This is my journal, and I'm going to rant in it.
Be advised that this entry contains 100% role-playing related rant-tastic flavor. I'm not putting it behind a filter. Screw that. I will, however, put it all behind this handy dandy little cut that you can choose to click or not at your own discretion.
We'll start this off by saying... A couple of weeks ago I made a post on Mutual Endeavors about a specific incident. This psot, if you are a member, can be found on the Troll Cave (formerly known as Bitch Fest) board under the subject title of "Don't be an asshole." And it's all about this one singular douchebag whom I would very much like to eviscerate with a rusty pick axe.
So I've been running this global storyline recently, or rather I just recently reactivated it after long months of inactivity. This storyline is detailed in full on GreaterRealms under the thread Sinister Plot. One day I was playing out a small scene with a couple of friends, and this dickhead comes in and immediately IMs me and accuses me of godmoding. This was not his best start.
Now. For about a month now, a small handful of us have been plotting and planning this large live event which went down tonight. What's the very first thing this asshole does the moment he sees my name pop into the room to get the terror party started? That's right. He IM'd me. But I have a series of IMs in relation. It started with my dear friend Trent who got an earful that he IM'd to me. It went a little something like this:
Trent: That's what collaborative role-playing is. Nobody's forcing anybody. If you want to go with it, you just go with it. If you don't, you don't.
Yejix: i don't like it, but Yej is already tied up in this crap.
Trent: How so?
Yejix: He, Kuro and Zero successfully fended off a rush on the RDI a few weeks ago.
Which, according to my informants, is actually total crap. But Trent asked me what he was getting at. To which I said, "What he's saying is that he intends on being a dickhead instead of just sitting it out." The conversation continued, as Trent shared with me.
Trent: I think you might want to sit this one out. I don't think you really get
what's about to happen here.
Yejix: Are you bossing me, Neo?
Yejix: I know damn well what's about to happen.
Yejix: a massacre.
Trent: I'm giving you a suggestion. Every single player here does too.
Trent:: A massacre? No such thing.
Trent: No one's character is going to die here.
Yejix: of course not, cuz it's rhydin. nobody dies because they're afraid to have to deal with it.
Yejix: now shush an' lemme hunt.
Trent: See, you still don't get it.
Trent: This isn't a pissing contest of "my character is stronger than yours so die".
Trent: This is collaboarative story writing.
Yejix: stop trying to force your "logic" on me, kay?
Yejix: Neo.
Trent then proceeded to ask me, "Can I go ahead and tell him that the people running this SL have no intent of acknowledging any of his actions?" I told him to go right ahead. Better that the douchebag know he's being ignored than to get frustrated when nobody acknowledges his actions. And furthermore, as I would've expected, get so frustrated that he starts calling shots all on his own and ruining the show for everybody else.
So ... He finds out that nobody's going to acknowledge him for the big event tonight. The first thing he does is IM one of my cohorts. That IM went a little something like this:
Yejix: ..alright. who's the wanker tryin to keep me from the worthy challenges you give me?
Yejix: i do so love the hunt.
Cohort: It's not me. I'm sorry. I'm not running this storyline, I'm only helping in it.
About twenty minutes later, when I'm ready to start the main event of monstrous invasion and I pop my name into the room ... I'm immediately assaulted by the following IM:
Yejix: Oi.
Yejix: What's the deal with banning me from the lovely hunts you give me?
Myself: I have no time for you.
Yejix: And why not?
Myself: Either you play along cooperatively tonight, or not at all.
Myself: Because ... I'm coordinating a large scale event and cannot spend my time chit-chatting with you, arguing semantics.
Yejix: And what'll it take to be able to have any fun tonight?
Yejix: =\
Myself: I'm here to play. Not be lectured or ridiculed.
Yejix: I wanna know what your problem is with me.
Myself: Play along according to the rules we've set forth. Play along like
everyone else is. Don't try to be the big damn hero and ruin everything.
Myself: PM me and I'll tell you later.
Myself: Like I said, I have no time for you right now.
