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Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Frustration and Contemplations
So, we all know how things will have me frustrated to no end. Recently, I cam across something on Facebook that really set me off. I mean, Jessye had to sit and hear me rant over just how stupid people are nowadays. I remember something in the Bible (don't ask me where, cause I don't know where) "Do not attempt to remove a speck from another's eye without removing the plank from your own eyes." I believe this with my entire being. Pretty much, stop being a freaking hypocrite. Unless I am reading that wrong. Which I strongly doubt.
I've been nice to people, and from the vine, I've received some sour grapes full of insults and such about me; about my friends; about the site staff. It disappoints me and I dare not repeat the things they say. It angers me so much that we, the site staff, spend a lot of our time making sure that the members get what they want. We stress ourselves out so that you members can have your HNZ. I have been to other sites, and their staff could careless about what the members and how they felt. HNZ is a heart-warming community, yet people try to take advantage of something. Then they blame it all on the 'cliques' just when they don't get what they want. Favoritism...another word that goes along with the cliques.
I want to point out that someone like me, someone who has a lot of honors, even I have been rejected with applications. Two, that I remember, and I rarely put in applications. I've have to tweak and work to get mine approved. Not because I am a Global Moderator, but because my applications are thorough, and because they aren't just thrown together from a show or something. They are original. I spend a lot of time on my applications, and well, sometimes, life just doesn't want to spoil me and give me everything I want. I see that rejection is what gotten a lot of people against the site staff. More importantly; Nick and Livvy. I wonder if those people who know that they were rejected....they can easily apply again with a more thorough application at a later time. It isn't that hard to do, and it isn't the end of the world when you see that your application has been denied. Come on, people, this isn't school. :tut:
As far as the 'cliques' go, I am not going to point out people. That would be just rude. However, people will band together, and RP with the other more than other people because they get along with someone better than the other. It is life. For example, I RP with Jessye a lot, that is no coincidence. We are best friends and very close. Yet, she is not the only RP with, and she RPs with others other than me. I love to RP, with about anyone so long as you don't go back on your word, and don't mess up anything, or leave me hanging. If you aren't interested in a plot with me, don't plan it out, and not reply. I get excited too, and thus, this affects my muse, and I come to think that my plots that smart and awesome because I allowed one person to affect me.
What does make me laugh though, is that people complain that they don't get anything. No rewards (prefect status, professor character, whatever). You know what makes me laugh? When that person has not done anything to receive that honor. They think they deserve it, but they don't. If you don't do anything, and if you don't RP and act nice to other members, you can't expect to get much. This applies to everyone in life. You only get what you deserve. No matter how long you have been on HNZ, for example, but you don't do much at all, you don't get anything special just because you've been around. You have to really commit. I guess this goes to jobs too. My brother has failed to realize this, and well, this may apply to those on HNZ, but I have no idea if it does or not.
What else makes me laugh, is when a group of people constantly know what another group is doing, and mocking it. I have realized this: this is obsession. That obsessive group follows the other group, watches what they do, what they say, all the time, and mocking it for their own enjoyment. I wonder if they realize that the other group doesn't care what they do, because the obsessive will just keep thinking about them, because it is eating them inside. That obsessive is doing nothing but wasting their time on following this other group that is well known and very friendly - more often than not - and the obsessive group doesn't do anything at all. This has happened to me - where I was being followed, being mocked, and all this jazz. You know what I did? I laughed. Nothing like that phases me, because I know that they are just trying to improve their lives, by attempting to make me and my friends feel like scum...but they fail.
That has happened so much at school and everywhere else, that I am usually the last one to know. Rumors about me about to beat up someone or something, I am always the last to know. Half the time, I am just confused and I burst into laughter.
Other than the fact that I am receiving amusement from the ignorance and stupidity of people, that has been on my mind. People judge another, and that happens. But they never judge themselves. If you think you deserve, but has not earned it, and you complain, you know that is only bringing down yourself. If you apply this to the career path, you will receive failure. I would know, for I have seen it happen to my brother. He blames everyone else for himself, says that the world is against him when he needs to just grow up and earn himself a place. My advise to you all, is if you think that you aren't getting everything you want because of favoritism, I want you to think twice. There is no proof of these happenings, and no proof of 'cliques'.
That seven letter word makes Nick weep. But what does make me? It makes me laugh. Generally, the people that say there are cliques, are technically in them themselves. If you think about it, cliques are bands of friends, that stick together, and possible ignore everyone else, and tease the other. That is freaking high school. HNZ is not a high school.
