Quacker Jack
Madly Diligent
Seriously? :O
This may catch many of you by surprise, but I have decided the time has come for me to resign. This was a difficult choice that I've been juggling in my head the past week or so, but I defiantly think that it is the right one. Before I go into why I have chosen to resign, let's talk a bit about why I came back first.
11 months ago, nearly to this day, I had a falling out with Nerdie and chose to end my frustrations with him and resign from my post. As a result, many other staff members who shared in my frustrations with him chose to resign at the same time, leaving FP deprived of all of its Administrators and TLs, and a handful of its TMs. While it wasn't on my mind at the time, I didn't realize what we were leaving FP to become. From there, FP sort of fell apart in terms of activity but especially on the back end as a result of poor leadership, lack of future planning, and incompetence and a lack of care from the owner. Then, when I learned Nerdie sold FP to MasterA, I was excited: that meant changes could come to FP. From my shadows, I began to help as much as possible, through PMs and conversations with him (and other RAs). In late January, I began to become incredibly hopeful for FP: three distinct things happened in rapid succession. First, Twisted Fairytale became admin. I knew that Peter's ambitious attitude, long history at FP, and awesome personality could mean nothing but up from where we were. Second, Peter convinced the admins to let Gray, my rock throughout the year-and-a-half I was previously on FP, come on as Community Team Leader. Surely that would help as well. But the icing on the cake was Carson: he announced his interest in helping develop mods for FP's future. I knew that this was the chance to see Forum Promotion fixed/saved.
As a staff member, I immediately attempted to get FP back on the right track and fix the wrongs of what happened when we all quit. I held countless talks with MasterA about where I felt FP should move towards and help guide him on several issues. I was able to hold the Site Battle Madness Tournament again to help stir some activity. We were able to conduct surveys to help see where we needed to improve. And most importantly, thanks to the help of the higher level staff to put up with all of the backstage discussions we had: we were willing to change. Dramatically, actually. Meanwhile, we began work on FP 3.1. Almost immediately, it became evident we were having designer issues. Seeing as this project was pretty important to me, as when I was under previous leadership, due to difficulties securing development help and thanks to the lack of support by my superior, I could not achieve anything, I took charge in planning out the project in the beginning. Out of an interesting turn of events, I re-stumbled across Cody; Cody was someone who I learned had interest in designing FP back when I just quit. After it was totally clear that we needed to change our direction, I got Cody involved, and things kept up smoothly. Around the time that Cody began showing us the initial concepts, something great happened for FP 3.1: Cosmic. Cosmic perhaps is the biggest reason why FP 3.1 is here today. Initially, it began as him "lending help to Carson" with some of the "basic" stuff. But then it turned into him essentially taking full charge in seeing Cody's concept come to life. This project became his baby.
And here we are today. So now, you may wonder, when FP is at a time that is so great for it, why am I resigning?
I am resigning today because I feel as if I can. When I came back to FP, my sole purpose and focus was fixing FP in my mind. Today, we have solid admin leadership, moderation back on track, good TLs, and a completed new theme. We made improvements to areas that desperately needed it, including the nav tree and the board rules, and fixed things that weren't working. I have full faith that FP will continue moving forward in the right direction. Lastly - I've never really truly resigned on my own feet before except for after working on the PT for a month or two. After being staff for over a year back in 2010-2011, I got fired on the Community Team. Back when I was around in 2013-2014, I felt forced to resign because I said that I would resign if something happened again - and it did. Now? I'm doing this because I am choosing to. Soon to come in my life is the first year of college for me: an adventure I can't wait for. I want to dedicate my time 100% to it and its social life without committing to FP. Lastly, this summer, I initially thought I'd be working 20 hours a week, but I'm averaging nearly 40 hours now. My time is running short, and I'm not giving my position the time it deserves.
Without further ado, I think some thank yous are in mind. Here are my thank you's to everyone over these past several years (if you didn't make it on this list, fret not, these are just the biggest names I have):
Gray - You are probably the staff member I have become the closest to over all of these years. You are my rock: we embarked on the CT together back in '13, and here we are still in '15. You are the reason I came back. You also get the difficulty more than anyone else that I suck at "brb"ing. We will stay close!
Justin - Man! You have seriously been the other staff member I've become the closest too as well. I remember when you through us for a loop back in 2013, and now look at you. From here on out, you'll be the CTL, as you know well. I look forward to (hopefully) one day seeing you as Admin here. You will keep the QJ spirit alive, I hope. We will stay in touch!
LunarScorpio - Indeed! Apparently I stole this word from you. Ah well. Between you me and Hunter, we were an awesome trio always up to crazy stuff. But we had a blast running FP back in the day! I will miss those old days. But now, we are talking on Skype again!
Eternal - It sucks that you are busy now, but damn I miss you! You were the reason why FP was always so fun! I'll forever miss those nights you and Justin were drunk on Skype, and Gray would randomly chime in.
Hissae2 - James! It's been great working closely with you, whether as Co-TLs, Co-Admins, or as my TM!
Twisted Fairytale - One of the main reasons why I came back. Thank you TF, for everything!
Cosmic - Oh man! You know, at times I had my doubts about you, but I am positive that you are possibly one of the best things that hit FP. As I said, you are the main reason why FP 3.1 is here today due to your ceaseless dedication. Keep innovating, keep active, but get some sleep here and then!
Sshadow - My first boss. Thanks for getting me hooked on FP and taking me on as a PTLA.
2787CMT - You are why I came back in 2013. I could of peacefully forgotten FP, but nope, you messaged me on Skype one day and somehow convinced me to join the RT.
Fowler - It's crazy how long FP's been kicking, but it is all thanks to you. You are also one of the coolest guys probably ever to be on FP (along with Kino). Thank you for all you did for FP and for obviously founding it.
Matthew - You and I sort of have a weird connection. Sometimes, I question why we are "friends", but nonetheless, we are. Thanks to your sole leadership after we quit, FP still survives. One person cannot run FP on his own, but you are the reason why it is still here today after we left. Thanks for that man, and hit me on Skype more often!
MasterA - Thank you for buying FP, and being open to all of these changes; and for letting some of us crazy old staff members back. You have the support of everyone now who quit in the past.
Nerdie - Thank you for selling FP.
Without further ado, goodbye FP for now. I'll still be around as an RA, but who knows? I look forward to seeing you all around. 🙂
