2019 the Year in ASL

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

2019 the Year in ASL

Well, 2019 is nearly over. In a few short hours it will be 2020. It's been a great year for ASL. I managed to get in 61 games, which is a new record for me. I've never played so much ASL in a year on top of work and life issues, which always seem to get the lion's share of one's time. ASL has been a refuge from some very difficult issues, which continue to plague my family. I have raised two children, both now in their 20's. My son just passed his EMT Medical Boards in Tulsa, while we visited him this Christmas just past. A great accomplishment and we are hoping his aspirations to be a First Responder are successful. My daughter currently lives with us and films local sporting events for the ABC affiliate. But substance abuse issues have been a challenge for her since high school. Suffice to say, we had a couple very worrisome events this year that made 2019 a less than stellar year for us. I know my family is not alone in dealing with such things and to any of you out there faced with similar circumstances...I'm pulling for you and your family to overcome and move ahead to better days. I hope and pray that my family makes a similarly successful journey.

God's Country - Roan Mountain, Tennessee...

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

The hardest thing for me in life has been watching my children grow up. I'll always cherish the memories of when they were still children experiencing the best of the world. And I'll always be there to help them navigate the world of Adulthood as best I can.

So, as I say, ASL has been a bright spot not only this year, but for the past decade. I am very fortunate to have the many friends in the ASL Community, who are true blessings in my life. I am very grateful for the time spent on the Cardboard Battlefield with each and every one of you.

2019 was a good year for games. I managed to win as many as I lost and only had two draws...The Closer and The Bunkered Village, which occurred because Dan and I messed up our setups in those two games. I resolve to be more attentive to the SSR's in 2020.

My tournament record was pretty awful this year. I played a great many opponents who were quite good players. I managed to attend three Tournaments, which is also a record for me. I traveled to Kansas City in March, St. Louis in July and finally Sioux City in August. I had a blast at all three tournaments. Playing scenarios is only half the fun. The greater joy is just seeing so many of the folks who have become friends over the years. It's that connection to the ASL Community/Family that keeps me going back to Tournaments.

My favorite Tournament moments this year were at Sioux City. Dan Best and Paul Works were kind enough to take me to see the Sgt. Floyd Monument. I've been a student of Lewis & Cark's Expedition since my time working at the Missouri Historical Society in 1990. The MHS Collections include Clark's journal and Lewis' compass, which was lost when their dugouts foundered in the Columbia River. The compass was found on the bank of the Columbia River in the 1980's. Suffice to say, that I really enjoyed spending a Friday evening watching the sunset over the Missouri River and imagining the passage of Lewis and Clark at that very spot. Oh and the Sunday Brunch at Kahills over in Nebraska was also pretty awesome!

As for the blog...well, 2019 was a grand year for the blog. Currently, over 280K in views from players all over the world. Over 80 countries read the blog from such places as the Isle of Man, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, the Bahamas, Vietnam, Poland, Australia and so many more. The top five nations are the USA, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Thanks to all of you, throughout the world who choose to spend your valuable time at Grumble Jones, It is greatly appreciated and I hope that I can provide interesting and meaningful content for you in 2020.

And now for pictures from the year gone by.