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No, do not make yourself known. It's not necessary nor is it important. Besides you have the right to remain anonymous and that right should be respected. If it is not, best believe, even though I shouldn't, I"ll show people how their ignorance towards that right will not be tolerated. I may not be staff but if I must I'll act like a staff member.

It's 2:07 my time, and here I am, 2 hours after going to bed, still pissed as hell over this stupid s**t that this shop is doling out. I had every intention of not posting here, not because I'm acting all 'elitist and perfect' and stuffs and that none of this applies to me, when I very well know it's not true. It's because I've just reached my limit for how much stress and crap and s**t I can take before I blow up in people's faces. ((Please note that this is written with a very calm mind...if I was actually angry anymore as I was before I started writing this, it wouldn't be half this long xd ))

So I give you fair warning right now that if you don't want to hear what I have to say, then just continue to scroll downwards. You got a LONG ways to go to get to the next post!

First of all, I want to apologize to the newbies, those that might get the impression that I think of myself as an elitist, and that cause I've been here in this shop for 2 years nearly every day since I joined I don't have to deal with new people....that's not true. I'm sorry if you ever get the idea that way about me because I'm actually very damn nice and I've been known to give away lions and be the one (not the only one, mind you, I don't claim that) to give others who've wanted lions but don't have one their start. I love newbies and I know they're important in keeping a shop alive as well as the oldbies and the employees. Everyone in a shop has an important role, and no one is truly above another...the customers are just as important as the employees and the ones who've been there awhile as well. I've always tried to say hi to new people and include them...if I seem to be ignoring you now, it's only cause I'm very very stressed out with real life matters and have taken mostly to keeping to myself. Even my closest friends can attest the fact I don't talk nearly as much as I used to gonk

Now...the next point I want to bring up is the whole bribe thing. No, I'm not bringing this up to piss people off, even if it does do that, I'm bringing it up to highlight another problem that someone stated and it was mentioned in here earlier as well. The rule has been in place for months, around about 4 or so, I know, since I first learned of it while I was still working in Detroit. The rule was exactly this: Bribes were no longer allowed. Plain and simple, short and to the point. Someone blabs a bribe was made and all of a sudden people are up in arms about it. I find it sorta amusing. Why? Mostly because the reason the people are mad is CAUSE THEY WERE CAUGHT. Isn't that the way with the world lately that we tend to get mad and angry is cause we finally get caught at something that we knew was wrong in the first place? Sure, the one who told of it could of done it a different way, but would anything of happened? No, at least I highly doubt it. Could they have confronted the colorist with the proof, and then gone to the owner when nothing was done? Sure...but in this shop, the one's who've been here long enough to know the truth, nothing would of been done, most certainly by the owner.

Here's my reasons for the last statement, before I get yelled at for being inconsiderate, and I have to, I'll find you the proof it myself, but I shouldn't have to, as there's enough people who know it as well to back me up.

1.) The owner has stated HERSELF in the old main thread, 2 years ago, these words...that SHE HATES RULES. She has openly admitted ALOUD that she hates them both in RL and in the shop.
2.) She also said she sees no real reason to enforce rules because in her eyes that's hypocritical...why enforce something you don't believe in nor see a need for, in the first place?
3.) She continued on the state that she would not of had rules in the shop if it had been her choice.
4.) She said it was the colorists who put up the rules cause they felt a need to protect themselves.

and the kicker?
5.) There's been only 2 punishments given out in the whole time that I have been here...repeated PMs of complaints did NOTHING. What did do it is when those that were fed up of the stupidity of others finally actively voiced aloud this sentiment: That either something was done, or they'd boycott/ditch the shop....then a good portion left till finally our voices were heard by the owner and a punishment was dealt. (Actually, I do remember now a third punishment, but that one wasn't nearly as bad the other two, the offence not nearly as severe, and it went over fairly well and with not nearly as much drama as the two I'm referring to, so for argument's sake, I'm ignoring that one for the moment....)

My Personal Opinion (take it as you may): They did the only honorable thing they could do to guarantee their voice was heard and the ones involved were caught, and I applaud them for their willingness to stand up for what they know is right, whether or not people got mad at them. Plain and simple, I admire the guts that move took. Get mad at me all you want, I admire those that have the guts to stand up for what's right.

And now a bit of small text....It also does not matter how honorable your intentions might of been taking the gold, putting it towards buying tickets, what have you...the fact of the matter is the gold would of filtered back to you anyways. Think about it. Sure not all the gold might of made it back, and others would of benefited as well unknowingly, from the deal, but the fact is that you would of still profited no matter what even if it's still only a portion. That in my eyes equals a bribe, and against the rules, no matter how pretty and innocent you try and make it look. Don't get me wrong this is NOT a personal attack to make you look bad...it's only a fact that no matter how many dresses ribbons and bows you stick on a man, his genitals still hang on the outside. No matter how pretty it looks, a bribe is a bribe.

