The following is taken from a PM between myself and MissyA. It raises issues that I thought it would be good to share with the rest of the forums for your information and your views. I have editted out some more personal sections but the majority is intact.

***

[To MissyA in resonse to her 'rant page' at the front of the fansite] I have to say, I don't really agree with your attitude towards the forums at the moment.


This I think is the crux of what I’m about to say; you are not approaching the people on this forum with the belief that they can do anything more than just make silly posts. Your rant page is based on the belief that they are not capable of approaching any subject with intelligence.

One of the founding concepts of matazone.co.uk, before it ever became a site for animations, was that given the chance people will surprise you with what they are capable of understanding.

It's taken me a long time to get to this view. When I was in my teenage years I had trouble at times believing that there was hope for anyone since the whole world appeared to revolve around constantly replicating acts of stupidity. In the end I decided that I could either react in two ways, I could accept the idea that these people would never lift themselves out of the trough or I could give people something that they had never been given in their lives before, something that might give them the chance to prove themselves to be capable of breaking the cycles of self-defeating life that the majority of the population gets into. I decided to give out unequivocal respect to the possibility that every person I could meet or interact with would have something interesting to say.

I found out that given the opportunity most people do indeed have something of interest. Sure, a lot of the time it is the same thing that you have heard before, people with 'hard life' stories, but the more that I gave people the chance to talk the more I found that it didn't matter what had happened so much the fact that everyone has their own issues that are just as important to them as to anyone else.

You can take three examples, one of a person who is being beaten by their parents, another who is bullied at school another who feels incredibly lonely. All are nasty but most people will agree that being beaten by your parents is the worst because when you have fear at home it feels like there is no way to escape for the rest of your life (again, it is worth respecting this belief, even though it is not true. If all you do is contradict the person then you will never gain any further understanding of their situation). You could say that the person who feels lonely is having an easy ride and why don't they get a life...

Each of these people have their own difficulties that they face and are equally important. Their struggle for understanding in the world is just as hard to each of them as if they were to have their problems swapped.

So how does this have anything to do with the website and the forums? I believe that no matter the person they do have something inside them they want to talk about, but it is only when they are given the chance and respect to speak about these things that it will be said.

These forums are about assuming that no-one who comes here is stupid, worth less than anyone else or has nothing to say. When you come into the belief that any of these things are true then you are really missing out on the point of 'Matazone'.

When I made the webart sections it was in the belief that people, if they wanted to, should be able to find something deeper than '10 reasons a beer is better than a woman/man' on the web. When I make my animations it is with a belief that the people watching have the capability to engage with humour that has levels that are psychological and plot based rather than 'haha the kitten has been decapitated' (as seen in Happy Tree Friends) and so when I started these forums it was still with the belief that given a chance people would choose subjects that matter to them in a way they normally wouldn't in other forums on the web. I think that the issues forums do prove that this works.

Of course, not everyone wants to be serious all the time, I know I don't and I'd hate to think that everyone on here thinks that they have to be too.



If you approach people with the idea that they are stupid they will act stupid. People tend to do what is expected of them and given an easy option they will take it (which is actually a rather smart approach to life that is bred into humanity). As soon as you start saying that they are stupid, people will prove you right. Give them the chance to live up to something more and that is a challenge that some will rise to. Some won't, but that is their loss and I will give them the chance to try again because that is what respect is about. If you damn them before they even begin then you have missed the point of Matazone.co.uk entirely.

You're right though, this is my site and I say what goes here. I want you to bear in mind what I have said and try and show this respect for people. If you do want to give this a try then here's a few ideas:

For a start, I'm going to post some of this PM on the daily life forum and I would appreciate it if you would join in with the discussion there. I think that there are some points being discussed here that I would like to be out in the open.

If a person does just post something like 'haha that was funny' don't get mad, just ask that person what they think about the subject of the joke, or just steer the thread back with an on-topic post, even if your own post starts 'haha that was funny, but it makes me think about...' that's good too. There's a lot of care to be taken in posting well. To show that you have enjoyed someone else's post is a great thing to do, but our role is to show that it's even better to do this and add something more to the topic. Which leads me to...