That has been on my mind a lot lately.
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Applications: What the heck is up and how are they processed?
Introduction
Applications are a very important part of HNZ. They moderate who can say their character is/does what, and helps keep the board from becoming rampant with Mary Sue type characters which would surely annoy most people on HNZ. They have become ingrained in the culture of the site, I believe, and when they cannot be processed as quickly as I would like, or you would like, it becomes a frustrating matter.
Yes, me.
What's this? Processed as quickly as I would like? Yes, me. I like applications to move quickly as well. I don't like holding on to them for ages - they clutter things.
Having them around for too long makes me go a little bit crazy.
So what's the hold up?
Right now, as many have noted, applications seem at a bit of a stand still. This is as frustrating to me as it is to you all, but likely even moreso to me. Why, you ask? Well, you're waiting on one or two applications. I see all twenty or so currently in queue. The hold up? As you should know, Livvy has been dealing with some large real-life problems and (as says what has effectively become the ancient statement of HNZ) 'Real life comes first'.
Real Life Comes First
I think it's humorous that when members are going away and leaving behind work for the Global Moderators or Administrators to catch up, for the sake of the site, we still say 'Real life comes first'. However, when it is an Admin who needs the time off, nobody seems to be able to have patience. At all. The song of 'real life comes first' fades away to a mob of angry villagers, pitchforks in hand, ready to go find the monster.
Trying to Catch Up
Nearly every application, however, does have a response from me. Some are even mid-discussion between Livvy and I. Unfortunately, it seems Livvy's life has taken her for another whirl and HNZ time has had to be cut. Livvy doesn't like to hold things up, but she loves administrating HNZ and definitely wants to be a part of the approval process. So, I trust she will catch up in a timely manner. If she knows she won't be able to catch back up in a timely manner, then she will ask me to process applications until she can catch back up. As much as 'real life comes first', there are still ways we can adhere to that without ensuring applications drown.
Mid-Discussion? Wait, so how do applications work - exactly?
I have a feeling, based on some of the results from the recent site poll that not everybody is aware of how applications are processed on HNZ. What we look at for them, and why it is that applications get denied - even when hard work has obviously been put in to them.
Every form that is sent in is given a topic in a hidden forum. There are plenty of these forums for every type of application, with approved and denied archives as well for future referencing. It's all very helpful, actually. When a new application comes in, Livvy and I read the topic then post our initial reactions. We discuss the application with each other if applicable, and either: Approve it, suggests tweaks to it and approve it when the tweaks are ironed out, or deny it.
So what is it, exactly, that we look for in applications? Here are some of the basic things:
Conclusion
In summary: Stop complaining. Don't be hypocritical. We take necessary time and thought for applications.
That is all.
~Nicolas
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Applications are a very important part of HNZ. They moderate who can say their character is/does what, and helps keep the board from becoming rampant with Mary Sue type characters which would surely annoy most people on HNZ. They have become ingrained in the culture of the site, I believe, and when they cannot be processed as quickly as I would like, or you would like, it becomes a frustrating matter.
Yes, me.
What's this? Processed as quickly as I would like? Yes, me. I like applications to move quickly as well. I don't like holding on to them for ages - they clutter things.
Having them around for too long makes me go a little bit crazy.So what's the hold up?
Right now, as many have noted, applications seem at a bit of a stand still. This is as frustrating to me as it is to you all, but likely even moreso to me. Why, you ask? Well, you're waiting on one or two applications. I see all twenty or so currently in queue. The hold up? As you should know, Livvy has been dealing with some large real-life problems and (as says what has effectively become the ancient statement of HNZ) 'Real life comes first'.
Real Life Comes First
I think it's humorous that when members are going away and leaving behind work for the Global Moderators or Administrators to catch up, for the sake of the site, we still say 'Real life comes first'. However, when it is an Admin who needs the time off, nobody seems to be able to have patience. At all. The song of 'real life comes first' fades away to a mob of angry villagers, pitchforks in hand, ready to go find the monster.
Trying to Catch Up
Nearly every application, however, does have a response from me. Some are even mid-discussion between Livvy and I. Unfortunately, it seems Livvy's life has taken her for another whirl and HNZ time has had to be cut. Livvy doesn't like to hold things up, but she loves administrating HNZ and definitely wants to be a part of the approval process. So, I trust she will catch up in a timely manner. If she knows she won't be able to catch back up in a timely manner, then she will ask me to process applications until she can catch back up. As much as 'real life comes first', there are still ways we can adhere to that without ensuring applications drown.
