Well, since I have been mentioned about three or four times here and, as people know, three times is the charm, guess it's my turn to put forth my thoughts on 2015 within this vast world that is GTP.
In essence, it was a year where I decided to branch out, to try new ventures in new places, places which I hadn't explored thoroughly. And needless to say, the reason why so many tag me back in threads like this is because my branching out was very well accepted by others...
Where do I start? Well, I may have gone to many places, but I still haven't forgotten about the "originator"; Gran Turismo. In that aspect, the thread that still remains a good place to go regardless of personal times is the Car Of The Week thread; not only did
@McClarenDesign branch out on his own by creating Saturday online lobbies for people who couldn't join on Thursdays such as myself, that same opportunity led me to meet many great drivers, people such as
@MidFieldMaven (master tester, and one of my references when it comes to car testing),
@Baron Blitz Red (the proof that Canadians and Portuguese people can be friends and enjoy every second of it), and if course that fast-thinking, fast-driving Brit known as
@Vic Reign93 (did I mention that he was fast? Maybe so, but he is also a very kind person despite his racing demeanor almost making you believe that he is a stone-faced professional). I am saddened that most threads in the GT6 sub-section have fallen to the lowest-common denominators, but threads like COTW's still make me come back. Every, single, time...
2015 was also a year marked by my induction into the Premium of Fame, an act which I can only thank
@wvmgmidget and
@Jahgee for. It was unexpected, it was surprising, but it was an honor that made me happy when I realized its meaning. Never in a million years I thought that I would ever be Premium-branded material, but midget and Jahgee thought otherwise, so my hat is tipped towards both of you, Americans. It also helps that outside this event, both are great members to talk to, Jahgee for being generally crazy in most of his posts (you and your memes are always a great way to let those laughs come out man
) and Midget for not actually being a midget (my perception of reality has been shattered!) but still being an earnest and hard-working guy who can spare time to talk to others. Keep at running what you run best, Red Runner... My swanky avatar also has someone to thank to, and that would be the deer from Indiana, Bambi! Actually, that would be
@Whitetail, but the point still stands; you may have gone through some dreadful times in your life, but you're still a great driver and an even better person. Don't let the turd moments stain your bright ocean, 'cause you have reasons to remain happy.
The branching out's main plotline was my interest in B-Spec series; it all had started rather innocently, with
@nascarfan1400 and his NASCAR GTPFS series, but soon it all took a turn to the wackier. My helpful behavior and personality soon got other people on my radar, and I started to get more and more into this world of fantasy series. The previously mentioned Jahgee and 1400 were both key parts of this, but then we have the other drivers who all became my friends in some way;
@BayneHamlin1121 and
@SVX, the anime dudes who dig throwing references left and right when they feel like it, very talented car painters in
@RACECAR and
@YayoiGT2 who aided me a great deal when I needed assistance, and people who share a first name with me and also share great life stories, which in fact relates to one person only in
@DurWinning (well, it is rather obvious for you once you read it, no?
). One thing leads to another, and now I found myself racing in Nascarfan's RACE Fun Runs lobbies. In here, alongside many of GTPFS's drivers, I got to meet a strong-willed, very good female driver. I barely raced against her, and when I did they were mere practice laps, but the fact that those exact same laps were some of most memorable laps I had ever driven as a GT6 driver showed just how great her skill is. I'm sure that in racing I would be a mere mirage compared to you, but that's nothing compared to the struggles you went through in real-life.
@Angel, you have my earnest respect for everything you did and do here in GTP, so keep on being yourself and enjoy your life.
Boy, that was rather dramatic, but it had to be said. There is one last person I must thank in this "Fantasy" chapter, one Mr.
@Michelin; not only is he a great friend and a greater Brazilian, he was the one person who allowed me to sink my teeth in the world of race commentating. Obviously, being new at this, I have many kinks that need to be ironed out, but at least I can safely say that I have commentated on actual B-Spec races and came out unscathed. Mich, I am thankful for the chances you gave me, and boy do I enjoy working on them...
