Let's put our grown-up drawers on now.

Welcome to anyone reading this!

I'm not sure where to start so forgive me if I ramble a bit but I've got quite a lot of information to relay in this post. I promise I'll try to keep it as brief as possible. In the last few days, many of us have experienced a very unhappy set of events on a forum we frequented. As a result, some of us left. Some didn't. Speaking only for myself, I miss the community spirit of posting on some type of forum and have made no secret of the fact I will miss talking to many I've come to know and care about. I've received many sweet messages from people and in those, I came to realize a small handful would like a new place where we can meet and talk together freely as a group and without the encumbrances of email or visiting personal blogs back and forth. As a result, this blog was born. Feel free to stay and participate, lurk, or never come back at all...it's all about what makes you comfortable. We're adults here and can make those decisions for ourselves, I think. The rules? Are few and are listed over to the right.

Please know that outside of the rules to the right, there will be no moderation here. In fact, this will be my first and last post as "moderator." I'll toss out any interesting topics I find or are suggested in comments but will not express my own views in the post itself. I will do so in the comments only, same as you. I will bring nothing personal into any posts...that's what my personal blog is for. Comments, though, are free game to be as personal (or not) in, as we each see fit. We're each on our own and responsible for ourselves. Is it possible that offensive or aggravating things will be said? Of course. I hope so, since they can make people think. And I hope that those who have an opposite opinion will express that freely, with no fear of "official" reprimand from me. I can assure you that it will never happen. We are not private, we are not censored, we are not exclusive. My goal as been to make this place open, free, fun, maddening, amusing, thoughtful and thought-provoking. We'll see if it works, I suppose. It may not...it may fizzle after a week and if so, that's fine. We tried. :-)

Lastly, I want to address a topic I'd rather not, yet know I need to. I know some people may want to call this an anti-W blog and I won't mention any specific names because I want to set the tone from the outset that this is not what it's about. I can't stress enough that it's perfectly fine to participate in both places and (hopefully) appreciate each for what they are and what they offer. It's also fine to not be comfortable here, for *any reason...no hard feelings. It won't be for everyone. That all said, because of the freedom offered here, it may happen that someone will choose to bash W or make "anti" comments. I will not censor or delete them because to do so would invalidate the point of this place from the outset and defeat the entire purpose. I will say, however, that I will *not* participate in that, if it happens. For me, the past is the past and this blog is about moving on and having some fun times with intelligent, independent-thinking people I already know and some new ones yet to come, without fear of handslaps and babysitters...nothing more. Also, for the record, W is more than welcome to join in and will be no different than me, you or a dog named Boo around this place. If you now have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day, you're most welcome. *grins*

What else? Oh, yes...if you get some sort of thrill from squealing "first", knock yourself out but I've never understood it and won't be giving out any speeeeecial little presents for it. Maybe someone else will give you something. Also, I'm sure some tweaking will need to be done around here if people actually like it and visit. Speak up in the comments and we'll see what everyone thinks about your idea. If it's popular, it'll be done. I will tell you that I will draw lines at sick/dead/maimed/ugly children or adult buttons, personal business websites, general ads for money and perhaps a few other things. You will see a Kiva link on here and as I get around to it, you'll see one for Banfield Charitable Trust, Doctors Without Borders and maybe a few others. I'm not trying to be ugly or bossy but rather, to be fair to everyone who might come here. We all have our crap and there's not enough room here to buttonize it all. Things that get added permanently are going to stay helpful but non-specific to anyone in particular. Lastly, I do have a site meter on here. I've always had one on blogs and check it maybe once a month. No stalking, you have my word. Mostly I like to see how many people have come and who might link to the blog but that's about it. Considering some other situations though, if it makes you uncomfortable, speak on up. If enough are bothered, I will remove it. I wish I could make the stats public, frankly. Is it possible?

Now, I think that's about got it all covered. If you have something you need to tell me and you think it really ought to be emailed after reading this far, then please do so: oopsydaisyisaidthat at yahoo dot com. The disclaimer? I will not guarantee it remain private if it comes to this email address since private emails to "moderators" - and God *damn how I hate that label - only cause hard feelings in the end. I won't pass it around but I might post it here. Does it sound fair enough? I can't stress enough that we are each responsible for our own selves and our own words and actions on this blog.

If you like what you've read or simply stayed awake to the end, speak up - say hello or suggest a good topic for discussion and remember that nothing is off limits! Politics, religion, current events, people, places, general life-shit...it's all good and welcome. I hope it's a fun ride for everyone. :-)