Because I'm tired of the drama associated with HauntSpace

Recent events, though unrelated, have brought some extra drama to my online doorstep. Some of you know about last year’s July/August HauntSpace (HS) drama where I and a few of my friends were shown the door and the ensuing backlash of that forced exit. If you don’t, you’ll have to go and read my oldest blogs here on Blogspot. Eventually, fences were mended and past deeds forgiven, though not forgotten. Time passes, and after much thought, many emails and PMs from other people on other sites, apologies and a little bit of begging from Pete, the HS admin, I figured I’d give it another try. It was a hard decision for me, since when I make up my mind on something, and make the vow to never revisit certain things, I typically stick to it. I swore I would NEVER return to HS. I guess I wanted to show that I can be a bigger person than to hold a grudge like that, so in February 2009, I signed up again.

I re-created my profile, added photos and blogs, took the polls, commented people’s pages, sent PMs, joined groups, etc.. Even so, things were not the same, as now contributing and participating felt forced on my part. I didn’t really enjoy it anymore, and most of the people I cared to communicate with had already branched out onto other venues after the last fallout, so I didn’t need HS anymore. Add to that the fact that I really felt like I was only ever checking in to see mass-sent html comments – even though I had them disabled – and a bunch of group invites that, as well meaning as they are, were just not remotely haunt-related, nor interesting to me. I’m not complaining about people sending me stuff - it’s nice to be thought of; it’s just that none of it was what I cared about or would have been involved in anyway. It felt like being on MySpace, which I also rarely check on anymore. Not many people bothered with sending a personally typed note with an actual message in it, just the same glittery/cute/funny html comments that were sent to everyone else on their friends list. Yes, the thought is behind the comment I guess, but I really would rather have a simple “Hi”. Once a couple of people knew I didn’t like those kinds of html-based images all over my page, they did send me personal notes or comments, which was nice and I always responded to them. To me, that is what the COMMENT field is for, an actual comment. I don’t know, maybe I have lost my sense of humor or something. I just don’t like the picture comments. I even had it listed in my “turn offs/dislikes” section. I’ve always said that the general person is not usually very observant, and I stand by that. Nobody bothers to really read profiles anymore, and most admit to just looking at the pictures. If anyone bothered to read mine, they’d know I do not like the glitter.

Fast forward a few months to this August (2009). I have a lot on my mind at this point, I have no time or energy to do anything with my work/sleep schedule and I am so burnt out with a lot of things that I haven’t even contributed anything new anywhere online in months. I haven’t made any new props, have barely kept up with the forums, and even my housework has been sporadic at best. Work has been an emotional and physical challenge on many nights, we’ve had some tough times with my family, and I’ve had a lot of low points where I just wanted to crawl under a rock and never come out. The past year has led to a lot of cutbacks for me. I’ve left almost all of the Yahoo groups I was on save two. I only participate at a couple of forums, and that is limited to mostly mod duties. I have my own forum to run and deal with. Some days I don’t even bother to read emails because I don’t have the mental energy to reply to them. I’ve wasted a lot of the free time that I do have just zoning out playing whatever the game of the week was, just so I don’t have to think. I’m tired. So, I’m still prioritizing. HauntSpace was not a priority, so it was on the chopping block.

I logged in to see I got another html comment. I canceled my account. It’s not anyone’s fault, doesn’t have anything to do with any one person at all. It was just time. Some things run their course; some things just shouldn’t be revisited. HS probably should have just been one of those things I just didn’t go back to at all. I didn’t miss it much, only missed the people, but almost all of them were other places too, so I didn’t need to be there.

I posted on my Facebook (FB) account, as a status update that I deleted my account. I knew that people would be assuming that there was some kind of drama involved, but this time there wasn’t. I wanted to make sure nobody jumped to conclusions or thought there’d been fighting again. This is the post, and the comments that followed, in their entirety, nothing except pictures and names deleted or altered to protect their privacy (it can also still be viewed on my page on FB as I do not delete anything) Individual comments will be color coded for easier distinguishing:

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Yes, I deleted my Hauntspace account. No, there's no drama associated with it this time. Just not "feelin' it" anymore, and it's a waste of time checking in to see glittery comments and useless nonsense that doesn't have a whole lot to do with actual haunting. (No offense to those who like that stuff, I just don't have time for it these days.)