Mid-Discussion? Wait, so how do applications work - exactly?
I have a feeling, based on some of the results from the recent site poll that not everybody is aware of how applications are processed on HNZ. What we look at for them, and why it is that applications get denied - even when hard work has obviously been put in to them.
Every form that is sent in is given a topic in a hidden forum. There are plenty of these forums for every type of application, with approved and denied archives as well for future referencing. It's all very helpful, actually. When a new application comes in, Livvy and I read the topic then post our initial reactions. We discuss the application with each other if applicable, and either: Approve it, suggests tweaks to it and approve it when the tweaks are ironed out, or deny it.
So what is it, exactly, that we look for in applications? Here are some of the basic things:
- Is it canon?
If an application, in any way, breaks with our knowledge of the canon Harry Potter universe - it is denied. - Does it make sense?
We look over applications to ensure that what they say makes sense. If a person applies to be a Death Eater, for instance, but comes from a loving household, doesn't believe in any sort of blood supremacy, and has no reason to be a Death Eater - then such applications are denied. It may be funny, but if something doesn't make sense then it could really screw other things up. Making sense is very crucial. - What would the repercussions of this be?
For many applications, especially plot requests, things effect characters outside of the plot, too. Usually this is in minor ways, but sometimes it can be major. Take, for instance, a plot request where an unspeakable has found a cure for werewolves. It doesn't go against canon - nothing says there can't be a cure. It might make perfect sense, too. But the plot would effect everybody on the site and the future of the site as a whole. It would likely negatively influence many other character's developments as well. If that is the case, that the repercussions of a request would be largely negative and widespread - it is denied. - How common should it be?
For special ability applications especially this is considered. We only truly meet one metamorphmagi in the Harry Potter novels, through all seven books. This indicates how truly rare the ability is. We receive plenty of requests for this gift, however. So we must consider how common it should be and, if enough have already been approved for the time being, no more are accepted (even if they're all pretty good) unless the application just blows our minds.
- How many other special things does this roleplayer have?
This is something that must be considered in conjunction with How common should it be?. We don't want two roleplayers having a character with every possible special ability and nobody else on the site being able to have anything. We want to spread the wealth a little, so this must be considered. Has the person had many applications recently? How many special things does this person already have? Could we approve this for somebody else who does not have as many special approvals? - Is this user in good standing?
This is also something we must consider. Members who constantly break board rules, are rude to anybody and everybody, etc. shouldn't be given special allowances. It is a reward, almost, to have special plots approved, have characters with special abilities, etc. So why should a user who doesn't care about site rules be given plenty of extra awesome things while rule-abiding members might not? It's just one of the many prices of rule breaking. - Plenty More
There are several more considerations that are given to applications in that time that Livvy and I review them. It's not just a quick read and a rash response, thought is given to applications, and the most appropriate response given - even if it's not something the applicant wants to hear.
Conclusion
In summary: Stop complaining. Don't be hypocritical. We take necessary time and thought for applications.
That is all.
~Nicolas
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Monday, May 24, 2010
HNZ: My hopes, plans & ideas
So, normally I use HNZ to blog rant about whatever has been annoying me, on or off of the site. I've even considered writing a "how to blawg rant" sort of blog rant where I would analyze my own blog rantings to see what made them so humorous to some and offensive to others. This post, however, will be more blog and less rant. Surprising, I know.
So, without further ado, the blog itself:
Contrary to what it seems like, I do have a lot of ideas, hopes, and plans for HNZ. Some of them are a lot larger than others, and some of them are quite unrealistic, but nevertheless I have them and strive toward implementing them.
Some of the ideas you've already seen thrown in to action with little to no consultation with the site, some of the ideas I've heard as suggestions and am just waiting for the right form to execute them in, others are ongoing as I type and many, many, others are just little inklings of thought in the back of my mind.
So, where does Nick see HNZ going? What big plans and hopes do I have for the site? I'll share a few with you now. ^_^
Right, so first I'll start with some of my more minor ideas - easy to implement, but I mostly want feedback on or need the help of members to do.
Of course, I also have some much larger plans than those - many of which are just pipe dreams, but thoughts I've had nonetheless.
That's about all the plans/hopes/ideas/dreams I think I want to share right now.
I would like to comment that in the past week, maybe two weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed the air about the community on HNZ. A lot of negativity and animosity seems to have been taken away somehow, and I'm very optimistic for the future. ^_^
Thank you all for making HNZ so awesome, and I welcome you to share any feedback on these hopes/plans/ideas of mine. ^_^
~Nick
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So, without further ado, the blog itself:
Contrary to what it seems like, I do have a lot of ideas, hopes, and plans for HNZ. Some of them are a lot larger than others, and some of them are quite unrealistic, but nevertheless I have them and strive toward implementing them.
