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| Hey Dark Rainians! A couple purely aesthetic changes have been made to the Roleplaying section; no content was changed. For those of you playing in the Casual section, your OOC was simply merged with the other. You'll also notice that there's a shoutbox at the bottom of the board now on a trial basis. | ||
Dark Rain 2.0  |
| April 2011 Performance Reviews | |
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| Topic Started: 15 Mar 2011, 12:16 (1,331 Views) | |
| Hydro14 | 15 Mar 2011, 12:16 Post #1 |
Captain Switzerland
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This is the thread for everyone who wishes to continue text based roleplaying on Dark Rain between April and August 2011 to register themselves for the performance review. Please remember that if you joined the site after the first of January you are not required to participate but it would still be strongly recommended. If you have any queries about the system, or you are not sure what is required of you, please contact me in a PM, I will be adding an FAQ to the main thread if necessary. |
 Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me. My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity. "Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?" | |
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| Syaoran | 15 Mar 2011, 12:45 Post #2 |
Why are you such a sour puss?
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Put me down at the top. This has been a long time coming. |
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Had sex, undressed, saw her boobies and the rest! Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: whats to say im not an idiot now Bri: I love you, Gavin says: o.o The lack of penguins. Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: so to be an idiot, you must have penguins Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: ? Bri: I love you, Gavin says: >> Bri: I love you, Gavin says: << Bri: I love you, Gavin says: Yes. --- Bri: To you, I pledge my eternal soul says: You are the.. genuinly good nature show on my public broadcasting line up.  Codemaster of Teal's CD | |
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| tyrade | 15 Mar 2011, 15:34 Post #3 |
Overly hyperactive posting village idiot
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I'm sure i need it. |
     It seems every serial killer is someone you least expect, meaning we are safest around those we expect to kill us | |
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| Cassandra | 15 Mar 2011, 16:45 Post #4 |
The one who wishes to post.
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Cassandra, reporting for duty. Or whatever. |
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| Arius Daemonis | 15 Mar 2011, 17:51 Post #5 |
Guardian of the Dark Rain
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Steamy cowpats? |
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Roleplays I am in: Distant Stars Proximo Cowards and Fools: Civilisation The Ghosts of Altressa The Awakening Odin IV | |
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| ElvenSlurpee | 15 Mar 2011, 18:00 Post #6 |
Adventure Capitalist
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Yum? |
 
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| SgtJesus | 15 Mar 2011, 19:48 Post #7 |
Government in exile
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No. Good day. |
  
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| Lord Synical | 15 Mar 2011, 20:31 Post #8 |
Phoenix Rebirth
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That means yes. And, since this was my idea, I'm here. |
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| SgtJesus | 15 Mar 2011, 20:43 Post #9 |
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Government in exile
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Then perhaps I should clarify. It's either a no or it's a goodbye. I had neither the desire to nor intention of leaving the site in such an ignominious fashion. Still I will not take part in this farce and will continue posting normally until banned from doing so. Should that be the result then simply put it has been a pleasure to know you all and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Good day. |
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| Lord Synical | 15 Mar 2011, 20:46 Post #10 |
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Phoenix Rebirth
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'Farce'? All you have to do is PM a piece of work, any work, that's between 500 - 1800 words to one of the Admins or Sashay and you receive some helpful critique. The only people who need to be afraid are people who know they're going to be forced to take mentoring, which are two that I know of. Honestly, Sarge, there's no reason for you to take the offended citizen with your rights imposed stance. We aren't the American Government, we're simply ensuring quality so that you and other roleplayers don't need to have to grit your teeth against terrible writing. Pursuit of excellence, remember? Just PM a post to an Admin or Mentor, how is this in any way a farce? Or, indeed, inconvenient? I mean, really. Don't be silly. |
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| SgtJesus | 15 Mar 2011, 21:02 Post #11 |
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Government in exile
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I don't come to Dark Rain to improve my writing or to earn the approval of others, I do so because it's an enjoyable activity that gives me individual satisfaction. This isn't some high minded moral stance although I do believe this measure will prove detrimental to the community, it's just that I don't feel I (or anyone) should have to justify our continued place in what is purely a leisure pursuit. Either way I've already stated my position, it isn't going to change. |
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| Hydro14 | 15 Mar 2011, 21:44 Post #12 |
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Captain Switzerland
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The trials that we've had from the start of Dark Rain's existence have always been about justifying your presence. This is not a shift in site ideology because it never was a place where anyone could come and write irrespective of quality. Recent events have shown that the trials aren't foolproof, therefore we are stepping up our methods to ensure quality. That is our aim: to ensure quality. None of us want to see you go, but we can't back down on this.