Wed at 11:34am · Comment · Like / Unlike

Facebook User, Facebook User and 2 others like this.

Facebook User:

maybe a small break this year???
I took 2 years off, this will be the 3rd....now I'm thinking, maybe nest year...do have a small bug for it this year.

Wed at 11:36am · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

It's not haunting that I'm disassociating myself with, it's just Hauntspace. That place just ain't my cup o' tea anymore.

Wed at 11:37am · Delete

Facebook User:

I completely agree, especially about the glittery comments. Ya know I recently got an angry message from one of the members who was pissed at me for removing them from my top list. Are you kidding me?

Wed at 11:38am · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Ya know, it's YOUR page, you can do what you want to it- anyone who'd get nasty about it doesn't deserve to be on your list at all. If the dang "disable html comments" function actually WORKED, it wouldn't be so bad. I would really just rather get an actual TYPED message, with some thought or personal words in it. Apparently nobody can think for themselves anymore. There were a few people who'd post small notes to wish a nice weekend without the glitter, which is nice.

Wed at 11:42am · Delete

Facebook User:

I'm with ya there. I haven't deleted mine, but it's sat dormant like a corpse for a couple years now.

Wed at 11:43am · Delete

Facebook User:

Aye... HS be nice an' all fer fairwaether friends, an' thar be a few swabs that I shall be missin', bu' 'tis naught bu' a waste o' me time now.. savvy?

Wed at 11:44am · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Savvy. ;-)

Wed at 11:45am · Delete

Facebook User:

I completely understand your feelings. The funny thing about Hauntspace is that They deleted my account.

Wed at 11:48am · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

You're not missing much.

Wed at 11:48am · Delete

Facebook User:

Let's not forget the ridiculous forums. The amount of BS and ass kissing that goes down in there is insane!! Sorry, now I am just bashing.

Wed at 11:57am · Delete

Facebook User:

I still have two - both with links to my blog. Gotta agree on the glittery comments thing. It's hard to have time to be everywhere.

Wed at 11:58am · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Hehe... M... I will refrain from commenting on that for now.

Wed at 12:00pm · Delete

Facebook User:

LOL, They deleted me within 3 days! I missed all of the whining and more than likely, the "ooh cool!" Halloween Nation was getting that way, too! Chris Brasy deleted the whole website to sell silicone masks. At least we still have the "Florida Haunter Website" with the Ghostess in charge! You would like her, she is cool! The Ghostess inspired me to upgrade my "topless statue" of Elizabeth Idalia. 75% of the statue was doing fine. Her base rotted out anf the birds added a nest behind her neck. I was surpised none of the smaller birds made a nest inside of her empty fiberglass head.

Wed at 12:05pm · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

The Ghostess, huh? She sound like a really cool chick. ;-)

Wed at 12:06pm · Delete

Facebook User:

The Ghostess is burned out these days. I feel she will re light her fires when her spirit views the Harvest Moon in the fall! As the nights get colder, the inspiration to create will get hotter! Right now it is just a quarter moon, so the Ghostess has more time to relax. I am sure the "Evil Empire" is still getting the Back to School stuff out! Labor Day, all of the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas stuff should start showing up on the shelves.

Wed at 12:26pm · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Indeed... hey, we're getting the shelves ready for candy this week!

Wed at 12:32pm · Delete

Facebook User:

yum..let me at the candy corn

Wed at 12:53pm · Delete

Facebook User:

Let me recreate HS for you:

Happy Boo Day!! ******** < glitter
[image of gothy vampress like you would air brush on your sweet 72 Ford Econoline)
********************** <>

Wed at 1:40pm · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Gee, thanks Facebook User! I know I can always count on you to bring the glitter!

