Saturday, August 9, 2008

Haunt Space, revisted, part deux

I feel like I'm stuck in a bad (is there a such thing as a good one?) episode of Days Of Our Lives.

Things were starting to get back to semi-normal. Then I get a little note from a friend saying I should check out the forum over at HauntSpace. Of course, I'm curious because I'm apparently one of the topics there, so I checked it out.

Oh good grief, here we go again. Thanks Pete. For someone who wants to drop it, you sure do post a lot on the forum about it.

Rather than go into a long diatribe, I'll just post the forum post in its entirety and respond to each section in another color. I think yellow will be Pete and I will be blue (I feel blue, so it fits.)

Back from my vacation early.

I really didn't want to do this.

I appreciate those that contribute and make HauntSpace what it is. If you're a member that I never flagged or had a problem witth, this doesn't concern you.

***Yes, and those are the ones who keep butting in and keeping it going.

For the others, this is the deal, like it or not. The drama is apparently "still ongoing" tonight it's going to end on here for good.


***As long as you keep posting it on the forum, it won't end. That's how this whole mess started.

Biting my tongue, trying to, but with the things I'm reading and hearing, it's time to explain my position.

Before we get started, if someone on here is getting angry with this post, or feel that I don't run it right, or feel that I'm the one with the problem here, the door is a click away, because I'm sick of it. I will re-gain control of HauntSpace, even if I have to do it from the very beginning.

Most members that lost their accounts, or deleted their accounts are good people. I'm not trying to take that away from them. I have no hard feelings towards any of them, but my frustration is growing once again.

***Likewise.

No matter what web-site you belong to you have the option to weigh things and make decisions. You can make friends or lose friends. You can chose to fight wars that are impossible to win, engage in drama or contribute the types of qualities that a serious webmaster, or (other) member expects. If someone jumps off a bridge, will you follow them just because you're a friend? Get some common sense. I'm doing what I set out to do and ANYONE can tell you that I like member counts like anyone else. My decisions might be harmful, as some good Haunters left the site, but a couple of them got too wrapped up in things. If people weren't running their mouths, Iwouldn't have to post this.

***Sorry Pete, but if you would address people's concerns in private, you wouldn't have to deal with this. If you answered people's emails, you wouldn't have to deal with this.

We're havin g a problem currently with some folks that weren't happy with my decisions, trying to lure others to another web-site. That's ok, I don't care if you belong to other sites, I do too. But don't be a big baby and try to justify yourself with trying to pull the members from HauntSpace. That shows that you don't care about anyone but yourself. Hence, I'm happy that I did what I did, once again.

Seriously, people are asking me if I am trying to lure people away. I have asked people NOT to leave. I'm getting tired of defending myself over this, and you just keep bringing it back up over and over again, into the public eye.

This all started a while back when a person surrounded by drama and inconsideration wound up leaving the building. That person can't seem to get along with others on ANY web-site. A bunch of the members, 99.0% male subjects had a real problem with me over it. It didn't matter to them that I gave the moron more than one chance, and such moron got some additional licks in after I warned THAT person.

You really should have clarified WHO this person was when you posted that. A LOT of people are assuming that it is ME you're calling a moron. This is why you have the big issues here. You go on and post stuff like this, not naming names, then people make assumptions and the shit hits the fan. It's best to either post a name outright or don't post it at all. For the record, the moron is QueenMorgueAna, not me. (Although I have been known to be a moron at times.) And she and I have NOTHING in common other than both being females and both being kicked off HauntSpace. I don't even really know her other than the fact that she got picked on for buying her props instead of making them. And what the hell does SHE have to do with THIS situation??

Then you have some additional problems, but most of it didn't surface.

The huge problem we had here is that a couple of good members posted some blog material that caused a minor disruption.

A couple of those folks took my actions personaly and decided to come on here and BASH me and my decisions.. That's a no-no on ANYONE'S web-site. The bottom line is that the admin of the site has the right to do what he or she feels is in the better interest of the situation.

