I have deleted this blog entry. Evidently, present actions are bringing up past hurt. I apologize for allowing my temper to get the best of me.
This place, which once brought me so much joy, has brought me nothing but pain for pretty much this whole year. My heart throbs around the black hole that used to be the family I had here.
I miss you, my OpenFamily. I stopped doing anything but mirroring my food posts long ago, but I desperately cling to the best of the friends I've made here.
Sadly, what caused this deleted post was an abortive attempt at making another one long ago. Sometimes, it just doesn't work out. That doesn't mean I should hold onto it for months then blame someone else when I lose my temper. For that I'm sorry. But, if you think for a moment that I don't believe people will get a charge out of that, you must be new. I hope that if nothing else, this brightened someone's day. Enjoy the hell out of that. You deserve it. My class and dignity tank is empty.
I just can't be here. What once brought out the best in me now brings out the worst. Watch out or it'll empty you too. You'll wake up one day and realize you've become what you hated.
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Ryan Soberg
Colony of Losers
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vanessa seijo
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Comments
I'm pretty sure you shot JFK, you old bag.
Karin - I would like to reap clean dishes now. I've been providing them for so long.
Triglet - I paid you in deep satisfaction, didn't I?
Sandra - I KNEW IT!!!
p.s. are you talking about the secret writing group, or the double top secret writing group?
I do have a bit of advice for everyone wanting to get into the Crazypantsers - go to platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station in London - then ram yourself into a brick column. I don't know if you'll get in or not, but please post the results on YouTube.
Karin - I need to start sowing money. You're right.
Emma - Have a spliff. There's no room here for honesty. One day I'll get REALLY honest and just post all the emails and pms I've saved over two years. Of course, the ones between the two of us have been delightful, but it would be an education in regard to most everyone else's communiques. Some days it pays to be a little OCD.
But I am also really put off by the weird stuff going on behind the scenes here; it's like kids passing notes in class that say, "Jodi told me a secret. Wanna know what it is?" It seems to have subverted the purpose of the site--the "community" is now more important than the writing or other creative endeavors on offer.
I also think there is a tremendous amount of projecting going on. It's gotten to the point that every time someone throws out a veiled accusation I assume it is something that they are doing, so they assume everyone else must be doing it to.
Just be upfront and honest people, and let the chips fall where they may. Jodi has just given you a great example of how to do it. With a lot of class, no less.
I don't know about anything! I didn't know there was a critique group of writers, I don't know who anybody's alters are, and I found XYZ's post a total mystery. I am very very tired of people who don't say what they mean yet attack others who are honest and open for being "mean" and "elitist."
There is a whole lot of jealousy and mistrust and bitchery in these parts lately (probably always was but I went through an extended honeymoon period) and it's exhausting. For me, the old Groucho Marx quote applies: I wouldn't want to be a part of a club that would have me for a member. :)
Emma Peel
T H U N D E R C U N T
that is all.
I am an amateur, doing it for fun, and have mixed feelings about really working at improving as a writer. Being exposed to professionals has been interesting/educational and enough to convince me to stick to my day job.
As far as women being pissed off. As a male, I am quite accustomed to it and suggest that it is inevitable as well as not surprising or especially upsetting.
Further, the REASON for this expression of anger is the notion that someone thinks that there is some sort of exclusionary clique. A "dog bites man" bit of information.
I would advise everyone to just let it go, except that no one is taking it all that seriously, minus a tad bit of venting.
But, seriously, those that are approaching writing in a professional manner have my admiration and I hope that OS can be at least a small positive.
I am an amateur, doing it for fun, and have mixed feelings about really working at improving as a writer. Being exposed to professionals has been interesting/educational and enough to convince me to stick to my day job.
As far as women being pissed off. As a male, I am quite accustomed to it and suggest that it is inevitable as well as not surprising or especially upsetting.
Further, the REASON for this expression of anger is the notion that someone thinks that there is some sort of exclusionary clique. A "dog bites man" bit of information.
I would advise everyone to just let it go, except that no one is taking it all that seriously, minus a tad bit of venting.
But, seriously, those that are approaching writing in a professional manner have my admiration and I hope that OS can be at least a small positive.
