Post by fAB on Sept 3, 2005 13:18:46 GMT -5
Hey everyone! This is a thread of mixed feelings for me... If you've been to Legends Station recently, you've probably seen that I am going to be taking a break from it for awhile. The site will not be updated, and you will not be seeing as much of me here around the forums either. I'm sorry to disappoint everyone. I know Legends Station is a big thing in many of your lives, and a lot of you look forward to seeing it and the forums grow, but this is something I must do. If you're concerned and wondering what's behind this decision, that's why this thread is here.
At present, I feel like I've given my all to this community and have gained immeasurable benefits in return. However, as much as I have enjoyed the experience of creating the site and watching it grow, there were a lot of headaches and sour experiences along the way. The truth is, there have been several times in the past year and a half that the thought of closing down Legends Station has crossed my mind for various reasons. I knew though that if I did it would be out of fatigue and/or frustration, and that I would regret the decision later. This was how I felt up till two months ago...
...One month ago however, when I officially decided to do this (yes, I've given myself a whole month to think it over and make sure), I knew I was doing it for the right reasons. So you might ask, what happened between two months ago and one month ago? July happened!
Simply put, July was the most amazingly revolutionary month of my life. A few seemingly small events started a ripple effect which set into motion an incredible sequence of wonderful changes in my life and within myself. I experienced bliss like I never knew it, misery like I never knew it, and when I emerged I was truly a new person. I've sought out the positives of the change, and as corny as it probably sounds, it feels like I've been reborn inside. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, heck even physically, I am a different and better person... Rather ironic that Legends Station should close as a result of these changes, as it was in many ways responsible for triggering them. Please don't ask me to elaborate further in this area. If I seem vague, it's probably for good reason.
You could say I've grown up a lot, and as such I had occasion to stand back and look at my life as it had been up till then... With an altered perspective and a refreshed sense of what's important in life, I realized (among many other things) that I was heading nowhere, fast. All my life I have been an artist, with dreams of turning my artistic projects into something worthwhile someday, something I could share with the world and spread the same kind of enjoyment that I have gained from the artistic influences that have inspired me throughout my life.
For far too long however, I have been sitting here accepting certain circumstances in real life which have had my artistic growth on hold. As a result I've realized that the Internet has become the dominating force in my life. I don't have an art project list anymore, all my projects are web sites or at least related to the web in some way. I rarely draw pictures for creativity's sake anymore, they're always fan art or gifts for online friends. Additionally, being a part of various online communities eats up a great deal of time as well.
I don't mean to make it seem as though the Internet has been nothing but bad. Quite the opposite, if it hadn't been so enjoyable then I wouldn't have branched out and gotten involved in so many different areas. But it's time to reclaim a life that's been passing me by, and fortunately the new me has the will power to do it. Time to push the web to an arm's length and get back to work on my own creations, for the joy and for the future. Those of you who have expressed concern for me recently, I thank you. I didn't even think of the possibility that the post on Legends Station might cause people to be worried. As you can see now, this is a personal decision I've made, and it's a happy movement in my life, not the result of anything troublesome. It's not going to be easy to let go of the norm, but it's something I have to do, I hope you all understand.
Still though, it's not like this is goodbye. Legends Station will return eventually to become better than ever I hope, and of course it lives on here in the forums, where you will still see me around, just not as much. I am not abandoning my commitment to the Caption Contest, and I will continue to take part in the RP for as long as may be necessary. Also in case you're wondering, even as I wrap/ease up on all of my web-related projects, I still have one which I intend to finish for everyone: Alternate Trigger Part 04!
In order to deal with my decreased activity, Feldinaut has now assumed full duties as a Station Master, or admin if you prefer. She has all along been the one who does the most work around here anyway, and I always consult her before making any changes or additions which affect the forums, so you can be sure she'll take care of the place. Got problems, concerns? You can still feel free to PM me (expect delayed responses), but she's the boss now -- whatever she says goes! In addition, Dashe has officially taken a position as a Station Mod to help out. Many thanks in advance to my staff for picking up the slack in my absence!