***Yes, I took it personally since you posted it to the forum instead of a simple PM. I did not, however, "bash" you. GoE bashed you. I only expressed my surprise at someone getting offended and my opinion that it should have been handled privately. Again, I think I'm justified in that opinion. Just because he and I are friends does not mean we are of the same mind. We are actually quite opposite on most things. Did the people who bashed me and GoE get into trouble too? Equality, does that even come into play? Nope. Favoritism... again.

At no time did I ask for someone else's opinion. I exclaim that.

***When you post something to a forum and don't set it to NO REPLIES, you are inviting opinions, whether they are in agreement or disagreement. You KNOW this. You don't have a problem with people kissing your ass, but if someone disagrees with you (as is our right), you get all high and mighty. Any time you open up a forum with different people, there will be disagreements. Live with it or shut it down.

Instead of complying, a couple of folks wanted to make a bid deal out of it.

We also have a few members here that are completely in my corner and defend me to no end. Kudos to you folks. After all, you guys realize what I do here, the amount of time I spend on here, and how much money I dump into spreading the cheer.

***Look down and behind you. Those would be the ones who are attached to your ass, yet going around causing most of the problems. Do as I say, but not as I do. Why can certain people insult people but the rest of us can't voice our opinion? When did THEY become "better" than the rest of us? Oh wait, THEY suck up to you. Never mind.

But in my eyes, we always have a pack fo people that come up with their own ideas on here. They think they deserve special rights and special privilages.

***Um... I never wanted special privileges, unless you count wanting any problems concerning me done PRIVATELY. I think ALL members should be afforded that little right.
Again, once you put it out there, you invite drama.

During this, I ask that no one messages me, but of course they do, they still moan, complain and tell on their friends. I have to add that most of the messages I got in the past week were very kind and very supportive.

***Again, SOME people don't read the forum. Some don't read your blogs. If you want people to comply with your wishes, you need to find a better way to make them known. I was banned before I ever got a chance to fix anything. So was wandererrob. Like I mentioned to you before, you really should institute some sort of agreeable time period for this stuff. Not everyone sits on the computer all day, so not everyone knows what is going on at all times.

I'm always the one that likes to bend, give second chances and feel bad about certain things. No more.

Now recently, I dealt with a good guy that didn't adhere to my request to remove stuff that could cause distention from his page.

*** Wait, what does abdominal bloating have to do with this?

We had two other people who lacked maturity. They got mad at me, one of which deleted content from a page and an icon. The other one deleted content. During all of this, even after I tried to be nice, kept on going. I ask you, if you get angry over something stupid and fold, do you honestly care about your friend on here, or care about the site? NO! Why should I keep you here then, you're wasting my server space. A couple of folks are just too used to getting what they want in life.

***Thanks, now I lack maturity. I was wondering what my problem was. I find it odd that someone would say that, yet keep posting and posting and deleting and deleting, just like the teenagers with mood swings that I watch on my son's myspace page. At least when I get mad, I stick with how I feel. Would you rather I delete my content or keep arguing on the forum? Given the two, I'd take the missing content. I could have easily let myself go and show a rage-filled temper. I didn't. It's also funny to me, because I seem to remember you constantly going off publicly on a certain person, acting extremely opinionated, using the same foul language he used, and making yourself look like a complete ass in the process. Oh wait, these people here don't know about that. Pete, I still love ya to death, but can the holier than thou approach.

If a couple of folks didn't create the problem, I wouldn't have to play damage control. If things don't go right in your life, too friggen bad. If someone asks you to do something too friggen bad, just do it.

***Again, maybe a time grace period would have solved this problem. You posted about fixing the pages that afternoon, while I was gone and never checked in. I didn't know anything until the next morning. Same thing goes with wandererrob.

Then I have a member who's calling me names to others, although such person says nice things to my face. Another member is preparing to leave. Someone might say, "boohoo, they're calling you names, a big man can handle it". To them I say, "I don't have to". I'm running a serious web-site, I want the folks on here to be serious.

I helped them out the door. I don't have time for it.

The nice thing is that drama kings and queens always run to each other, and most of them always drop the dime on their friends. That always helps me make my decisions.

