Actually, I probably ended up paying more for my copy of the game than you did: Firstly it was a Mac game, which came out later and they don't generally depreciate as fast, and secondly because I'm English, and games tend to be more expensive over here.
So yeah, Firaxis were pretty annoying there, but as you say there was nothing any of us could do about it. Such is life.
I am genuinely surprised and appreciative that I am remembered, because I know I wasn't here long before I got left behind. On the other hand, Epic 4 still stands as one of my better achievements.
As to hanging around for so long, Empire gaming is the field I am best at, and the RB guys are the best I have ever found. Of course I was going to hang around!
Here's hoping that I still manage to get some Uni work done through MoO after Easter,
JJ
PS. Waiting on the Tutorial here, waiting waiting waiting...
