Let life take you where it wants to go

I, uh, was going to make a post to the effect of "I'm back from my NaNo/parents visiting/70-work-hours-a-week hiatus!" now that we've reached the end of the crazy month of November, but uh, I probably don't need to do that now! So I'd just thought that I'd wave and say hello and goodbye, and that my journal is at fatherguacamole if anyone wants to friend me. I'll happily friend back.

Cheers and best of luck to everyone!

-Whit (and Ossy and Theodore)

I have a feeling very few of you have any desire to hear what I have to say, but as the other part of the “mod team” so to speak, I feel I sort of have a duty to at least try. At the risk of pissing off Steph – which would really suck as I’ve become quite fond of her – and all of you – even more – I’m going to give this a go. There’s little I can do to make it worse, I think.

Up until recently, I was in agreement with Steph over a lot of things. In a different lot of things, I still am. I’m in agreement that LOSLI was awesome. I’m in agreement that there are some really great lines in place. I’m also in agreement that things haven’t been active in some ways. I’m in agreement that there are cliques.

BUT.

I wanted that to stand out so you don’t just close this hating me.

I’ve been reading your replies and I have to say, this all fucking sucks, and I’m on your side with some of it. It is November. I, for one, have finals to do. I have papers to write and make up work to do (thanks to the generosity of some professors). I still have to see my advisor and register for classes. And there’s NaNoWriMo, which I didn’t do but I know a lot of people attempted it, with varying degrees of success. The inactivity that pissed off Steph and bothers me as well is OOC activity. When we request ideas for plots or Walk activities and don’t get a single response, it makes us wonder why we’re putting in the effort to try. The fact that game wide plots aren’t desired doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t have Christmas activities, for example. I mean, we would have even appreciated an “I don’t know, but I like what you have” or “I love the way things are just flowing now.” At least then we’d know you guys are there.

A post saying, “hey, I’ve got these things coming up” or “this just happened so I won’t be around” would be extremely helpful. That’s all we’re asking for.

The cliqueness. God, that is a taboo subject.

But, there are cliques here. There are people who play more exclusively with certain other people. I confess to doing it myself. There’s NOT an elitist clique and the rest of us. There are a few cliques that overlap somewhat. That’s just how things almost always develop in any game. The problem is when people feel isolated or left out. That, usually, is more often self-caused than actually done with any true, malevolent intent. Often, one feels real or perceived slights and it magnifies. I do it all the time. I take something little and I turn it into more than it is, or I push away dealing with real life and it makes me snappy at people or makes me more touchy.

It’s wrong, and stupid, but it happens. And we all do it.

How should that be dealt with? The way both Kate and Jess tried to: post saying, this guy (or these guys) need more interaction. And then people answer the call. Both Steph and everyone else should have handled that better, including myself.

As Elle said, most people said something along the lines of “I loved the plot lines/characters/etc, but I don’t want to stay where I’m not wanted.” Then you liked the game and got upset at one outburst. Don’t let it die because of one incident! Steph apologized for the rashness. You know her. You know she’s sweet to a fault and will stay up til six in the morning and be up at eleven if it’ll make you happy. (She did that for me once.) Forgive her for the outburst.

I hate that I listen to Christmas songs and think “oh, that has a violin in the background. I bet Jamie and Jess could use it for Holly and Gabrielle’s duet” or “Roman could totally do this and I wonder how it would affect Stephen” and now we’re at the point where these people don’t exist? Don’t let this foundation die! Don’t be too proud. You love this game at its core. You said it yourself, to varying degrees.

We just need to work some of this out. Despite the shitty way it was all brought out in the open, we have all the issues on the surface and we can work through them if we can be calm and mature about it.

Alright in my best attempts to remain as objective as possible, I would like to say my piece about what has come to fruition this afternoon. I don't know how many people or if any will read this, but I felt like I needed to say it just so it was out there in the world as it were.

First, yes, I do feel that it was out of nowhere and it could have been handled better. However, in reading people's comments to the post I saw a common theme of people saying they really enjoyed the game and the storylines here but were upset over the tone taken in the post. I honestly appreciate this position as I feel the same way as well. I do enjoy LOSLI. I think we have a great bunch of characters.

