CarrionCrow: Works for me. Makes the thought of hitting it that much better.
That's the one. Haven't cleared 3D, which is probably for the best. It would've been worse seeing the full extent to which they wrecked the series. I just know that if I'd paid full price for that game, I would've been very, very upset.
So long as you're happy overall with the place you're at now. You can do both, have the life you prefer while still loving what you studied initially and getting involved on an academic level to whatever degree you want when you feel like it.
The level of self-awareness you have on the subject is commendable. Some people would try to force themselves back in whether it was still the right thing to do overall or not.
I really used to love Duke 3D, there were so many hidden places and even full alternative paths that could skip some of the level. For its age I thought it was very good. I saw a picture comparing the map design of 3D and Duke Forever, which kind of highlights how stripped down creatively modern gaming is.
I am indeed quite happy with things, not the health issues and things, but you know what I mean. :-)
It is tempted to go into the field that I worked hard for for so long, but I just don't think that is for me anymore, at least not as a full time professional job. As I said, I am just a simple girl at heart, I have my wonderful and loving wife, a beautiful home, and a job I really love, so what else could I want. I guess I could want a bigger career with a lot more money, but I don't need that. I have what I need already, in fact I have had what I need in my life for a long time now. Anything else is just icing on the cake. :-)
(Sorry for rambling and probably sounding silly, as I said my head is all over the place at the moment due to my health and some other things. So feel free just to ignore me. :-))