Addressing concerns, voiced and unvoiced

Someone raised a valid point over on the Lead Adventure Forum, where I'd posted a link to my last blog entry, "Courting Disaster." He or she contrasted that post with the issues I revealed in my earlier blog entry, "Confession to make," regarding my struggles with hoarding. The writer seemed confused by my apparent disregard for my recovery and the good advice and support I've received from fellow gamers here on my blog and at sites I frequent like LAF.

If one person is brave enough to raise the issue with me, then it's a good indicator that others are thinking it, too, so I wanted to share here what I wrote in response to that post on LAF:

Yes, I see I am not the only one snowed under by the quality of current and upcoming releases, which I need because of reasons.

@bezzo: You appear to have misconstrued the tone of the current post, which is with tongue firmly in cheek, and the nature of my mental malfunction described in the earlier post. My hoarding is not gaming-centric. I of course suffer from "Ooh, shiny" syndrome, wanting the latest and prettiest toys, but the reach of hoarding is so much greater. It involves keeping and being unable to discard items OF NO INTRINSIC VALUE. Used disposable items like old paper plates or clogged razors become part of the detritus covering the surfaces of a hoarder's home, and our bad programming means trying to get rid of them fills us with a paralyzing anxiety. Things that others can clearly see are garbage become necessary to our feelings of safety and security. The issues for which I posited in my new post, for humorous effect, that my wife would want to discipline me (heh heh) are FINANCIAL in nature, not related to new items entering our home. But thank you for your concern. I am indeed grateful for the interest, advice, efforts and outreach of my many good friends here at Lead Adventure Forum (and other Internet watering holes.) As I try to cope with and correct my behavior, it is that support that gives me strength. I won't be abandoning my hobby, though, because it is from there that I derive a portion of the enjoyment that makes up a satisfactory quality of life.

I hope that addresses any concerns one might have, especially if anyone feels slighted and thinks I've disregarded their advice. Far from it, but dealing with problems like this is a marathon, not a sprint, and the overlap between my acquisition of gaming goodies and my hoarding is minor at best.

Again, thank you all for your continued love and support. You people are the best damn friends a man could ask for, and I am grateful for each and every one of you. All my best to you.