Lead by example. Don't slam people because they're not up to standards you've set in your head, it may be that these people are currently afraid of talking openly about things that matter to them, or it may be that they just are happy at the moment and don't have anything serious they want to say. It's okay to be happy! A lot of culture tells us all, and especially teenaged people (ie. a lot of the people on these forums) that if you don't have a personal trauma going on then you're obviously not thinking about life hard enough. That's rubbish, I think very hard about many issues but I would say that I am generally a happy person. Sometimes things annoy me, if I decide to post about them on the board then I hope that I do it in a way that other people can relate to.


Then don't delete it, no-one learns anything from that. Don't just put 'EDIT' over something that breaks the rules or remove it all together. People will only wonder what was deleted. Instead put in

[come on, mind your language please - Mata]

or

[I've removed this line because I wasn't happy with the implications of the poster's attitude towards women. I think that the poster was attempting to say that he feels the progression of feminism has invalidated men's ideas of their own identity, just using rather bad phrasing. Please be more careful next time - Mata]

Explain yourself. Rather than making mods a distant force that comes down from on high and destroys all that it sees as unworthy, make mods people who demonstrate that it is possible to say things without offending people and in doing so you will show that communication is about clearly expressing yourself in honest and open terms, not argumentative language. As I said before, lead by example.

***

I'll let you know a bit of history here. This site isn’t called Matazone as a way of saying ‘this is the zone of Mata’ but it is called that because that is the full version of Mata. About nine or ten yeas ago, I read an Italian play with a character called Matazone in it. It was set at the time of the crucifixion and he was a professional fool. His name is derived from the Latin for fool, but he shows that he is much more than that. In the play he likes Christ and meets Death on her way to see Christ at the last supper. Because he knows what will happen if Death gets there, Matazone entertains plays with her, and in doing so saves the person he likes.

Socarates once said 'The only good is knowledge, the only evil is wisdom', and I think it was also Socrates who also said 'The more that I know, the more I know that I know nothing.' I like both of these phrases a lot and I am fond of putting the latter into my own terms; 'the only true knowledge comes from knowing that you are a fool.'

Originally I took on Matazone as a stage name for circus performance and then I used it on the net. The more I used it the more I realised that it is me. It is a true name that reflects not just a token by which people can identify me but something of my own nature.

In knowing that we can only ever understand a fraction of the reality around us (including the people that we meet and communicate with) we accept that we are fools, but equally we understand that there is so much in the world that is incredible and that every moment is an opportunity to learn or experience something that we will never have again. By saying that something is stupid we do not only do harm to it, we also harm ourselves because we are shutting out the chance that we could learn from that person.

To be a fool is to respect all around you equally, it is to know that none of us, no matter what we may believe, really knows any more truth than anyone else so we have to learn from each other if we are to gain any understanding of the world. The more of the world we begin to understand, the more we see that there is to learn.

As an aside, I learnt something else after I had taken on the name Matazone. The tarot pack has many pictures and all have numbers to indicate where they are in the sequence, except for one. The card of The Fool has no number because it can go at the beginning or the end of the sequence, if it is at the beginning it represents innocence and naivety but at the end it becomes something more... It becomes the wisdom that is opening oneself to the world and judging it on its own merits. By taking things to be what they say they are (the lack of questioning which may appear to be foolish) you can also gain great understanding. If a person says 'this is the most important thing in my life' you can either say 'no it isn't' or you can accept that for that person it is the truth.

So that's the nature of Matazone. That's what I want this place to be, and if it isn't like that then I will still be here, trying to lead by example and keeping an open mind to those who wish to say something, anything. The role of a mod is to take this respect for people and encourage others to pursue it. This approach I believe is what makes this forum different from others and the mod-team is here not only to keep the peace but to encourage open communication, understanding and respect.

Wow, I never knew this place meant something like that to you. It's a good philosophy, if you can keep it up. I might just give it a try. Would you say that it's wrong to assume that people as a group are stupid rather than a person. That seems to be the overwhelming concensus everywhere these days, I believed it too... Now I'm not so sure.

I think this place means a lot more to Mata than it does to most people who come here. Certainly most people I know come for the animations, whereas I first came for the webart (which is top). But this is the best community, online or otherwise, that I've ever been a part of. And I don't think it's "too stupid" or anything like that, I love it here.

People aren't stupid but if you expect it from them they will be.

Humanity seems to have evolved the very sensible approach of taking the easiest route around all situations, without constant challenges as a species I think we would happily wallow in our own sludgey brains. Fortunately we also have in-built drives towards finding company (for whatever purpose) which means that we have to get up and do things occasionally, but even when we socialise many people will choose the lowest common denominator of communication, otherwise known as just acting really dumb. It's less work and I think that this is the instinct for most people.

