posted 12-26-06 05:46 PM CT (US)
After some voting (sorry you guys didn't get a month like last two times), we are here in the last week of 2006 to honor those who have contributed, aided, and entertained us online this year. These forty ballots hold not only votes, but memories. I would make a long winded speech where I ramble about stuff, but I'll spare you guys this year. Instead, I have a guest speaker, Anastasia. Anastasia has been a critical part of the forum for years. Through our good times and bad times, intellectual arguments and spam, she was always there, weather she posted or not (ok thats just creepy). All in all, I bring you a word from Most of us began this journey a year ago, in the winter (or summer months depending on the earth's orbit) of January 2006. It was soon to be the red season here at the forums, when all but one cherub were promoted to Angels, and the TC smelled like enthusiasm, and Kevo like a new shampoo. Watchwood had just been named FotY, with a little tampering of the ballots no doubt, and Splash Splash XIX: Three Years of Madness was innocently awaiting its destruction at the hands of the evil dragonfly, and a disgruntled Cherub. Now I know I blew some of your minds with my depiction of what it's really like here. But if anyone can handle the ups and downs of this crazy Heaven, it's you guys. And as I stare out into this vast ocean of shining new signatures, I see the best and brightest. Some of you are or will be scenario design enthusiasts, or can or will learn to play with hot keys. Others of you will go on to become Aro's pets. Two of you -- and it wouldn't be fair to guess which two -- will go on to be perma-banned. I'm not trying to be funny. That's just a statistical fact. One of you, specifically zyx, will spend most of your time lurking, and hanging out on MSN to get a real sense of what being AOKH staff is like. Then we will all stop in from time to time to these beautiful forums, and ask the question, "Does anyone ever know what happened to zyx?" At that point, he will invariably pop in from out of nowhere and type, "I've been absent the better part of the last half of the year, and I apologize for that. " At first, it will scare the crap out of us. But then we'll share a laugh with our fellow forumers and ultimately look forward to zyx popping in out of nowhere as a yearly event. Still, yet another one of you will figure out what DiGiT and nandy_abhijit are up to in the Mod forum, learn the meaning of life, and merge with the universe. My money is on t_c being pressed into the singularity, but Oliver is moving toward that event horizon at ever increasing speeds. Another sure thing is none of you will ever fill the voids left by Simfish, or Berserker Jerker. So, noobies of 2007, if you will indulge me for a moment, let me paint a picture of what it's been like here the last year, or for some of us, the last every two months or so, we've been posting about Chuck Norris, cricket, evolution, old school, your Myers-Briggs Personality Type, the next poster, Genocide: The Way to end Signature Pets, Ahmedinejad and Iran, Scuddy’s Philosophy of the Universe, the World and Everything in it, What? Is Soccy a seraph here now? I don't know, I mean whatever you guys post here? Hamas and the Palestinian election, Masturbation? I don't know what we do here? Stephen edged out Duncan in the HCC. Steve was appointed Cherub. Oh yea, we talked like pirates for a spell, and I'm told Scenario Design is an enjoyable activity; screenshots anyone, join my team, but you haven't really lived until you've participated in the Gaia (99 bottles of beer) Challenge. I've also heard playing multiplayer AoK online is awesome once you get those pesky routers working, but I can't be sure? But I do know this. You're about to enter into a world, a world in which there is no purpose. Well except for the Splash Splash screenplay, in which case the purpose there is not to suck. Other than that though, there is absolutely no purpose at all! In addition to there not even being a purpose at all; often times you will enjoy being here. That's where I come in, armed with the CoC, just in case your enjoyment ever becomes purposeful. Oh sure, make all the top ten lists, and play Mafia until your hearts content, but if you think you'll remember forumers like; MoX_MiThRaNdIr, RIPMKIV9398 1987, Tarkan Atilla22, Wartz, raiN maN, Cambridge, Sir Drew, Huang Di Wei, Jeffrey, Red Beard, Hussarknight, Ichbinian, The_Slayer90, juvmonkey, or even jessicafletcher3, enough to vote for them next FotY you'll be fooling yourself. Don't take my word for it though just ask Saint Mungo. Sadly some fell victim to purpose in 2006, and we all know who they were, and it's ok to miss them. Damn you, Colo! Damn you Ray! I told myself I would not get emotional! But damn it, I'm here, and sometimes it's just good to cry! I'd ban you both all over in a heartbeat, but yes we remember you guys. And let's face it, when it comes right down to it, we