I have been one of the moderators on a major “Men Going Their Own Way” web-forum, since it was launched a bit more than two years ago. I took my post seriously, and I did what I could to protect it from trolls and to keep the tone of the site positive. I figured it was my duty to log onto the site repeatedly during the day, to check all the latest posts, and to take action from revising or deleting posts up to banning the trolls, the spammers and the too-too-negative characters who brought their excessive pessimism to the mix.
I was surprised, then, to get a private message, this morning, that I have been kicked off the moderators’ team. The reason was, evidently, a remark I’d meant as harmless teasing, that the owner of the site took, as a challenge to his authority. So, as was his right, he gave me the congé.
That’s one meaning of “relieved,” I’ve been removed from the watch list.
But I’m “relieved” in another way – I can turn my time and attention to other things. Managing, or helping to manage, that board, is no longer my problem; I don’t need to watch over it, worry about it, spend my time on the computer when I could be out on the water.
It is a relief….
I’m proud of what I contributed to that board. It was because of that pride, and the sense of responsibility that went with it, that I “helicoptered” over it as … well, as “obsessively” as I did. But … well, that’s at an end.
Now, I’ll have a lot more attention to spend on the rest of my life … some of it, with bringing more to this blog. Much more of it, to getting out on Halcyon, free from the umbilical cord of the Internet, and living my life. And hopefully, I’ll bring back some good stories to share.
Pax —
BeijaFlor
What did you utter to bring that expulsion upon yourself?
“Jagr, this is ONE time when I wish I knew your age … Son.”
All I can figure is, he took it far more seriously than I meant it.
I apologized and asked him for a link so I could see where I’d said it. He responded by saying we’d been butting heads enough, thanked me for the help I’d given, and said I was still welcome to visit and use the site.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, the Bay is calling …
Hey man, just wanted to say thanks and farewell. You took the time to help guide me through some crazy times, and even though you might just think it was nothing, it means something. Figured you were on another adventure, looks like I figured right 🙂 Keep on keepin on, my man…And, thanks again…