not weighed in on the sentiments lamenting the nature of Jeff's departure. I will admit I was shocked and had a moment of near tearful 'GB might not be for me anymore' but I've taken a moment and touched grass (as the formus are fond of suggesting - despite the problematic implications for those of us with hayfever).

When Vinny, Alex and Brad left I was gripped by a compulsion to know why my (semi-imaginary) friends were breaking up with me. Where they ok? Was everyone ok? I needed to know so I could be ok. I went there. So... I understand why others are speculating. What's different here is Jeff is happy. The GB Crew feels happy. We don't have to worry. If you love them, let them go (and follow their patreon).

Yes Jeff's departure was sudden, shocking even, but the leap I'm seeing is users implying he was pushed out. Now I don't know Jeff but I doubt hes one to be pushed on all but the coolest of swings. Jeff's doing what he loves, that's brill.

The other issue I see hurting my fellow duders is he was not given a good send off. I personally wouldn't be suprprised if the late annoucement was his call. Speculation aside (as thats the dark path) I don't think we should torture ourselves with dreams of things that didn't happen. We got a few words from Jeff and a lovely send off from Jan. Lets not resent the lack of a more elaborate goodbye. We don't know what Jeff wanted so lets not be angry for him. Some people, after all, like to just leave the party. I believe in the GB Crew, as good duders. I believe in Jeff as a veteran since the Mario V Sonic wars, they've got this.

If you happen to read this because, like me, you're looking to know if 'everyone is alright' I'd say: Avoid thinking on the things you cant know and jumping to conclusions. That way madness lies... and the risk of preserving your own hurt in a negative narrative.

Instead, I've decided to look at the evidence: Jeff is happy, Vinny, Brad and Alex are happy. GB is full of people who care about GB. Now, the forums, us regular duders, need to move on. I believe in us, as a wise man once said: "There's never been a better time for video games".

(Even if Dan's here).