MR

Hi all,

As of this moment, T-Bone, my faithful helper on this set of boards, is now the sole moderrator of this forum.

I am taking a break from this and all other Journey forums. The constant negativity of some (most of which would rather bitch and moan on other forums, than contact me directly) has taken it's toll.

While I hate to admit that these people have an effect on me, they have. I do not wish to be overly dramatic about this, but I really need a break from this.

While I have tried to make everyone as happy as possible - with all the many issues between personalities and factions - it clearly has not been good enough and I have had enough.

The best thing to do is withdraw from this and concentrate on running a website, which after all, is supposedly what I do.

Anyone needing to contact me about general site business should do so via my mail e-mail address - ajm@melodicrock.com

Cheers for the positive support of the majority.

Thanks for the info.

Andrew, I wish you the best in your time away from the forum. I'm sorry to hear that these people have made you step away. Perhaps we will see you down the road when something newsworthy happens in Journey world. Your website is still one of the premiere music websites on the internet in my opinion, and I thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do.

Take it easy dude! I enjoy the forums, but its not worth getting caught up in all the drama. Unfortunately some people lose sight that its just a website and there is a real world on the other side of the screen.

Hang in there!

The other issue seems to be in regards to Deano being allowed to proof read my Journey feature.

I have addressed this elsewhere, but will post here also for the record. I have to say, it really is plainly obvious that everything comes down to Deano. I'm not having a dig at him, but in reading everyone's comments, it seems they ALL revolve around him. So many emotions stirred up with anything that he does / has done / posts or says.

I'm really quite amazed that one person can cause such a reaction among so many people.

Anyway....
I posted this message -

Here we are again, everyone's favourite topic of the moment it seems.

I just finished writing some of my look back upon 2006 and while it was supposed to be kept for that feature, I suppose I could also print it here to help address this situation.

I spent a lot of time writing up the Journey feature and I needed it proof read to ensure it was as close to typo free as possible.
I uploaded a draft and sent the link to 4 people – my best mate in the UK who is also a journalist, another mate that works for a major label in NYC, another friend who is specifically a Journey fan and also Deano.
The other 3 people are 3 people that no one would otherwise care about. But Deano let it be known that he read the feature before hand and that threw up red flags to all those that held him accountable for Steve’s departure from Journey.
I guess because I met with Dean in LA to try and get to know him, I felt it fair to let him see what I had written about our encounter and from there I though, oh well, I guess he can also proof read the feature.
The proof readers were supposed to be anonymous, but Deano rarely passes up an opportunity to promote himself and did so with this tidbit of info.
It most definitely offended the Augeri fans, who felt that I had clearly shown who’s side I was on and saw this as somewhat of a reward bestowed by me upon Dean for what happened in 2006.
That couldn’t be further from the truth and in hindsight I should not have done this and for that I am sorry.

So I fucked up ok?

I am a nice guy....I try and befriend everyone and I try and make everyone happy. I don't like confrontation, I don't like pissing people off or disappointing them.

I hope people can see beyond this and rather base their opinion on my performance running the site over a number of years now, not just the last few months.

Dont people have more important things to do in this world than obsess over the "Augeri-wiggle", Steve Perry's coat tails, who fired what, slept with who, etc. I swear to god, somethings wrong when people get their shorts in a wad over the pettiest of things and unleash with a virtriol that should only be reserved for a mass murderer or something like that.

Personally I don't mind Deano myself. He's the kind of guy that if he's going to knife you, he'll knife you from the front rather than the back. I admire that as that seems to be a rare quality in the two faced, backstabbing world we live in. I have much more respect for him (despite the fact that I might disagree or find him too abrasive) than half these other people who would just assume unleash hell over something that shouldn't even have that kind of an impact on your life.

Does whoever that sings lead on Journey impact my day to day life? no
Does Journey pay my bills? no
Is Journey a required expense? no

So with all that in mind, I have to wonder about people who act like that. I can't imagine what its like to deal with this nor do I want to. But the bad attitudes at the host need to stop. As Jonathan Cain said to those same fans once... "Get a life."

SeanB

Do what you need to do for you, Andrew; we'll be here for you when you are ready.

Thanks for all your hard work. the interviews were awesome! look forward to great things ahead and not to the past. Ignore the whiners/gripers and focus on the positive-draw strength from us. doodoo happens-clean it up the best you can, spray Febreeze and journey on, without looking back.

see ya on the road someday.

Debbie

I am very new to this forum.I came from back talk.I like the honesty and freedom on this board. If you need a break thats cool.I just want to thank you for starting and keeping this website together.Take a breather, and come on back here.It is your site, thanks,stevew2

Andrew wrote:
I hope people can see beyond this and rather base their opinion on my performance running the site over a number of years now, not just the last few months.