Wed at 1:45pm · Delete

Facebook User:

And the crown goes to Facebook User of XxX!!!....hehe

Wed at 1:51pm · Delete

Facebook User:

Just in case you were going through withdrawal :)

I'll send you a glitter comment for Scary Saturday, Haunted Hump Day, Sabbath Sunday, Torture Tuesday, hell - I'll send one for all of them! You'll feel like you never left! Then I'll make my text the same color as my non scrolling animated background, with auto play music too. Maybe some java widgets that crash your browser too....

Wed at 1:53pm · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Shucks, you really DO like me!

Wed at 1:55pm · Delete

Facebook User:

I like the comments...glitter and all...they come from the people I have met, come to care about and chat with at times. But difference is what makes the world go round!

Wed at 1:59pm · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Eh, the glittery stuff can stay on Myspace IMO, it annoyed me that nobody bothers to read profiles and the fact that I even had glitter comments as one of my turn-offs/dislikes. Someone who cared about me or chatted with me at all (or read my profile) would know I detest those things. Of course, I've found that most people really are not that observant. To each his/her own!

Wed at 2:02pm · Delete

Facebook User:

Yay!

Wed at 2:24pm · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

I would like to point out, for the record, that this is a decision that I have been mulling over for a while now. I went back to HS with doubts about why I was even bothering. I won't go into all of my reasons, but I can tell you that the glitter comments are low on that totem pole, and are only something trivial to comment on. The rest of the story ... well... those who know me well know the reasons. Everyone else can speculate, gossip, what have you. I just don't care anymore. :)

Wed at 2:32pm · Delete

Facebook User:

I blame Vic's beard.

Wed at 2:34pm · Delete

Facebook User:

Hmmm...It's too bad that your own private decision to do anything has to be open for discussion by other people. You are a big girl and sounds like you know what you are doing and it is the best thing for you! So even those who don't know know you so well, but care, should just support that...I do! ♥ No glitter..just a heart....

Wed at 2:55pm · Delete

Facebook User:

Well Ghostess, i'll miss you. I was probably one of those people who sent the bling. (Sorry) I like HS cause i can make my page all about what i like about halloween. I've made some friends there too.I think a comment is a way for people to say hey, just thinking about ya enough to send you a comment. I know i need to get a life. Ya think? To each his own. BTW i ordered my motor for my FCG! I'm so excited! YAY!!!!!!!

Wed at 3:27pm · Delete

Facebook User:

I haven't been on HauntSpace in years... I think I have an account, but between MySpace, which I haven't been to in months, & facebook & the L, who's got the time?
Seems all these * new* places popped up & instead of being a haven away from the drama, they've become where the drama followed.

Wed at 4:16pm · Delete

Andrew Griffith

I'm behind ya 100 percent baby (mainly so I can watch your butt!)

:)

Wed at 4:25pm · Delete

Facebook User:

Deanna, I'm gonna have to agree with Facebook User - whatever your reasons are for leaving are your reasons and you shouldn't even feel you have to explain them or defend them. I don't know you well either but do care about you and will gladly and definitely support whatever decision is right for you. I am a member there but seldom leave any kind of ... comments on anybody's pages unless I just want to say hello or reply to something that was said to me. I left there once because of drama - I don't do the drama thing cause it's supposed to be about fun IMO. I went back but I'm not a big participant. Glad you are here so I can always keep in touch with you though!

Wed at 5:31pm · Delete

Facebook User

I've never been there myself. I tend to stick around HF. Not too much glitter over there. Just straight-up prop stuff.

Wed at 8:21pm · Delete

Deanna Hurlbert Griffith

Eh, it's just one of those things that runs its course.

T - it's no big deal.. lol I tried to bring some levity to my reasoning, now I'm considered a glitter hater. It's all good.

I don't spend hardly any time anywhere anymore other than my own forum and here on FB, with the bursts of HauntForum and GoE here and there, and I still read ALL the emails from the Hall-L, because that's something I'll never give up since it's where the insanity all began. I just don't have time for it all anymore. ...

