A reduced presence on the forum

[Clockwork Ghost]

Hi all,

The place where I work my day job has come down hard on all of its staff regarding the use of the internet, and I will therefore become less of a presence on the forums during the week days. I am also building my own commercial occult business, and may have secured exclusive rights to supply several interesting products. Between my day job and my company, along with all the Facebook pages I manage, time is becoming a pressing concern. I will still be monitoring the forum whenever possible - I have a good smart phone, but work pressures may see me posting a bit less frequently here. While manonthepath has had to leave for the time being due to personal reasons, cyberdemon is still very much in direct contact with me, and will act here on my behalf.

Please keep posting all your incredible information, and remember to treat one another with the respect you would have others show you yourself. I will still be an active presence in the school, and am developing a series of lessons around sigils, which I should have completed tomorrow. If anyone needs me for anything, please feel free to email me at clockworkghostlimited@gmail.com. The email address links directly to my phone, which I always have on me.

Be well, and keep smiling. [grin]

[manofsands]

At least before you went you were able to run off many senior posters including, Ramscha, myself and manonthepath, a global moderator appointed for appeasement... for Cyberdemon, who entered the forum in conflict and controversy and was rewarded with the other moderator position. He can watch over the demonology school you started, dedicated to a 'King of Hell' ( your patron? minion points?). He can also collect money for the business you started here, customers and workers.

Thanx for wrecking the tranquility of the place and the comfortable discussions before you slide into the shadows. Good luck, good fortune.

[Clockwork Ghost]

At least before you went you were able to run off many senior posters including, Ramscha, myself and manonthepath, a global moderator appointed for appeasement... for Cyberdemon, who entered the forum in conflict and controversy and was rewarded with the other moderator position. He can watch over the demonology school you started, dedicated to a 'King of Hell' ( your patron? minion points?). He can also collect money for the business you started here, customers and workers.

Thanx for wrecking the tranquility of the place and the comfortable discussions before you're slide into the shadows. Good luck, good fortune.

I'm on a tablet, and can't be bothered fucking around with quotes.
1. I ran off no-one get your facts straight before you accuse me of things.
2. It's not a school of demonology, again get your fucking facts straight. Your complete blind ignorance of Ars Goetia is astounding!
3. I've asked nobody for any money, and the business didn't start here. Again, get your fucking facts straight before you go around accusing people of things. I've made a point of putting all my business info in The Bazaar, where it belongs.
4. If by 'wrecking the tranquility' you mean getting discussion going then yes, I guess I did.

Fuck it. This is the thanks I get for hours of sorting out drama, staying up until 2am building something for other people to enjoy, making sure everything works right. Cheers mate, I'm done.

[Clockwork Ghost]

Words cannot describe how unhappy I am right now. Thank you so much for being such a complete and utter bastard. You have had every chance to add input regarding the way the forum is being run, but instead decide to make a personal attack against me. Saying manonthepath was simply chosen to appease people because of cyberdemon is one big insult to manonthepath's abilities. Saying that a dedication to a Goetic demon is a case of setting up a school of demonology is just idiotic, and shows you know nothing about the subject.

If you want to complain about me then send a message to Vashta. Simply trying to abuse me in public just proves how much of an anti social person you really are.

[cyberdemon]

At least before you went you were able to run off many senior posters including, Ramscha, myself and manonthepath, a global moderator appointed for appeasement... for Cyberdemon, who entered the forum in conflict and controversy and was rewarded with the other moderator position. He can watch over the demonology school you started, dedicated to a 'King of Hell' ( your patron? minion points?). He can also collect money for the business you started here, customers and workers.

Thanx for wrecking the tranquility of the place and the comfortable discussions before you slide into the shadows. Good luck, good fortune.

Oh dear.

Every single member on these boards must adhere to the same Terms of Conditions. As such, it gives everyone the right to speak up if they have a problem - what you're doing right now. If you remember, my proposal for new rules wasn't accepted because after much discussion it was established that it would give newer members privileges over older ones, among causing other issues.
Likewise, it seems that you believe that by being a long-time member you are also entitled to some sort of a privilege. Unfortunately, you're not.
Everyone on these boards are equal, and if you find that to your disliking, you are free to leave.

Speaking of that, Ramscha left in protest of his friend's temporary ban - this person has already served it, put it behind him and is posting on the forums again. Personally, I believe it could have been better handled, but at the moment it's in the past. The staff have no responsibility over anyone else's personal choices or decisions or way of conduct, but we do have a responsibility to ensure a civil environment.
Ramscha can come back at any time. When manonthepath left, it was due to personal reasons.

Secondly, Clockwork_Ghost has been working on his business long before he was appointed as an administrator. Like anyone else completely welcome to do so, he put his thread in The Bazaar. You're not obligated to purchase his services, nor do you have to pay a monthly premium to post here - unlike several other forums dedicated to the Occult; and this is how it will stay for the seeable (and unseeable, for the clairvoyants) future.