I am an amateur, doing it for fun, and have mixed feelings about really working at improving as a writer. Being exposed to professionals has been interesting/educational and enough to convince me to stick to my day job.
As far as women being pissed off. As a male, I am quite accustomed to it and suggest that it is inevitable as well as not surprising or especially upsetting.
Further, the REASON for this expression of anger is the notion that someone thinks that there is some sort of exclusionary clique. A "dog bites man" bit of information.
I would advise everyone to just let it go, except that no one is taking it all that seriously, minus a tad bit of venting.
But, seriously, those that are approaching writing in a professional manner have my admiration and I hope that OS can be at least a small positive.
I have no doubt you are a "good" witch here, so carry on and pass that spliff!
I've been accused of loving my semicolons too much.
I spent the last year WRITING poetry, not getting paid for it, and ignoring bullshit. SO for my efforts, I now am out of the loop, know nothing, and am still not getting paid.
Can I come to your next meeting? I would bring cake.
AND: I do not actually know anything about any of this.
BUT: I have a plate in your house and you could eat a CLUB sandwich off of it; that makes me a player!
NOTE: semi colon accurately and appropriately applied while using alternate formats to keep and sustain interest in comment that if one rather than two, would have easily topped 500 words
Consider this my writing sample for admission in your group. I am funny and can aquire and bring cake to aforementioned meetings. Thank you for your consideration, My Queen.
Second, I suppose I'm one of those "elitist" assholes on OS who got paid for writing (and editing) for 40 years. Because I went through an intensive -- and necessary -- learning period back in the day, I recognize that not everyone is a gifted writer right out of the box. It takes work and encouragement. The people on my friends list are those in whom I saw a spark of something. Often, they've improved their skills; sometimes they haven't. Ca va.
Third, the current brouhaha will, like its predecessors, die away.
Fourth, I do think the "rules" as laid out by the Crazypants cabal were in part mean-spirited (but only in part). I know of at least one person on here who felt targeted -- although I personally don't think that person was -- and, I fear, may now be absent. That's wrong.
And for the record, Surly wasn't banging Cary Grant in a Buick. It was Gil Gerard in the back of a Chevy Nova.
I'm not going to be the one calling people out by name.
I'll leave all the calling out and hatred to others.
Wait--people went to Vegas?
Rated.
There are the A students and then there is everyone else. The difference now is, the B, C, and D students were not smart enough to be envious of us back then. Now they are both envious and bitter. Just about anyone who has ever been accused of being one of the OS "big kids", "mean girls" or whatever negative connotation is their flavor of the day, is one of the A students.
You and your group of professional writers represent the literary and artistic A+ superstars of the Class of OS (and the classiness of OS for that matter). OS is (was?) very fortunate to have you. I'm glad you can still feel fondness for this Place :-)
"I'm not going to be the one calling people out by name.
I'll leave all the calling out and hatred to others."
That's just not right Jodi. You DID call me out...and you DID call my name and you ARE being a little hateful. I'm still in the dark as to why you felt the need.
Besides, it is no fun to read because is isn't all about 'me' :)
Good luck to you both......seriously.
Ditto Nelle.
Particularly this: But I'll testify again from personal experience that it actually is possible to be here and simply write, read, rate, be friends with people and avoid virtually all meta (or would that be all virtual meta)? And I don't think I'm alone. I think lots of folks here don't even notice stuff that seems obvious to the people who are involved.
I also wanted to say that there are some wonderful, talented new writers here and I hate the suggestion that all the "good ones" have gone. For sure many have, and I miss them like crazy. But for goodness sakes, look at 2SB, and Persistent Muse, and Ann Nichols, among many others.
Oh, and CINDY ROSS.
I mean, I always get the feeling that there's something going on around here just under the surface, but this place is much too big to really get a handle on it if you're not directly involved in it.
So, I persist as an outsider. But, I have to say that I sense the undercurrents, and I feel like there's some big mysterious thing going on that I'm just too stupid to get.
Well, maybe I read too :-)
Oh yeah, I showed up.
Sorry, I won't say I didn't mean to piddle on the carpet though, it wouldn't be the truth.
**Wanders off into the bushes**
For what it's worth.