I just don't understand how one instance (albeit large) should have people start jumping ship if they care about the game and the established lines. I understand that people have breaking points where it just becomes too much, but we are all human and we all make mistakes. I feel like this game does (still) have potential and that we could get beyond this. We just have to work on communicating better and speaking up for ourselves - or rather simply speaking for ourselves.

This is simply just not the way I would have liked to see things end here and if they don't have to, that would be awesome. However, if this how it ends, sad as that may be, I do hope that the people don't become strangers as they sometimes do.

-Elle

So, I've been home since Wednesday and should have posted my return then however I...could not be bother nor did I have the drive to do so because in all honesty LOSLI/Roleplaying has unfortunately become a chore for me for a number of reasons.

The main one being is that for a while no one (but for a number of specific people who have always made effort) has made any effort what-so-ever within LOSLI. This isn't really to do with roleplaying with people you wouldn't usually roleplay with, this isn't about the clique-issue though in all honesty that is still there. This is about myself and Jaclyn making an effort mod-wise and receiving NO RESPONSE from over half of you. We make plans but NO ONE can be arsed to do anything with them. Why should we use our time to do things for LOSLI when no one bothers? Ok, so you might be busy sometimes but it is common courtesy to respond to a mod post. The mods are making an EFFORT to run this for you and you don't do anything.

I hate confrontation, I'm very bad with dealing with people being upset/angry at me. Why? I don't know. I just do not do well with it but it must be bad if I'm having to say something again.

A number of people have left the game as they didn't feel like they've been included, they didn't feel welcome and like people weren't making the effort to include them in the game. I know exactly how they feel. No one should ever join a game and then leave because the other people in the game can not be bothered to roleplay with them. Why join a game if you're only going to roleplay with one or two people?

I care about LOSLI and I think that is what annoys me the most. People don't seem to care. They make a journal entry so they stay active but that isn't roleplaying, that isn't being apart of the game.

Basically this is the short of it - make some effort or LOSLI will close. I refuse to be part of a game in which no one makes any effort apart from one or two players. What is the point of me using my free time to run a game which I do not enjoy playing? Where even logging in becomes an effort? It's pathetic and annoying. I didn't put as much effort into LOSLI just to see you all run it into the ground, fair enough I may not be the best mod around but at least I try which I can't say about many of you.

In all honesty I'm tempted to just close LOSLI. There are only a few people who I wish to roleplay with here any more so why should I (and Jaclyn) continue to run a game in which we have no desire to play in? If you want LOSLI to stay open give me a reason.

If you feel this is directed at you then it probably is.

- Steph.

Love this icon. Steph wins.

Okay, the December calendar is up and while there's still some tweaking to be done, it's mostly finished. Does anyone have any ideas they want to see? How about for January?

Also, my pet project, if you'll scroll down to the 24th, is the Charity Non-ball. I need volunteers to sign up for the broom races (pro and commoner alike) and friendly duels. I'll have rules for each, but it's seventeen Sickles to enter the duels (approx. 10 US dollars) and 1 galleon, 8 sickles to enter the broom races (approx. 15 US dollars) and you can rent a broom (Nimbus 2001s, which are still really nice brooms just not top of the line anymore) for four Sickles (approx. 2 US dollars). Those who don't participate can bet on who they think will win each duel or race and the winnings go to charity.

Do I have any victims volunteers to sign up? I'm trying to get a nice head start.

( roster cause I rock like that )

Ok, random but important (to me).

What are some good games for a third to fifth grade Christmas party? Be creative! So far, I've come up with one game: pin the button on the snowman which involves using chewing gum as the pin. Mwaha! We've done it once with the kids and they were grossed out but loved it (that time it was pin the wart on the witch).

Any other suggestions?

Roman's single "Here We Go Again" from his upcoming self-produced album - which was a secret until now - just came out today. It features Megan Jones as well, and he released it first just to piss her off. Yes, he's that nice. XD

Everyone, run the friend-add! I know it can be a pain in the ass if you have multiple characters, but it's important that you do it, so go!

Hello, Steph here!

Just to say I'm going on holiday to New York on friday morning and it is very unlikely I'll be online tomorrow evening. I will be back next wednesday though I'm not sure if I'll be around Wednesday or not, probably will be but we'll see.