Personally,that's how I perceive you.If we were living in a perfectly normal world that's how anyone would see you.But the world is far from being perfect or normal.

I am honestly sorry that all this is affecting you so deeply,but I understand why - the most frustrating thing is when you work hard on something and strive to make it right then some people judge you for the wrong reasons and minimize your efforts.

This reminds me of the fly and the paiting.
If the fly lands on a painting she will see the world only in the one colour she stays on.

One has to step back to see the whole picture.

Enjoy your (short ) vacation,Andrew,you sure need some time to breathe.

I have PM'd you...I have a take in this for you!!!

Andrew wrote:Hi all,

As of this moment, T-Bone, my faithful helper on this set of boards, is now the sole moderrator of this forum.

I am taking a break from this and all other Journey forums. The constant negativity of some (most of which would rather bitch and moan on other forums, than contact me directly) has taken it's toll.

While I hate to admit that these people have an effect on me, they have. I do not wish to be overly dramatic about this, but I really need a break from this.

While I have tried to make everyone as happy as possible - with all the many issues between personalities and factions - it clearly has not been good enough and I have had enough.

The best thing to do is withdraw from this and concentrate on running a website, which after all, is supposedly what I do.

Anyone needing to contact me about general site business should do so via my mail e-mail address - ajm@melodicrock.com

Cheers for the positive support of the majority.

- I feel Your pain.


Actually, I came to a similar conclusion - stepping down from moderating duties on a discussion board - partly also for constant negative remarks.


I enjoy my "new freedom" & with more spare time, I've been visiting this site more than before.


Come on over, come on in
You can unwind, take a load off your mind


John -

I'll do what I can here for a while, but I'm not so "up" on the Journey gossip as MANY of the other posters here. Intelligent discussion and debates I'm fine with, but I don't much care for personal attacks because of someones "Opinion",...... those threads will be ixnay'd It'll be nothing personal towards anyone here so hopefully no one will take it that way, but I'm sure there'll be some turds in the punchbowl

Geez I hate this for you Andrew. I know how you're feeling though and maybe a little break will be the best for you right now. Come back as soon as you feel that you can. We'll miss you.

Hi T-bone. Maybe not being so into the Journey world will make it easier for you.

Aussie Bossy, I hope you get what your striving
for with this place in the end.
Enjoy the time you have with those you love, they are
the ones that should have the best Andrew possible.
I'll miss you around here Sir, your the best damn
cyber Daddy we could have ever had.
One last thing......
Thank you for all the hard work and efforts you
always gave, I know you worked from your heart
and sweat with your soul.


T-Bone, glad your helping Andrew out.
Good Luck to you Sir.

Andrew,

I own and run several musicians forums, so I know what you are going through. Personally, I have learned that you have to censor or ban certain individuals who always seem to cause problems (i.e. name-calling, character attacks, slander, etc.). The fact is, you CANNOT make everyone happy on an anonymous web-based forum - it's simply impossible. Just look at the guy who started BackTalk - he had to bail out for his own sanity. Likewise, you need to do what is healthy for you.

If T-bone can take the reigns of this forum and make it work while you focus on your main priorities, great. Many more people are benefited by the main MelodicRock.com home page than they are by this forum. We are all here because of your great work on that home page, not the other way around. So if you cannot focus on what you do, then there is no reason for us to even be here. We are here to support your work, and your passion for rock music.

Some may disagree with me, but I believe online forums have to have a certain set of rules and enforce them. They don't need to go to extremes like BackTalk did, banning people if they posted their dislike of Steve Augeri, but if people are constantly calling other forum members names, slandering them, cussing at them, and causing all-around havoc on the forums - I say get rid of them, and good riddance! I've also found with my forums that a five-day ban can work wonders with someone who continually breaks the rules. They usually come back very humbled and willing to comply with the simple guidelines to be able to benefit from your FREE service.

I know you like posting here Andrew, but you just don't like being the babysitter of the forums. I hope that once T-bone takes the weight of this forum off your shoulders, you can come back here and post on a regular basis. Hell, you've even got JSS posting here dude! This place is the best online rock forum I've ever found! I know you don't want to completely miss out on what is going on here. Once you get a break from it, I'm sure you'll feel much better about posting on here from time to time. It will be like enjoying the features and conveniences of your own tour bus, but letting someone else drive and maintain it.

P.S. - You may want to consider taking on multiple volunteer Forum Moderators with one person (T-bone) in charge of them. This duty may prove to be entirely too difficult for one person. What about when T-bone goes on vacation or needs a few days away from the forums? I would encourage you to find several forum members who have been here for a long time and have good forum etiquette (peaceful demeanor, not easily angered or provoked, and not any harsh dictators who like to use the hammer on members) and let them help T-bone carry the weight. This has worked well for other forums, and it can work well here. It's all good!