I applied for the position of moderator like anyone else and it actually wasn't a reward for anything. I actually don't know who else applied, but for whatever reason, they weren't chosen. However, I do believe that not falling for bait to argue, and being able to not resort to personal attacks as well as having respect for every fellow member on the forums possibly helped my application.

Demonology school? I'm sorry, I do believe it's called "School of Magick". It's taught voluntarily by volunteers. If you'd like to volunteer to teach something not in the offerings at the moment, please come forward.

I can see many civil discussions happening all over the boards right now. If you find something that someone has posted to be uncomfortable, or in any way degrading to the environment of these boards, please report it to the staff - me, Nahemah, Clockwork_Ghost, Vashta, or any other active member in the Benefactor group, all of whom have moderator abilities. Do remember that as per protocol, whatever case you wish to present will be looked at by the entire staff, not just an individual.

[Frumens]

Lots of love, Clockwork_Ghost. I hope everything goes well with you business.

Remember everyone, it's just a forum. There's a whole big world out there. When you're on your deathbed you won't be reminiscing about the gay old times you had on a forum.

Compassion is the antidote to anger.

[Clockwork Ghost]

Right then. I've had a sleep, taken a break to calm down, and now I'm calm again. I'm sorry I lost my cool, I'm just under a lot of pressure at the moment outside the forum. It won't happen again, it just really hurt that after spending such a huge amount of time selflessly doing everything I can to try to make this place better for everyone, someone comes along out of the blue and tells me that everyone is leaving because of me, I'm turning the place into something horrible, and completely misunderstands why I used the Lesser Key to empower the school. It's just painful. I guess I'm just human.

[cyberdemon]

The forums are running just fine, do not worry Clockwork_Ghost. Your efforts are appreciated by many.

[Frumens]

Right then. I've had a sleep, taken a break to calm down, and now I'm calm again. I'm sorry I lost my cool, I'm just under a lot of pressure at the moment outside the forum. It won't happen again, it just really hurt that after spending such a huge amount of time selflessly doing everything I can to try to make this place better for everyone, someone comes along out of the blue and tells me that everyone is leaving because of me, I'm turning the place into something horrible, and completely misunderstands why I used the Lesser Key to empower the school. It's just painful. I guess I'm just human.

Yes, it is painful to help others and not be appreciated, if you want to be appreciated. Tibetan Buddhists say that selfless altruism is the source of all happiness, while wishing for your own happiness is the source of all suffering. If you ever feel like adopting that paradigm, the solution would be to focus on the altruism and forget about being thanked. Experiencing self-generated compassion is more pleasant than relying on others to make you happy.

[Clockwork Ghost]

Yes, it is painful to help others and not be appreciated, if you want to be appreciated. Tibetan Buddhists say that selfless altruism is the source of all happiness, while wishing for your own happiness is the source of all suffering. If you ever feel like adopting that paradigm, the solution would be to focus on the altruism and forget about being thanked. Experiencing self-generated compassion is more pleasant than relying on others to make you happy.

Thank you Frumens, you are absolutely right. I'm not doing this for appreciation, but I'm only human, and I worry that what I'm doing is just not needed, or that people don't like the things I've done. For example, I used to do free tarot readings - I would get hundreds of questions, but almost nobody bothering to say thanks. I wasn't doing it for thanks, but when you spend an hour putting together a detailed answer to a question and then don't even get acknowledgement for it, it's like holding a door open for someone and them completely ignoring you. Are you doing that for thanks? No, but having the person at least acknowledge you is common courtesy.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention - I will seek altruism, as you advise. [thumbup]

Now to address the points raised by manofsands in a less emotionally charged manner.

At least before you went you were able to run off many senior posters including, Ramscha, myself

Ramscha left because friends of his were warned for anti-social behaviour. Before he left he reported a bunch of posts which weren't agreed upon as breaking Forum Rules or Terms & Conditions. He then broke Forum Rules himself by changing his signature to an attack on moderation here, and then left. As I've said numerous times, I can't stop people from leaving. If anyone wants anything changed, they just need to ask - we have a way of going about such things.

and manonthepath, a global moderator appointed for appeasement...

manonthepath was appointed as moderator because of his extensive knowledge of the occult, and his honest desire to help people. He left for personal reasons, he was not 'run off'. I even apologised personally to him for anything I may have said to cause him to leave, and he said that this wasn't the case

for Cyberdemon, who entered the forum in conflict and controversy and was rewarded with the other moderator position.

cyberdemon's appointment was agreed upon by all the staff, he wasn't just made a moderator on a whim. He has extensive knowledge of forum management, and understands the technical aspects of how forums are built. He is working on technical changes which will make the forum run smoother, and give options as to the look and feel of the place as a whole.

He can watch over the demonology school you started, dedicated to a 'King of Hell' ( your patron? minion points?).

The Occult Forum.org School of Magick isn't a demonology school. If it was then it wouldn't have an evocation using the Ars Goetia, which uses an Abrahamic system of protection. The Ars Goetia isn't about worshipping demons at all, in any way shape or form. I'll change the dedication to something that people won't misunderstand.

He can also collect money for the business you started here, customers and workers.

