Posts by velvettiger10

wiredfalcon2 said:or maybe some other subforum like off-topic or the trash bin..

Oh, absolutely not, people like that don't belong in the trash section. My bad. 😉

That specific board has its own particular brand of humor. 😍

Moved over from the LJES forum. I’m assuming you guys already have the right thread going for this inquiry, so just merge it in there. 🙂

Quote:

steelskipper5 says: Look, I’m going to pivot slightly toward LJES and how things are being moderated there. Which means I'm indirectly addressing you, too. The whole "Why is the population becoming more gay?" thread basically devolved into nothing but insults and blatant hate speech. And this wasn't just a momentary lapse; it dragged on for days. I was busy reporting posts myself. Other people were also chiming in saying they had filed reports. If I take a look here and there, I can see that some of those reported posts haven't even been dealt with yet; they just sit there.

I actually handed out two warnings for hate speech on that specific thread, and if my memory serves me right, those were pretty much the exact posts you were flagging. 🙂
I'll need to go back through the report logs if I want to tell you for certain, though.

I wiped quite a few posts from that discussion while I actually had the spare time to read through them, but unfortunately, work has been a nightmare lately along with a mountain of personal stuff, so I haven't been able to dedicate much time to it.

reddriver35 said:You're great compared to the rest of them.

If I had one request, it would be for you to jump into discussions a bit more. Just a tiny bit more participation, if you don't mind. 🙂

Take that guy from the story at the beginning, for example. Poor kid was terrified because everyone jumped him, and he ended up shaken up. If you were there, you could have stepped in and redirected the conversation to show that kind of approach isn't okay. Not everyone is outgoing, charming, or bold. Some people are insecure. Try to understand that.
Please, read Nicholas's thread and see what he wrote. In my opinion, the moderator really dropped the ball there.

I reached out to him via PM. He messaged me yesterday with an update. He actually took my advice. He still has questions, too. But with this current atmosphere, he doesn't feel comfortable asking them on the public forum. He should be able to. But I don't have the time to spend all day answering PMs for users who are afraid to post publicly.

People are constantly messaging me privately, which tells me they relate to what's happening. So now, I'm asking the moderators to try and create an environment where everyone feels welcome.
We need actual discussion, not just people attacking someone by calling them a troll, stupid, pathetic, or immature.
The whole point of a forum is to have different people with different viewpoints talking to each other.

Aside from the chaos over at LJES, everyone just echoes each other here. It's impossible to find a dissenting opinion. You're basically rejected by default if you disagree. That prevents high-quality users from engaging in debate. And when that happens, LJES loses its entire purpose.

Some topics just don't grab me, and for others, I've already said everything I have to say, plus I rarely have the actual time to sit down and write long posts even when I really want to join the conversation.
Between work and home life, the window I get to spend on this forum is mostly spent reading through threads and occasionally chiming in if there's actually something worth contributing.

Take that guy from the story at the beginning, for instance. He was clearly shaken up, and instead of being helpful, people just jumped him, leaving him totally rattled. That’s why I think people should step in to point out when a thread's tone is becoming toxic. It's not like everyone here is charming, bold, or perfectly composed all the time. There are insecure people out there, too. We should try to show some empathy.
Just go read Nicholas's thread and see what he wrote. In my opinion, the moderator really dropped the ball there.

I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes regarding how they manage things, but personally, I would have wiped a few of those inappropriate comments immediately. I tend to do that myself whenever people start acting out or being obnoxious right at the start of a thread.

I reached out to him via PM. He got back to me yesterday with an update. He actually took my advice to heart, though he still has questions. The thing is, with his current approach, he can't exactly ask these things openly on the public forum. But he could. And frankly, I don't have the bandwidth to constantly reply to PMs from forum users who are acting desperate.

Look, I think it's great that Nicholas went out for coffee with that girl. 🙂
I don't see him as some obsessive forum addict; I see a guy who sees you as a friend—someone he can turn to for advice or a bit of encouragement regarding what he's doing.

People keep reaching out to me, which tells me they feel understood. So now, I'm asking the moderators to try and foster an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
A place where we actually discuss things rather than just attacking someone for being a troll, stupid, pathetic, or immature.
Because the whole point of a forum is to have a discussion between different people with different perspectives.

From a moderator's standpoint, everyone is welcome in my book.
The vibe of a specific message board isn't just shaped by the mods; it's built by the users who post on it.
It’s always a breath of fresh air when I click on a thread and see that everyone is staying on topic, making it so there's no need for deletions or bans. Is there anything better than that? Personally, no. 🙂
However, those kinds of threads are rare. I honestly think we're being too soft as moderators and that we need to be more decisive with penalties. I know you won't like hearing that, and you'll probably give me a thumbs down for it, but it's the only way to actually maintain some order.

Aside from the constant bickering on LJES, everyone just ends up upvoting each other. It’s actually impossible to find a dissenting opinion around here because if you don't fall in line, you're immediately ostracized. You aren't even allowed to have a real discussion if you consider yourself a serious contributor, which ultimately strips LJES of any actual purpose.

I'm with you on that.

reddriver35 said:
See, that is exactly my point. 👎

What exactly is bothering you, Prinčy? 🙂

Try being a little more specific.

What is it about my performance as a moderator that bugs you? Which tasks am I failing to handle properly? I would honestly love to know so I can figure out if this is something I can actually learn and master, or if I should just pack my bags and leave because I'm clearly out of my depth. 🤷

reddriver35 said:
It’s a total circus, honestly. I don't even know how they let this happen. The truth is, they have zero intention of actually fixing anything. I haven't seen a single moderator from this forum stepping up to do their job.