Now...on to the point of all this, that was also repeated earlier, about the accusation that because oldbies break rules, the newbies can too. The fact is that no one can....or better yet, no one should. Rules have a reason for existing and all this drama proves why.

Newbies --
I remember one of first few days I was in the shop (well, in the event that brought me into the shop and got me my first three lions) how there was one girl who came in the thread and started asking simple questions. Doodle's answer was "read the first page because that's where all the answers to your questions are." The girl actually got into a fight with her all cause she refused to read the first page and just expected people to tell her what she wanted to know when it was already there for her in literal black and white. Now, don't get me wrong...I'm not saying you guys are like her, but there is a difference in breaking rule cause you didn't realize it existed despite having read the first page where everything is spelled out (in which case your innocent, because we all miss things sometimes, not a single one of us is innocent of that, and in some causes it is the employees fault for leaving something out, which has been known to happen as well) and breaking one simply cause you made the choice not to read the front page and just expected that because you're new you'd be made an exception...or even that you heard cause others get away with things cause the rules aren't enforced, you can too.

Oldbies --
There's no excuse for you guys breaking rules at all, and yet I've seen it done. You guys should really know better.

Again, I want to stress the fact I know I'm not completely innocent of causing some drama myself, nor of breaking a rule, but the only time I have was actually not intentional. I have done my best to follow the rules to the best of my abilities - to uphold the honor of being a member of this shop (and really any shop), and no I'm not perfect, nor do I claim to be. I'm not an elitist, I know very well that I'm no better than anyone else, and I don't judge others to be below me simply cause I've been here longer. Again, I apologize to those whom may have felt that I have, again that's unintentional.

I am just sick and tired of the stupidity of the old and new alike...the INTENTIONAL stupidity (not the innocent kind), the meanness that the old have shown for the new, and that the new show for the old, for the general lack of disrespect...A comment was made the same night the last bout of drama occurred that PL is a ticking time bomb...that's something I've said for many months now. One comment, no matter how innocent, and the place just blows up. I noticed the interesting point that what Monkey quoted here about what she said about giving Rhea piss and not really truly caring came before the fight broke out. There was no reason for the fight to break out at all, especially after that comment/explanation.. It's just getting to the point people are looking for any excuse to fight anymore, and what are you doing but causing more hard feelings, not only between the new and old, but also causing the rifts that are so evident in this ship to grow wider?

We should be working towards making this place better. We should be working together, being friendly to everyone. There is so much damage that has been done in this shop, that I'll be honest and admit that I have no clue if it's really fixable anymore. There is great evidence that the shop is failing...many members are discontent and a good portion would leave if they had a "home" to go to, and the only reason they come back is for the few friends they respect that hang in the shop anymore. I'll be honest and admit that the only fix I know of that might fully cure the shop eventually would be a change in ownership...to get an owner who is not afraid to enforce rules and peace, but as it's already been stated by the current owner twice, once 2 years ago, the other within the last 2 months, that she will never sell the lines so that's out of the question....it's either that or give someone full power to enforce the rules, but we see how well the 'punisher' role worked out didn't we?

So maybe I didn't voice any good ways to fix the problem but I have finally let my voice be heard after sitting on the sidelines and watching for so long. I don't very often voice my opinion on things, usually I chose to walk away before I strangle someone to death, but everyone has their point that they just can't stand not saying or doing something anymore. But hey, least I can sleep now that I've finally let myself be heard and at the moment, that's what matters most to me.

@Monkey: that quiz idea is an interesting one...not sure entirely how to impliment it, but it does give me ideas for my own shops...thank you!

@Whoever is on the mule...I 2nd Jez's thought that you have your right to your privacy, and I too will stand by your right to choose to post this way. heart Actually I think it's a smart choice too, as it's easier to mediate between others when no one as preconceived notions about you from the start (if that makes sense... I apologize if not, I've been writing this for 2 hours and it's now 4am. Hard to make sense when your tired and your mind has finally calmed down xd )

Last of all, I'd like to echo this sentiment:


((Damn...it's amazing how much I have to say when I finally get to the point it spills out...it's 4:15...took me over 2 hours to write it! o.o))

Kaoru, I'm not asking nor demanding anything of the sort, keep the gold, I don't care about that. What I'm talking about has a much deeper meaning than that one act alone. The point I wanted to get across (to old and new alike, I'm not pointing a finger to you alone, but to all of us) is that no matter how much you justify your reasons, or no matter how much good the action would of done and how many people it would make happy, in the end it boils down to the same thing (and yes, even I will agree the gold would of made people happy, whether they knew where it came from or not, but still...): A rule gets broken and pushed aside.

Other people see this, ESPECIALLY the new members (but it pertains to the old as well) and they start to think that if so and so can come up wtih cute pretty reasons, then maybe I can too....soon you have alot of mass chaos and your rules go out the window...ok, maybe not usually so quickly, but in this shop, it seems people are walking on eggshells and any action anyone makes gets put under a magnifiying glass and grossly manipulated till all hell flies out the window. Hence the comment "if the old break rules then the new can too."