I especially don't like it when folks gang up on each other. I won't run this site the way "you" want me to run it individually, I will run it with the majority in mind.

***Funny how the "majority" seems to be a small handful of people. The rest of them just keep their mouths shut or fingers still and don't bother. I've seen that "majority" jump on the bandwagon and attack other people for no reason. Even funnier how they don't get kicked off.

We're at a crossroads here.

Like I said before, it's a case of "if I don't like something I'll take my ball and go elsewhere". If a few people would have followed the rules, nothing would have happened. If a few people would have kept out of other people's business, it would have been easier for all of us.

***Amen! If someone like those two cronies you have under you would keep their traps shut, there'd be more members and less drama. Of course, I'm sure you'd never tell THEM that.

The thing I find to be amusing is that most of the people who cause problems, are from the same group.

Exactly WHAT group are you referring to? If you want to post something accusatory like that, you should really name the group. Is it the GoE group? Because they let it go on Friday when they left for Salem. Oddly enough, for Steve to do that surprised me, but it's a nice surprise. The occasional joke is made, but for most intents and purposes, they don't give a rat's ass about HauntSpace anymore. Like I said before, there were only 3 of us, and I sure as hell haven't been going around causing problems. I only respond to messages sent TO me. Even then I try not to be snotty, but I do share my opinion. I also don't go around trying to get people to leave. Y'all doing a fine job of that yourself.

I want Halloween, Haunted House stuff on here, I don't want a HauntSpace episode of Big Brother.


We do have an amazing site here and those that can't play in the sandbox without throwing sand can go elsewhere.

DO NOT....................harass a member of this site. I will find out about it and you'll be a deleted member yourself. If you can't haunt here and you find the type of place you feel you belong in, then all the power to you.


Uh... didn't you already find out about a member harassing another member? Didn't Grimdaddy harass Ravenlunatic in her blog? Didn't he call people names and make nasty comments? Did you do anything about it? Why wasn't HE kicked off? He BLATANTLY disregarded your rules. Favoritism. Foul!!

Cocky as it may sound, I don't have time to play games, and I'll be on the trigger YOU BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR. Halloween is coming and I've heard enough.

Members are here to be Haunters. I am too.

It's a privilage to be on HauntSpace. It's a serious site with a lot of heart. From now on, I will continue to find out who's causing the problems and weed them out, little by little.

***Again, look around you, they're standing right behind you with their lips firmly planted on your rear.

For everyone that leaves, we'll fill the slot with someone who knows how to treat others, and knows how to treat HauntSpace with a little bit of respect.

Get back to Haunting.................................The season approaches.

I'll say it one more time, if some folks kept their big mouths shut and had an ounce of respect for me, none of this would have happened. I'll be running HS a little differently from now on.

Back from vacation early, I wish the good guys and ghouls a wonderful Halloween 2008. To the other people, you can kiss my doopa.

I'm holding back believe me.

Do you know that we have members that backed out of my Bucky giveaway because they didn't want to get hosed for being a friend of mine and winning?

There's more, it's very sad. It shows me how friggen IGNORANT people can be. I haven't been this disgusted in years. Again, this is why I started HauntSpace. I'll weed out the trouble makers, I don't care how skilled they are. Tis the problem with the industry in general. Some folks think that they can score by building the bigger prop.

That's not how I work, I like folks that are decent, follow rules and care for one another.

****************************************************************

And the very first reply to it from starpugsnort, who apparently CANNOT follow the rules that Pete JUST mentioned:

Pete, I'm sorry but I'm gonna use some strong words here and I apologize to anyone who might be offended...


For the people who are causing the problem, SHUT THE HELL UP!! I am SO sick of seeing that you people can't grow up and let stuff go!! For the love of all that's Halloween, STOP WASTING EVERYONE'S TIME AND ENERGY!! This is fricken stupid!! Do you think Pete has nothing better to do than listen to you people bitch about stuff?? You ought to feel HONORED for everything he does for us and this site.

