[Gossamer's Scrapbook] The Ethereal Canyon I

[Gossamer]

. Bullying Things happen in the game. Generally, after they do, they wind up in my blog. This situation is no exception. I'd like to take a minute to remind you that a storyteller from a different domain has no right to dictate to you as a player what you can and can't do in a domain that is not their own. Even in their own domain, they cannot tell you that you cannot thread about something that does not involve one of their organizations or npcs unless it is counter to the Mizaharian Lore or against Game Rules. Also, be aware, just because you don't like a sensitive topic doesn't mean it can't be rp'd about. Frankly, Mizahar has adult scenes. There are threads that involve torture, rape, murder, extreme violence, sex, drug use, etc. Players can thread about whatever they want too so long as its not counter to the lore or against Mizahar's game rules. All this can be done so long as its NOT detailed or graphic (in regards to the scenes of a sexual nature) or with someone known to be a teen in the real world. Conversely, don't go on and on arguing with a storyteller who seems unhappy about something. Just break off the dialog and stop typing to them. There are times in the game when people need to step back, take a deep breath, relax and regroup. Don't let someone keep bitching you out, especially if you feel it is undeserved. This goes with players and storyteller's alike. I've been a victim of a storyteller bitching me out before and I won't tolerate it when it happens to others. Break off your conversation with the storyteller if they seem abusive or bullying and let us know what's going on in the help desk immediately. We have absolutely GREAT staff, but everyone has a bad day or can let their emotions get out of hand about certain topics. Just please be aware there are right ways and wrong ways to do things. Talking civilly is generally the first step. But sometimes its hard to reason with someone, and certainly if they threaten you, end the conversation there and then and report them. This goes with player against player, storyteller against storyteller, or anything of this nature. OOCly, everyone deserves the right to be treated fairly and with respect. When a conversation escalates to threats, its time to take it seriously and end it then and there. Also, don't be afraid to come to me with a situation that involves bullying or abuse. Unless it directly involves me (as in I was the one getting on your case - then you were being a dirtball and deserved it), feel free to bring these things to my attention immediately. I'm always around willing to help. .

[Gossamer]

. Also, because I loved this cat... I just made this for everyone. .

[Gossamer]

. Current Music Addictions For Cayenne and Crow. Who doesn't like Uncle Kracker with Kid Rock? It's just a laid back feel-good song. This is my all time favorite band & song. One of their members died of cancer so they aren't around much nowdays. But I sure do love them. Another Country Singer and Rapper Joining Forces. Have to admit. Never thought I'd love this. But I do. This is just sweet. Remember when a kiss was all that? I do. [youtube]v_yTphvyiPU[/youtube I love Natasha. Yea. Fly. Nuff said. Bonus points for the Wiz of Oz nod. . .

[Gossamer]

. Busy Hello all. I know some of my HD Tickets and PM's have gone unanswered and I haven't posted at all this week, but I have a good reason, honestly. A friend died early in the week and the rest of the week has been slightly organized chaos between some of the lessons I've been giving horse-wise and work and having folks drop by to chat and seek comfort, to my dog getting skunked late night before last. I'm just not going to get a breather at all this week. So if your waiting on HD Tickets and none of the other founders have gotten to them yet, I apologize. I caught up on some of the easier ones today, but it looks like I won't get to the lengthy ones until tomorrow or late tonight. One of my new friends whose been helping me start one of my young horses brought over an army of friends today and we got a ton of planting done to help clean out the greenhouse. I almost cried because it was so thoughtful since she knew how busy it'd been lately. I'm really glad to see this neighborhood outreach amongst my circle of friends. It's so tough when one of us dies, and we don't realize how big of an impact someone has until they just get abruptly sick and depart. I'll be back soon, I promise, but it won't be before things settle down. .

[Dusk]

Take all the time you need, darling. We're here, and we wish you nothing but the best!

[Abashai]

Jen, I am sorry to hear about your friend, but it is good to see how you have been blessed by your friends, it says a lot about you when you have friends like that.

With love,

Mike

[Silvy]

Aaw you poor dear!

Don't rush things right now. Take it one step at a time and just do what you can, when you can.

