Page 1 of 2

Birthday suprise

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:03 pm
by Elizabeth (imported)
Hi Everyone,

I have missed all of you greatly, as I don't really fit in anywhere. I have been gone for a while now, not knowing that the ban I got was rescinded. I don't want to get into the merits of the ban, just to say it was not my intention to offend anyone, or to get banned. I thought I was being totally honest and trying to say something, but instead I just infuriated everyone and got banned. I recently got a birthday wish from the archive and that led to me finding out I was unbanned. Nice birthday surprise.

Paolo,

First I want to apologize for the way I came off. I was not trying to say that I don't care about all the work you do here or that I don't appreciate it. What I was trying to do was to be honest and tell you, that like my wife, whom I also adore, I do take her for granted and the things she does. I don't mean to. It was just the truth. I was trying to say that while using this site, which I really enjoy, I do forget about the work that goes into it. In fact it's not even that I forget, as much as I am just not aware. I don't see it, or hear about it, so when I am using the site, I don't think about the work that it takes to keep this up. Instead of saying that in a way that would not be hurtful, I simply said the truth thinking you would understand what I meant. What I meant was, I don't mean to take the site and the work for granted, but I still do. If I didn't, it wouldn't be fun to come here. I am sure if I were a member of the staff I would feel quite differently. However, as a member and not a part of the staff, I don't enjoy being chewed out for not being grateful enough, which is what I felt. I thought by coming here everyday and spilling my guts to all of you and participating I was being a good member. That my mere presence was enough to show my appreciation.

Before I became disabled I was an electrical contractor. 99% of time, my customers had no idea what it took to meet their deadlines and get items to be installed delivered on time. They took me for granted. They didn't see all the nights I stayed up late working to make it all happen for my customers. They didn't see the overtime I put in or paid my guys to put in. It didn't make me angry at my customers because they did not appreciate it. They showed their appreciation by calling me and paying me. I never chewed out my customers for not appreciating the hard work I did to make their deadlines, no matter how impossible.

However, while I was thinking of myself as a customer here, I pay nothing, because I am on disability and I am poor. That is also why I don't attend the MOM's every year. I would love to, but it's impossible.

In any event, your work is appreciated and that is why I am back. What you do has a value to me and I will do my best not to take that for granted. I hope you can accept my sincere apology for not being more sensitive and understanding.

To everyone else, I am glad to be back and look forward to engaging all of you in discussion.

Elizabeth

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:25 pm
by gareth19 (imported)
Elizabeth (imported) wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:03 pm Hi Everyone,

I have missed all of you greatly, as I don't really fit in anywhere. I have been gone for a while now, not knowing that the ban I got was rescinded. I don't want to get into the merits of the ban, just to say it was not my intention to offend anyone, or to get banned. I thought I was being totally honest and trying to say something, but instead I just infuriated everyone and got banned. I recently got a birthday wish from the archive and that led to me finding out I was unbanned. Nice birthday surprise.

Paolo,

First I want to apologize for the way I came off. I was not trying to say that I don't care about all the work you do here or that I don't appreciate it. What I was trying to do was to be honest and tell you, that like my wife, whom I also adore, I do take her for granted and the things she does. I don't mean to. It was just the truth. I was trying to say that while using this site, which I really enjoy, I do forget about the work that goes into it. In fact it's not even that I forget, as much as I am just not aware. I don't see it, or hear about it, so when I am using the site, I don't think about the work that it takes to keep this up. Instead of saying that in a way that would not be hurtful, I simply said the truth thinking you would understand what I meant. What I meant was, I don't mean to take the site and the work for granted, but I still do. If I didn't, it wouldn't be fun to come here. I am sure if I were a member of the staff I would feel quite differently. However, as a member and not a part of the staff, I don't enjoy being chewed out for not being grateful enough, which is what I felt. I thought by coming here everyday and spilling my guts to all of you and participating I was being a good member. That my mere presence was enough to show my appreciation.

Before I became disabled I was an electrical contractor. 99% of time, my customers had no idea what it took to meet their deadlines and get items to be installed delivered on time. They took me for granted. They didn't see all the nights I stayed up late working to make it all happen for my customers. They didn't see the overtime I put in or paid my guys to put in. It didn't make me angry at my customers because they did not appreciate it. They showed their appreciation by calling me and paying me. I never chewed out my customers for not appreciating the hard work I did to make their deadlines, no matter how impossible.

However, while I was thinking of myself as a customer here, I pay nothing, because I am on disability and I am poor. That is also why I don't attend the MOM's every year. I would love to, but it's impossible.

In any event, your work is appreciated and that is why I am back. What you do has a value to me and I will do my best not to take that for granted. I hope you can accept my sincere apology for not being more sensitive and understanding.

To everyone else, I am glad to be back and look forward to engaging all of you in discussion.

Elizabeth

Welcome back, Elizabeth!

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:54 am
by Mac (imported)
Didn't realize that you had been banned. Welcome Back!

***** Comment Retracted per reply *****

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:22 pm
by devi (imported)
I'm probably telling you the truth if I say that I've actually come very close to being banned several times myself. Anyway welcome back.

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:50 pm
by Paolo
No one is "quick on the trigger", Mac, and there aren't any "traps" laid here.

Your remarks are out of line and uncalled for.

It takes a LOT for any of the Staff to ban someone, believe it or not. We've said it before, and I guess it needs said again.

The Political thing isn't a "trap", either, and there is a warning system in place so that no one gets banned on the first mistake. The Political Forum and discussion of general politics was done away with by unanimous vote of the Staff, WITH suggestions from REGULAR members who also thought it should be gone.

I'll also repeat the invitation to leave to anyone else who doesn't like it here - don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 2:47 pm
by talula
I don't remember you having been banned either.

tal

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:47 pm
by kristoff
I never banned Mac. I was the one who banned Elizabeth, from anger, then cooled down and realized I was out of line. I rescinded the ban after 30-60 minutes. During that time she apparently saw it she said good-bye to us. The birthday message was an opening to say it wasn't necessary. I guess I didn't clarify that it was at my hand this came about. My apologies to all.

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 5:26 pm
by Elizabeth (imported)
I have no desire to rehash the past in any regard other than for context, for my being sorry I forced anyone to ban me. I know this can be hurtful to the person who does it. I forgot that I was here as a guest and did not mind my manors. I offer no excuses, just my desire not to make anyone angry enough to ban me again. If I can't say anything nice, I won't say anything at all.

Elizabeth

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 5:11 pm
by Arab Nights (imported)
It is extremely rare to find someone who admits to being wrong in such an upfront way. You get one point from me and I am sure from others. Thank you for the apology.

Re: Birthday suprise

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:26 pm
by JesusA (imported)
Welcome back. I look forward to more of your posts.