Pete, run the site the way YOU see fit, throw these idiots out and delete the nasty messages. You do a great job and if these as@#oles don't like it, they can kiss all of our doopas!!!

I noticed that person got away with posting that. He/she/it is another of those that pipe up every chance they get, attacking people and egging on the drama. That post is proof of that.

And in conclusion, I'd like to say that I still wish Pete the best for HauntSpace. As an admin myself, I know how frustrating it can be to deal with people who are passionate and opinionated. Fortunately for me, I am still a very small fish in a very small pond with my own site. My mod duties on other boards are limited as well, so I don't really have to put up with a whole lot of crap. I feel that there should always be a 3-strike rule, and I use it myself. The only difference is, I tend to keep problems more private and wouldn't think of posting stuff like this publicly to the masses. I've only made one exception to my public rule, and he's the same moron that Pete has had to deal with elsewhere - hauntmaster/ghostman/grimreaper/pickaname... but that is another story. And even then, I still gave him the 3 chances afforded to everyone before kicking him off.

Any further discussion on this matter can be handled here. I'll gladly respond to anyone with questions or issues with it. Just remember, anything posted here is public, so pick your words carefully because you cannot take them back once posted.

Have a lovely weekend.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm ok with that D. You got your pound of flesh. I'll always have love for you too sweetie.

Live and learn, no matter who's who, who's what and whatever.

What we do tomorrow is what matters.

Sorry you got hurt along the way.

Ghostess said...

It's not about getting a pound of flesh. It's about saying what I feel, and setting a few things straight. I'm tired of all the lingering crap being (seemingly) blamed on me and GoE, when other than this blog, we're over it.

Anonymous said...

You said a lot of stuff, you named names. The original problem dealt with a couple of folks that had their blogs deleted. The forum post was very kind. Instead of dealing with it, a couple of people chose to challenge the admin and remove content from their pages. The admin (wonder who that is) decided that folks that act like that, aren't deserved of an account on HauntSpace whether they are GOOD people or not.

Remember, despite the fact that there is a TON of distension (if you look at the dictionary, it's not just pointing to abdominal problems) I've been very careful how I word things. AT NO POINT did I embark upon a journey to cause you or your endeavors embarrassment.

My biggest fault is that I expect people to understand where I'm coming from and go on with their business.

If a member gets angry and deletes their icon, page content over a disagreement, they will be gone. Ghostess, isn't that what you did?

Isn't that what Garage Of Evil did?

If you don't get your way, you'll leave, or show me..............

I only get rid of folks that distort quality.

You mention the two others. That's ok, you don't like them. I do. And you bet your bottom dollar that I'll ALWAYS be in their corner. It's a lot deeper than them kissing my rear end. It's about loyalty, kindness and trust.

A long time ago, Grim and I had a little problem. I flagged it and flagged it HARD!

He dealt with it and wound up admitting that he was wrong.

The only thing I ask in LIFE is that folks have a little bit of accountability, integrity and honesty.

I ask you something, and yes, I care about you and would come to your aid ANY TIME! I'm like that. I'm angry with you but care.

When you sit back and call the shots here, post what you want and get your way, does it make "you" feel powerful?

I'm good at making mistakes, but I also have the ability to wipe the problems and move on. When I get 10-50 messages in my inbox, it's hard to move on. When I get messages from supposed friends, of other friends that STAB EACH OTHER IN THE BACK constantly, how am I supposed to deal with it?

The only thing I can do is deal with it.

When the blogs were posted, they were removed. I explained my actions for all to see, because MANY PEOPLE saw the blogs. I know what traffic HauntSpace has, and pertaining to what.

The blogs were posted, the responses were posted and I did what I had to do.

Instead of people respecting my wishes (I know what I'm doing) I got the third degree. I tried to handle it with dignity but got hammered in the inbox.

No matter what, you're very intelligent. But who's site is throwing stones now?

The temptation to throw boulders is right up in here believe me. You insult me, you kick me below the belt.

Knowing me, I probably won't let this drop because I know too darn much. All a couple of folks had to do was shut their mouths, move on, continue with better things and deal with it.

