Life, Gaming & the Pursuit of Happiness

Sometimes in life we need a reminder of why it is we do what we do. Whether it be job related, hobby related, or life related we just have a desire to figure out why it is we were so interested in whatever it was we thought we were interested in. A good Twitter friend of mind tried to explain this to me earlier this week regarding my thoughts on my current review situation. I tried justify my thoughts against what he said which were basically countering what it is I was trying to comprehend. For the longest I've relied heavily upon numbers to get me what I need to be able to provide the reviews for you guys. It wasn't so much that I couldn't do it without the required numbers backing me up, or that I thought numbers mattered, but it was more so that I thought that's what the industry providers were asking of me. To some extent I may have been right, but to rely on such a standard to get me by as a "respectable" journalist was a fool's errand. I know I'm good at what I do no matter who chooses to follow me, or who chooses to trust in me.

It's an unfortunate fact that a lot of fellow journalists gauge their industry success on a similar note that I used to. They buy into the fact that numbers are the standard by which the great are weighed, and fail to see that even with numbers they sometimes do not make an impact worthy of greatness. I may be done after the view related postings I posted on my blog this month, but I will go out knowing that I've earned respect from those that matter, the Twitter friends that I have made, and who have stayed with me along my journey. I get confirmation each Friday from a select few that thank me for what I do, and if that is not achievement enough I don't know what is. The industry can keep it's numerical standards by which they aim to gain consumers as well as their review codes, and I will continue to call what they provide out for what it is or is isn't with or without their help. I owe it to the few who've grown to trust in me, and I owe it to myself, because at the end of the day I know I can achieve the greatness the industry does not see in me. To think less is to think less of myself, and what I know I can do.

- Brad Carver (OtakuDante)