What a conundrum!

We have threads on the forum complaining that serious discussions should be kept on topic and that there are too many fun threads. Conversely, there are threads that have been responded to seriously that have been hijacked. Then complaints that all of this is causing headaches.

Members have left the forum because of too much moderation and now members are leaving because of the lack of moderation.

Whatever I do is wrong. You fall out sometimes at the drop of a pin and at other times you show great tolerance and appreciation -- but it's all haphazard and unpredictable.

Somehow, the forum seems to survive and goes from strength to strength with new members joining and more posts being posted than ever before.

So, I guess I'll just do nothing.

Sometimes I get the feeling that we are a microcosm reflecting the macrocosm. I've noticed that with all the recent world turmoil, nobody, including me, is posting a current event thread. I get up, get online, and my homepage, with its news headlines, puts me in a negative frame of mind before my first sip of coffee. I quickly come here to get refreshed, and most of the time it works. Most of the people here are interested in a community and want to participate and contribute to the whole. Sometimes, for some people, it seems a place to vent frustrations. Maybe the frustrations are about feeling out of control in our larger lives.

Ann

Shelagh,

Don't worry about it--you do remember the story about the
man, the boy and the donkey?

If you try to please everyone, you will please noone and eventually lose your donkey.

I think you're taking the best approach, Shelagh. It's not your fault if people get pissed off and then stomp off like kids having playground tantrums. Not unless you have a shelf full of voodoo dolls and have been running this whole shebang with pins and ceremonies in your living room.

Malcolm

I don't think I could cope without my donkey.

Not a doll in sight, Malcom.

Shelagh,

Just keep doing what you're doing. It seems to work for most of us. Glad to hear that there are no dolls!

Me too! The paranormal board is too far out for me. The things I do to please others!

Alice wrote:

Shelagh,

Don't worry about it--you do remember the story abiut the
man, the boy and the donkey?

If you try to please everyone, you will please noone and eventually lose your donkey.

Shelagh wrote:

Whatever I do is wrong.

You're female, British and a writer. So what else did you expect from life? Despite all that we love you. Be happy.

Don't take it personally, Shelagh. No matter the forum or who the administrator/moderator is, that person can't win. Admins put themselves between a rock and a hard place. Just do what your gut tells you to do. That is the only way you will maintain your sanity.

I use to have a quote in my signature (and I am paraphrasing here) that those that care don't matter, and those that matter don't care.

Shelagh, you are the best!

Thanks Phil!

Dick Stodghill wrote:

Shelagh wrote:

Whatever I do is wrong.

You're female, British and a writer. So what else did you expect from life? Despite all that we love you...

Not for long; I've just insulted Alice again on the Publishers Board. I see another recovery thread looming.

Shelagh, those who stomp off saying 'I'm taking my ball and going home' sooon realise they are not the only ones who are 'playing' and there are other balls to kick around! They will be back ornot, it is their choice. They can also help keep threads on topic, if that is their desire. There is much here to enjoy and learn from. I think you do a terriffic job, and that things always work out in the end.
(I'm glad you are who you are--"female, British and a writer" as that is what makes the board so interesting!)

I'm not so demanding. Female and British is enough for me.

Shucks, there goes my compliment. I know how Christy feels now!

Bless you, Phil!

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My brother is Philip.

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My mother is Phyllis.

Ah, the similarities just keep coming.

Phil, are you and Phyllis twins? I named my twins Don and Donna which was one of the least wise things I've done in my life. It sounded like a "cute" idea at the time, but even recently my son was refused a health insurance claim because he had other insurance, but it was really his sister's, same birth date and place and similar name. It took many phone calls by his sister to straighten the whole thing out, and as usual it was all my fault.

Carol

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