So last night in the #writers IRC Channel. Paradox decided that it would be a good idea to flood the channel with 75th Trombone’s first impression of the Guild. I was not expected to suddenly be flooded with harsh criticism of something that BAD, Kato, and I attempt to manage in our own spare time so that others don’t really have to get involved with the “dirty work.” Not that we do much anyway, the GoW does a great job of running itself, so we take a largely hands-off approach.

So anyway, we get flooded with this (without preamble) from Paradox.

75th Trombone: So I just registered at GoW
75th Trombone: Looking around the forums
75th Trombone: And one word pops into my head: BUREAUCRACY
75th Trombone: I see a very unfriendly announcement about needing Guild Representatives. I see stuff about reorganizing the guild and voting to remove someone from a the post of Councilor of S&V, whatever that means, and everywhere I look it’s red tape and middle-managing
75th Trombone: So what’re the chances of them waking up and realizing that no one gives a crap about Robert’s Rules of Order and just getting to some Writing?

Harsh realities. What your your response have been? I am, despite public opinion, open to criticism; however, I am very sensitive about its wording. When you flood me with it worded that way, things usually do not go well (I am notorious for being a curmudgeon). Note: I harbor no ill toward 75th, he actually PMed me about this explaining the situation. It seems that Paradox asked his opinion. It would have been nice to have had it reworded for constructive purposes. What was presented to me seemed like “Oooh, look what 75th Trombone was saying behind your back.” Those of you who know me in R/L know what kind of crap I have taken behind my back, and I do not appreciate getting it in something that’s supposed to be “fun.”

So anyway, I have Paradox and his little helper vaaht jump all over me about treating newcomers poorly. Jesus, when have I ever treated a newcomer poorly? I was responding to the criticism that was presented to me. Then BAD jumps in and all hell breaks loose. We basically argue over why the color blue is named blue. Then, halfway into the argument Paradox posts on his blog part of the chat log… “Ooooh! Look at the evil Hoikas!”

Really mature.

Anyway, argue, argue, argue, bash, bash, bash… Vaaht comes in and starts telling us to “calm down” by calling us idiots and telling us all to shut up. Yes. That is how you calm someone down. My God, is she from Alabama?! So backwards.

Oh, I forgot, vaaht can’t stand the bickering in the community, but she’s so keen to blog about it and jump all in it. For those of you who read Paradox’s post, you should know that is not the complete log as of the posting of this. Maybe he will update it.

Now that I’m done venting somewhat calmly, I’ll rationalize some things.

Q: So WHY did you mute vaaht, Hoikas? Was it because BAD told you so?
No, for those of you who do not realize it, I am not BAD’s “sidekick” to use vaaht’s words. In fact, if you read the log, BAD and I actually differ on some of our statements. We do not agree on everything. I also refuse to be a mindless minion ala Overlord. You people know that I scorn those who do not think for themselves. I would prefer being in the company of the person with the strangest ideas than with the person who accepts everything that is told to them.

Regardless of that, the main argument here was actually between BAD and Paradox. There had always been some form of friction between them. It finally came out that Paradox and some others seem to believe that BAD has some master plan of GoW domination. Utter balderdash, but I do at least understand that it *could* be interpreted that way what with Kato and I seemingly MIA. (Back on topic) Vaaht was doing more to draw BAD’s attention to her than letting the “discussion” with Paradox continue, so I did what I thought best and silenced the one keeping it from happening. It was not nice, but none of us were being nice at that point. We were doing what had to be done, and this little discussion needed to happen.

So on this master plan, it apparently seems that several people think BAD has a master plan of domination and is trying to take control of everything. I have already commented on how ludicrous the thought is to me. Apparently, Paradox has issues with the GoW Council being reduced the three people (Odd, we’re trying to reduce the size of the administration… You want anarchy. We’re being less hands on. Why aren’t you happy?)… Yet he never posted in the topic where the restructure proposal was hammared out. It carried on for about a month or so… No comment from Paradox. He admits that he might have missed it, though I do not see how. It was the topic for discussion for quite awhile in the internal IRC channel.

I hope that shed some light on my decision there, and some of the things surrounding it.

I could continue writing on this subject for a few more pages, but I see no need to continue doing so. I only want some form of defense out there for my name seems to have been dragged through the mud and nuked a few times while I was asleep. Not that I really mind, but I want you to make your own decision. Remember that the world is not black and white as the Puritans believed. Good and Evil are human concepts that differ from human mind to human mind. I reiterate: Make your own decision.