Some of the ideas you've already seen thrown in to action with little to no consultation with the site, some of the ideas I've heard as suggestions and am just waiting for the right form to execute them in, others are ongoing as I type and many, many, others are just little inklings of thought in the back of my mind.
So, where does Nick see HNZ going? What big plans and hopes do I have for the site? I'll share a few with you now. ^_^
Right, so first I'll start with some of my more minor ideas - easy to implement, but I mostly want feedback on or need the help of members to do.
- Twitter Profile Field
The Twitter profile field was added to HNZ, but I've been thinking about updating its coding just a little such that if the user has inserted a link to their twitter account it becomes clickable. It's a small thing, and easy to do, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra three lines of code on the site. - Constant Feedback (Through the proper channels)
Recently the giant suggestions topic disappeared and in its place came the Suggestions & Feedback forum. This was in an effort to invite users to openly post their own suggestions or feedback about the site, then facilitate discussion on the topic instead of just having one response and things moving on. You'll notice, however, that the forum is no longer just 'Suggestions'. It is 'Feedback' as well. This means we want to hear what you think, not just grumblings over MSN and whatever spam topic is open. An excellent example of this is Interactive Lessons. Recently a discussion has been opened about them where users were invited to share their ideas and opinions. Now, interactive lessons began several months ago and I've heard grumblings about it on and off since then. What stopped those users from posting feedback, constructive criticism, and their own ideas? Nothing on my end, I should hope - but I don't know. - A better understanding that Livvy & I work as a team
This has become difficult as of late, because often it is only one of us that warns any given user, or one of us that replies stating an application has been denied. Often, when it is the same admin and the same user over time, the user develops animosity toward the one admin and favours the other, somehow thinking that our opinions differ, when this is very seldom true. Hopefully I've taken a step toward mending that, where one of us takes all the heat, in the most recent update to the applications system - but we'll have to wait to see. - All (or most all) Applications on Webpages
Right now we seem to be caught between two systems. The older, 'copy/paste this form to apply' system (still used for Hogwarts Staff, Professors, Shopkeepers, and Ministry Officials) and the newer webpage/mostly automated application system (as seen with Purebloods, Plot Requests, Special Abilities etc.).
The trouble with updating is many-fold. First, making the webpages is time consuming. This is not a large concern of mine, but it is one to consider in conjunction with the others.
Next, for Professors - applications are only open when we are specifically hiring for a post. Otherwise, the form is moot. How, then, are we to indicate when/if we're hiring - and would we have to update the form every time we need a new professor?
The final trouble is the shopkeeper application. Shopkeepers can open their own shop (note: that is currently on hold) or fill a vacant shop. If they are trying to fill a vacant shop, the same trouble as professors pops up.
Of course, I also have some much larger plans than those - many of which are just pipe dreams, but thoughts I've had nonetheless.
- Member Run: Aurors & Death Eaters
This is something I, personally, would like to see in the future some time. A few trusted members taking on Aurors and Death Eaters, keeping Admin in the loop, and ensuring things stay active and exciting. Livvy and I have tonnes on our plates, we're trying to organize and encourage DE/Auror activity while still monitoring it/tempering it so it doesn't get out of hand. In the past, Death Eaters have been self-run, and I think both groups could do so with OOC leaders from the member base. Maybe just not yet. - Ministry of Magic: Election(s)?
This is something that is likely happening, and soon. Possibly starting in Y10, if I can get some things together for it.
Gellert Coote has been Minister for Magic for at least eight years. That's a fair length of office term, and it's time he retired. So who is next to lead the Magical Community of New Zealand and its Ministry in to the future? Well, I'd like that to be up to the residents of New Zealand themselves. I think it'd be a grand way for members to get involved in the site. Create characters to run in the campaign (or, better yet, use existing ones) have speeches, slogans, buttons and banners, make election promises nobody can keep, expose skeletons in each other's closets... and then... voting day! New Zealand elects its newest leader.
Of course, some OOC strings would need to be attached too - as having such an important character for the whole site makes things a bit complicated. The roleplayer of that account would need to talk to Admin frequently and keep us in the loop on things - but I think that's something fun to look forward to that could add so juice to the Ministry-aspect of HNZ. ^_^ - A New Custom Theme?