More branching out was done in terms of cars; me voting in several Cool Wall cars, sharing my personal thoughts on certain models... But there was one thing that stood out; my rekindled interest in car brochures. And who do I have to blame on this, I wonder...? Oh yes, the man with a plan (and a bajillion Toyota brochures as well as cars in his family);
@ilikewaffles11! Not only did he introduce me to a world of brochures, we still have a lenghty conversation about that and many more outside the confinements of GTP. And his father owns a Cadillac Allante, so you just win at everything in my box-checking world...
Then we get to scale model cars; one of the reasons why I got into buying 1:43 and 1:64 models as often as I did this year was due to the dual scale model threads here. Boy did I spend a lot this year, moreso than in any other year as a car fan, but it was more than worth it. And of course, because of the great people behind said threads;
@AOS- the Canadian photographer who decided to share his Jedi tips with a young Padawan such as myself because he felt that I could take much better photos,
@RCKakashi14 for making jelly over some fine Hong Kong car purchases and writing very good GT6 fanfics, and
@a6m5 for getting me hooked on Tomica and their Limited Vintage line of 1:64 cars. My wallet hates you, Shinji, but my actual self thanks you for being such a great guy both as a car collector and as a person. Never leave the threads again, ok?
Ok, this text is getting long enough, and I'm sure that people don't me to ramble to the point where I may actually create a brand new page with my ramblings. So, I'll keep the rest short and sweet;
- @Brend; while I don't play half the games you play (sadly, because I would be honored to play against you), you still approve of my commentaries on those exact same games. And I'll still remember you as Classic, so that won't go away any time soon...
- @BKGlover; no matter what you say, your work in the B-Spec series hasn't gone unnoticed. And if there's someone I must thank for helping me out with car painting, that person would be you. Keep at it man, don't let the good times end.
- @rallymorten; I'll be playing the 420 dank airhorn of sadness if you don't at least put a like on this post. Notice me, dank sempai!
- @Nico_Ble99; a passionate NASCAR fan from Germany? Blasphemy, a German can't like American racing series, you must love the DTM and DTM only! I kid, I kid, you love NASCAR racing for a reason; because you are a great motorsport fan and a great guy to talk to. And who can forget that historical episode in Essen, when you happened to stumble across the path of a Porsche legend? "Lucky Sod" doesn't even begin to describe your luck in such a moment...
- @Grandea GTR; yes, our friendship started out with shoutouts to Treize Khushrenada and Gundam references, but we really became the best of friends in everything else, right? I mean, you invited me to something that had never been done in GTP, and even allowed me to put forth a request to commentate on that "something! Sadly, the second part didn't quite pan out, but I still had plenty of fun being part of a fantasy wrestling series, it is ineed something memorable within all the B-Spec series in this website. Also, you still owe me a Ridge Racer Type 4 review, so don't procrastinate too much...
- It was quite close to the end of 2015, but one last thanking gift must be given to @Dac_Xint for creating the thread that reminded me why I love Japan so much as a country and as a cultural venue. Not only are the photos great and beautiful, you are a person who takes some time to clarify doubts about travelling to Japan and telling others what you should visit as part of your tour. I am greatful for having the chance to see your Japan thread, and I am quite thankful that you view our friendship as a great honor for yourself. I'll know who to call when my chance to visit Japan arises, and I'll be sure to let that person know beforehand.
- And it may be a cliché at this point, but if it wasn't for @Jordan, all the previous text would have zero meaning. All the buildings need pillars to support them, and Jordan is still GTP's greatest pillar. A pillar so great that everyone recognizes its value, even if it may be buried beneath all that it's supporting... Jordan, I'll be sure to tip my hat many times in your honor, because otherwise this world would remain a mystery to me.
to 2016 GTP!
Was cool to chat to 
. But yeah, a mix of Ken and waffles. Because Yoats and because I hope the good karma kicks in soon 👍
