Hey Able Members and Readers! So I'm working my self to death getting up more info on our SXSW proposals so you can see who ELSE at Able is on the panels and who else in the world of game development is on them too!!!

 We've got some BIG TIME support from Harmonix/MTV/Viacom (RockBand) -- I'd have to say...they are committed to letting everyone have their rockstar dreams come true! They are true fans of AbleGamers! Nice to have a big time sponsor, huh?

 I've been posting like MAD on walls and such -- sorry -- I'm just so excited that we got TWO proposals in the fan voting phase!!! We NEED your support!!! If you think you might attend or if something like this gets you interested in attending, check off those boxes too when you vote!

Here are the URLs:

http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/4402

PLUS
http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/4674

Note that there are two panels up for vote!!

(you'll need to do a quick login but it'll take you just minutes and this is THE conference that will accept everything NOT mainstream. I went last year and it was a blast but this year? Now we've got possible panels PLUS an arcade at their four day ScreenBurn Arcade that is open to the public for free so we will be representing!!)

And help spread the word too!!

Thanks!!!
Michelle
VP, AbleGamers
 

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Thanks to AG member PikachuMom for reminding me of this article:

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/17/AR2009081702114.html?hpid=sec-tech

 Depression and gaming got some bad press earlier this week, especially for women gamers (said that women who game are more likely to have depression).

So which is it? Probably a little of both depending on the individual's situation...from my OWN experience with depression that has been with me for most of my life, gaming has helped me SAFELY get through some of those long dark nights of the soul (as the French say). Maybe it's the hypnotic effect (the psychologist in me says probably) but whatever the reason...when I'm having a tough time of it, playing something that makes me smile or is just plain addictive keeps me in that game called life!

 Michelle

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Yes...I am still around, everyone (wave!). I'm having a VERY long recovery from what was supposed to be a fairly minor but, still, emergency surgery that turned into a second emergency surgery that was very major where I was actually was clinically dead during part of it (not part of the surgical plan) and would have died within 6-10 hours had I not had the surgery (I would have gone septic and I doubt that would have been a quick trip to the other side and back). Now I'm dealing with a post op infection and have an open incision...eeee...

 So there are all the details, healthwise. I'm doing ok moodwise but I'm really bummed at having to miss E3 and a ton of other things over the last few weeks (the worst being my only sibling's wedding) and then I'm in an awful lot of pain that keeps me from spending much time sitting up. At last count I had over 5000 emails in my in box from just the last week...so if you've sent me something, please don't be upset that I haven't replied...I just can't do much of anything right now.

 I am watching the G4 coverage of E3 and have seen some interesting new games and tech. I, too, am interested in how accessible the new Microsoft system will be and how widely it will be used by game developers. I'm also getting all the tweets from different gaming media (and snarky comments) about their feelings about this, that, and the other being announced so it's at least fun to be able to follow E3 through those paths...lord knows I could not have taken ACTUALLY being there this week. I'll take my gaming press announcements lying down this year. :)

 Michelle (VRGrrl)

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