all shave our legs one leg at a time! Oh wait...well, never mind that. Anyway, I'd like to offer a few pieces of advice for today’s forumers: Some people will say they've noticed a general decline in Age of Kings gaming, ignore them. I'd like to shift gears here if I could, to serious. I want to try to tell you why I care about you guys. AOKH has given me over 5 years of extraordinary experiences. I can't say that life's challenges or more tragic episodes have been diminished because of it. But it's allowed me so many moments of companionship and its been a sublime means of communication. It's been both real, and a part of the world that I live in. Last year we lost Shiva, Real, and Natalie Misa, and they are gone from our world but not forgotten. These are just a few moments from our time here together, and this moment, this FotY, is very definitely yours! - Anastasia It is with the deepest gratitude I thank Ana for that well thought-out, insightful, funny, beautiful, 1337, and moving intro for the Fifth installment of this wonderful tradition. So lets get to it all over again. And lets look forward to a sixth, seventh and eighth. May we always be here on this island in the sea of the internet. Then may we have enough food not to resort to cannibalism. Tuesday, December 26 Thursday, December 28 Friday, December 29 Saturday, December 30 Sunday, December 31 12:00 AM Monday, January 1, 2007 It was close this year, with most votes focusing one three people who would become our top three Most Helpful Forummers. Being helpful is alot different from other aspects of forumming. It gives back to the community that nurtures you online and in real life. (wait, real life? whats that?) Congratulations, Scud Broke 2 records: Most Points Ever, 88 (previously held by oliver, who received 50 for Best Noobie 2005) and Largest Winning Margin, 314% (Previously held by me, who won by 300% for Most Improved Forummer in 2003) As you could have guessed, I'm obviously talking about those few who deserved to be atop this list. I think a few too many people may have lost a bet in voting for me. I try my best, but I truly feel unworthy to be mentioned along side these saints. (this race was really close, though) Thanks for voting everyone! I wish you all a Happy New Year! [This message has been edited by kevo (edited 01-01-2007 @ 01:11 AM).]
Today, that Splash Splash XIX: Three Years of Madness and the fourth FotY are sealed and all but forgotten, just two more shattering betrayals in the forum of broken dreams. One day, this will be all that remains of all our AOKH memories. Fragments -- brittle and dissociated. Some of us will spend the next year trying to preserve these memories. We'll sort through the old posts gathering pieces, or stare deeply into that dimly lit monitor for the recycled remains of "glory days" past. And in the midst of our un-lived lives, we'll remember the good times spent in these forums with our friends and lovers, sifting through posts and trying to relive the good times one page at a time.
Post more, especially if you're posting from work, school, or prison.
Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation.
Make generalizations they will be right more often than not.
Make friends with the English: "How often have I mused that all people from England played badminton, only to be proved right!"
There is nothing more sad than watching a Teutonic knight chasing a petard.
And remember: The only thing more undignified than having to beg Aro for attention, is being treated like you don't exist, so even if you can't steal a FotY award or be made orange overnight, at least show up for FotY.
Most Helpful
Best Moderator
Most Active
Most Improved
Nicest
Funniest
Most intelligent
Signature Contest Winner
Most Missed
The Wathcwood Medal
Best Splash Splash
Best Noobie
2006 Forummer of the Year
4th oliver: 18
5th scenario_t_c: 6
6th Dark_Reign: 4
T7 Emperor Mars: 3
T7 Stephen Richards
T7 VonCorgath
T7
T7 Ornlu
T7
all below omitted.
It's not easy being a mod. Its responsiblity, you know. Hanging out in the staff lounge, banning people at your whim, and scheming together on plans for forum domination. That's why this award is especially prestigious. Congratulations,
4th
T5
T5
As a previous winner of this award, I can tell you how hard it is to get. Frankly, you have to have no life. These people are responsible for posting when no one else does. The sheer volume of their contributions can breathe life into the forums. They are the ones who don't stop posting when the night is young... at 3 am. Double digit ppd? Must be slacking off. Food? Chewing doesn't impede typing. There's nothing wrong with making up 75% of Splash Splash. Tying for second place are 
4th monk*: 27
5th Dark_Reign: 5
6th DantaresIV: 4
T7 kfish: 3
T7 Ornlu
8th Blunt Axe: 2
We love n00bs. They're fun to laugh at. But what n00bs can become is amazing. How many n00bs become good forummers show how good the forum environment around them is. You guys. 