When we join ANY shop, we all have the honor and responsibility (whether we joined 3 years ago, or durning this last event) to follow and obey the rules...to uphold the honor of the shop that it rightly deserves. Doesn't matter if the rules have been made 3 years ago or 3 months ago, every rule has a reason and place. The most honoroable thing would of been to not accept the deal, no matter if in the end it made alot of people happy, but becaus it has repercussions of the fact that people will see that rule breaking is okay and accepted. It's no wonder newbies get so mad at us when we get after them for breaking something that others have blatantly done in the past. We don't know how many people are lurking in the shop...we dont know how many SEE the actions that we figure aren't worth much thought, and we don't KNOW how it affects those that come in later until, once more all hell breaks lose and new gets pitted against old.

Again, my point is this: We have a duty to accept and obey the rules, regardless. It is our duty to do so. As current members, we need to set a better example to those who are lurking AND to those coming in. If we start changing our attitude, being more friendly, respectful and honorable to each other (who are already here}, and to those coming in later, we wouldn't even have half the problems this shop currently has.

Ok, after some thinking I've managed to come up with some ways that I think would help the shop get back on it's feet and be the way that it used to be.

A. Stabilization of the staff bond.

(1.) First and foremost, this whole pitting thats going on between the staff members needs to come to an end. I understand that not everyone can be friends but they can at least be friendly associates. Now in order to get this shop the way it needs to me we have to fix the heart which is the staff. The staff should resemble a family. A tightly woven unit that is practically impenetrable. Yes, you have the casual argument but not so much where the heart of this shop is struggling to breath. If you must since it seems that someone feels their is no set pay, the owner and the staff need to go into the staff section and talk about what the pay should be. Once all have come up with an agreement make the official list and post it up in it's own one page thread.

(2.) If you can see that the shop owner is too nice for her own good and feel that people will walk all over her you need to designate a thread manager/punisher. Yes we had one in the past but ultimately she had no say. That has to change. This person must have the power to do as he or she sees fit. So if that means that someone is grey-listed then so be it. However, the length of time one spends there should be discussed between the thread manager/punisher, rest of staff and shop owner based on said persons crime. Also, you need to have a strike system. Meaning first offense you are given a warning. Second offense you are grey-listed and third offense your on the black list. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

(3.) In the staff forum of the guild as well as the main forum of the guild you need to have a thread of rules for the staff to follow as far a coloring, customs, breedings, giftings and things of that nature. You all need to come up with punishments to be dealt out if they break set rules. My suggestion for staff is the two strike system. Two strikes for them because of their status. They should know better, thus you need to be hard on them. First offense puts them on probation. The time of their probation can depend on said offense. Please make the minimum time at least two months. Second offense equal demotion from staff. Basically they're fired and will have to do a hell of a lot to prove themselves worthy at a second shot of being a staff member.

(4.) You need to acquire your self an issues associate. This will be someone who reads PM's sent to the mule by people in the thread who are having problems with someone or something and bring it to the attention of the thread manager/punisher. A lot of the problems don't get addressed fast enough and thus things escalate into something worse. So this person must log on the mule once everyday to check the mail and make sure that everything is fine or being addressed with a satisfactory time frame. I'm sure this will make plenty of people happy.

(5.) Like they're are rules within the shops thread, there should also be rules made for the guild that must be abide by too. I haven't seen much trouble happen within the guild but I think this is a necessary precaution to take to make sure it stays that way.

B. Clarity of the Shops Thread

(1.) You need to separate all the rules so that they're less chance of confusion. So here are the categories that I think should and could be used:

Main Rules for Thread*
Rules For Flat sale
Rules for Customs
Rules for Breeding
Rules for RPing

* There in all honesty should be more than seven rules. I mean seven rules just looks pathetic and doesn't make you look like you actually care about how smoothly the shop runs. Also include the customers in rule making. Have them throw out their ideas, tweak and fine tune them as you must and then make them the law. Involving the regulars in how the shop is run is sure to make them feel like what they say actually matters.

Now I know that many of you think that having said categorizes of rules posted up is just a waste of time but it's not. It makes things a lot more clear to newcomers and shows them what's expected of them.

(2.) Before the shop owner and staff make final decisions about anything, run it by your regulars. Remember, regulars and newcomers both are the blood of the thread and what enables it to thrive and live. Allow them to voice their thoughts and actually take it into consideration. If that means making a separate thread with a poll so people can vote then do it.



Now remember, these are just some suggestions. You don't have to follow them if you don't want to but hey it just may save the thread.

Or even better, we need to have a small group of anonymous rule enforcers on a mule given power to hold up the rules since no one else will. they have the power to give out warnings freely but any decision/punishment must be made via group decision. And they remain anonymous to everyone else not on the mule so that there's no bribery going down and colorists can't be on the mule nor can they know who is.

If this idea is favored I will make the mule for said committee and I will chose who i think will do a satisfactory job.