[Monkey Face]

Several days ago, something happened on the Undead Thread that was extremely upsetting for me. It wasn’t that it happened…it was that it happened in a place that has always been a haven for a lot of FReepers, and a place I helped to “construct.” It was difficult to get past the personal attacks, but now that I’ve had time to think about it all, I have decided to post this letter on the thread, in open forum, so that no one will mistake my intent.

I’m not going to mention any names, but if you recognize yourself and you take issue with what I have said, please don’t FReepmail me. I will either delete it out of hand, or I will forward it to JimRob. If you can’t discuss it in open forum, then shame on you. By the same token, if you don’t recognize yourself, don’t worry about it.

This was once a nice “castle,” and lots of people enjoyed coming here. Recently, it has changed in ways that are not in keeping with the overall “mission” of the “castle,” and the Undead Thread. While the changes seemed to be subtle at first, they became blatant and rude, and even resulted in hurt feelings for several people.

I received a rather nasty, personal FReepmail which I deleted for the simple fact that it was obscene, and I refused to be baited by it. Within an hour of that FReepmail, I received what amounted to public reprimands by people I thought I could trust.

The entire night, with one exception, was difficult for me to deal with, partly because Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) often prevents me from dealing with confrontations, and partly because these people were my friends…notice I didn’t say “FRiends.” FRiends don’t treat FRiends the way I was treated that night. My first impulse, because of the pain and confusion it caused me, was to quit the Undead Thread and let you all do what you wanted to it. But when I considered the incident over the past few days, I’ve decided that at this time in my life, I’m too old to run from an unpleasant situation, especially since I have never run from anything in my life. I‘m not going to start now, disabilities or not.

This thread used to be safe for teenagers, but it has become off-limits for some of them. It has also always welcomed everyone, regardless of age or station in life or who they knew. It has always been a place that people can come to when the absurdity and stupidity of other threads have become too much to deal with. The change that has come about recently flies in the face of all that this thread is to a lot of people, and it is not in keeping with the parameters of Jim Rob’s website.

I don’t speak for anyone but myself. But for those of you who took part in this, I’m not going to tuck my tail, run and hide. You can “live” with me or not, but I’m going to stay here and try to help reclaim the original flavor of the castle. I helped to build it, and if I don’t stay and fight to keep it, it will turn into just another thread on FR. I won’t allow that to happen to my share of it. If you feel the need to apologize, it isn’t necessary because I’ve already forgiven you.

I’m here, and I’m staying, like it or not.

‘Face

[Dead Corpse]

I'm not on here enough to know even half of what went on. Work it out amongst yourselves...

[Baraonda]

"This was once a nice “castle,”"

I remember it as such too, 'Face.

"I don’t speak for anyone but myself."

But you DO speak for some of us, 'Face, who feel the same way we do about this thread, what it used to be, and the way it has morphed for the worse from its original intent. I include myself among them. The fun and camadarie seems to have evaporated out of it in a jiff.

I welcome you back, 'Face, and take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a healthy 2006 and beyond. I welcome you in the hope that as UTers we may return the thread to what it used to be and more.

Merry Christmas

[tuliptree76]

It has also always welcomed everyone, regardless of age or station in life or who they knew. It has always been a place that people can come to when the absurdity and stupidity of other threads have become too much to deal with.

I hope it stays this way.

Good morning, 'Face.

[sionnsar]

Olly, olly, in come free!!

What's this all about?		Some guidelines for posting on this thread. Some highlights of this thread.
	Spawn of the Undead Thread: The December Chronicles Ping! FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off the ping list. This is a low volume ping list (every few days). Read: The November Chronicles

[EsmeraldaA]

Good morning/afternoon 'Face!
Great to have you as my FRiend. :0)

[GrammaBear]

Afternoon Face :)
I, for one, am glad you're still with us. Stay strong.
Merry Christmas

[fanfan]

I’m here, and I’m staying, like it or not.

Good!

Love ya Sis!

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Welcome back!! I hope you are OK.

[Darkchylde]

Well, I'm a bit late. I didn't
even lurk yesterday, but... Hi!
*kisses kisses kisses HUG!*