First of all, I want to apologise for the recent lack of posts. I really appreciate that the viewing numbers have still been steadily increasing, far beyond my wildest expectations on first starting the blog. I’m not an expert in the area of demographics or website design, but seeing the site go to 1000 unique visitors a month and then even close to 500 in one single day has been an incredible morale boost. I started the site from a friend’s encouragement, so to see a user-base springing up in countries like South Korea, Japan and Lebanon is mind-blowing!
A few months ago, it began to really ache when I type. I figured it was an extension of the muscle pains I’ve experienced regularly for the last ten or so years; unpleasant but they tend to pass with time. Unfortunately, the pain increased incredibly dramatically, to the point that typing for half an hour leaves its mark with a few hours of very intense pain in my hands and joints. It’s taken a fair bit of time (and poking with needles!) to finally diagnose two forms of arthritis: rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. It’s fairly unusual to have both, so I should probably consider myself lucky! Ash Ketchum would be proud.
It’s made keeping on top of the weekly roundups a very difficult task. With the nature of the task requiring constant checking and updating throughout the day, it really leaves its mark both physically and mentally. Playing games (something that I would say defines who I am) has become as punishing as it is pleasurable which obviously affects how quickly I can create reviews. I firmly believe in completing a game before covering it, which can make certain genres much tougher than others. I never considered how destructive the condition could be, until the day I woke up unable to unclench my hand for over an hour.
This isn’t a “woe is me” type post and I fully intend to keep sticking at this site. For all of you and for myself. I’m awaiting specialist treatment and that will hopefully include medicinal help as well as therapy that will make coping with this actually possible. Until then, I’m hoping this goes some way to explain why the site has run a little dry. I’ll never stop, I hope I can promise that much, and the comments recently have helped hugely so I really appreciate the kind support I’ve received from people that have no reason to do so.
Thank you, to everyone who reads this.
Pete Osborne
Love the site. Keep in contact Pete ! Have emailed you a few times
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Thoughts and prayers with you Pete! Keep up the good fight! We appreciate you!
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
I really hope you will recover and that it’ll get better. You’re doing some great work and I like your spirit. Keep fighting!
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keep up the great work my friend. my prayers is with you pete. thanks for giving so much contribution for us (ios gaming community).
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Thanks for all your work, pal. Hope you can find a way to cope with your condition!
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Hope it’ll get better, Pete! Keep up the fantastic work
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God Bless Pete. We need people with passion for games and reviews. Do come back to TA soon 🙂
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Thanks for keeping us updated Pete. I hope you can find recovery, and that you get better.
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So sorry to hear about your pain. As someone who has had chronic back pain (and three surgeries for it), I can sympathize, but couldn’t imagine if that pain was in my hands. I’m a computer programmer so I too would be devastated if that happened to me…and well, gaming, that’s always a good thing ;). Really hope you get some relief whether it’s therapy or medication. This site is amazing and is always book marked for your incredible dedication to keep us up to date on the best games coming out on iOS.
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Really sorry to hear!
Love your site and your work, but health first!
Hope you can recover somewhat and to read you soon again!!!
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Take care of yourself first man. This stuff can wait. Feel free to get ahold of me if you need some extra help.
Take care man. I’m thinkin about ya!
NOEN
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Sorry to hear about your medical issues, Pete. Best of luck beating them down and getting back to gaming and writing.
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Well, upon my re entry into the world of iOS gaming you were there making what can be a crazy and unpredictable scene make more sense than Apple editors ever could so you certainly have a mental fortitude and integrity that many could only dream of. Thanks for all the hard work Pete,
Your friend, Richard
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Get better as soon as you can Pete. You do a great job with this site as of now, and it’s made even more amazing that you do it with your current physical condition.
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