You pointed out another member, you're angry with THAT member because they are in my corner. They never caused you ANY grief.

You also have comment moderation enabled here. I find that amusing. At one point you say that if someone posts something in public, others have the right to respond to it, but here, it seems like you enjoy filtering your content.

Another thing. You spoke of Ravenlunatic. I like her, she's a good member.

But, in defense of others, she rarely posts. I actually like the fact that she's dedicated, stays out of stuff and such. But you take the member you completely bashed (you kind of don't like bashing) and you failed to understand why it happened.

The member saw that SHE posted some material in defense and got a little bit upset at that fact that she rarely says something, but when it concerns you and GOE, she jumps right in.

I deleted you because you, flagged ME on a website I maintain. It was my decision. I wouldn't have done that to you. GOE acted like a BIG BABY.........boooooohoooooo.

You delted all of your content, deleted your icon and expected that I would see you as a valuable member. I expected more from you.

We won't talk about the others playing the "let's gang up on Grimdaddy and PaHalloweenFreak"

I'm proud to know them and would gladly invite them into my home for being such loyal and dedicated members to HauntSpace, much less friends that I can honestly call friends.

Ghostess, what material did you contribute to HauntSpace?

I haven't gotten HALF of this off my chest. I'll probably take 6 months and friggen REBUT everything.

I like you, always will, but you're wrong here. You guys put yourself in the situation you're in.

I run a tight site, and can see WAY above things and it's not about being " a hot shot "

I mentioned something about the "people" always causing the problems, referring to the GROUP of people.

Don't insult my intelligence. You guys can take your hubble and find a place where you fit in.

I want Haunters and folks that are dedicated to the industry for EVERYONE, not just themselves.

Ghostess, you're a good girl, your blog leaves much to be desired.

It's a pound of flesh, it's the same reason you're not on HauntSpace anymore.

You can tell your friends that I'm disappointed in them too.

The site has been much better without the bulk of you, I think in time that will prove itself to be true.

I would do what I did tomorrow if the same situation repeated itself.

You want to get it off your chest, so do I. I haven't even started.

Ghostess said...

"Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret." Ambrose Bierce wisely wrote that in his Devil's Dictionary and truer words have rarely been written. It's my favorite quote, used in many of the sigs of mine in various places across the 'net. I try to remember it every single time I respond to something that makes me angry enough to bother.

Unfortunately, all the backspacing in the world can't take back words already read, and as I sit here holding back tears yet again, I wish I could take back all of it, everything back to the original blog.

I never speak up for myself, and the one time that I do, such unnecessary drama ensued making my head spin. Sadly, as much as I wish I could turn back the hands of time and wipe it all away, I can't; so I have to still stand behind every word. And I do.

You're right, I was hurt and angry. I've already expressed that to you. I lashed out in a childish way. It could have been worse, I could have come out with the gloves off and swinging wildly, but I practiced some restraint. I'm hoping that both of us have learned something from all of this. Pete, you know I never wanted ANY of this to happen. I'm hoping that you have at least taken into consideration the effect that your words, whether kindly put or not, have on people when you post on that forum. Some things are best handled in private, regardless of what you might believe.

Every single time you post something on the forum, you will have people either grabbing their pitchforks and torches to storm the castle, or you'll have a few people disagree with whatever it is that's going on at the time. Either way, it will always cause more issues because it's out there for everyone to pipe up about.

My blog here is my place to rant and rave about whatever is bugging me at the time. It's not for anyone's enjoyment, it's not for people to use in their own agendas, it's not for anything other than ME. I invite people to post how they feel as well, whether I agree with it or like it or not. That's the beauty of this blog, There's no censorship. The only reason the posts are moderated is to keep the spam out, and I was advised to do that by a couple of veteran bloggers. I even have it set to allow anonymous comments such as yours, just for the purpose of letting people get out whatever is on their minds. The only thing I do is hit the publish button if it's a legit non-spam post.

