I meant like a regular Lois Lane. Much like Mary Jane Watson or JJJ were not needed.

Lex Luther.

Well, I arrived at the old clubhouse a bit too late to respond to some posts by fellow Ogres relating to the comments posted after midnight by myself, SLVRSR4, maddragon 13 and Phoenix Fire.

So, since I had started cooking that stew, please allow me to respond, even if it means stirring the pot once more...

As posted by kfrog71: The first time I saw things start to break down was when we had some in-fighting over rep. I think Sox was the first to call everybody out in a way that got folks to pause but the one around here who really sets the tone is Miraclo and he wasn't on as much at the point when this was happening. It all seemed to subside when he interjected but the Ogre Slapping has never really been the same since. The bajillion rep notwithstanding, the brotherhood behind it is gone.

KF, I won't dispute any of the above -- well, maybe, with one exception -- but simply would add that when that happened, I had been moved to comment after some back-and-forth by Bud and SLVR on the subject of Rep ended badly. As you may recall, it culminated in Bud's decision to depart.

As it turned out, all eventually was resolved and I, along with others, could not have been happier. But at the time, I was so dismayed by the argument between two Realmsers whose posts I enjoy and respect that I turned off my Rep and gave a rather lengthy explanation of why.

In truth, the prospect of losing either -- or both -- from Ogreland bothered me more than a little, because I knew it would not be a change for the better. More than that, however, I was distressed by the first real argument within our little community.

Perhaps not so surprisingly, IIRC, this unpleasantness occurred while Miraclo was absent, having gone on an extended leave, which left me to lament how much I missed our friend.

Getting back to that exception in my agreement with your comments, I will tell you that I haven’t enjoyed a stronger feeling towards our Brotherhood than what I felt early this morning upon reading the pre-dawn posts by SLVRSR4, maddragon13 and Phoenix Fire.

As posted by theavengerthor: I personally feel like things started to take a turn for the worse when we started ribbing Haven for his grammar and spelling commentary. It was all in good fun I think, but it opened the door for back biting and snark driven posts.

Well, I find myself thinking just a bit differently on this one, so kindly excuse me while I go stand on the other side of the bar.

Frankly, I don't think too many folks old enough to drive a car would enjoy sitting in a restaurant with others, only to have someone who's not their mother suddenly respond to a conversational comment with an admonishment about which fork to use for the salad.

As for the grammar/spelling criticisms issued from time to time, I’ve found myself mostly bemused whenever it has happened. But admittedly, sometimes I’ve cringed. As some of you know, I earned a living for more than 20 years by stringing words together and helping others to look their best in doing the same for the purpose of publication.

But I don't recall ever getting or acting on an urge to correct anyone here for less than perfect grammar or spelling. Not because I hesitate to work for free, but given the context, I didn't think it was the time or place for it.

There’s really no need to embarrass someone who may be more sensitive about their language skills than anyone here might guess, regardless of how playful the intent.

So, I do think that if someone on the receiving end was less than grateful -- or even resentful at being corrected in a public forum -- I can understand a retaliatory response.

And last but certainly not least…


Thrumble Funk: You responded to my early-morning comments with this: Calling me out, brother? Speak on it. I'm down with discussion, less so with vagueness.

I'm only saying this because I'm one of those “newcomers."

So, permit me to respond, in part, with the memory of a fellow who had married into a family in which his mother-in-law was one of several girls. All the sisters had grown up with a quickness to battle and argue with each other. Much as the sisters loved each other, their exchanges during a disagreement would turn unpleasant, if not angry -- sometimes, brutally so -- as can happen when two or more argumentative people meet at some kind of intersection.

Meanwhile, the guy who had married into this combative clan grew up differently and by comparison, he was rather reserved. So it was not unusual for him to become exasperated by the tone of the arguments.

Then one day, he had an epiphany of sorts. As he explained it: “Here they were, grown women squabbling again, and I saw my mother-in-law -- red-faced and animated -- and I couldn’t understand, until it finally dawned on me that these people are most alive and enjoying themselves when they’re yelling at each other.”