Edited by Hydro14, 15 Mar 2011, 21:47.
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me. My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity. "Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?" | |
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| SgtJesus | 15 Mar 2011, 22:32 Post #13 |
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Government in exile
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I know and like I said I'm genuinely sorry to leave in this manner. I've never had a problem with trials because they demonstrate a degree of commitment to joining a forum. If there are flaws with such a system then it's unfortunate but this practice seems little more than a treatment of the symptoms after all there hasn't been a serious trial turned down in almost a year. But if this is the course decided upon by the staff then unfortunately the only question is whether individual members accept it as a cost of continued membership, I do not. I wish the community the best and I'll be sorry to lose you all but this isn't the forum I joined and have enjoyed these last few years. Still Hydro, we'll always have Shoulderpads. 
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| Lord Synical | 16 Mar 2011, 00:16 Post #14 |
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Phoenix Rebirth
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We're exactly the same. The reason we're doing this is so that we don't single people out who aren't performing to an unacceptable standard. Do you think it'd be better to attack people individually, or take a group stock and anonymously take people for mentoring? This way everyone is in question -- even Admins. |
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| SgtJesus | 16 Mar 2011, 00:49 Post #15 |
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Government in exile
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I fail to see how assuming everyone is at fault is preferable to offering aid to those who are evidently in need. I mean no offence to Sashay and presumably Hydro who I guess would be taking the heaviest portion of responsibility but going through everyone on the site is going to take a lot of time and energy. I also doubt I'm the only person, both current and future members inclusive, who's going to be uncomfortable with this notion of presuming guilty until proven innocent. Besides I wouldn't have thought any attempt to bring a weaker member up to speed should be a confrontational attack. If anything I would say the, albeit limited, visible support already shown for this policy is indicative of a lack of easy access to mentoring for those who do desire it. |
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| TheZamboniKnight | 16 Mar 2011, 01:04 Post #16 |
I am Nathan Fillion.
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Technically, this is just a trial run. The system isn't permanently in place yet, or at least that was my understanding. So there's no need for hasty action just yet. |
 "Drug induced awesome is not awesome, but a pretender to awesome. True awesome comes naturally from within oneself." Doc | |
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| ElvenSlurpee | 16 Mar 2011, 01:46 Post #17 |
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Adventure Capitalist
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I have to agree with Sarge. From what I understand, this "Performance Review" is totally due to Dark Rain standards not being upheld by certain individuals. So instead of talking to and working with these under-performing individuals, a site-wide review is happening? I'm with Sarge, I fail to see how testing every (old) member is the prevailing option. If part of "The Rules" is upholding a specific standard of writing, then rule-breakers should be handled case-by-case and their presence should not instigate a second wave of trials for veterans of the site. This behavior is akin to having one C student, but instead of giving this one student help, the entire class gets a pedantic walkthrough of the material to spare a single child some minor embarrassment. Regardless of the motivation behind the review, you guys can see a sample of my work in any of the RPs I have participated or am participating in. Those are what you should be rating my performance on and not some random piece. By asking me to produce any sample of my writing, how are you ensuring quality? I could produce a beautiful piece of prose for my trial/review and proceed to write one paragraph, nonsensical, nothings for the rest of my time on DR - is that okay? A single, random piece of writing is not at all indicative of my roleplaying performance on Dark Rain - this much I think is obvious from the failure of the original trial system, and an obvious course of action is to pick out under-performers with the intention of improving their writing. |
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| Teal | 16 Mar 2011, 02:31 Post #18 |
Ba dum - pish!
