One Last Note from the EO...

[Paolo]

Given the progress of the restoration of EA, which was called to my attention by the beloved K lately, I came in last night and today for a look around. Work has been slow this 2 days, which is nice and afforded me some time.

Wonderful job here, I think.Someone, probably IEunuch, is no doubt busting his proverbial and "virtual" balls to get this show on the road again. As Freddie Mercury so eloquently put it, "The show must go on!"

And on it goes.

But contrary to my initial post and my change of title to "on vacation", the show will be going on without me.

I have decided, after much consideration, that I do not figure greatly in the grand scheme of things here at EA any longer. There is a whole new batch of Members who have shown that they are taking up the reigns, and are more than ready to assume responsible positions.

It was only coincidental that Riverwind and I chose to step down at the same time, by the way.

Change is unavoidable in all things. Change has come to EA before, and now does again. And in the future, it will continue to change. From the time I discovered EA in 1996 or so, much has changed. We have watched a simple board with some stories and one bulletin board grow into so much more.

I still believe that this site is extremely valuable to those who turn to the Internet for information regarding castration/eunuchs at large. I am also confident that there are others here who feel strongly enough to assume these responsible positions.

A note to IE...one person cannot do this alone.

Never hesitate to scream for help!

As a very-soon-to-be-former-Moderator, however, I would leave you ALL with some advice:

From my standpoint, EA is on the verge of implosion.

What has been a large factor in my final decision today is the hatefulness.

Part of it is the Political Forum.

Part of it is the replies I got from many members to personal emails or PM's.

Members also need to realize that boards like this have a mass member mailing feature. If a Staffer writes to you, and especially expressing concern for your well-being, then a flaming reply is not in order. (No, Fraj, it wasn't you. We've talked about that.)

The other large part of it is the apathy.

For those who did take the time to contact me, or still talk to me online via MSN Messenger, you know how to find me. The ID will remain paolox31@hotmail.com. You can look me up.

For those who apparently hate me, which is the greater part of the membership, I do believe, oh well. Have a nice life. You will not have to worry about the EO wielding the light saber on the Boards here any longer.

But as I mentioned earlier, from my long-running, I see the EA right now as being on the verge of implosion. Moderators and mod-nominees take note. Something needs to be done here, and done fast, or all of this work will be for nothing.

Finally, the last part of my decision is the Board environment.

To those now in power, DO something about it.

Now.

So to all of those here, be well and take care. Whatever you do, if you can't be good, be good AT it.

Paolo.

[JesusA (imported)]

Paolo will be sorely missed here at the Archive. Even though he has one of the highest post counts ever, most of his work here was done anonymously and behind the scenes. He's one of the handful who have kept everything running – mostly smoothly.

For the past several years, Paolo has read EVERY story that has been submitted to the Story Board and has done serious editorial work (mostly spelling and grammar) on those that were accepted. The acceptance rate was only about one in three, the rest needing far too much structural work.

I don't yet see anyone on the horizon who will be willing to put in as much hard work keeping us on track as Paolo has.

We may not all realize it yet, but we will ALL miss him.

Paolo will be devoting his time to his family, his health, and writing for a mainstream audience. Maybe some day we will all see him on the best-seller list.

[SunLord (imported)]

As a very-soon-to-be-former-Moderator, however, I would leave you ALL with some advice:

From my standpoint, EA is on the verge of implosion.

What has been a large factor in my final decision today is the hatefulness.

Part of it is the Political Forum.

The other large part of it is the apathy.

you don't think this didn't have something to do with the way you wieded the light sabber

For those who apparently hate me, which is the greater part of the membership, I do believe, oh well. Have a nice life. You will not have to worry about the EO wielding the light saber on the Boards here any longer.

But as I mentioned earlier, from my long-running, I see the EA right now as being on the verge of implosion. Moderators and mod-nominees take note. Something needs to be done here, and done fast, or all of this work will be for nothing.

Finally, the last part of my decision is the Board environment.

To those now in power, DO something about it.

Now.

So to all of those here, be well and take care. Whatever you do, if you can't be good, be good AT it.

Paolo.

with all that negativity you just shared lets give you some advice: "on your bike"

BUT while I've always seen you as an adversery and a threat, I have never been one to hate anybody and I acknowlege your vast contobution to this site, even though you cancelled a previous membership without so much as an expanation or a reply to several emails.

Still I wish you all the very best in your future endevours Paolo and I'm sure we will hear from you from time to time.

[kristoff]

with all that negativity you just shared lets give you some advice: "on your bike"

BUT while I've always seen you as an adversery and a threat, I have never been one to hate anybody and I acknowlege your vast contobution to this site, even though you cancelled a previous membership without so much as an expanation or a reply to several emails.

Still I wish you all the very best in your future endevours Paolo and I'm sure we will hear from you from time to time.

I've known Paolo online for about 7-8 years, and in person and up close about 5 of them. He is an example to many and a gentleman of the first order. From my knowledge of him, and my own involvement in these boards since 1999, and its varied predecessors, I take P's advice very seriously. It does bear merit. As such, I take great offense at this flippant little post. Perhaps it is you who ought to "get on his bike...."

Many folks who take a look at folks like P (and in many ways like me), tend at times to become a bit intimidated, and often confused or upset - often because they can't make the connection with what we are doing or where we are going. We tend to be very forthright, blunt, driven individuals who brook no bullshit from those around us. We seldom make apologies for others inability to keep up with us. It is not that there is a callousness about it: folks are adults fully capable of taking care of themselves, so we dont spend a lot of time kissing skinned knees.

If you or others take P as an adversary or threat, that is on you, your feelings, and your perceptions. Look in the mirror before looking in the neighbor's window.....