Pat yourself on the backs for turning these guys around. 
4th Scud: 9
5th newIdea: 8
6th stu183: 7
T7 Ornlu: 6
T7 Lance O Lot
9th cool120: 5
T10 kfish: 4
T10 Styrophome
T10
Introducing the Nicest Forummer Award, I have a special guest, newIdea
Oh, and Ana won last year, too 
4th Dark_Reign: 13
5th oliver: 16
6th nav: 12
7th Mashek331: 8
8th Raptor: 6
T9 Crimson Knight: 5
T9 Lord Basse
T11 dave_earl: 4
T11 Surge
T11 Jeremiah
T11 Ornlu
They sure know what sound my roflcopter makes. They can make drinking lmaonade while wearing lollerskates a barrel of fun. If you don't laugh on a forum, it's not a good forum. We don't have the problem
4th Dark_Reign: 16
5th oliver: 14
6th Crimson Knight: 7
T7 Lord_Fadawah: 6
T7 TheLaughingMule
T9 Surge: 5
T9 Ornlu
T9 Raptor
T12 trebuchet king: 4
T12
T12 Cobra
T12 nav
T12 zyxomma100
well, everyone knows I'm smarter than all of you.
4th DiGiT: 9
5th Cobra: 8
T6
T6
T6 Surge
T9 Steve Richards: 6
T9 TheLaughingMule
T9 Mashek331
11th trebuchet king: 5
We have some controversy over this award as of now. We're in a deadlock, as seen here.
4th Gwame: 3
T5 Lord Basse: 1
T5 Scud: 1
Sometimes we take each other's presence for granted. When good forummers leave, we realize how good forummers they were and we miss them. Be it real life, other intrests, or terrible, tragic accidents. So
4th Colosseum: 9
5th Ghost of Caesar: 8
6th zyxomma100: 5
T7 scenario_t_c: 4
T7 ax 1
T7 aoegolfer*
T7 DM
T11 MoX_Mithrandir: 3
T11 bleedteal
T11 Adder
T11 crasher
T11 PaulC2001
Well, last year, the Berserker Jerker Medal (most likely to be mod next year) went to zyxomma in a tiebreaking vote of 5-4 favoring him over watchwood. We all see where that went. This year however, it was anything but a close race. For third place, congratulations,
4th Mashek331: 10
5th Steven Richards: 9
T6 nav: 7
T6 Scud
T8 Surge: 5
T8 ax 1
T8 trebuchet king
11th Gwame: 4
Splash Splash is like the freaking Super Bowl to us AokHers. Not because it's about football and winning and stuff. Because of the crazy Roman Numerals. It'll take us quite some time to get to .
T4 Splash Splash XXVII: Game Over -Thunder77: 2
T4 Splash Splash XXVII: Brave New Thread -Cobra the Mediocre
T6 Splash Splash XIX: Three Years of Madness -kevo': 1
T6 Splash Splash XXV: The Good ol' Days -oliver
we finish off awards today with Best Noobie. They are the lifeblood of our forums and this year was not lacking in fresh faces. TheLaughingMule, Styrophome, Voncorgath, Japanime () were just a few. They are now one of us, and thus, 1337. Congratulations, .
Congrats newcomers of 2006! Your guys look great!
4th Fattybryce: 19
5th Styrophome: 18
6th TheLaughingMule: 10
7th Julius999: 6
8th Wyo_daniel: 5
T9 Megaidiot: 3
T9 Dave_Earl
kevo (yawning): I'm so tired... Too tired to count votes. I think I'll make something up...
zyx (slapping Kevo): You can't do that! That would destroy the integrity of the entire program!
kevo: So what's new? I've been doing this for years. You really think I earned FoTY that one time?...
4th Dark_Reign: 15
5th Cobra the Mediocre: 13
6th
T7
T7 zyxomma100
T7 Mashek331
T7 nav
11th Styrophome: 4
T12 Lord Basse: 3
T12 Ornlu
T12 Surge
T12 TheLaughingMule
T16 Monk: 2
T16
T18 Dave_Earl: 1
T18
T18 kevo
T18 Trebuchet
* Denotes Last Year's Winner
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"i get more IM's from AOL System Message than from everyone else"-Anonymous