...
This post has been revised/reduced multiple times now as I try my best to keep it informative yet relevant. If there's anything that needs further clarification or if I've forgotten to mention something important, then by all means leave a question or comment.
At present, I feel like I've given my all to this community and have gained immeasurable benefits in return. However, as much as I have enjoyed the experience of creating the site and watching it grow, there were a lot of headaches and sour experiences along the way. The truth is, there have been several times in the past year and a half that the thought of closing down Legends Station has crossed my mind for various reasons. I knew though that if I did it would be out of fatigue and/or frustration, and that I would regret the decision later. This was how I felt up till two months ago...
...One month ago however, when I officially decided to do this (yes, I've given myself a whole month to think it over and make sure), I knew I was doing it for the right reasons. So you might ask, what happened between two months ago and one month ago? July happened!
Simply put, July was the most amazingly revolutionary month of my life. A few seemingly small events started a ripple effect which set into motion an incredible sequence of wonderful changes in my life and within myself. I experienced bliss like I never knew it, misery like I never knew it, and when I emerged I was truly a new person. I've sought out the positives of the change, and as corny as it probably sounds, it feels like I've been reborn inside. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, heck even physically, I am a different and better person... Rather ironic that Legends Station should close as a result of these changes, as it was in many ways responsible for triggering them. Please don't ask me to elaborate further in this area. If I seem vague, it's probably for good reason.
You could say I've grown up a lot, and as such I had occasion to stand back and look at my life as it had been up till then... With an altered perspective and a refreshed sense of what's important in life, I realized (among many other things) that I was heading nowhere, fast. All my life I have been an artist, with dreams of turning my artistic projects into something worthwhile someday, something I could share with the world and spread the same kind of enjoyment that I have gained from the artistic influences that have inspired me throughout my life.
For far too long however, I have been sitting here accepting certain circumstances in real life which have had my artistic growth on hold. As a result I've realized that the Internet has become the dominating force in my life. I don't have an art project list anymore, all my projects are web sites or at least related to the web in some way. I rarely draw pictures for creativity's sake anymore, they're always fan art or gifts for online friends. Additionally, being a part of various online communities eats up a great deal of time as well.
I don't mean to make it seem as though the Internet has been nothing but bad. Quite the opposite, if it hadn't been so enjoyable then I wouldn't have branched out and gotten involved in so many different areas. But it's time to reclaim a life that's been passing me by, and fortunately the new me has the will power to do it. Time to push the web to an arm's length and get back to work on my own creations, for the joy and for the future. Those of you who have expressed concern for me recently, I thank you. I didn't even think of the possibility that the post on Legends Station might cause people to be worried. As you can see now, this is a personal decision I've made, and it's a happy movement in my life, not the result of anything troublesome. It's not going to be easy to let go of the norm, but it's something I have to do, I hope you all understand.
Still though, it's not like this is goodbye. Legends Station will return eventually to become better than ever I hope, and of course it lives on here in the forums, where you will still see me around, just not as much. I am not abandoning my commitment to the Caption Contest, and I will continue to take part in the RP for as long as may be necessary. Also in case you're wondering, even as I wrap/ease up on all of my web-related projects, I still have one which I intend to finish for everyone: Alternate Trigger Part 04!
In order to deal with my decreased activity, Feldinaut has now assumed full duties as a Station Master, or admin if you prefer. She has all along been the one who does the most work around here anyway, and I always consult her before making any changes or additions which affect the forums, so you can be sure she'll take care of the place. Got problems, concerns? You can still feel free to PM me (expect delayed responses), but she's the boss now -- whatever she says goes! In addition, Dashe has officially taken a position as a Station Mod to help out. Many thanks in advance to my staff for picking up the slack in my absence!
...
This post has been revised/reduced multiple times now as I try my best to keep it informative yet relevant. If there's anything that needs further clarification or if I've forgotten to mention something important, then by all means leave a question or comment.
!
Don't get discouraged or anything like that. Dreams come true. You just need to work hard, which you'll obviously do. Good luck, fab!