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To step out of my cave here, I'm inclined to agree with Slurpee. There is no reason to have a whole process that takes up the time of not only the administration (and mentor), but the entire community. You can see samples of everyone's work by simply looking at their last few RP posts, and if you are worried about the quality of a few member's writing, it's much easier to approach them quietly than to subject the entire community to something that is obviously causing tension. I also feel like this whole thing could have been presented better. I sensed aggression from these posts right off the bat, whether it was purposeful or not. I certainly understand the thought process behind this, but I think that this could have been handled in way that didn't feel as accusatory. |
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| Trackgirl91 | 16 Mar 2011, 02:33 Post #19 |
General Purpose Roleplayer
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Sorry to say but I agree with Sarge on this one. If this is how the site will be run from now on then I won't be coming back. I am here for a fun way to pass time, not for people to judge my writing. I have not written at my full standard for several years because I see no reason to. I'm here for a good time, not to prove to anyone I'm good at something. I don't need someone going over my writing and telling me what I have and haven't done right. As Sarge earlier stated, I will be posting until my rights to do so are removed, then I will disappear quietly. It hurts to think that my current roleplays are going to die because of this, but I won't be forced into something like a mandatory trial every few months. I don't have any time for something like that. |
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| Lord Synical | 16 Mar 2011, 06:28 Post #20 |
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Phoenix Rebirth
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First of all, the entire lot of you are acting like children who've just been told you can't enter the cinemas without having your bags checked. Which is, I may add, cinema policy where I live. This system is in place for multiple reasons; one, to establish and ascertain member activity. Two, to monitor and correct any lapses in quality displayed by the member base, including but not limited to emotes in roleplay, lack of grammar, improper use of clauses and sub-clauses, emotive text, narrative pacing and character development. We have been observing all of your posts. In great detail. This acts as both a census and a means to not only task an up-to-date piece of your writing -- which this is, as opposed to a post made forever ago -- but also to establish where you need to improve, or perhaps even help with that improvement. Mentoring is not mandatory, unless you write so terribly we find parts of your post to be so lacking in proper writing standards that it makes us want to kick an adorable, wide-eyed puppy. For those of you voicing complaints, please, don't start acting as if you're standing on legitimate ground here. Sarge, I can understand, because he sees this more as an attack on the rights and freedoms of the community in pertinence to roleplaying, as opposed to a means to improve quality. He believes that we're blaming all of you for the problems of a few. We're not. The view is this; 500-1,800 words is a standard post for most of the active roleplayers. And you do not get marked down for having, say, 520. What you choose to give us is your prerogative. Just bear in mind that the less we have, the harder it is to properly assess you. Teal, Elven, Track, you're all embodying indignant rage with no standing -- none of you have any reason to even object to this. Teal, doll, you don't even roleplay anymore; this doesn't effect you until you do. Track, you came back because there is nowhere else for you to be and because I asked you to. I joined your roleplay, which is a little too open-ended, purely for you as my friend. Now you're going to sit there calling 'UNFAIR' at the simple request of a roleplay post -- something you would make daily with the opportunity -- because you 'don't have time'? What a crock of horseshit, Samantha. Straight out horseshit. Elven, we are not holding the entire member base accountable, but this was discussed in-depth. There is a reason the Administration makes decisions. It isn't because we like to tell you what to do, sit on our thrones with our thumbs up our collective anuses and occasionally do something useful. One post, 500-1,800 words, with discreet grading and mandatory mentoring where applicable (and no one who posted objection will likely need it) every four months. Four months, and you're going to fucking whine about it. Four. Fucking. Months. I feel like I'm trying to explain seasons to toddlers. You're not only blowing this out of proportion, you're objecting as if we're running around saying "YOU CAN ONLY ROLEPLAY IF WE LIKE YOU >:(" and if that were to happen, let me assure you, this website would