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10 Years... I was 23 when I first started. I was 3rd year university, playing a lot of video games, playing World of Warcraft and banging the ex during that time in the empty classrooms of ICT. At this time I was also still playing other forum based games like Star Wars Combine, a Stargate rpg, and a bunch of other simulated hockey games like Metroho. I had plenty of time, a laptop and the ability to sleep only 2-3 hours a day so playing VHL was a cinch back then. Plus I was able to do it during class as well (likely a contributing factor to some lower grades). Many of these activities I've dropped now but I've still stayed here at VHL. My activity has waned since those early days but mostly because i find writing such a chore now. So what I'd like to write about today is in regards to the things I've been thankful for the VHL for and why I've stayed as long as I have here. The Community ~ This has been talked about time and time again I think and it is the VHL usually compared to other sim leagues about community. VHL isn't as big as the SHL or some of the other ones I've taken part in for short stints but that hasn't been a bad thing for me honestly. One of the major contributing factors for me to be here is the community of veterans and people I've been around here and for the most part I like them. Even the guys that leave and come back like Anderson (if thats even his name), and Robbie have alot of value to me. They make it interesting here, whether it is the drama or the nonsense that guys like them drive. There are just all sorts at the VHL but what I have noticed is that I feel people actually like being here and chatting with others. Sure some of it is because they want to troll each other or argue (DTF) or whatever you call it but it reminds me of when i play hockey. At the end of the day outside of VHL (or the ice rink), everything is ok. You don't carry your baggage outside I hope and let it affect you negatively. The Escape ~ A lot of times I just sit on chat (lately not as much since i've been hanging out on discord servers doing the same thing now) and just chatting up random topics. For those that know me, I have some oft radical positions on things that come up in the spur of the moment conversations in chat most times. I have to say at first i was happy the new chat rooms but i just don't find myself drawn to them as before. I have to say even my fantasy hockey league on discord offers better chats there lately and hopefully its just a dry spell. But otherwise the escape for me here was really that i can share alot of discussions with people here on topics I would normally not get to discuss since well, I am slightly odd or radical in my approach to things. But again this has been great to have as an option and especially back in the last 10 years, I've spent countless hours in chat just talking about things aimlessly to pass time. Its Easy ~ I know some people are really against it but my position has been that welfare and the ability to make an decent character in VHL with less than hardcore effort has been a driving force in keeping me here while I may have left all those years back. Yes the welfare system has been a great benefit to me while I only write articles on special occasions or just when I feel like it. Yet my player can still have an impact on the league. Granted I do usually stay PT active in my pre-draft year but as people notice, I'm always really around to collect on freebies. I'm ok not being a star player and being a 2nd line guy. I did notice when I was at SHL the same things were not afford to me unfortunately. Indescribable Feelings ~ Soaring tumbling...free wheeling...actually not quite sure but I've treated VHL as just a daily part of my routine now. Lot of it stems from being able to access VHL from work of course which plays a large role. But really there is also something I can't put my finger on...brotherhood? Nostalgia? Or perhaps simply its I've spent so much time here that I really don't want to have to give it up unless its for a really good reason. I feel like the moment I leave, unless the world is crashing down on VHL, that I'm going to miss something. Whatever is the case though, I'm still here. For how much longer? Not quite sure. But I'm here as long as it is viable and I can continue to “play”. So why not? Cheers to VHL 10 years!