I built this site in the belief that people all have the potential for incredible things and the forums are about giving people the chance to express this, not only through discussion but genuine feelings and friendship too (both of which are absolutely amazing things in their own right and anyone who manages either is already achieveing something remarkable). This opportunity to express yourself in an open and accepting environment is the challenge and I would say that for the most part people do engage with this and talk about things in ways that they normally wouldn't on other forums.

edit: yes, this place does mean a lot to me. It is my way of getting my hopes and dreams for the future of humanity (which is all of us) out into the world. A grand aim for what is 'just a website' but if you don't aim high how are you ever going to succeed?

I'm not as optimistic about the human condition as you, Mata, but the forum is certainly unique, with people expressing themselves in a far more genuine manner than anywhere else I've seen. I'm sure this is at least in part because of what I see as the two best things about this place: firstly, that it's free of hostility. I've known places where you couldn't express what you felt, you'd be mocked and flamed. Secondly, it's open and inclusive, rather than cliquey and elitist like many e-communities. This forum brings out the best in all of us, which certainly lends credence to what Mata says.

One of my reasons for joining the forums here was because of the animations. Yes, not the greatest of reasons, granted, but there you have it. The reason I stayed is because of the people here; I very soon found myself surrounded by a group of people who were fun, interesting, respectful, and above all cared about each other. I don't think we've lost that, as that part of the forums is still there, in spite of the recent issues.

I love the idea that we could be alternately sensible and silly. We can chill out and be daft when we're in the mood, or we can unload something that bothers us and get some help from people who care.

I also love the idea that this place allows people to open up. I have never been to any other forum where people even mention things like eating disorders, depression, SI, etc., let alone create support groups! Everyone has their problems, and I believe that sharing those with others who are in the same position can be a good part of the healing process: It is both comforting and cathartic, in that you know you're not alone, and you can share your problem with others who understand. I've seen some very tight-knit groups form from this, and although I don't necessarily understand the problems myself, it always makes me happy to see people being so open with each other.

When I was invited to be a mod, I was overjoyed! I could finally put something back into this wonderful community! I decided the best method was to play it in the way I thought Mata would... I didn't change who I was or what I posted, but I would help anyone who needed it. This place has had a couple of rough patches since then, which I won't deny have been a bit stressful, but on the whole it has been a rewarding experience. Not much gratitude, granted... but just occasionally someone will say "Oh, by the way, you're doing a great job as a mod, Leo", which is always nice to receive. Not that I'm hinting at anything!

I've always tried to be as fair handed as possible, making sure things are resolved amicably. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've also tried to remain as approachable as possible, as I don't think a distant mod is very effective. Occasionally I'll post something a bit terse, but I do try to limit that. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I may be far from perfect mod-wise, but I do try!

I know I've waffled on a bit about me there, and that it's not immediately relevant. I guess my point is that this is still a great forum, with lots of wonderful people, and I'm sure it will stay that way for a long time to come. I just wanted to try and convey that the best way I could...

Oh, by the way, you're doing a great job as a mod, Leo.

Happy?

Thanks commie, much appreciated

I should add that when I say "tight-knit", I didn't mean a clique... just in case anyone mentions it...

I think that this is what really counts and what people appreciate. No-one on this forum is perfect (not even the mod-team! ) but we all try our hardest to be fair and patient. Once again, it's just about respect and understanding for the thoughts of others.

I joined because Mata, let's face it, you're brilliant. But I was nervous because I didn't know how well I would fit in. After two or three posts people were agreeing with me or telling me why they didn't agree with me, and it was great. I remember I once told NoName (I miss that guy) that I felt this was one of the best places I had ever been to, that we all had different opinions but we never put each other down because of them. I wished the world was more like this--loads of different people getting along despite the fact we all have individual thought.

The mods here are great. I have been to some places and a few e-Nazis were moderating the place. It just wasn't a good environment. It's different here though...and this place does mean a lot to me. Probably more than it should.

You all rock.