have died long ago. If you seriously all want to take up arms and holler like morons against an effort designed to improve your experience, a method that has been a core part of Dark Rain's quality pursuit since it was created, then fine, we'll scrap the project. But right now, you aren't providing solid arguments. All I see is bitching, moaning and pampered whining without backing aside from YOU HURT MY EGO, SYNNIKINS. Sarge is the only one who has a foot to stand on in this discussion, you bandwagoners are just posting senselessness. We'll postpone the test for now, until I resolve things with Sarge over MSN. For the rest of you, I advise you take this moment to shut up, consider what I've said and perhaps get a grain of sense before posting in this thread again. Do not doubt the fact I will take anything you say and tear it apart. I respect and love all of you, but that doesn't mean I won't treat childishness for what it is. Sarge, I need you on MSN. EDIT: Reading back on this, I am quite hostile. However, if you expect anything beyond anger from me on this blatant amount of -- in my perception -- utter childish stupidity, well... You are all fully entitled to your opinions, but when at least two of you barely roleplay, if at all, it becomes just a wee bit -- what's the word? -- hypocritical. Edited by Lord Synical, 16 Mar 2011, 06:37.
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| Monsoon_Dancer | 16 Mar 2011, 07:01 Post #21 |
The emergent lily
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I suggest an alternative: Set some rules as to what constitutes acceptable prose. People who routinely violate these rules will be quietly spoken to and first asked why they fail to fulfill these rules (example: "Are you having trouble with this?"), second offered help ("Can I help you understand it better?"), and thirdly given a second chance. If they stubbornly refuse to bring their writing up to par, they should be given a warning preceding suspension from Roleplaying. To get back their posting rights they must work with a mentor to demonstrate that they have the dedication to be a considerate RPer. Should they refuse, they will not be allowed to RP on our board. Everyone is subject to the same standards and will be treated equally under them. There is no singling out, only enforcement. Plus, this approach can't be misconstrued as oppressive. Any member stubborn enough to refuse these steps is not a valuable addition to our site and their loss is not much to be mourned. They are too arrogant to learn, and therefore are too inflexible to be a good, appreciable player. Does this sound like a viable option? |
 
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| Cassandra | 16 Mar 2011, 07:32 Post #22 |
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The one who wishes to post.
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My personal opinion, as we all know; I am all for this. I was always under the impression that Dark Rain was a forum full of the elite. That belief is what drew me to the site, even though I was required to have mentoring when I first joined up on the original site. We all get comfortable with how we perform and sometimes forget to push ourselves. This is a good system that will help keep us on track. This pursuit towards writing excellence is why most of us joined up in the first place, is it not? To improve our writing and enjoy fun role plays with the people who share our interests? That's why I am here. I want to improve my writing and be apart of this community. Yes, some of us don't need this system, but it's only fair that everyone has to follow the rules. It is easier for each of us to PM a post of our choosing from any of our current role plays, or one we come up with just for the occasion, than it is for the staff to go poking around in every single thread looking for something they think should the the work to judge us on. We all should be constantly keep up our quality, no matter what the topic is, but that doesn't always happen. Some of you are saying for the staff to search for a post to judge you on. What if that post is one of your worst pieces to date? You will be requested to take on mentoring for a couple paragraphs that you might not have wanted them to look at. Maybe you wanted one you posted two days before? Too late, you asked them to choose a random one themselves. Wouldn't you rather pick out what they grade you on? I don't understand why some of you are getting so worked up over something as simple as a PM. It will take less than two minutes for you to do this. The Admins and Sashay are the ones having to do all the work here. All you do is sit back and wait for them to give you a big thumbs up that you are kicking ass and to keep it up, while the few that need mentoring finally get the help they need. A couple little helpful hints on something so small, you never even noticed you do it. Is that really such a slap in the face? Like I said in at the beginning, this is just my opinion. Sorry if you don't like it. Edited by Cassandra, 16 Mar 2011, 07:32.