HNZ has been using the same amazing theme made by Athene Perthro for nearly two years now. It's excellent, I love it, it means "HNZ" to me - but sometimes change is nice. Something fresher and newer could likely entice visitors to join the board and I'm always one to see what new things might work.
This is something I've pursued to some degree previously, but unfortunately it hasn't come through, so it's something I keep in my mind. If we were to have a new theme designed for HNZ - or even coded for it (though I could do that myself, really) - it would be a nice way to liven up some aspects of the board (though I always intend to keep Athene's skin in the theme chooser). - Web Hosting for HNZ
This is one of the larger dreams really that I have for the site. I say dream because of how unlikely it is to happen, but it could be quite awesome if it ever did.
What would web hosting mean? Well, it would mean that we would be able to integrate some PHP to the forum and host many things ourselves - such as the galleons script which, currently, is being graciously provided and hosted by my friend Scott (Slayer766) on his web host. This would also mean that HNZ could be given a front page of sorts before accessing the forums, which would contain quick links, information, announcements, a login system of sorts etc. which could all be tied directly back to the board with ZetaBoard's upcoming API.
Now, why is this unlikely to happen? The simple fact of web hosting costing money. The most basic plan with the company I buy HNZ's domain from is $72.24(CAD) for a year of hosting. I already pay ~$25(CAD) a year for the domain and my privacy protection on the domain - so that would be nearly $100 a year spent on the site. Not too terribly much, when given that it's a whole year - but it's a fair amount when I don't have a credit card to pay through (so I buy stupid prepaid ones) and my job isn't that great. Plus, I'm going in to University and will therefore be in debt the rest of my life, the way it's looking. I also never want to put up a paypal link asking members to donate to HNZ, nor do I want to start a project that costs money without personally having the means to back that project for an extended period of time. It would suck if I paid for a year, then couldn't pay for the next year and somehow no members came through with donations, and we lost whatever we'd become so used to/dependant on.
That's about all the plans/hopes/ideas/dreams I think I want to share right now.
I would like to comment that in the past week, maybe two weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed the air about the community on HNZ. A lot of negativity and animosity seems to have been taken away somehow, and I'm very optimistic for the future. ^_^
Thank you all for making HNZ so awesome, and I welcome you to share any feedback on these hopes/plans/ideas of mine. ^_^
~Nick
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My Greatest Disappearing Act Evar!
Okay, so maybe not. xD If I were a magician, I would have been fired already. Or my pet rabbits and doves would've revolted and become meat eaters. All that'd be left of me would be my silk handkerchief and my spiffy black and white shoes. No repeat performances. haha!
The truth in a nutshell is that life has gotten out of hand for me as of late. I'm a newly single parent to a wonderful boy, who has Asperger's Syndrome. Which basically just means he has a harder time socializing with his peers and conducting strong communication. He's very smart, always ahead of his class academically. lol. He just has to have speech and occupational therapy. As it's approaching summertime, I've had to take a lot of time getting him into not only a summer school style program (through my new job thank the Lord!) but also securing him a spot in a new therapy place not far from home. So that he won't regress. He's made a lot of progress just in a year's time, which means that everyday I have to put my time/energy forward too, to make sure I'm setting him up for success and not for failure. Our goal is that by the time he's 10 years old, no one will ever know that he has Asperger's. :) Which means that he will be able to function in society appropriately and live an awesome life full of adventures. :)
Another thing that's taken my time from HNZ is my new job. I love my new job. The hours are great, I love what I do and it's a lot of fun. Not only that, my little boy gets to come with me and be in a wonderful woman's class this summer. So I'll know exactly how he's doing every single day. ^^
We moved back in February and our new place was closed up for quite a while. It's beside family, which is wonderful. But it needs a lot, and I do mean a lot, of TLC. I've thus far got to paint my living room and the bathroom. The other 3 rooms that need painted have to have the wall paper taken down, walls sanded, some fixed, then primed and painted. No way am I doing all that! So thus begins my search for reliable, affordable painters in my area. haha.
I was supposed to start school the 18th, but am unable to until the fall now. It's just one of those things, a lot was happening with my son so I chose to hold it off until his routine was more stable and he and I could cope with everything that's happening.
I've been playing catch up on HNZ. If I've not responded to your PM, please be patient as I will get to you this week. :) Also with applications. I apologize for the length of time it's taken me to respond to them. Please do not get snarky with Nick or blame him, as he has had to wait on me too. Sales receipts will be caught up by this week as well. Any RPs I am participating will be replied to asap too. ^_^
I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know what was going on and to ask for your patience, prayers and understanding. There's a lot I didn't/couldn't type out as it's too personal that's going on as well.
