If nobody replies to this post...

[webdominatrix]

...then I'm shuttin' it down. Not to give up or be mean. I'm just asking if it even matters anymore to anybody that this site is here. If so, even it's only one person, I'll keep it going. Otherwise, maybe it'll be a little cathartic for everyone if it ends huh?

[IDBUG]

I'm here. Actually I've been completely absent from just about...everything (but work) for the past two+ months.

I'm so burnt out I think I see smoke around the edges of my image in the mirror sometimes. Seriously.

Cathartic to shut it down, I dunno.

If it is, then maybe that's how it should be. I was just thinking about this place and wondering if (hoping) it was still here. I would certainly hate to lose a connection to so many people I've come to call friends, but it did get lonely when nobody responded to or started posts for a long long time.

It's your site, your decision. I've offered several times to take over the offtheemmis.com part, so more people could find the place, but it's never really happened. And I'd be willing to take this on too. But again, it's up to you.

--Tanya

[webdominatrix]

Ahh, IDBUG. I was hoping you'd show up. Yes, I would love for you to help me with the offtheemmis.com part! I don't really want to close up shop but I put the cathartic angle in there to maybe not make myself feel so bad.

And the not answering posts and not posting...I will go ahead and apologize for being neglectful. As an admin of this site, I think it's only fair that I log in at least once every twenty four hours. I mean hell, there could've been something really inflammatory posted and I wouldn't have known to edit or take it down. I feel bad about that, I really do. I mean aside from Angie(my baby sister) being in a coma at the end of last year, this year I have so far: Had my son diagnosed with high functioning autism, dissolved a friendship and partnership that was very important(technically and personally) to the start of this site, helped my brother with his custody battle sans lawyer(think lots of phone calls, research and highlighting of various pertinent documents for the case), seperated with my husband, reconciled with my husband, went through detox, and am now going to therapy. Not excuses because I know everybody that's apart of this place has a life of their own and things to do. I guess I just let it take a back seat to all of that. Man, I really hope that I'm not coming across as others have in the past as far as not paying attention to your website goes...

Okay, here's the jist: I guess I should've called on trusted posters who can remain objective to help me moderate. I think if I had passed around some of this responsiblity, it wouldn't have been so daunting for me and would've helped to solidify the involvement and shown appreciation for those who've been there from the start. It's my first website guys, so live and learn I guess.

So we'll stay up. I meant it when I said if only one person posted it'd go on and lucky for you, an IDBUG chimed in. I hope this year ends up being a busy one to make up for lost time. Any idea on how to get posters back? Should we have a Poster Appreciation Day? Send out e-vites to everyone's e-mail and invite them back? Ideas of any and all kinds would be welcome.

And again, I'm sorry...

[IDBUG]

WD, I'm looking into the offtheemmis.com part. It looks like it's available, I am now looking at the ins and outs of how I might get a page on there after grabbing the domain name.

Wow, it sounds like you've had a tough year. I'm sorry to hear it, and I hope it goes way better. It sucks that your son has that difficulty too. I am glad to hear that he's getting the help he needs (at least it sounds like it). My daughter's similar issues have been a real struggle, and finding the right provider has been pretty much impossible. Her becoming a teenager just multiplies the hell sometimes (she's pretty much been a like teenager since 7, just now the other stuff kicks in--arrrgh).

I am glad that you reconciled with your husband too. I really do hope your year goes better.

Yes, please let me know if you want help with anything. I'm generally crazy busy right now, but never hesitate to ask, I'll do whatever I can, whenever I can.

--Tanya/IDBUG

[webdominatrix]

Oh good! Let me know how that goes. If you want to call, by all means. If you don't still have my number, I have yours or can pm you mine.

And man, I hear you on the teenager at 7 thing. We say that Rye is 6 going on 16. He's so advanced and smart and moody and tempermental and feels misunderstood. All the hallmarks of an angsty teenager.

My year has sucked...HARD. But it's getting better and I can see a light at the end of the 7th St. tunnel.

[IDBUG]

Fun fun fun. Yes, I'm there with the 6 going on 16. I was completely blown away the other night when a friend's kids actually did what he asked them to, no problem, no fuss. Of course, he does fuss at them sometimes, but holy crap, this 10 year old kid picked up after himself without any arm twisting, it was like he actually HEARD his dad.