As a thing, Clockwork Ghost Limited was started a long time ago, it's just recently become a legal entity recently because I decided to make it a viable commercial business. It has a shop that will sell products, and a contracting service where any occultist can contract themselves out to clients for real money. I wont be charging anyone anything, I will be taking a commission just like any other business. Members of this forum will be made aware of specials that will apply just to them, just like any shop does for it's valued friends. You don't need to contract out to me if you don't want to - I'm simply offering the chance to use your magick for money.

Thanx for wrecking the tranquility of the place and the comfortable discussions before you slide into the shadows. Good luck, good fortune.

I don't believe that I'm 'wrecking' anything, I'm simply cleaning the place up and making changes if they are requested. Also, I'm not 'sliding back into the shadows', I'm working fourteen hours a day at one job and building a business. I'm sorry if I can't also spend twelve hours a day here any more - it's just not possible.

Anyone - if you don't like what I'm doing, suggest changes. If you don't like me, tell Vashta. Acting like a three year old and tossing your toys if you don't get your way helps no one.

[Nahemah]

In the spirit of of openness and honesty, that Clockwork_Ghost likes to have here...

I recommended manonthepath and cyberdemon and put both up for nomination, as well as several other members.

I did so for logical reason, based on how the members concerned reacted to conflict and worked through it.

This is an important consideration, not that we make mistakes, but rather, how we deal with them and learn from them.

So sue me. Lol. [thumbup]

It may surprise a few folk if they knew that I like them for their balanced and fair perspectives, even though we've argued subjects many times in discussions.

Or maybe not .IMMV. Of course. [grin]

Oh, and Ramscha was a valued member, whose contributions will be missed.

[manofsands]

Clockwork Ghost,

I apologize. My post was an immature outburst. Mean concidering you mean well, but ya gotta understand its fueled not by the arguements, but by my love of the forum and what it is/was.

I also believe in progress and have been silently rooting for you and the life and enthusiasm you have been bringing to the forum. I admire it. Of energy and intent, you are a godsend to the OF.

But proof is in the pudding, as they say, and despite your good intent, all I saw in the end was a lot of friends and respected posters either leaving or standing on the sidelines waiting for the dust to clear. I'm not going to speak for others or their reasons. You seem a person blessed with a lot of energy. You channel it well with all your projects, but you've seemed almost a bull in a china shop here. Like we were having a tea party and you came in and started moving furniture A lotta change in a short time. It seemed like it became old vs new.

I don't think 'older members' deserve any privileges at all. But if they're dropping like flies that's a miners canary. When I look at forums the first and most important thing I look at is.. activity. How recent / how much. What's the point of being in a forum that has little/no activity. Not that that is where we are headed by any means, the forum will go on without those who have left. But the 'usuals' are like the bed of coals that keep the fire going, otherwise you gotta keep restarting it. The 'usuals' were my friends and respected posters leaving. That's what made me mad, which I took out on you.

I hope I just blew the carbon out of your engine. I hope you keep going and help the forum... live. I will miss what it was,.. but hope the best for it's future. I also hope that some that flew away will come back to nest again.

[Nahemah]

I asked for you too.

" surprise"

Please stay. [thumbup]

Why mourn it, when you could help shape it?

[Nahemah]

To all concerned: come put your money where your mouth is...

Be the change you want to see.

[Clockwork Ghost]

Clockwork Ghost,

I apologize. My post was an immature outburst. Mean concidering you mean well, but ya gotta understand its fueled not by the arguements, but by my love of the forum and what it is/was.

I also believe in progress and have been silently rooting for you and the life and enthusiasm you have been bringing to the forum. I admire it. Of energy and intent, you are a godsend to the OF.

But proof is in the pudding, as they say, and despite your good intent, all I saw in the end was a lot of friends and respected posters either leaving or standing on the sidelines waiting for the dust to clear. I'm not going to speak for others or their reasons. You seem a person blessed with a lot of energy. You channel it well with all your projects, but you've seemed almost a bull in a china shop here. Like we were having a tea party and you came in and started moving furniture A lotta change in a short time. It seemed like it became old vs new.

I don't think 'older members' deserve any privileges at all. But if they're dropping like flies that's a miners canary. When I look at forums the first and most important thing I look at is.. activity. How recent / how much. What's the point of being in a forum that has little/no activity. Not that that is where we are headed by any means, the forum will go on without those who have left. But the 'usuals' are like the bed of coals that keep the fire going, otherwise you gotta keep restarting it. The 'usuals' were my friends and respected posters leaving. That's what made me mad, which I took out on you.

I hope I just blew the carbon out of your engine. I hope you keep going and help the forum... live. I will miss what it was,.. but hope the best for it's future. I also hope that some that flew away will come back to nest again.

It's all good. Sorry I got nasty, I'm just doing too much at the moment. Please accept my heartfelt apologies for swearing at you. I have taken your thoughts regarding the school to heart, and have changed the dedication. I hope the people who have left eventually come back - sometimes all it takes is a break away to get things into perspective.

Wishing you all the best, and trusting you are well. [thumbup]