A Farewell To A Bug's Muck

Not long ago I made the decision that it was time to close down A Bug's Muck. It was time to acknowledge that the community it served has broken up and moved on. Of its many members, in its closing days only two logged in with any regularity-- myself and Ampillion, and guests became so infrequent as to be effectively non-existent. The physical server itself could not long remain where it is, and so it seemed logical to shut the box down and say good-bye to ABM.

ABM was a themed Internet chat environment based loosely on Pixar/Disney's film "A Bug's Life". Created in 1999 shortly after the release of the film, it first served as an environment to foster role-play in the world Pixar had created. For some it was their introduction to mucks and mushes, for others it was their introduction to role-play. For me, it became a playground for my inner coding demon, and in time I would re-write from scratch the majority of the programs that gave ABM its character and add more than a few that were my own. ABM survived many changes and administrative conflicts to became home for a tightly-knit community who came there after work or school to relax, do a little role-play, trade a few tales, share personal pain, tell a joke or two, and cut loose with some world-class puns.

When I think of ABM, I'm whelmed by a collage of images. I see a big blue grasshopper in a pirate outfit who's facade of insanity conceals a kind heart. I see a little blue grasshopper who's voracious appetite is matched only by his gentle soul. I see a hippy cricket high on 'shrooms, a beige ant armed with a paint-balloon launcher, a chainsaw-wielding grasshopper, and a self-destructive ladybug who truly is insane. I see a big pillow adopted as a communal futon, a fuzzy purple blanket shared with those needing comfort, lightsaber duals, magic boxes, and a living, breathing clone of Dave Foley, happily bound to his number-one fan. I see a doll who like Pinocchio found a way to become much more than he was made to be. I see a dragon protectively watching over all. These things and much more were and are ABM.

The muck server may be no more, but the muck isn't really gone. Many people will long have memories of the pleasant and often insanely fun times shared there. With luck and a little effort, friendships that began there will continue on through other walks of life. I'm proud to have been part of the ABM community, and honored to have helped make it what it became. All of us who for a time lived and dreamed there will carry ABM within ourselves for years to come.

Over these hills and seas beyond
If nevermore shall we them pass
And other lands we come to praise
Let it be said: here we knew well

Silver, February 2007