First Blog

Okay so here it is, my very first blog. I'm probably one of the most computer unsavy people I know, but I wanted to try and give it a shot. I'm hoping to share a few thoughts on roleplaying, books, movies, Martial Arts, and hey anything else that strikes my fancy.
I guess part of the reason for starting this goes back to last May. I was living in Nova Scotia, trying to make a living as a substitute teacher. My budget was limited, I mean very limited, I was barely making ends meet working two jobs. Before leaving I had been a pretty regular gym rat, and trained alot at my local dojo, but with my new reduced finances I just didn't have the extra money to keep doing these things that I loved. I guess after a few months, I must have really seemed pretty depressed, because my brother, probably sensing my low mood invited my to join his gaming group. He and his friends were just starting with 4e D&D, and since I used to DM for him LOOONG ago he figured that I'd enjoy it.
Well sure enough, something in the game must have rekindled a real old interest, because soon I was looking into all things D&D again. Now even though I have to thank 4ed for being able to bring back that old spark, I must say that when reading the books something left me feeling a little cold; this just wasn't the Dungeons and Dragons that I knew.
Don't get me wrong, I did have fun, the camaraderie with other gamers, the joy in fighting creatures of the dark again; all of it was great. It's just that after the initial euphoria of being part of imaginative gameplay again wore off, I felt that this just wasn't my D&D. The more I read the 4ed books, and looked at the rules the more I missed my good ole Ad&d. I have to say it wasn't just the new intimidating jargon, and the new classes, and races; no this was something less tangible.
I found it came across a little cold and I guess power-gamey (if thats a word). Seeing the way that WoTC had created these new mechanics, I couldn't see these characters out of a combat situation, or placed in a low magic more realist type campaign. Now that's not to say I didn't continue with it, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some fun, but it made my crave good old AD&D more and more.
So as I continued to play, I also searched the net for info on OD&D, D&D Basic and AD&D. This lead to finding some free modules (yaayy), and more importantly the retro-D&D community which I've been reading about for about six months now.
Since then I've moved to Sherbrooke Quebec, and the itch to play good old fashion Dungeons& Dragons is getting bigger and bigger. The obstacles in the way are great though:

1) I need to find old school players (how many can there be out here?)

2) I'll be honest I'd be hestitant to play with a very young crowd. I'm in my thirties and would want to play with people my own age.

3) It would be hard to introduce it to others I know, I fished a little at work, and felt silly asking (I'm too self-conscience I guess)

4) A biggie .... the language barrier: I'm an Anglophone in a primarily Francophone area, so this is going to be a toughie

Now I'm not going to be defeatist, but I am a realist, I don't want to say this is impossible, but it will be hard, and the chances of successfully starting a gaming group seem slim. I've decided to take the plunge though, and create a small notice explaining clearly the style of D&D game I'd like to create, and then post it at the local gaming shop and see if I get any takers. It will be weird playing with strangers, but it seems like the only way to get something on the go.
Thanks for listening, even if no-one reads this, I found that letting my thoughts out like this has been pretty cathartic so it definitely has not been a waste of time.