Thank you again,
Your friendly neighborhood Admin,
~Livvy
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The truth in a nutshell is that life has gotten out of hand for me as of late. I'm a newly single parent to a wonderful boy, who has Asperger's Syndrome. Which basically just means he has a harder time socializing with his peers and conducting strong communication. He's very smart, always ahead of his class academically. lol. He just has to have speech and occupational therapy. As it's approaching summertime, I've had to take a lot of time getting him into not only a summer school style program (through my new job thank the Lord!) but also securing him a spot in a new therapy place not far from home. So that he won't regress. He's made a lot of progress just in a year's time, which means that everyday I have to put my time/energy forward too, to make sure I'm setting him up for success and not for failure. Our goal is that by the time he's 10 years old, no one will ever know that he has Asperger's. :) Which means that he will be able to function in society appropriately and live an awesome life full of adventures. :)
Another thing that's taken my time from HNZ is my new job. I love my new job. The hours are great, I love what I do and it's a lot of fun. Not only that, my little boy gets to come with me and be in a wonderful woman's class this summer. So I'll know exactly how he's doing every single day. ^^
We moved back in February and our new place was closed up for quite a while. It's beside family, which is wonderful. But it needs a lot, and I do mean a lot, of TLC. I've thus far got to paint my living room and the bathroom. The other 3 rooms that need painted have to have the wall paper taken down, walls sanded, some fixed, then primed and painted. No way am I doing all that! So thus begins my search for reliable, affordable painters in my area. haha.
I was supposed to start school the 18th, but am unable to until the fall now. It's just one of those things, a lot was happening with my son so I chose to hold it off until his routine was more stable and he and I could cope with everything that's happening.
I've been playing catch up on HNZ. If I've not responded to your PM, please be patient as I will get to you this week. :) Also with applications. I apologize for the length of time it's taken me to respond to them. Please do not get snarky with Nick or blame him, as he has had to wait on me too. Sales receipts will be caught up by this week as well. Any RPs I am participating will be replied to asap too. ^_^
I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know what was going on and to ask for your patience, prayers and understanding. There's a lot I didn't/couldn't type out as it's too personal that's going on as well.
Thank you again,
Your friendly neighborhood Admin,
~Livvy
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Summertime is here!!!
Hi there, and welcome to my very first blog as a GM on HNZ :D Something that I still can't believe happened. I was so shocked when I was first asked about joining the Site Staff, I really couldn't believe it. But that's in the past now and I've stopped staring at my pretty name....much :r
And now on to the blawg. I'm not exactly what to write here, there is a reason I don't blog much because when I do it's basically an update about what I've been upto since my last blog and that's pretty boring for people to read I suppose lol. So this will probably just be a ramble about some of the random things that have been happening in my life recently and what I have to look forward too.
Even though this is the first blog on here I have my own personal one on HNZ and the last one on there was on St. Paddy's Day, so I suppose I can pick up from what happened since then. Well firstly I turned 19 (the next day actually lol). That's not really a big thing to some but it's so weird thinking I'm 19 now and I joined HNZ when I was 17 and I don't feel like I've changed at all. After that the biggest thing that happened me was during Easter. I had a few weeks break from Uni during Easter so I took a wee break. Even though I had it planned since January/Febuary time I was sooo excited about. This was the first time I went away by myself, I've only ever been out of NI twice when I went to London for my 8th birthday with mum and dad and a few years ago when I went to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to visit Chris when he went to Uni there, with mum and dad - again. So this was a big deal for me and mum was more nervous that I was, silly woman but I suppose it was understandable - but when she rang me 15 times a day, then I got annoyed <_<
But anyway yes, back to my trip. Well this trip wasn't just any ordinary trip, no it had a purpose. So I left from Belfast and went to Edinburgh, and when I was in Edinburgh I met my very first HNZ member :o Yep, I met Emmi (Lemina Troque). She nearly choked me after a literal running glomp xD Yes I met Emmi and it was epic, we had been talking about it for so long and I have to say I had the best time EVAR! I enjoyed myself so much, especially singing Christmas songs at the top of our voices in a park whilst recording ourselves lol. So many random things but I wouldn't have changed any of it, so much fun. Then after our (near tearful ;( ) farewell I headed off to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Oh yeah, this trip had a few stops and I only stayed a day wherever I went. Newcastle was good, I didn't meet anyone there but I really love that city. After that came my next HNZ member (yes I met more than one :D) Anywho I took a wee train ride to see Toneh! Again, another epic day, even if we did just say in his flat on HNZ and watch a movie :P Then after Toneh, came Stephy ^_^ OMG I had so much fun there aswell, again we jsut stayed in but had many laughs ^_^ After that I took my last trip to London. Now here was just a stop over because I was flying out of there and unfortunately I couldn't do anything there because I had to drag a suitcase around with me <_< But the best part of London was stepping out of the train station and seeing the Apollo Victoria Theater and seeing nothing else but WICKED!!! I was nearly in tears, it was so close and yet so far :( But I promised myself that I will not see Wicked until I go to America and see it with our very own Elphaba and Glinda :D Anywho that was my trip of epic proportions, I had such a great time and it was something I needed.