It's really annoying the drama that's unfolding constantly with people, especially those who claim to hate it, but seem to swim in it. Blog to follow in the next day or two. I'm a changed person these days.

Wed at 9:37pm · Delete

Facebook User:

Yes, you will now and forever more be known as the glitter hater!! LOL

Wed at 10:31pm · Delete

Facebook User:

the one good thing about never being in the loop of what's going on is that you also never know about any of the drama and don't have to deal with any of it. LOL Thinking of you and hoping you aren't changing too much now...you're great like you are!

Yesterday at 3:42am · Delete

As you all can see, I never said anything about any one person, nor did I “bash” Hauntspace. I made comments about how I feel about html comments and people in general, and that I didn’t care for HS any longer.

More to come later, plenty more.

High-School type BS and jealousy

No, this isn't another HauntSpace rant. :) It's a work-related rant, pertaining to some of the people I have to spend 8 hours a night, 4 nights a week with.

High school for me was 20 years ago - seriously, our 20-year reunion was in July this past summer. I didn't like it then, and I don't like the same kind of asinine behavior coming from certain people now.

I don't make friends in person very easily. Acquaintances, yes... have tons of them, but friends? People I think I can count on and who listen to me when I need them? No, those are very few and far between for me. I don't have the big social circle that I used to have, so being thrown into a work situation gave me one again. I'm a really nice person. I smile at everyone, even people I don't really care for. I say hi to anyone I make eye contact with. I try to make people feel at ease and cheer up those who seem down. I always ask if they're all right when they look ill or sad. I am just one of those people who care. Shoot me, oh FSM, shoot me - I dare to care!!!!

I work with my sister for the Evil Empire. We even work in the same department, which gives me plenty of time with her to catch up and all. That's all fine and dandy with me. She is the one person that I knew I could talk to there and I already knew everything about everybody who worked there well before I even set foot in the store. People don't realize this though. They think I'm some naive chick who doesn't "get" things, or that since I haven't worked there as long as most of them that I don't "know" things. I know a lot. I am a watcher, a listener. I tend to pay attention to small things, and hear the things that weren't spelled out. Seriously, sometimes I think I should have either gone into the mental health field or the Forensics field. I like details.

Anyway, For the first few weeks, I pretty much kept to myself, aside from hanging with my sister during our lunches and breaks. Now, she is one of those people who has had issues with a lot of the people there. Mostly it's because she is a hard worker and expects the same from her coworkers. When they play around all the time and she's picking up their slack, it's a problem. She also tends to get wrapped up in the personal crap of other people who she THINKS are friends, and it ends up badly every time. Long story short - the problem was solved with moving her to a new department, but the nagging issues remained - people don't like her. So in turn, I felt that several of them don't like me either, simply because I am her sister, even though she and I aren't really much alike and I have never done ANYTHING to anyone there. Even on my first day (granted, I don't think anyone knew who I was), half those people wouldn't even acknowledge me or look me in the eye. I think some of them are realizing though that I am not her or that I'm alright for a new girl on the block and at least say hi now.

The problem now it seems, is that I AM a nice person. Not saying my sister is not a nice person, she IS - she is a kind and generous person who will go out of her way to help someone when they need it. But she also has an attitude that rivals many a Tasmanian Devil. Love her to death (I know you're reading this Babs), but I don't say anything about anyone that I wouldn't say to their face, and she knows it. When someone pisses her off, she doesn't forget and I don't think forgiveness is high on the list either. They call me the "Nice" sister, she's the "Mean" sister.

I am WAY nice though. I like to form my own opinions. I listen to what people have to say and watch their actions, THEN I base my opinions on that - very rarely do I go on hearsay. I came into this job knowing a lot of what goes on in the store, which should have prejudiced me to an extent. I met the people I'd heard so much about. Some of them I like, some I don't really care to be around, and a lot of them I just don't know enough about to form an opinion about. It's all just dependent on how they act toward me, or what kind of vibe I get from them. I like some people that she does not like, and she likes some people that I don't really want to be around. It's fine, we're different people, we can't like everything the same.