Relative to cancellation of a membership, if it occured in the past 3 years, then you need to direct yourself to me, not P. That has been my bailiwick for some time. Nine out of ten emails (yeah I get all that is addressed to the archive) are never answered. They don't need it. Most of the rest simply require an action. A few need and get replies. Some are just relegated to the ass wipe bin. Keep in mind that we have also had problems with our email system, and we've had some problems with hackers wiping out our member database a couple of times....

This board has evolved tremendously over the years - it is nothing like its start. When something such as this evolves away from or beyond its start, some of those who were there at the beginning become disenchanted and leave. Others realize that it no longer fulfills their needs. Others simply realize the wisdom of stepping aside and letting the next crew take over the tiller. Or some other combination of things.

On the other hand, if someone wants to come in here and bite ankles, let alone chew on ass, for the time being they will need to deal with me. I do know how to handle a light sabre....

[Slammr (imported)]

I count Paolo as a friend. Although we've never met in person, we've had long phone conversations. From him and from Jesus, I've learned how much time he spent moderating story submission. My comment always was "Why do you do it?" I know I never would have given as much time as he has only to be criticized for it. All people who have submitted stories to this site owe him a debt of gratitude, as do all those who have read the stories, and of course, that was only part of what he did for the site.

[_g (imported)]

What is the world coming to, I had to limit my visits and most the old timers leave!!! I must of missed a lot. Those of you that think they can be nasty, it will come back to bit you in the ass, at the most inconvenient time.

_g

[BossTamsin (imported)]

Once again, there is nobody who will ever be able to replace you. I am saddened that you feel it is time to leave. This place will not be the same without you.

You are right though, there has been a change in tone on the message boards. I do not know why, or what it means, but things have definitely shifted around here. And not necessarily for the better.

This damn well better not be a prelude to the self-destruction of the EA. Bboy's legacy deserves to live on and prosper. But it is up to each and every one of us, to every single person that reads this response to make sure that happens.

We all must take a stand on this, and start to come back together before it is too late.

[Bagoas (imported)]

I've said it in a previous post and I'm saying it again, except for religion, there is nothing more divisive than politics. I don't think that it belongs in this forum. If it is a cause of dissension amongst us, IT MUST GO !

What would we do without the Eunuch Archive ? It MUST be preserved. I am alarmed and dismayed at the loss of so many of the mainstays of this organization. There is no excuse for flaming between members or between members and administrators. A little common courtesy will go a long way toward making the EA work smoothly. We have enough trouble with hackers, without being at each other's throats.

There is, as I see it, no other way to publish stories of the kind which the EA authors write. If the EA goes under (heaven forfend !), we authors are going to be stuck with stacks of unsalable and unpublishable manuscripts.

Paolo, I hope that you'll, at least, look in upon us from time to time and keep up with what is going on in the Archive. Perhaps, after a time, you may find that you would be willing to take part in the EA in some capacity. I'm sure I speak for many others (the "silent majority" who don't hate you) when I say that we will miss you and especially your input.

[A-1 (imported)]

I should like to apoligize if I have ever deeply offended anybody.

I want to say that I have sat with Paolo and Jesus and we had a very enjoyable time, one that I would like to repeat some day.

I cannot fathom why somebody would abuse Paolo in ANY manner, verbally or otherwise, for he is a consummate gentleman and GREAT company, as is Jesus.

I can only express my deepest regret that Paolo is leaving and I wish him well and I beg him to return from time to time and post.

The political board is showing diversity, however, it needs to show courtesy. Even after philosophical knock-down-drag-outs with The Fraj (Roj), and Pueros, I NEVER lost respect for them or for their points of view, even though I did not think that either was totally correct.

Politics IS strange and it is a tragedy that somebody has made Paolo so uncomfortable as to make him want to leave us for good over something so banal in life as politics.

There was simply no reason for somebody to abuse Paolo in a manner that could be construed to be disrespectful.

I would like to know who...hurt him so just in case I get accousted I can know to give less credibility to this person. I always thought that each and every one of us here was above this sort of thing. Paolo does seem VERY strong at times, but it is just to protect his inner child. I am starting to feel the same way about Roj.

I do not recall ever meeting a gentler, kinder individual that Paolo, even in the short time that we talked this came out.

It is sad that this is happening...

A-1

[Robby (imported)]

...

The political board is showing diversity, however, it needs to show courtesy. Even after philosophical knock-down-drag-outs with The Fraj (Roj), and Pueros, I NEVER lost respect for them or for their points of view, even though I did not think that either was totally correct.

Politics IS strange and it is a tragedy that somebody has made Paolo so uncomfortable as to make him want to leave us for good over something so banal in life as politics.

There was simply no reason for somebody to abuse Paolo in a manner that could be construed to be disrespectful.

...Paolo does seem VERY strong at times, but it is just to protect his inner child. I am starting to feel the same way about Roj.

...

It is sad that this is happening...

A-1

Many folks have posted their thoughts and comments regarding the nature of the Political Discussion forum.

Others speak of the Eunuch "CALM"; their experience with castration.

Still others show their backbone on the Political Discussion forum and have no regrets for their comments or postings.

Diversity is the mother of invention. Remember the "Tower of Babel" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_babel) event? Without that experience we would all be "Stepford Eunuchs" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stepford_Wives) much like the wives...

The founding principles of the Eunuch Archive centered on openness, creativity, diversity, and most importantly, civility.

From time to time we see the departure of loved ones (some of you display an inability to practice this emotional event) but we move on and the life of E.A. continues. Our life, your life, everyone's life.

Lets say our "Good Byes" with the understanding personal emotions are in-play. We depart as the need arises and shouldn't be surprised to see the re-emergence of previous contributors on this site.

I say good bye for now... and hope to see all your posts this afternoon when I return.

Take care,