Well that brought me into April and boy did that month fly in. With essays to be done at Uni and being busy will all that jazz I didn't see May arrive 0.o The last thing I remember about April was a formal for my department at Uni done by the second years, ahhh such a good night, and even better it was the last day of Uni :o. And then two days after I was away to a concert by one of my favourite boy bands who were on a break for the past year so this was their first concert in two years and OMG it was epic. I never screamed/squeeled/sang so much in my life. This is evident as I ended up getting laryngitis and tonsillitis after it >.< Oh yes, not just one but two, just my luck really lol Was put on a course of antibiotics and other tablets which I stopped taking :r But I need to finish now as my throat is starting to get really sore again.
Well since then I've been somewhat sparce on my RPs and I apologise for that and even though I was on HNZ as much as I usually am I felt so guilty for being on because well for the past two weeks I've been doing exams. Oh how I dispise those things <_< songs ="))">.< Nose is blocked up something shocking :( But it'll be over soon...hopefully and I'm not going to let it ruin my summer :P
It's so hard to believe though. I'm officially finished my first year of Uni! AHhhhhhh! It's such a scary thought, this time next year I'll be finished second year and getting ready to go to America for a year and a lot of people knows what that means for me and other HNZers :r ^_^ This year has flown in and despite the work been as hard as hell half the time I've enjoyed Uni so much and I can't wait until I go back, as a second year :o Even though it's not for another 5 months. Such a long break but I will be busy-ish for some of it basically:
Anyway that's not for a while yet so soak up all of me that you can get before then :r As for now I have a list of RPs that are starting to pile up >.< Hopefully I can get replied to them and start the other pile that I have to start. To everyone that that involves, be patient with me :(
And with that, thanks for reading the biggest pile of randomness ever xD
- Pattycakes! xx
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And now on to the blawg. I'm not exactly what to write here, there is a reason I don't blog much because when I do it's basically an update about what I've been upto since my last blog and that's pretty boring for people to read I suppose lol. So this will probably just be a ramble about some of the random things that have been happening in my life recently and what I have to look forward too.
Even though this is the first blog on here I have my own personal one on HNZ and the last one on there was on St. Paddy's Day, so I suppose I can pick up from what happened since then. Well firstly I turned 19 (the next day actually lol). That's not really a big thing to some but it's so weird thinking I'm 19 now and I joined HNZ when I was 17 and I don't feel like I've changed at all. After that the biggest thing that happened me was during Easter. I had a few weeks break from Uni during Easter so I took a wee break. Even though I had it planned since January/Febuary time I was sooo excited about. This was the first time I went away by myself, I've only ever been out of NI twice when I went to London for my 8th birthday with mum and dad and a few years ago when I went to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to visit Chris when he went to Uni there, with mum and dad - again. So this was a big deal for me and mum was more nervous that I was, silly woman but I suppose it was understandable - but when she rang me 15 times a day, then I got annoyed <_<
But anyway yes, back to my trip. Well this trip wasn't just any ordinary trip, no it had a purpose. So I left from Belfast and went to Edinburgh, and when I was in Edinburgh I met my very first HNZ member :o Yep, I met Emmi (Lemina Troque). She nearly choked me after a literal running glomp xD Yes I met Emmi and it was epic, we had been talking about it for so long and I have to say I had the best time EVAR! I enjoyed myself so much, especially singing Christmas songs at the top of our voices in a park whilst recording ourselves lol. So many random things but I wouldn't have changed any of it, so much fun. Then after our (near tearful ;( ) farewell I headed off to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Oh yeah, this trip had a few stops and I only stayed a day wherever I went. Newcastle was good, I didn't meet anyone there but I really love that city. After that came my next HNZ member (yes I met more than one :D) Anywho I took a wee train ride to see Toneh! Again, another epic day, even if we did just say in his flat on HNZ and watch a movie :P Then after Toneh, came Stephy ^_^ OMG I had so much fun there aswell, again we jsut stayed in but had many laughs ^_^ After that I took my last trip to London. Now here was just a stop over because I was flying out of there and unfortunately I couldn't do anything there because I had to drag a suitcase around with me <_< But the best part of London was stepping out of the train station and seeing the Apollo Victoria Theater and seeing nothing else but WICKED!!! I was nearly in tears, it was so close and yet so far :( But I promised myself that I will not see Wicked until I go to America and see it with our very own Elphaba and Glinda :D Anywho that was my trip of epic proportions, I had such a great time and it was something I needed.