Peace Bro

Andrew, I'm sorry for what you've been going through. Sometimes taking a step back and taking a breath of fresh air is a good thing. Only you know what you need to do.

As far as the proofreading thing, I personally don't think you were wrong. This is your website, your forums, and it was your interview. The rest of us are your guests. You didn't intentionally try to offend anyone...with some people, you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Your intentions always have been, and will continue to be, only the best. If people can't see that, well then, the hell with them.

I will miss seeing you around here.

T-Bone, it'll be good to see you here. Turds in the punchbowl? When that happens, I'd definitely use some rubber gloves when I cleaned it out.

Understand what your going through Drew. You can't make everyone happy - so tell them all to go fuck themselves and run your board anyway you damn well please.

It takes a big guy to admit he fucked up.

That's how I see you - as a big guy. And as a nice guy.
I'm certain I am not alone in that opinion.

As I said in another post somewhere, nobody was killed. And it was only a little tiny error of judgement made because the pressure was on and people were baying for those interviews.
It's a shame things got so heated that you feel this way, Andrew. ((((HUG))))

I'm sorry that you feel you need to take this action, but, I hope your sojourn brings you back to us feeling all rejuvinated and raring to go.

Enjoy - if that's the right word - your break.

Warmest wishes and Kindest Regards

Susie.

Drew - You didn't fuck up. The people who complain vehemently about such a non-issue are the ones who are fucked up.

I know this place can wear you down, but I hope you will drop in to post once in a while. And welcome to the insane asylum, T-Bone.

Andrew
This forum wont be the same without you. So I hope with Jeff's PM and everyone elses request here you reconsider your decision and stay with us. I understand what youre goin through and respect your decision. However as I said I hope we can keep you, cause YOU're the one who makes this forum what it is today!

peace


Behshad

I will echo what some others have said.

You DID NOT fuck up - period. This is YOUR site, YOUR forum and if others elsewhere don't like how you choose to run your website/forums then too damn bad for them.

Enjoy your time off and I hope we see you back here sooner rather than later.

JSS wrote:I have PM'd you...I have a take in this for you!!!

How cool is this. JSS has your back!

You will be missed Andrew. I respect you and your integrity. It is too bad that someone else doesnt understand the meaning of the word.

scarabpilot wrote:

JSS wrote:I have PM'd you...I have a take in this for you!!!

How cool is this. JSS has your back!

well of course he does he knows great publicity when he reads it.Its's all about the buisness remeber this place is pretty much pro JSS so it isn't rocket science.

People who think this was some conspiracy need to get a life, wake the f*!@ up. I have been coming to your site since 1996. I have been a Journey fan since the first album. This is the only site that has anything worth reading. While I can understand you being tired of it and needing a break remember this is your place and don't let those assh0le$ that think this is a conspiracy or whatever that Augeri was replaced and you had a hand in it ruin your day. I have seen Journey several times with Augeri and thought he was good. I have seen Journey with Jeff 2 times and think he is great. One final thing I say again FUCK EM and for the ones that say this site is bad and their kids may see this. As far as I am concerned anyone that lets their kids on the internet unsupervised is nuts. If they are old enough to go online by themselves I am sure they will see things a lot worse than swears. People always need something to bitch about. I LOVE YOUR SITE.

People who think this was some conspiracy need to get a life, wake the f*!@ up. I have been coming to your site since 1996. I have been a Journey fan since the first album. This is the only site that has anything worth reading. While I can understand you being tired of it and needing a break remember this is your place and don't let those assh0le$ that think this is a conspiracy or whatever that Augeri was replaced and you had a hand in it ruin your day. I have seen Journey several times with Augeri and thought he was good. I have seen Journey with Jeff 2 times and think he is great. One final thing I say again FUCK EM and for the ones that say this site is bad and their kids may see this. As far as I am concerned anyone that lets their kids on the internet unsupervised is nuts. If they are old enough to go online by themselves I am sure they will see things a lot worse than swears. People always need something to bitch about. I LOVE YOUR SITE.

Andrew, ignore the people who are talking shit about you & your choices. You did not make any mistakes. As you stated YOU were INVITED to do the feature & interviews. This is your site, those are your interviews, your feature, & it's nobody's business why you chose who you did to help you out with the proofing & such. They all, DEAN included, did a wonderful job IMO. Please don't let the nit-pickers get to you like this.

And for those stating this place is "pro JSS", why don't you find someplace else to go then.

wildone wrote:... remeber this place is pretty much pro JSS...

And rightfully so!

Andrew, you have people here who support you, don't allow the others to bring you down.

You didn't do anything wrong, IMO.