[Gossamer]

. Relief, Changes & Storytelling So relief does come. It does. Even when things get hard, sometimes you just have to sit back and ride it out and things get better. My friend went into the hospital for a routine procedure which was emergency situation (appendectomy) and walked away with a superbug. After recovering from that superbug, a second one infected her - both at the hospital. And the heavy duty course of drugs ruined her kidneys and liver and ultimately killed her as a young woman. I hate that. I kind of want to blame someone, but I think it was just her time to go. The bursting appendix wasn't enough - we humans fixed that too quick. But the edema from the chemicals was horrible and so was the subsequent system overload and shutdown. It reminds me that we are all mortals. It reminds me that things change and when they do it can be quickly. That's a good lesson, believe it or not. Even Mizahar undergoes changes. But she never fails to cause me joy, that much is certain. I hate having problems hanging over my head irritating me and causing me angst. I love it when these problems suddenly all work themselves out because its like the stars suddenly snap back into alignment and you can breathe again. I also appreciate that some changes work out fantastically for the good. These changes in the last few days are some of those. My nagging worries have dissolved and today I actually feel like posting (I did yesterday too but I had a lot to deal with gamewise and yardwork wise) and getting some things done. Especially mod posts... which are important for me to continue. So if you are even remotely worried, don't be. Just relax. I recently PM'd someone something that I want you guys to hear as well. Being a storyteller is suppose to be fun - lots of fun. It's supposed to challenge you and excite you and make you dive for your subscription list or your development notebook and feel awesome. It's not supposed to make you go 'ugh, I have so much work to do'. It's suppose to make you feel like 'Wow, I get to do this today, that later, and then this.... oh and I had a great idea for a plot for player X." You are supposed to be universally happy that you get to meet new people and feel that buzz of excitement when you help someone finalize a CS. Those of you who aren't storytellers know about this a bit from the help you provide in chat. Storytelling isn't easy. There's always 'those days' and 'those players' but universally and overall its an amazing experience. Do you know how wonderful folks feel when you grade their threads? It's like Christmas, and you're the Santa driving the sleigh delivering the goods. It's not supposed to generate angst, guilt, stress, or make you feel like camel dung baking on the desert floor. If its any of these things, then you are doing it wrong. If you are doing it wrong then you have two choices. The first is to do it right. Because when you do it wrong, and it becomes nothing but stress you have no business being a leader in the community. Your second choice is to retire. Face it, some people just want to park on their PCs and pay all their attention to those characters not divide their attention with a storyteller. That's fine. It's understandable. Storytellers need qualities that encompass generosity, understanding, patience, and a love of meeting new people and doing development that can be somewhat hard-core. They have to have an unfailing sense of fairness and equality. They shouldn't focus all their time posting mod posts for only their friends and making plan after plan for development and not following through with any of them. As players we see these things, and probably everyone here can make a list of who's good at what as a storyteller and what their weaknesses are. I know mine. And even though they are there, I still absolutely love what I do here. It brings me a great joy and is a heck of a lot of hard work. Every storyteller works hard. Please remember that. And if you can, please by all means help them have fun. Remind them that this job is not a chore or a burden. Express to them your excitement at getting a post or your thrill of getting a thread graded. They need it. They deserve it. For especially those who volunteer and give Mizahar a piece of themselves are extremely special folk - a rare breed - deserving of love and support. .

[Gossamer]

. And So It Goes.. There's only so much malcontent we will put up with. There's only so much malcontent others will put up until they complain to us about the malcontent of others and how its negatively effecting them and their gaming experience here. This goes on until enough is enough and people get uninvited. There's a ton of sites on the net that cater to this sort of non-RP drama - of the out of character sort - and we aren't one of them. Go find them. Please. Leave us to our roleplay and our development and our completely and utterly awesome writer's rpg site. You've been warned. .

[Gossamer]

. A New Trim I post a lot of photos daily on facebook. I don't often remember to post them here as well too. This one, however, is too funny to resist. It's pouring down rain outside and my dog is basically very very unhappy with me and Gillar at this point. Gillar has a mad wicked skill with clippers and he used them on Mojo when the dog looked just a little too hot and the skunk stink was lingering. I think Mojo looks way more angry than pathetic. But he was skunky stinky and way way to hot for the summer weather. Now hes just plain naked with a fluffy lion head and a puff on his tail. He's still getting used to his new hair doo. So be gentle. Remember, hes still a puppy even though he's like fifty pounds or so. Well, he might even be a bit lighter now because of all the fur being gone, but I can't tell until he grows out enough to be able to take him into the vet's office. I don't want him too humiliated with people he likes. .