Well that brought me into April and boy did that month fly in. With essays to be done at Uni and being busy will all that jazz I didn't see May arrive 0.o The last thing I remember about April was a formal for my department at Uni done by the second years, ahhh such a good night, and even better it was the last day of Uni :o. And then two days after I was away to a concert by one of my favourite boy bands who were on a break for the past year so this was their first concert in two years and OMG it was epic. I never screamed/squeeled/sang so much in my life. This is evident as I ended up getting laryngitis and tonsillitis after it >.< Oh yes, not just one but two, just my luck really lol Was put on a course of antibiotics and other tablets which I stopped taking :r But I need to finish now as my throat is starting to get really sore again.
Well since then I've been somewhat sparce on my RPs and I apologise for that and even though I was on HNZ as much as I usually am I felt so guilty for being on because well for the past two weeks I've been doing exams. Oh how I dispise those things <_< songs ="))">.< Nose is blocked up something shocking :( But it'll be over soon...hopefully and I'm not going to let it ruin my summer :P
It's so hard to believe though. I'm officially finished my first year of Uni! AHhhhhhh! It's such a scary thought, this time next year I'll be finished second year and getting ready to go to America for a year and a lot of people knows what that means for me and other HNZers :r ^_^ This year has flown in and despite the work been as hard as hell half the time I've enjoyed Uni so much and I can't wait until I go back, as a second year :o Even though it's not for another 5 months. Such a long break but I will be busy-ish for some of it basically:
- Going out on Saturday with the same bestie from yesterday in an attempt to cheer her up as she got dumped at the weekend, via text <_<
- Moving out of the flat I've been living in for the past year on Sunday
- May 28th: I'm having a Charity Line Dancng Disco to help raise money from my trip in Boston *read further*
- June 5th: I'm going to Croke Parkto see Westlife (the same boy band as the one at the beginning of May with the same person xD
- July 3rd & 7th: Working in the summer scheme at Youth Club
- July 9-25th(-ish): This is going out of bullets as it's fairly big ^_^
Anyway that's not for a while yet so soak up all of me that you can get before then :r As for now I have a list of RPs that are starting to pile up >.< Hopefully I can get replied to them and start the other pile that I have to start. To everyone that that involves, be patient with me :(
And with that, thanks for reading the biggest pile of randomness ever xD
- Pattycakes! xx
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sending a PM: The importance of your title.
A minor annoyance of mine is this:
People who send me personal messages on the board but title them whatever they'd like, or like they'd title a roleplay - perhaps with nothing to do with the contents of the PM or with very little to do with it, at any rate.
Often, I'd even prefer no subject at all ( a simple in the PM title field will make the title a single space ) to the subjects some people give me. When I sign on my PM inbox might look like this (as it did today, nearly):
Open Full Image in New Window
Only one of those message titles is even helpful to me. One or more of them makes me think the user is annoyed with me (which they were not) and the others... lolwut?
I do two things when I have PMs:
I think that PMs are quite different than topics on the board. PM titles should give a glimpse of what is inside of the PM before the user opens it.
That's my opinion, anyway.
What's yours?
~Nick
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People who send me personal messages on the board but title them whatever they'd like, or like they'd title a roleplay - perhaps with nothing to do with the contents of the PM or with very little to do with it, at any rate.
Often, I'd even prefer no subject at all ( a simple in the PM title field will make the title a single space ) to the subjects some people give me. When I sign on my PM inbox might look like this (as it did today, nearly):
Open Full Image in New Window
I do two things when I have PMs:
- Try to reply in order of importance
- Give consideration to the length of time a PM has gone without reply
I think that PMs are quite different than topics on the board. PM titles should give a glimpse of what is inside of the PM before the user opens it.
That's my opinion, anyway.
What's yours?
~Nick
Join us for a Roleplay | Follow us on Twitter | Add to our Wiki | Contact Us
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