The bugle has sounded...

Here's Why the Loyalist had to Die

by The Traveller

Many people have wondered, "Why did The Loyalist have to die?  Why didn't you resurrect your career at Tashman?  Why didn't you stay at non-profit.org?  Why?

Here's why.

For the longest time, I searched to find a career path that was socially acceptable.  As The Loyalist, I would stay at jobs and work my ass off.  I was known worldwide for being loyal to whatever company I worked for -- no matter how bad things got.  

I upheld the highest standards of integrity and honesty.  I built friendships.  I attempted to create a happier work environment.

Then, I got killed [See "The Death of the Loyalist"].

For two months, I drifted.  I went from interview to interview.  I got jobs that reminded me of the Tashman Universe.  I figured, "If I wanted Tashman, I could go back to Tashman!"

That's right.  Tashman offered to resurrect me.  Even in death, I was still valuable to them ... at lower pay, of course.

But I couldn't go back.  I could never go back.  My loyalty had been betrayed for the final time.

So, I drifted.  And I was unhappy.

And then, one fateful day in May, 2001, The Traveller was born.

I realized my mistake -- as The Loyalist, I had always tried to conform my career moves to what my friends were doing and my circumstances ... I never entirely did things my way.

So, I decided to let go of all my preconceived notions, and I travelled, searching for healthy experiences.  Here's what I've done so far, in the past ten months:

I could go on and on.  I've accomplished more in ten months than I did in twenty-seven years.

I've always been unpredictable -- I just never applied my unpredictable nature to my career path.  I know that makes some of my closest friends queasy.  Anyone who knows me is probably seasick from all the different changes I've been through in the past ten months.

My decisions have been risky.  My decisions have not been safe.  My decisions have been daring, and unconventional.

And, in the final analysis, I believe my decisions have been successful.

"But Traveller -- you don't have a good paying job.  How are you going to make it?"

By building my own business -- why work hard for someone else's dream, when I can put that same work into myself?

I mean, I could've become The Loyalist again, and attempted to ease the suffering of Thorbjorn, J. Hustle, Martini Ice, Overmind, and others.  Short-term, I would've been successful -- but long term?

Long term, my life would still be a mess, and not my own.

I hate to say this, but if you're suffering at Tashman -- you can leave that place.  The Loyalist can't save you.  He's dead.

Now, if you wanted to join The Traveller on his exploits ... that's entirely up to you.

"But Traveller -- you need money to survive now!  How are you going to make it?"

Let me tell you something -- if I worked full-time, 40 hours a week, I would end up spending my money because of all the stress!  I would be upset because I wasn't in school.  I would be angry because I wasn't working on my dreams full-time.  So, I would end up buying things to ease my suffering ... and the money would be gone.

I've lived that vicious cycle ... and I'm not going through that again.  Other people I know are capable of saving money despite the suffering -- more power to them.  Maybe they like their careers more than I did ... maybe they derive the enjoyment that I didn't.  I don't know.  But I do know my path is different from other people I know.

Like I said, I have done more for my career and life in the past ten months than I had in the past twenty-seven years.  So, if you don't like it -- tough.  I refuse to be a hypocrite, and kowtow to the man.  I will not be denied.  I refuse to give up.  I will not fail.

I will succeed.  I will achieve my dreams.  You can either stay on the sidelines and suffer, or find what's right for you.  The choice is yours.

But, whatever you do -- don't get in my way.

The Loyalist had to die in order for The Traveller to live.  And that's the bottom line.