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| Hydro14 | 16 Mar 2011, 09:56 Post #23 |
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Captain Switzerland
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Sarge, if you've got hooked on this notion of being 'guilty until proven innocent,' I'd draw your attention to the idea of qualifications, which is what this really is: a qualification. No-one assumes you know A-level physics or whatever until you pass an exam. Some qualifications, like food hygiene, require refreshing every five years or so or they go out of date. This is no different. Elven, we are not giving everyone the same general feedback as a result of the worst in the class. (to build on your metaphor) Everyone gets constructive criticism tailored to their own needs and writing. Finally, this system does not exclude us evaluating posts in RPs as well; it simply makes sure our benchmark for each person's individual standard of writing is up to date. If you'd prefer us to rate everyone on their worst piece of writing in the last four months we're willing to do that; but if this system is seen as a personal attack on everyone, then finding a post at random will be for certain. Teal, generally speaking I value everyone's opinions equally, but I'm going to be brutally honest here: I haven't seen you RP since the start of the year. You are, to use Brad's words, bandwagoning. The entirety of your objection is built around "You shouldn't do this because other people are complaining." If you don't have your own input, please don't echo someone else's just for the sake of creating conflict. Track: If it makes you feel better we'll stick your grades in the PM subject bar so that if you really have a problem with people critiquing your work you have no requirement to read it; you can tell at a glance whether you've passed. We're giving people critical evaluation; if they read it and take it to heart or if they print it and use it as lavatory paper is entirely their choice. |
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me. My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity. "Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?" | |
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| Syaoran | 16 Mar 2011, 11:39 Post #24 |
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Why are you such a sour puss?
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The irony makes foxy cry. |
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Had sex, undressed, saw her boobies and the rest! Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: whats to say im not an idiot now Bri: I love you, Gavin says: o.o The lack of penguins. Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: so to be an idiot, you must have penguins Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: ? Bri: I love you, Gavin says: >> Bri: I love you, Gavin says: << Bri: I love you, Gavin says: Yes. --- Bri: To you, I pledge my eternal soul says: You are the.. genuinly good nature show on my public broadcasting line up. Codemaster of Teal's CD | |
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| Syaoran | 16 Mar 2011, 13:55 Post #25 |
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Why are you such a sour puss?
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The above is true, but, what else is true, is this is making me sick. Everyone is hopping on "his side" or "agreeing with her". Your breaking each other apart! To those who are defending this: there are people of signifigance objecting to this, people who are friends, and you are talking to them like they are some form of filth. To those who are against this: are you too good to post a long roleplay post privately? its is YOU who are all making me sick. I am tired of hearing all this talk about sides and who you NEED to be with for the 'better good of everything' to prevent the 'death' of dark rain. This used to be a place of happyness and enjoyment but everytime I log on all I hear is "FOX! HALPS! SO AND SO IS TRYING TO IMPLIMENT SOMETHING!" Both sides are pulling so hard on my arms I am going to split. I dont know whats going to happen with this, or all this side taking and friendship breaks, but I know for a fact if this keeps going, I am going to leave, just to teach you all to fucking work together and remember what your fighting each other for. |
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Had sex, undressed, saw her boobies and the rest! Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: whats to say im not an idiot now Bri: I love you, Gavin says: o.o The lack of penguins. Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: so to be an idiot, you must have penguins Fox: If I was asked to describe my perfect day, i'd just say 'Brianna'. says: ? Bri: I love you, Gavin says: >> Bri: I love you, Gavin says: << Bri: I love you, Gavin says: Yes. --- Bri: To you, I pledge my eternal soul says: You are the.. genuinly good nature show on my public broadcasting line up. Codemaster of Teal's CD | |
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