Wow, what they say is true-if you miss a minute, you miss a lot
I've been sans home computer for almost 2 weeks now and have just started to head to the library to check my humongo email pile up. Cue another
I check all the JOE sites and shoot off emails to respond to those who've said, 'Where'd you go?!?'. Then I head over here and I'm barraged with 'hate speak' from (now former) members who have once again percieved me as 'the b*tch'-good thing I'm used to that in the community, so I pay it no mind, sorry to disappoint
Its a real shame that people can't just 'leave it at the door' and look at this site for what it is-a place to share pictures about plastic army men. I was invited here 4 years ago by Ender098 and tepidly stepped in because at that time I was the ONLY girl on site (wait, am I still?) But the 'old guard' or 'elitist' or whatever they're being called, were very compassionate and encouraging. And I returned the favor. Across the entire JOE community I'm known as an unofficial 'Welcome Wagon' because I always make a point of welcoming 'n00bs'. Why? Because I was there once and I know how it feels.
About a year into my membership here, Sonneilon came to me privately and asked me to do him a solid since he was dealing with some heavy personal stuff. I agreed and spoke with both him and Hammerfel extensively about 'how' they wanted things to run, and I complied with their suggestions.
Things were going very smoothly for a long while, until some 'intranet webz' crap inevitably made its way to the site. I attempted to steer the ship as best I could, but I was alone at the wheel-even finding many of the 'Old Guard'-who had once expressed camraderie and friendship-turning their backs on me. Some did reach out, albeit in an extremely private 'I don't want to let anyone know I'm on your side' way, but on a whole, no one stood with me. When things got too out of hand, I was run off the site and talked about behind my back and made fun of for all kinds of stuff.
But still, I didn't let it bother me-hey, I know that not everybody is going to be my best buddy, and I'm cool with that. THIS isn't my life, my life is. This is just a hobby.
So I left. And then a whole new set of drama reared up (all that '2 camps' stuff some of you have posted on). But one by one, people here who I never held a grudge against, contacted me and apologized for whatever had happened in the past. And I accepted that apology wholeheartedly.
Sonneilon asked me to come back and start posting pictures again. He (and I suspect others) enjoyed my stuff, so myself and Flint discussed it and said that we'd be happy to share our hobby again with the members of this site and anybody that stopped by. Unfortunately for us, 'real life' is a lot more of a draw than snapping pictures at the moment (something I know that many of you are painfully aware of), so we aren't as able to fill up our gallery as before.
That also meant that we couldn't comment as frequently as we used to. Believe me, that part is aggravating-I used to spend a good hour scrolling through and commenting on people's pics.
As for the rating system, I was opposed to it right from the start when people started getting upset with low ratings. While I was a MOD I tried to get it turned off-to no avail. But now that its gone, I don't miss it honestly. As was said earlier, it wasn't being used properly-it was a way for people to seek acceptance. I next to never used the system, maybe for a couple of Craig's shots or when there was a particularly *bad* shot...and all those were backed up with comments on my reasoning for the rating.
The 'Collection' section I will speak up and take full credit for. I created the section for just the reason its named. But I couldn't find a way to put it in the top bar along with the rest. But I did sticky it as a note and left links to encourage people to post properly in there. And while I still had the ability, I would move photos there when they were placed wrong, along with a PM to explain to the poster about the move.
I've heard that there is a new brand of slander going around about myself and others, and to that I can only say, 'I'll pray for you' because to carry that type of venom against people over toys, well, that's just a sad commentary on a confused, bitter person's soul. But I won't stoop to the level of going 'this for that'. I've got way more important things to do in life. If they feel vindicated by attempting to knock me down, that's their demon to battle-I can't help them with that.
I don't come to this site (or any other JOE site) to delve into petty tit-for-tat sandbox brawls. I come to communicate with others all over the world who are interested in the same hobby I am. If 'G.I. Joe' has taught us anything, its that we are supposed to embrace our teammates and always have their back. Sargent Slaughter said, "We all go home, or nobody goes home." That's the way I feel about anybody I've ever discussed this hobby with, and that's how I'll always feel.
But that's just me, and I'm the only one I'm qualified to speak for.