Sigh. If only. My daughter acts like she has a block wall around her most of the time, whether I'm trying to get her to do stuff or even just trying to be affectionate to her. So that's why I am thinking autism spectrum, you know?

I'm glad you are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Sorry the year has sucked though.

Just FYI, I'm going to be out of town for the next week (and away from computers). I'm taking my kid to San Diego. Wish us luck!

[webdominatrix]

Holy shit, ID! Call me about your trip! I found a non tourist, clean, mostly surfer beach if you're interested! I also have some passes because we joined a membership for the zoo.

And the affection part is a good indicator. It was for me anyway. Reilly does give kisses but it's rare. He gets uncomfortable with prolonged hugging or affection. It makes me sad sometimes but I know it's only because it pulls him out of his world and his world is comfy and safe for him.

[IDBUG]

Hi! Sorry it took me so long to respond. I wrote a big response to this a few days ago, then I had to shut down the machine and run to the next thing (there's always a next thing, I'll never rest, it seems).

Yeah, I wish I'd seen your message before I shut down on Friday. Thanks for offering on the zoo, I might take you up on that next time. I love the zoo. Seaworld, on the other hand, gives me the willies a little bit. Don't get me wrong, the animals and rides and shows are interesting. But the incessant and opportunistic selling (at sometimes ridiculous prices) of every possible aspect of a visitor's experience there leaves a bad taste in my mouth. That, and their poor crowd-handling technique (or lack of).

This is what i mean: at each show, if it was sunny and hot, they had people walking around with trays of hats for sale ($12 and up), and sunscreen and cold drinks. If it was cold or you might get wet, they had people walking around with trays of hot cocoa and ponchos and blankets and towels. If you decide you need one of these items when there are only a couple left, the price would go up (I think that depended on the person with the tray, though). If you wanted to feed the animals, get in line for a $5 tray of 4 fish. If you want to eat there, better get a loan.

That and, in the morning, there were so many people and strollers sqeezed into the place. Seaworld could easily have posed as an Earnhardt-sized stroller dealership. My daughter wanted to see this movie thing they were showing, but when we got to that area, it was so packed with people we had a hard time even turning around to get out. I swear, it was insanely crowded. My claustrophobia doesn't do well in those situations.

In the afternoon it let up a bit, with all the tiny kids getting exhausted etc, and the parents who gave a sh!t leaving. I will never go there in the morning again. It turned out pretty ok later, and I'm glad we went, but I hope I remember this next time I think of going there. Wow, that place is insane.

And the zoo. It was a bit crowded, but NOTHING like Sea world. We enjoyed it quite a bit, and there was not much $$ grubbing there either. In fact, there were a couple of items that we found for less there than at other places. Go figure. And we didn't have to pay for parking. And they didn't sell interactions with the animals, and they didn't charge $10 for a hot dog. I love the zoo.

I would love to hear about that beach, WD. We went to the beach twice. We ended up in La Jolla both times. The first time, we were in the Scripps area of La Jolla, and we parked near the park, with the two hour time limit. That was not as fun, having to keep an eye on the time. The second time, we were in southern La Jolla, just barely north of Mission beach, and we parked on the street in front of someone's house. It was much more relaxing there.

Both times were pretty nice because there weren't too many people, just a few families. Plus, the surf in that area is way more fun than Mission Beach, it's a little more rough and gives you a better ride (even without a board).

See, I still blabbed, even on the second try. :-)

[webdominatrix]

Blabbing is cool. I do it all the time, yeah yeah.

Anyway, fuck Sea World. I love their zoo so much. It owns all over Sea Worlds face! We actually became members when we went last March. That's why I had the free passes and discount whatnot.

I would really love to move to San Diego. Or more specifically, Leucadia. It's about twenty/twenty-five miles north of SD. Like a little enclave in Encinitas. Too bad I don't have 1400 a month to spend for rent.

[IDBUG]

Yeah, no kidding. Tooooo much $$. And traffic. And ... well, everything else is pretty nice. I'd love to live there too.

[-]

:::g stumbles in:::

I know, I know.... I'm late. I usually am these days.

So um.. yeah. I'm here. Present and now accounted for

[IDBUG]

Yaaaaay GH! Glad to see you!

[mzdiagnosed]

Hope I am not a day late and a dollar...
No- do not shut it down. This is different!