Its somewhat crazy to think of it, but today marks the seven year anniversary of my first logging into EVE. Okay, technically it was yesterday, but I don’t think I figured out how to train skills until the second day. Or I just forgot; you decide!

So what has happened in seven years? Sooo much stuff that I could write a book about it were I a better writer. Instead, I will incoherently blog about things I remember, as I remember them; much better!

EVE operates as the devil-you-know for me. Its is both my crutch and my personal saviour. I’m more introverted than I used to be before these serious-business Internet spaceships, but by the same token, if it weren’t for some advice I’ve received from fellow players at various crisis points in my life, I don’t think I’d be sitting here typing this today.

What have I learned?

I’ve learned more than I’d like about the market, and stumbled into T2 mass-manufacturing blind and with no resources, having to start from scratch.

I’ve learned that while most people advocate the ‘trust nobody’ mentality of the game, the ‘trust everybody, but especially trust common sense’ outlook is more fruitful.

I’ve learned that societies in EVE are cyclical. People come and go in waves. The important thing is not to give up because your friends have left – there’s a whole host of other amazing people out there to get to know, and your old friends will almost certainly be back; the trick is patience.

I’ve learned that permanence is an illusion. From Stain/Curse alliance to ISS to Goons/BoB. They come and go like the changing of the tides. Always have this in your mind when you plan the ‘next big thing’. Its humbling.

I’ve learned that the Minmatar channel – which I’ve been in so long that its sometimes confused as being mine –  is at any moment the single most amazing and retarded channel in-game. I love those guys to bits.

I’ve learned that you can send slices of homemade chocolate cake abroad without customs batting an eyelid. Good to know!

I’ve learned that nine out of ten romantic relationships founded in-game will fail, but the one out of ten that don’t really make it all worthwhile (hi blod and ghani! *waves*).

But most of all, I’ve learned that EVE is awesome.