This is almost the only environment where I feel free to totally be myself. You guys (except for my 3 closest friends) are the only ones I've ever shared my deeper poetry with. This place is what I wish the entire world were like. I mean, how often do you find ONE person with views open enough to accept yours without predjudice, let alone over 300? If a website could be home, this would be mine.

this place means a lot to me even if im not exactly a poster of prolific standards and even if a lot of people dont really know me that well...i have met a few really good friends here who i hope i dont lose any time ever.

i have to say though on the topic of missy's rant...i didnt PM mata (though i did discuss it with a mod) and i didnt say anything in the thread discussing it either...that doesnt mean i dont feel strongly about it though and if my previous silence makes people think im a wuss then so be it.

cause i am a wuss...i read it just after id finished a prolonged rant in the SI support thread i made way back whenever and then i was confronted by a rant from an extremly pissed off mod telling me that people who go on about their problems within the forums are a waste of matas space. im sorry but i dont think mata would have made a forum entitled "Issues" if he didnt want us to discuss deeper issues than new haircuts and pretty pictures.

i agree with what leo said...this is the only place ive seen on the net like this and its the only forum ive ever thought special enough to join and spend a lot of time in...obviously people arent going to agree all the time but in the main i think we function ok and can respect other peoples opinions but on this im sorry - i cant respect what you said be it satirical or not i was hurt by it and i know a lot of others were too.

i dont mean this as a personal attack in any way but i just feel you think that its only you who gets hurt by things...you might be smart and you might use big words and have the power to yell at us but we're important too ok? we love this place just as much and even if i might not be prepared to leave i would be devastated if my friends did.

also - one of you major issues is spamming and how much bandwidth it uses up...how much bandwidth do you think is spent on you yelling at us about what a bunch of evil worthless spamwhores we are? not nearly as much i know but is it really worth it all when all it does is create friction adn bad feeling and (as youve admitted yourself) it doesnt stop the spam...?

again...i am a wuss...and that took a lot for me to write no matter what anyone says.
it is not a personal attack only my opinion on whats been going on and the way people have reacted to it

I came on the forums today ready to make my leaving post, because a lot of people online have taken an attitude against me that makes me feel stupid for ranting. But now that I've read this, I've realized this is the only place I can be me. I have to censor myself everywhere else for sake of RL friends finding out, etc. But I know this was the first forum I felt like I "belonged" in. *hugs everyone* Like Feyliya said, this is the only place I can truly be myself.

In other words, I think I'm back for good XD

Whoa, elf...you were going to leave? Lucky you decided to stay, the place'd be worse off without you.

See? The wisdom of Mata accomplishes all.

Like Mata said, all of the above was taken from a PM conversation he and I had. Having read what he's said, and what I've said, over and over again, I've come to a point where I don't even know what to say anymore.

To start with, I'm about to throw up my hands and scream "ENOUGH, **** YOU ALL", because I feel more misunderstood now than I ever have. Yeah, the rant was meant to be sarcastic and cruel, to force some discussion, to help me release the tension that I've felt about all this. Where it's gone now is further and deeper on all sides than I wanted. What I've got now is all that frustration, compounded by more anger, humiliation, and spite.

It gets worse. Even though I keep reminding myself that it's just a website, I'm in tears. I'm crying, shaking a bit. And it's because I know that somewhere along the line, I went fundamentally wrong in my thinking.

Sometime in the past month, I got it in my head that you all really are stupid. I don't know why, or when - most likely, it's been a growing idea, just kinda collecting from various incidents - but in any event, it's not only incorrect (as there are innumerable competant people here), but it's also very, very wrong of me to have let myself think it in the first place.

I've made a real mess of things. I see that now.

Right now, I feel I have two choices: I can throw my hands up and run away from here as fast as I can manage, or I can stay here and clean up the wound I opened.

Look... I don't often admit to being wrong. To me, it suggests all sorts of weakness... but an apology is more than deserved. I have treated you all with a horrible disrespect, and I am sorry. I know "sorry" is a terribly feeble thing to say, and that it probably carries no weight whatsoever with anyone I've wronged, but I don't know what else to tell you. It's the best I can do right now.

As for whether I'm going to stay or go, well, I don't know. Leaving looks like the best option. Certainly the easiest. It's easier to just leave this place, cut my contacts, and pretend it never happened. And the option's been left there for me. Like Mata said... "People tend to do what is expected of them and given an easy option they will take it." He's right, you know. It's so tempting to just drop all this and just get out, especially since I know I'm not going to be able to erase this if I stay. I can't take it back, and I doubt I'm going to ever live up to what Mata wanted in a mod for this place. I'm not a good person. I'm sarcastic and very easily frustrated. I'm never going to be the poster child for the League of Respectful Forumites.