The previous is all basic background for what is bugging me.

I have a friend now, someone outside the "circle" that my sister talks to, and apparently it's an issue. People talk bad about him, some even try to start crap with him. I just don't see why they can't just leave the kid alone. (He's young enough to be my son, BTW.) Most of them haven't bothered to listen to him or talk to him for any length of time or get to know him at all. The only thing they think he knows how to do is be loud, talk sports and handle a pallet jack, sometimes in a dangerously fast fashion. A few of them, including my sister, used to talk to him, but they don't anymore. I think it's a mutual dislike now.

Anyway, I made the effort to get to know him. He's a sensitive kid, very sweet, very helpful and he just needs someone to listen. Of course, he hit on me the first time we ever really talked for more than 5 minutes. I was warned he'd do that, from a few people, so I expected it and quickly made it clear that he ain't got a chance in Hell with me. I make it clear every opportunity that I feel it necessary. I am pretty sure that he knows by now. He doesn't bother with trying anymore, which is a good sign. I also tell my husband everything significant that goes on in the store, including with my new friend. Of course, a lot of the store thinks that I've already given up the nookie to the kid since I spend a good deal of lunch times ( Steak N Shake... Mmmmmmm!) and breaks with him, which is fine, I don't give a rat's ass what any of them think. I give him what he needs more than sex - someone to LISTEN to him. It's what I am good at. I like to listen to people. I like to try to help with feedback if I can. He doesn't have many friends, I think I and another guy at work are about it for his social circle. I listen to EVERYONE though. He's not the only one, he just gets more of my attention because he's around me more than everyone else. So, here is the problem: everyone else at the store can't stand him. My sister complains about him, my other coworkers complain about him, a couple of them are even jealous of him! (As IF ANY of them have a chance with me, PUH-LEASE!) Nobody there has a right to tell me WHO I can talk to or hang out with. If they don't like it, they don't have to be around me either. The only thing I ask of anybody is that they (A) Don't judge me just because I like the kid and (B) don't talk shit about him in front of me. I wouldn't do it to them about their friends, and I don't expect that treatment from them.

I was so pissed off with several people yesterday that I almost just decided not to speak to ANY of them again, including my own sister (at least while at work). There's more to the story, but I won't go into any of that. I just try to remember something one of my coworkers told me - she said for me to remember that I was put into his life for a reason. I believe that. I'm the only one who can calm him down when he needs it (temper, good grief he has a bad temper). I feel like I'm the only one there that truly cares about him. I'm the one who LISTENS. What is so wrong with that? Why does everyone feel the need to shove their noses into it? I know the kid has a crush on me - everyone knows that. Doesn't mean we can't be friends and it damn sure doesn't mean I've already jumped in the sack with him. He's not my type, not in my age range, and just doesn't "do it" for me. He knows he won't ever get me. It's simple. His feelings might get hurt, but that's life. I enjoy his company. He spoke to me when no one else cared to. Not a damn person in the store outside of our department made ANY effort to get to know me until after he did (sisters don't count). He watches out for me, helps me if I need it, and tries to keep me in a good mood. I do the same for him. Why does there have to be drama about that?

I totally just do not get how people can constantly give their ill-founded opinions when they don't take the time to understand things before shooting off at the mouth. It makes me sick and it makes me not even want to bother with any of them. If people, including family, would bother to pay real attention to things, they'd be a little less apt to jump to conclusions and be mean to people who really don't deserve it. I can do without snarky attitudes from people. All it does is make things worse and cause bad feelings all around. I don't like feeling that way at all. My husband is the only one who has a right to say ANYTHING about who I talk to, and he just wants to make sure the kid knows he'll kick his ass if he crosses the line with me. Perfectly acceptable to me and my buddy knows it. Shouldn't that be enough for everyone else? I never thought I was THAT much in demand that people have to freakin' fight over me. It's just ridiculous some things that people say and do, yet they call ME rude? Whatever. High school is over, was a long time ago. Time to grow up people.