As far as the rest of it, I'm taking my husband's advice for once, and I'm going to try to just let it go. (He says, it's JUST the internet, jeeze...) Hard thing for me to do indeed, being as I still hold grudges against people from my childhood, even though they will never know it. I don't have the energy any more to keep harping on the same thing over and over again with someone that I really like; or to keep venting and feeling better - then letting the anger and aggravation build to the point of more lashing out. I just can't do it. Being angry takes a lot more energy than being content, and I'm tired.

I have always prided myself on being the "good girl". This whole mess has cast too much negative on everything I have worked for over the years.

All that said, all I can do now is say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry Pete, for everything. I'm sorry Grimdaddy, for offending you and for your family's losses. I'm sorry PAHalloweenFreak, for lashing out at you. I'm sorry starpugsnort, for bringing your post up, even though I still think it was wrong for you and others to start name-calling again and for Pete to allow it. I'm sorry GoE and wandererrob, for causing the initial issue that got us all kicked. Most importantly, I'm sorry to the people that got banned for speaking up for me and GoE (y'all know who you are), or just speaking up about other things, to the people that were attacked by other members, and to the people who had to sit back and watch the whole mess.

A little less anger, and a little more understanding would be nice from ALL of us at this point. Haunt Space is still a really great place for haunters and Halloween lovers. It's also Pete's baby, and he can raise it the way he sees fit, so those of you who are still bothering him just need to chill.

Besides, there's not much time left before Halloween, and we all have much to do between now and then.

And, for the record, the "distention" - abdominal swelling comment was a joke, although, looking back, I'm inclined to think you meant to use "dissension" as in strife, disagreement, discord, etc... But, whatever. :)

Deanna

Anonymous said...

That's the Ghostess I know. I'm proud of you.

All of are wrong to some degree.

The hubby is right, it's time to let it go. We "both" like to stand up for things, that's what makes us who we are.

The most painful thing is to lose someone or something you value. Something that's positive, something that's real.

A lot of good people got hurt throughout all of this, I hate a large portion of blame because I'm responsible for what happens on HauntSpace.

You kind of took me for a loop here, I thought you would wind up being just like everyone else.

I find myself coming back here not to read what's said, but because "you" as a person said it. Meaning that I value what you say whether I agree with it or not. Fighting or not, you are and will always be something special. You're a family gal that is as dedicated to the industry as it gets.

It's not just the net, we're all the same business, we all enjoy the same things in life and more so than not, it's easy to misread someone or something for lack of posture, body language and facial expression. Tis where it become difficult.

I'm throwing in the towel, last night I was really upset but put my head down when I read you post and took a deep breath.

Us passionate folks always get into trouble.

Don't hate me, just please try to understand me. I understand you.

Hugs, it's done. If you ever find your way back, the door is open. You probably won't, but I wanted to offer it to you, it will probably be closure for both of us. Maybe we can work together to make things better who knows.

I am proud of you though, I haven't been that impressed in a very long time.

Sry bud. It's all good with me, hopefully it is with you too. If not, it's my loss.

Pete

Ghostess said...

There's nothing wrong with standing up for what you think is right. Standing up and saying "I'm sorry" is one of the hardest things a person can do, but usually is the best way to end an argument. Some people can't do it, some people just refuse to because they feel it's a weakness or an admission that they were wrong. I have many weaknesses, but showing kindness or the ability to accept things and people for what/who they are has never been one of them.

Water under the bridge, my friend... water under the bridge.

Anonymous said...

(winks in admiration and respect)

Take care of that wonderful family of yours, don't let this stuff destroy you.

Sat there the other night, had the back door open, felt the cool breeze, listened to the crickets.

Wondered where my priorities have been.

Take care of yourself. I'm always here. Makes me want to be a better me.

Anonymous said...

Further proof that my mathematical equation of Pete = Douche is not just theory.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Zombie-F said...

Further proof that my mathematical equation of Pete = Douche is not just theory.

September 28, 2008 2:26 PM


sadly i am coming around to that train of thought.

Anonymous said...

knowing what i know and after leaving hs myself, ghostess speaks the truth about certain lap dogs kissing pete's @$$ and getting off without reprecussion