And although I understand that people make mistakes, even mods, I doubt what I've done can be forgiven as "just a mistake". Even if, by some miracle, you all decided to forgive me, I'm not going to be able to forgive myself. I feel very ashamed of what I've done.

With that said... the more I think about it, the more I believe that leaving would be doing everyone here an even further disservice. I've just been given a chance to try and rise above what I've said these past few days, and if I don't take that chance, have I really learned anything from this at all? If I don't at least try to make things right, what kind of person have I resigned myself to being?

So here I stand...

Once again, I am sorry... and I'm not asking anyone to excuse, forgive, or forget what I've done. I just hope that those that I have hurt will be able to just understand.

Missy, that was an incredibly brave thing to say, and I mean that totally sincerely. In the same position, I doubt I'd have the bravery to admit I was wrong and apologise. I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I thank you for it, and I hope we can just put all this behind us. Please stay, and don't resign as a mod - you do an excellent job, and I for one am grateful for it.

Missy, I've known you for a while now, and I know that that won't have been an easy post for you to make. As you said, it would've been easier for you to just leave, but I'm glad that you haven't - you've taken the best route here. I'm sure it's gonna be hard for a few days, but I believe the majority of people here will accept your apology and move on.

You've done a grand job as a mod, you've helped me out when things got a bit on top of me, and I'd like to think you'll still be there to help out again in future. Just as I'll be here for you.

I don't know if it means much to you but I forgive you. This place has been sort of a home for me the last week. some of the nices and most intelligent people I know are here. It is one place where you cna put anything and no one will look at you funny.. well atleast not in public. We are a group of people drawn together by a number of common interests be it animations to just the people here. Its is a wonderful place. I can see how you would not want to be destoryed. yeah... so as I said I don't know if it means anything to you but I accept your appoligy.

Wow, I leave the site for a few weeks and the whole place falls apart (joking). Missy, I understand your thought processes in this - the threads here have become low-priority to me lately. Intelligent conversations on here have seemed to lull and go the way of the dinosaur, but i never thought it was because the furum-ites were less-than intelligent. With work and school being stressful for us, we tend to want to entertain ourselves with mindless-dribble to find relaxation. Still, if you look closely enough on here, you can find interesting and debatable subjects. You were very brave to admit you had been wrong in your perspective and behavior. It's more than i could do. Thank you sweetie.

I forgive you MissyA. I also admire your bravery for not only speaking your mind but also for not leaving, that is something a coward would do and your truely the farthest thing from it.

I must say Mata that your post about what this place stands for was really deep. I like what this place stands for and I also like the fact that you do not want the mods to be above everone else. I feel the same way about knowone being more important then anyone else and I feel I can relate to a lot of the things that this place stand for, I hope those who did not take this place seariously leave this topic in a different light after reading that.

This place deserves the respect of everyone who steps foot in it just like the people who do the same and that includes the moderator because they are people to and sometimes I think we forget that. Everyone is entitled to mistakes Missy and your not acception to that. Your a good person and a good moderator as well. Your allowed to slip sometimes that why we are here to catch you when you do.

I also came to the conclusion that not many people here really know me that well,the reason for that being I am unable to be on here as much as I would like to be and also unable to share my views in as many topics as I would like to be. I want you all to know that I do try and read your posts when you write them in topics I believe strongly in. I regret that I have to end up skippin over a lot of them for lack of time but it is not because I do not think what you say is important. I wish you all could get to know me better but unfortunatly that may never happen.

I am going way off topic and i apologies but all just end with this. Thank you all for everything and thank you Mata for explaining what this place means to you.

Sincerely Jonathan

But Missy, it was just that. A mistake. Nothing more nothing less. I would hate to see you go as you're someone that, while I haven't talked to very often, that I enjoy and many others do as well. You're a part of the establishment, girl

You had a right to voice your opinion, no matter ANYONE thought of it. People were hurt, people agreed, emotions flew, things got a bit out of hand. Maybe because certain things said struck a chord with people. Maybe because it was blank and in your face. Who knows why things got so carried away. Frankly, who cares. Because no matter what, a forum without Missy, is going to be awfully wierd if you ask my opinion. I'd be appreciative if you stayed. If you've become frustrated, then just kind of take a load off. Spend a bit less time here and relax and work with your real life for a bit.

And besides...if you left who ever would I have to clue me in to the new good anime series?