Haunt Space, revisited

*sigh*

This is just ridiculous, the whole thing. I've been getting emails and messages asking all sorts of questions, people telling me all sorts of things.. apparently Pete's latest rant on the forums there has people all riled up again. I've been trying to just forget about the drama since stating my piece here. Now I'm going to clear up any misunderstandings that involve me with what's obviously still going on there, starting from the beginning.

Please forgive my memory, it's never been that great and I will probably screw up some accounts of the story since I didn't document everything and a lot of the issues' words were wiped clean by Pete in his efforts to reduce the drama. Pete won't name names, and I will only name the ones that everyone knows about and keep what's said in private locked away.

On the 30th, I posted a blog about the breast cancer drive. I used the word "boobies" and some humor and posted a link to the original blog rather than post the whole blog over again since it was rather tongue in cheek and I knew it wouldn't fly at Haunt Space. I figured if the other breast cancer drive could be posted a few months ago, then I could post the one our group was working on too.

Some time during the night, my blog was replied to, then deleted by Pete. This was his attempt to stem potential problems and he didn't want the word "boobies" causing Haunt Space to show up in searches and what not. He posted this on the forum section of Haunt Space, without names, instead of just PMing me and letting me know. Now, I normally do not even look at the forum, but that post was showing on the home page, so out of curiosity, I read it. Then I told my Garage of Evil friend, Steve, about it since he was the one leading the charge for this.

This is my email to Steve after I copied Pete's post to him:

"He's referring to "boobies" as used in my blog post which he removed. It's fine, I just wish he'd have PM'ed me rather than go the public route when it only deals with 2 blogs, mine and yours (which he obviously left alone). I PMed him and apologized for my lack of good judgment thinking that a word that every child I know used would be okay in this instance. Love Pete to death, but he's way too much of a worrier. "

I asked him not to say anything in a following email and that I would handle it because he does have a temper. Then I replied directly to Pete on the forum. I knew that anyone who read the blog knew whose blog Pete was referring to, and I had no problem with people knowing it was me. My problem was that I felt it should have been handled privately rather than Pete posting on the forum and expecting us to A. see it and B. not be upset at basically being called out in front of everyone. I was also quite surprised that anyone would be upset over my using the word "boobies". The next thing I know, I get an email from Steve saying "Too late". He'd already replied as well on the forum, and he was not as nice as I was.

The next thing I know, several people are slinging insults all over the place. I did NOT want anyone else involved in this, and I knew as soon as Pete posted that on the forum that people would do their usual butting in, whether they think they are helping or not. It NEVER ends up well when things are thrown into the light like that. Thinking back, I wonder how Pete hasn't realized this yet.

A little while later, I found out WHO complained about my blog, although Pete led me to believe it was through replies to my blog. Grimdaddy posted his own blog, unhappy with my wording, with PAHalloweenFreak backing him up as always. He claims to not have attacked me, but I will never know because I was not allowed to deal with this myself, thanks to Pete's trigger-happy fingers and good intentions.

Pete and I PMed a couple of times, I apologized for my lack of good judgement and he apologized for any offense taken. Unfortunately, I was pretty pissed off still, especially after I head more about WHO was involved in creating this problem.

There was some discussion on the Garage of Evil group about the incident thanks to a reply to a message that was supposed to be offlist. It was rather short lived though as we really prefer to leave the drama out of our treehouse.

Meanwhile, I removed all the content off my page and replaced my icon with a cloth pattern. I was pissed off, and I figured I'd rather just take it all down to give myself something to do rather than end up typing more words and getting more pissed. This was my way of cooling off. I also changed my dislikes and put something about disliking hypocrites. It's a genuine dislike of mine.

I was gone from home on that same afternoon/evening as I had to pick up some wallwarts from a guy I went to high school with in Jacksonville for our Florida Haunters gatherings (to have a stock of them for whomever needed them), so I was gone for almost 3 hours with the drive out there during rush hour, his being late, then helping him jump his truck off because his battery died.... plus some errands after that. I got home, cooked dinner, then watched a movie with my husband and went to sleep. I never bothered to check the computer, I just wanted to forget about it.