As for you and I, TF…I may regard myself as a kid trapped in an old dude’s body, but I haven’t been a kid in the schoolyard for a very long time. So, uh, “calling out” is a bit, umm, strong for my taking exception to some of the stuff that’s gone on since you -- yes, you (though you’re not alone in this respect) -- began posting regularly in the Ogre threads.

From what I’ve seen, you like to battle and you like to argue --- and you don’t give a hoot if it turns up the temperature, since once the moment passes and the heat of battle subsides, it’s on to the next thing. I get that and it doesn’t make you a bad guy, just one who views things differently from those of us who prefer a cooler room temperature in the clubhouse.

But you can’t expect to come into a place, turn the furniture upside down and think no one will object, especially among the regulars. With me, the main issue isn’t about having my posts go ignored; it’s about a perceived disregard for the value we’ve placed on civility and understanding that the folks who started the Ogre threads wanted to create an environment that would be very different from the ones frequently found in GD.

In truth, it’s about showing a certain measure of respect for the tone set by others before you decided to show up.

So now, that said, congratulations are in order as you’re the latest OP in Ogreland. As for the tone we can expect, that’s to be decided. People generally get the kind of community -- at least, in spirit -- they want and deserve.

As always, just my two cents.

And that said, perhaps you’ll join me in singing along to that Tom Petty tune in the jukebox…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTXb-ga1fo

We can dance if we want to....

Did your (friend's) figure arrive yet?

I demand Satisfaction but the darn glove keeps slaping myself. Help it wont stop and my wife keeps egging it on.

I'm also still offering 10% off my sales thread to Ogres. I love you guys "snif"

Hmmm...there's something missing from this thread yet...

Oh! I know!

*Sticks flag into thread*

There we go! :-)

Duck --- PM incoming!

And now for something you'll really enjoy!

Yeah, I got nothing.

Conway Twitty? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaZwEebiwXo

One question, in all the back and forth yesterday and this morning, and the few "new guys broke the Ogres" posts, did we lose Haven? He is typically here in the mornings and early afternoon.

As one of the "New guys" (Started with the first Ogre Slap thread, but it goes back further) I know Haven and I have a history of chiding/teasing each other. But in my mind that is all it is. I have received PM's from others that worried if he and I had a serious problem with each other. My answer to them, and to Haven directly, is that I have zero issue with him or most of what he has ever said. We just learned each other's hot buttons and since learning them have stayed away (case in point: since learning that I take offense to grammer corrections he has not done it once.). I respect the man for that, and for his willingness to stand up for his beliefs.

SLVR knows me well. What you read from me online is 100% my personality. I was raised in an Irish Catholic family. Arguing is a form of communication and entertainment. You only tease your friends. Nothing is ever taken seriously, unless they are attacking family or friends directly. Be overly generous to your friends as you will have times when you need generosity (Many Ogres know of this via food, invites to my house, and trades). And anything can be overcome by having a meal or a drink with me. Simple ideals that have served me well in life.

Long story short: No matter what others' perception is of our "tone", if we lost Haven it would be a loss for our brotherhood (even if he insists that he isn't part of the brotherhood).

By the way, I just won the bonehead award for the week.

I have been in negotiations with a fellow Ogre for a trade. I sent a modification to an offer about 3 days ago and have been wondering why I haven't received a reply since then. I just looked at my "sent" folder and realized that I replied to my last message so the message went to me. So due to my error two ogres have probably been sitting here trying to figure out why the other one hasn't responded to their last message for 3+ days.

I love me some Conway Twitty.

I can hear my tone deaf neighbor singing through my ceiling. It's painful.

I'm really curious about what went down yesterday. I was MIA from the Ogres most of the day, but I remember something about peanut butter and soccer moms.

How this leads to hard feelings, I have no idea.

My thoughts? Let bygones be bygones and let's get back to slapping each other. This is the land of bright and cheery (ironic for Ogres, yes). Let's make it happen. Let's make it happy.