Whiskey in the jAAR - Part Deux-twa

[Wraith11B]

The Investigator perks up at the mention of Pete Rose. "My family were friends with Ray Fosse, the Oakland A's catcher that Rose," he spits, "ran over on the way to the plate for no reason."

A long pause. "That impact cost Fosse his career. I don't care how much time has passed, I feel like Rose should not be forgiven." The Investigator takes a pull on his beer, enjoying a rare night alone before a training event. "Ray was a great guy. I got a lot of A's swag as a kid courtesy of his generosity."

 

[TheExecuter]

It...is...finished...

After just a bit over 314,000 words since last September, all of The Last Mission is now posted.

I started plotting the story in 2006. I started writing chapters in Spring 2007. It has taken me 18 years to finish, and is probably the most ambitious project I have ever...and likely will ever (with the exception of marriage and kids) attempt in my life.

I'm not sure how I feel right now. I thought it would be more elation at finally getting it all out...but what I mostly feel is a bit of a 'goodbye' feeling...as I have been saying goodbye to writing for some of the characters.

Anyway, what I will say is drinks are on the house. Please, come celebrate with me.

TheExecuter raises his glass of bourbon...'To completion!'

 

[Cora Giantkiller]

Hot damn, @TheExecuter, that's amazing! Good for you! Truly an amazing achievement.

I had a little bit of a come down when I finished with the draft for Marja's story; I wasn't living with it as long as you were with this, but... it's a natural reaction after completing a big project that's consumed your focus for a long time.

 

[jak7139]

"Amazing work, @TheExecuter!" Jak praises. "I hope you don't mind if I continue to comment as I read through it. The Last Mission is truly a great narrative story."

Grabbing and raising a glass, he says, "Surely it must be some relief a little bit also? At least that's what I feel whenever I finish something. It's sort of a bittersweet emotion, kind of like when you finish a good book or show."

 

[TheExecuter]

Hot damn, @TheExecuter, that's amazing! Good for you! Truly an amazing achievement.

I had a little bit of a come down when I finished with the draft for Marja's story; I wasn't living with it as long as you were with this, but... it's a natural reaction after completing a big project that's consumed your focus for a long time.

Interesting about the come down being a common experience. Thanks for validating that for me.

I am very much interested in how Marja's arc ends...and I see you've decided to continue on, so that will also mean more good reading! Looking forward to it!

TheExecuter raises his glass..."To the next story!"

"Amazing work, @TheExecuter!" Jak praises. "I hope you don't mind if I continue to comment as I read through it. The Last Mission is truly a great narrative story."

Grabbing and raising a glass, he says, "Surely it must be some relief a little bit also? At least that's what I feel whenever I finish something. It's sort of a bittersweet emotion, kind of like when you finish a good book or show."

I absolutely do not mind. Please, keep reading and commenting. In fact, I'm very happy for anyone to read it, whenever they want to read it. If folks want to start right now, or five years from now...I'm pretty sure I'll be happy to share the ride with them wherever in the story they are. It's been rattling around in my head for so long...I think I'll always enjoy hearing how people react to it and speculate about it.

So, in case its not clear. Yes, please keep commenting. In fact, anyone who reads any of my stories...I cherish every post from someone reading my scribbles...no matter if it is immediately after the upload of a section, or a decade later. Please, please, please do not hesitate to comment, on whatever.

I'm not quite feeling relief yet...more a sense of satisfaction, and that 'goodbye' feeling. Finishing a good show is a good way to describe it too...

TheExecuter raises his glass..."To readers and comments!"

 

[Lord Durham]

LD breaks out cigars and the Dom Perignon. Raising a glass to @TheExecuter, he says, "Congratulations on completing such a massive work. It truly is a labour of love you crafted over the years. Much respect. Cheers!"

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

It...is...finished...

After just a bit over 314,000 words since last September, all of The Last Mission is now posted.

I started plotting the story in 2006. I started writing chapters in Spring 2007. It has taken me 18 years to finish, and is probably the most ambitious project I have ever...and likely will ever (with the exception of marriage and kids) attempt in my life.

I'm not sure how I feel right now. I thought it would be more elation at finally getting it all out...but what I mostly feel is a bit of a 'goodbye' feeling...as I have been saying goodbye to writing for some of the characters.

Anyway, what I will say is drinks are on the house. Please, come celebrate with me.

TheExecuter raises his glass of bourbon...'To completion!'

Wow. That's a stunning achievement!

 

[coz1]

Well done @TheExecuter !!! I know what a task it was to get back and finish the darn thing after so many years and it truly is an achievement! Congratulations!

Now you can sit back and relax, have a drink and bask in the glow of a job well done. At least until you start thinking about those little niggling details and...wait...maybe that could have been worded differently, perhaps a little more time spent on that subplot, maybe too much exposition on that one scene...the endless editing process that goes on in our minds.