Jaclyn of course will be taking care of things as best she can but she does have school to deal with and concentrate on right now so until next week I'm trusting you all to play nice and stuff. :D

So yes, have fun without me but not too much ok?

Steph x

Okay, so you guys...Adrian here is simply not getting involved the way I want him to. Friends, enemies, somebody...I need a log. I want to get Adrian doing something, and I just know that one of you wants to hang out with the fabulous gay quidditch player. Who can help me out here?

If your character went to Cordelia/Demeleza's party but you don't really want to thread it then you can post here and let everyone know what went on!

Semi-hiatus for the weekend. I'll try and do party shit, Steph, and I'll keep up with my logs as best I can, but I've got a lot of stuff to do this weekend. I'm on the verge of losing my scholarship and can't afford tuition on just my loan.

Attention! (Love this icon.) The aforementioned backstory community has been created. losli_junk Use it not only for backstory, but for AU, what would have been, what happens in fifteen years (although, keep near future for the regular IC comm), etc. That's why it says "junk" in the name. It's for all your junk, whether it's a monologue as your pup as a hooker five years ago or a sweet thing where they first met the love they're now with (if it didn't happen in game). Same rules apply (rate it, lj-cut it, etc.) and all you have to do is join it like you did the other comms. So have fun with it!

After much deliberation, I've compiled her album. I took songs from various artists, and claimed them as Megan's because I like being able to listen to it and getting into Meg's head. I've also zipped the songs up into one folder and uploaded it for you all to download too!

( Beyond Wonderland )

Megan's release party is from 5pm-2am TONIGHT (never mind the typo on the invitations >>) and her album was launched today. More about the album later, right now is the ooc-information about the party!

The Zen Garden is an upscale restuarant that can be rented out for events, such as the release party for Megan's sixth ablum. When you first walk into the building you stand in a big corridor/open hallway, with high arched ceilings. It is the one part of the building where the floor-to-ceiling space takes up both the first and second story of the building.

( Cut for Images )

Every employee and artist signed to Wild Wands Records was on the guest list - and their plus ones - to attend. Most people that work for the record label/signed to the label were expected to attend as it was a company event. The label also sent invitations out for everyone who has reached A-list status, those who work in the media, and most WWN employees. In addition, Megan made certain to invite Stephen Cornfoot (as her date), Lisa & Nadia Turpin, Callum Harwood, Alain Bassette & Adrian Pucey, Mandy Brocklehurst, & Lavender Brown. (All of whom could invite a guest as well - and if you want your character invited, we'll figure out a connection to have that happen.)

The party began at 5pm and lasted until 2am. The party was very high class and elegant, and it's obvious that Megan has pulled in a lot of money for the company with her previous records. While there wasn't a meal served, there were plenty of snacks, appetizers, deserts, etc... catered around on trays to the various lounges on both floors as well as an open bar.

Most of the night there was music playing - all artists signed to WWR - and there were live performances by groups/musicians on the label (if they chose to). To begin the night, at 6:00 pm there was a toast in Megan's honor, followed by her giving a thank you speech for everyone's support and so on.

Around 10:00 pm, there was a roast for Megan, as people had time to drink, in less of a formal mood, etc... and the climate of the evening was more appropriate for humor. After the Roast, Megan had to go on stage - again - and this time performed one of the songs on her new album. All six albums were available for purchase, but especially the sixth. It is expected as a courtesy that most people attending would leave with an album (but not mandatory, and Megan certainly didn't look to see who had or hadn't picked up an album). That being said, any album purchased at the event was SIGNED.

Things that are important to note: Megan was wearing the dress that Lavender designed for her. She arrived with Stephen as her date, and thus, spent most of the night "on his arm" (for lack of a better phrase), letting the "cat out of the bag" (I love cheesy metaphors!) about them dating. She spent most of the night on the second floor, as it was expected for her to be approachable and hiding in a curtained off type lounge would be unacceptable. She approached her friends and family, drank, danced, socialised as if it were any old party. And of course there was a lot of questions by media, photographs taken, etc. She did not get drunk, didn't even get buzzed, because despite the fact she always appeared to have a drink in her hand, 95% of the time it was a virgin beverage, due to the fact she had to be on her best behaviour - it was a party in her honor.