Look, I’ll make you a promise right now: from here on out, my corner of this site is going to be strictly black and white, and there will be absolutely no off-topic nonsense allowed. I'm done looking the other way or playing nice. If you break the rules, you get banned. Period. 🙂

Will that finally satisfy you?

If those Golden Boys actually have the equipment to get an erection, they probably fuck just as well as some guy like Ivo from Pittsburgh. 😁

You know perfectly well this topic is a complete waste of breath, so why on earth are we even bothering to explain ourselves?! 😉

I have a feeling I might have been the one who deleted this thread. 🤔
I’m not entirely certain, though I suppose it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

The topic you decided to kick off here doesn't actually have anything to do with love, eroticism, or sex.
It feels more like some kind of low-rent tabloid gossip session to me. 😁

I’ve been sitting here wondering where all that gold actually ends up, who’s really pulling the strings behind those scenes, and where you even go to find them if you're looking. It makes you think about who’s actually playing the game and who’s just getting played while everyone else is busy chasing shadows. I don't even know where to begin with this one. It’s just one of those things that leaves you staring at the wall, wondering how we all ended up here. You might as well jump into the discussion here, too. 🤷

I heard word that a few members of that elite inner circle might be showing up to this same discussion, so you might just end up crossing paths with one of them. 🙂

🙂

Laura Evans3 said:😂😂🤣😂🤣 right... ☕

Hell, why shouldn't he? Since he already handed over the cash, he might as well see the whole damn thing through to the end. 😁

rapidrider3 said:So, am I being unreasonable by acting this way?
Or how would you all handle a mess like this?
I’m honestly at my wits' end trying to figure out how to get my money back...

Look, you're just pissed off right now, and that's why you're reacting like this. Honestly, just dump the whole burden onto your husband and tell him to deal with it. 🤷

Dealing with contractors is always a gamble. 🙄

I'm right in the middle of a home renovation myself, so I've definitely learned some things the hard way.

The absolute most important thing you can do is nail down the price upfront, get it in writing, and make sure both parties sign off on it. You also shouldn't even bother looking at someone unless they come highly recommended by someone you trust.
That’s exactly how I handled my electrician and plumber, and honestly, it was the smartest move I made.
They did an incredible job—clean, professional, and they actually showed up when they said they would. Plus, the pricing was very fair.
But I was firm about one rule: I wouldn't let them lift a finger until we had a signed agreement on the cost. I paid half upfront to get things moving, and the remaining balance wasn't released until the work was finished and I personally inspected everything.😁

Working with a mason was a completely different story, though. My husband decided to hire this local construction firm. We thought we were getting a professional outfit. 🙄
They missed the mark on almost everything, and the quality of their work was practically nonexistent. 🙄

Look, I paid them what I owed, but as far as I'm concerned, they aren't stepping foot on my property again as long as I live. The only thing they're guaranteed to get from me is a string of terrible reviews, which I'm already busy spreading. 🤣

My water heater is finally being delivered today! 🎉🎉🎉

I’d tell you exactly what I ended up paying my plumber, but honestly, I think I’ll pass. 😁

There’s really no point in making you stress over how much I shelled out for the service. 🤣

Here are two easy snacks to get you through these sweltering summer days:

Fresh carrots and apples

Just dice up an apple and slice some bananas and carrots into rounds. Toss everything together in a bowl with a splash of lemon juice and a handful of crushed hazelnuts.

Fresh apple and carrot salad

Mix grated carrots and apples with plenty of lemon juice, then fold in some raisins and a bit of honey. Throw it in a Tupperware container to take to the office, and just before you eat it, top it off with some yogurt and crushed walnuts.

It’s simple enough, and honestly, it works for me. 🙂

Aaron Harris2 said:Listen, you really ought to just grab a brother to help you out... it'll take maybe fifteen minutes, and all you'll need is a decent pair of floral shears to get the job done properly.
You can usually find them at the larger farmers' markets, perhaps near one of those local vendors you know.
The real question we have to ask ourselves now, however, is whether they have already started to bloom... 🤔

I think they are. 😁

I have two on the image, and there aren't any more of those fancy flowers left.

Just give him hell...🙂

Lawrence Phillips said:Men were already there...🤷

So what does it matter if they were there?! 😕 🤷

You're just confusing me again. 🤷

Are you trying to tell me that my beat-up body doesn't need some fresh meat?
Are you suggesting I don't deserve to look at someone else's ass?
Are you actually implying that ........

😢

Lawrence Phillips said:It’s a damn shame they’re shutting her down.😢

But then the men step up to the plate. 🙂

I’ve already heard through the grapevine that some people have started prepping their photos. 🤣

Rachel Davis63 said:I’m with Svibek on this one.

Tom needs to be shut down, and honestly, it should happen immediately.

*grabs a pitchfork and starts prepping for a peasant revolt*:

Don't worry, I've got your back. 😁

I picked up some decent hardware the other day. 🤣
I've got pitchforks, a hoe, a shovel, a couple sets of rakes, a crowbar...

Back to the point:

I don't even notice those old threads. 🤷
Probably because they aren't exactly the kind of topics I find myself starting or scrolling through here on the forum. 😁

Carol Wood2 said:just be careful about how you position it, making sure you don't leave any part sticking out...

And honestly, where else would it even go? 🤔

Keith Nguyen7 said:Why are you even messing around with this? Just let whoever was actually driving take the hit.

Just let it go and have some peace. 😁

The real issue here is that he doesn't even live in this country, so nothing sticks anyway. 😉