*hugs all*

Mata - Your first post in this thread, I can barely begin to describe how it made me feel. In fact it's kind of affected me in such a way, that I don't have the words to really talk about it right now. But I do know one thing. I feel like a n00b all over again. I had forgotten why I came here in the first place and what it meant to be a part of the Matazone Family. I'm renewed. And we all know what that means.

More Aries lovin then you ever seen before!

I love you guys.

There's nothing to forgive because there was nothing to accuse you of in the first place. Granted I personally would have liked things had been taking care of with a different outcome than they did. But, and mostly through brief things I overhear Lolo mumble to herself in another chat area where I met her first, it can be a very distressing "job".

I dare not phanthom the degree of exasperation caused by being a MOD, but sometimes it helps to kick down such high standards a notch. They can and wil drive you insane.

It's not good to burn your candle on both ends.

As mata posted, most of us reacted from the gut, and overall we reacted immaturly because it was easy.

So, thank you for keeping the Matazone a safe and pleasant forum for us all and for helping Mata stick to the things he does best.

-Wesley

Hoping to see more of you...

i joined the forums out of curiosty but i stayed because this was a place i could be stupid i could sya hwat i felt.. be silly.. show my true self without wqorrying what people would say.... i had no fear being here... no fear at all. and yes in some of my posts i let that freedom get a little to far and said some hurtful things.. but i appoligized for that. But things started gettin alil sticky.. some people to everything way to seriously and i couldnt have fun in some threads for fear of gettin yelled at or someone saying i insuted them......... what missy wrote (You can turn your head from what's happened here if you want, because at the end of the day, it's YOUR forum, but don't expect me to quietly watch this place drown itself in stupidity. [by MissyA]) really hurt me.. because i am a part of this "place" so its like she saying im going down in stupidity.... im kinda sad now... but i love it here and i love you all and ill try so hard to help make everyone happy.........!!respectfully- nummy

Missy, you were right. I am stupid. But I earned it. Besides....I love you. I love you all. Even you Aries. And you Mata....I love you too.

Missy, if you leave I will hunt you down and spam you with bad poetry for the rest of our respective lives.

Seriously, we all have the right to be stupid at times. Even mods. And EVERYONE makes mistakes. One mistake won't make us stop loving you, no matter how big a mistake it was. ::Hugs!!!::

I've been away three days and I come back and all this has kicked off.

As with all the things that have happend on this forum in the past and needed to be layed to rest...lets just do that.
Lets just forget about it. Missy's apologised to masses ( ) so lets just get on with living and with meeting new people, broadening our minds and above all, making friends.

Missy, thanks for the apology. I appreciate, as do the other people who have posted here, that it takes guts to admit that you have made an error of judgement. Life is about learning from eachother and about ourselves. Mistakes that we make are a chance to see where we went wrong and to try not to do it in the future.

As WeeJ says, it's now time to move on.

and as the rather jolly fellow that is john cleese said:

and now for something completely different.

ITS

Now that we've all moved on, I think this thread should be closed.

well...crap... I'll be... Missy done fell off her Meds..
Baby... you know we all get frustrated.. you have heard me at my best... and worst... it is okay. If you leave.. Ill find you and drag you back kicking and screaming.

Mata... you always have lived up to my expectations.. this is no different. In a sea of futility you are able to build a island. Your words are not wasted, nor are the fools. I was with Elf.. on the way out the door.. it just seemed that there was nothing good left to say... and people where becoming a little to tight and isolated... the family feel was gone for me.. and there was to much drama in my rl life to worry with it. But..hell after Matas words.. who could leave.

I doubt there's much to add to what has already been said, besides which i mince my words, i waffle, stammer and just generally get confused at times, suffice to say i'd miss you if you left, please don't go, you're one of the few people here i rely on to be about and listen to me waffle on like i do.... ok i'm done

oh wait, mata, to me your words are filled with a wisdom i could never possess, you truely are a great person

....now i'm done

I don't even know what happened because my internet's been out the past few days, but no one should leave. That would be so sad. I've never felt this much love on a forum before--er...have I ever felt any love on a forum before? Probably not. I hope everyone stays forever and ever and ever...

Mata, your words in the first post may have restored at least some of the faith I had once lost in humankind. I really think that reading it, I grew a bit as a person. I think that as I participate in the discussions on this forum that I grow a little bit all the time. I can truthfully tell you, this is the best place on the internet I have ever been. You should be proud.

This is the PM i've sent to MissyA, i don't think i need to say anything else:



Sun