The next day, I awoke to a surprise in my email with info from other people. Some time during the evening, Pete posted another message on the forum stating (this is paraphrased) "Anyone that questions my decisions or embarasses me on hauntspace will be banned, and i'll be checking pages for any wise comments regarding this and you will be banned too." I also got notifications from hauntspace saying I had messages there, one from Pete too, so I went to check them. SURPRISE!!! I can't sign in. I got banned during the night while I was sleeping. Steve posted to Pete to remove him the day before and he got his request granted. I had no intentions of leaving at all, but I was shown the door.

So I ended up getting ready for a job interview while trying to keep the tears out of my eyes and keep my voice from cracking when my husband was asking me what was wrong. How the hell did all this escalate while I was SLEEPING?

What irks me about this is that Pete knows my email address. We've known each other on the 'net since both our daughters were in diapers. Yet he still chooses to do things in an ass-backward fashion. He could have emailed me and let me know what's going on. He could have waited for a response to his PM before kicking me off. Some people don't spend every waking hour on the computer.

So later that day, another GoE member posted a blog since we were still trying to raise the money for the breast cancer thing. He posted it in a very unoffensive manner. Next thing we know, he's got the boot too - while he was away in Salem, he had no idea what was going on after leaving on Friday afternoon.

During all this, several people from Haunt Space joined the GoE group to keep in touch with those of us who were banned. This was not a disloyalty to Pete or HauntSpace, but a way to still keep in touch with the 3 of us who were no longer members there.

RavenLunatic posted a blog about tolerance/acceptance that day. She WAS attacked by Grimdaddy and PAHF:

"I have been silent through this whole fiasco. I just want to know what this blog has to do with haunting??? It seems to be a political rant. I do believe that you guys have some how managed to draw Pete away from the goals of his site. His TOS even states that he will not tolerate (or "accept") political bantor. Heck my dear RavenLunatic you hardly ever show your face here and now you are taking the fun out of the whole site. I noticed that you are a member at another forum that is hosted by a former member of Haut Space. Did she ask all of you bucket of chaw to come here and rip at another man's website? You don't deserve to be here and should exercise the right to click DELETE that is now found on your page. I came here to make friends in the haunting community and because of you and several others, the front page of the site is filled with garbage. Please do the right thing and go some place where you can kiss a ghostly butt and not destroy others spirits. I am offended by your presence and think you should leave.

By the way....... I did happen to see the original blog, before it was deleted, that started this and I do believe the approach of the charity is off the mark. They seemed more interested in saving anatomical body parts of a woman rather that saving the women themselves. After all, isn't a persons life more important than their individual body parts? I lost my mother and aunt to this terrible affliction.

You all seem hung up on saving the right to use a word that Pete deemed offensive to the site. Shouldn't you use your energy for saving women's lives from breast cancer?!?!?!

Walter C. Wojciechowski"

Now, HOW is it that he can get away with the name calling and insults??? Especially when Pete was so adamant about the rules being followed? How is this??? Rainbow colored smoke is being blown constantly up Pete's derrière I think.

I spent the weekend, while my GoE counterparts were in Salem, doing damage control, and sending emails back and forth with Pete. We finally managed to see each other's points and I thought it was over. I woke up on Sunday morning to hear more bad news - at least two more people were shown the door and now more TOS changes at HauntSpace and anyone who had been banned would NEVER be allowed to come back.

Stunned... I was completely stunned. Suddenly MORE drama is added to the fray. As if there wasn't enough already. Finally, I snapped again after hearing more about what had happened in the past with a certain 2 people and their trouble making and I posted my own blog here and let out every single frustration I had concerning the root of the problem.


I got my response to that finally and replied accordingly. Bitter? Yes, I am. I admit it. It takes a really special person or two to keep my hackles raised like this.

For the rest of the story, I'll post another blog later today. Oh yes... there is more, thanks to yesterday's forum post on HauntSpace.