Please use this post to discuss things that may have happened at the event, and in a little bit there will be a thread up for logging of the event. Therefore moments that would involve more than two people can easily be threaded, though, feel free to do separate logs from the event if you'd like to!

There was no dress code, though most were dressed semi-formally or formally. Megan, herself, was in the gown Lavender made, but of course, Megan was the spotlight so she didn't have much choice in what she wore.

Oh! And because I forgot. There's an open mic format in regards to toasts. Anyone who wants to make any sort of speech on Megan's behalf is welcome to do so.

Hello! Steph here with her...6th? character. Something like that.

This is Brooke Maddox (was going to be Madley but then I realised there was a hold, doh!) and she is the guitarist for The Banshees and she fits in pretty well with them sort of. Bee comes from old money and her family is pretty 'upper class' which she not rebels against but..doesn't conform to. It'd be rebelling if her parents weren't so damn supportive! She's wild and brutally honest. She isn't all good moods she has A LOT of mood swings and is pretty tempermental. She's also a lesbian though she hasn't exactly come out properly, she even goes so far as to sleep with men sometimes. Ever so often she'll take one home to keep her parents happy until she's ready to figure out what she wants in that respect.

Along with the rest of the Banshees she's pretty loud, up for a good party and drugs and lots of alcohol are generally the best thing in the world. Bee sits on both sides of the fence with everythign - she can be a bit snooty with somethings, a bit of a spoilt brat who is used to having everything bought for but on the other hand she's happy to get completely smashed out of her face and flash her boobies to randomers. She's full of tattoos and loves changing her hair.

Oh, she is a Gryffindor class of 2000.

Friends, frenemies, siblings, enemies, past flings, future flings and anything else!

Hello, hello! I'm Maren and I bring you all Moss Xardel, who is a self-proclaimed party boy with a heart of gold. He'll share his drinks and "candy" with anyone who is willing to join the good time. He works at the Inkstop as a tattoo artist - though only for a month, so he's a newbie! He's very friendly and up for anything wild and fun, so hit him up with ideas! Oh and he lives in The Rising Phoenix with Roman as a flatmate.

AIM's greenphantasm and I'm on every day. :D I can't wait to talk and play with you all!

Guess what! Yup! Jaclyn has a new character. WHICH JAMIE WOULD KNOW AND BE SQUEEING OVER IF SHE WEREN'T OFF AIM It happens to be the lovely Jamie's person Holly's husband, Fisher Bradley. He's kinda boring, but I lurve him:

- Graduated with Holly from Ravenclaw in 1996 (I think she said 94, but she was wrong).
- Married Holly, his best friend and "high school sweetheart," on August 12, 2001.
- Holly discovered she was pregnant in March and their son (but they don't know the gender cause they don't want to) is due December 28th.
- He owns an eclectic library of rare and impossible-to-find books that he lends out. He invented a spell that returns things to their owner within a period of time. Seeing as his books can cost him over 200,000 dollars (although he doesn't lend out a lot of those), he's not going to take chances. It's a really cool library even if you just go in and look. He has a book bound in human skin. You can touch it. (They actually have this at my University's library. I haven't gone to see it yet. I should.
- He's a nice, laidback guy and would be friends with everybody if they gave him a chance.
- He's a writer and a few of Holly's songs were penned at least in the first draft by him for her as poems. Other than this, he doesn't do anything interesting besides radiate awesome. He needs friends, though.

No, he doesn't have a history written, but he's a Muggleborn with lots of sisters. He went to France for a little while during the war and Holly joined him there. They got married. That's about as interesting as it's gonna be. However, you can read his personality. It's cool!

If anyone's character has a brother who was a Ravenclaw in any years after the trio, and who doesn't mind changing their name, and doesn't mind that he looks like Julian Morris (because if he looks nothing like your character, you can say he was adopted? idk)... please email me at iikhushi86ii(a)gmail, or send me a private message/comment on eris3dxlove86, or comment here.

It's specific, I know. But otherwise, I would kill the character in my head if I was to change anything. :(

-Khushi

p.s.: yes, I could have put this in losli_ads, but... this isn't really the same thing. >>