Seriously though, I wouldn't change a thing. You should always appreciate your effort because not everyone can do it. Cheers, man!

 

[stnylan]

stnylan raises a steaming pint of tea.

Well done @TheExecuter. 'Tis a grand achievement

 

[TheExecuter]

LD breaks out cigars and the Dom Perignon. Raising a glass to @TheExecuter, he says, "Congratulations on completing such a massive work. It truly is a labour of love you crafted over the years. Much respect. Cheers!"

Thanks for the excellent taste!

I knew when I started it would be a long work...but I didn't quite understand how massive!

Wow. That's a stunning achievement!

I don't quite believe it, myself.

If you had told high school me that I would write something like this...I would have laughed out loud.

Well done @TheExecuter !!! I know what a task it was to get back and finish the darn thing after so many years and it truly is an achievement! Congratulations!

Now you can sit back and relax, have a drink and bask in the glow of a job well done. At least until you start thinking about those little niggling details and...wait...maybe that could have been worded differently, perhaps a little more time spent on that subplot, maybe too much exposition on that one scene...the endless editing process that goes on in our minds.

Seriously though, I wouldn't change a thing. You should always appreciate your effort because not everyone can do it. Cheers, man!

It had always been lurking around in the back of my mind for years until the right time came around...but I'm so glad I came back.

If only I could relax...I have been fixing typos and niggling details, including things from back in 2007 throughout the process. I will probably keep tweaking things for a while yet. Nothing major though.

I didn't think I could do it...there were many years I thought I was incapable of finishing an AAR just in general (this is my first completed AAR as well, which is just absurd to me)...but maybe I'm a different person than I was back then...or at least, I hope I am!

The real question is the one my wife has already asked...what story will I tell next?

stnylan raises a steaming pint of tea.

Well done @TheExecuter. 'Tis a grand achievement

A man after my own heart. Tea is a worthy beverage to celebrate with!

Feel free to come on back and catch up on the tale. I promise it's worth it!

 

[Chac1]

The ancient one was again roused by the celebrations in the bAAR. He heard the various exclamations about the accomplishment by @TheExecuter . "Quite the triumph, finishing a story that's been in your thoughts for 15 years. Moving really," Chac noted.

Still in his comfy chair, he raised his partially filled glass of mezcal and added his sentiments to the toasts. "Well done, sir!"

I'm not sure how I feel right now. I thought it would be more elation at finally getting it all out...but what I mostly feel is a bit of a 'goodbye' feeling...as I have been saying goodbye to writing for some of the characters.

"That is the feeling I have after completing big media projects too. I'm reminded of what has become a cliché: enjoy the journey. Once you get to the destination it really is about tying up the loose ends and then celebrating a bit," Chac replied.

At least that's what I feel whenever I finish something. It's sort of a bittersweet emotion, kind of like when you finish a good book or show."

"Yes, that is a good analysis. Bittersweet. You are saying goodbye to those characters, perhaps for good and many you have come to love," Chac added.

The real question is the one my wife has already asked...what story will I tell next?

"Couldn't agree more," Chac concluded. "But take some time to celebrate and bask in the glow a bit after taking your bows. No doubt there are more great tales to tell."

At that, the ancient one downed the rest of his glass. He picked up the various tomes by his comfy chair and returned them to the library that adjoined the barroom.

Then he pivoted, returning his glass to the main counter while making his way to the jukebox.

"Have to break my habit of sleeping here too much," he promised. "Off for my summer project now. Not sure when I will be back here. Likely around AARland less and less in the coming months until finished. I'll miss all of you, but hope to keep reading here and there when I can. Take care and keep the writing spirit alive. Yes, remember, it is all about the journey."

With that, the ancient one gathered his robes about himself, punched in his selection and made his exit from the bAAR.

"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd (Performed live in 1994)

 

[filcat]

Out of the dreams launched into the quasi-reality of the construct collectively built by the many, you find yourself at your table back at the dark corner of the baar.

You hear some names of a sports game unknown, distant, strange to you, igniting only a vast nothingness in your mind, thus you correctly refrain from joining in.

You then glance upon some cheerful words, try to catch up, and realise they are about a story that is completed, yet another congratulation that you are late for. Dreams flood your mind, words are cast around the worlds in the instant created they are, letters are typed on the keyboard, and then, well, you are late. You hit the button, and all are gone into the infinite non-existence.


You smell the smoke coming from a cigar, though.

"Hmm." You stand up, walk towards the festive group, be careful about not interrupting, and take one from the box. That, you can join for, at least.

"Cheers," and you leave the baar while looking for your lighter, for a long smoke outside, in celebration through the night.