So he PM'd me. And as promised, I delivered him a response. I think this will please the majority of you. I have the guts to be brutally honest and tell a dickhead why he's a dickhead. Here it is:
All right. Let's start with the fact that your very first interaction with me started on a negative note. The very first words out of your virtual mouth -- or fingers, if you prefer -- were insulting, demeaning, and altogether inappropriate. When you saw me playing with a small handful of people, the very first thing you did was accuse me of godmoding. That's not exactly the best start to any relationship, RP or otherwise.
The Sinister Plot storyline is something I started nearly nine months ago. I started it in June of last year. It began with a small handful of individuals, a couple of friends whom I trusted to know it was me behind the idea. Those few started threads as I asked. There is a long explanation of what the storyline entails, including most importantly the clause that it is entirely optional. As with all global storylines, you do not have to participate in it if you choose not to. However, it's very bad form to do any number of things, of which you are guilty.
1. Don't insult the creator. I started the storyline. Picking apart my "logic" and telling me how I'm "doing it wrong" does not win you any favor points.
2. Don't insult those people who are participating in the storyline and enjoying it. Those people you saw me playing with had already read "the rules" and agreed to my terms for the storyline. They liked the idea and were playing into it. I didn't force anybody's hand. I do not force anyone to play into my storylines. It is always 100% by choice. I give plenty of warning in advance, as I did tonight for the Shindig, of what to expect. Those who participated tonight knew what to expect.
3. Don't be a hero. Everything I've seen you do so far in correlation to this storyline has been nothing but a series of mockeries and insta-fixes. I asked very specifically, as is stated in the thread I linked you to, that nobody put an end to this storyline right away by being the big damn hero.
Let's also point out the fact that your character created a Denubae Vaccine? For what? These monsters are apparently a disease? You have a special medicine that instantly deflects them somehow? I've only heard about this through other people. It would have been courteous of you to first PM me and ask me if it was okay since these creatures are my creation and only I know their strengths and weaknesses. You don't seem to understand them at all. And instead of barraging me with IMs whenever I was online, you could have had the courtesy to PM me and ask.
You are an inconsiderate power-gamer yourself. Again I state that everything I have ever seen you do seems to reflect a need to "one-up" everybody else you are interacting with. I could give you examples, but that would require me revealing to you who else I play, and that's just not something I desire to do because I don't want you harassing me every chance you get.
Role-playing is not a contest. It's a game. It's a community project that requires cooperation, consideration and communication. As a game it has to be enjoyable for people to continue playing it, and you sir seem to have an infallible tendency to do nothing but ruin the fun for everybody around you. I really don't know how Stiles (whatever his real name should be) can tolerate you. In fact, I feel sorry for him. Stiles has potential. He knows how to cooperate. You, on the other hand, seem only capable of sticking your nose into everybody's business and being an obnoxious little twit.
For accusing me of godmoding, when in fact I was not, you owe me first an apology. Second, you have to show me that you are capable of consideration and courtesy, in knowing how to play along and understand the full concept of Free Form Cooperative Role-Playing, before I ever consider acknowledging anything you do.
You asked to know what "my beef" with you is? Well there it is. Grow up. Play along. Don't be such a jerk to everybody. Or get the hell out of my game space and leave me the hell alone.
And that, my friends, is what happens when you invoke the wrath of Bitchzilla. Hopefully he gets a fucking clue. I couldn't have made it any more CLEAR for him. But it was also an opportune moment. I told Trent I was seriously considering writing him a letter telling him exactly what I think of him before he asked it of me. Well. Now he knows. And I'm not shy about it one bit.
But wait! There's more!
So of course Yejix wrote me back. Here's his letter to me, verbatim copied from the PM.
I'm trying not to be an ***. I'm really trying.
My humblest apologies for assuming anything.
The Denubae Vaccine was only to be used among my own characters as a faster way to combat the paralysis, but not the pain.
"3. Don't be a hero. Everything I've seen you do so far in correlation to this storyline has been nothing but a series of mockeries and insta-fixes. I asked very specifically, as is stated in the thread I linked you to, that nobody put an end to this storyline right away by being the big damn hero. "
Butthurt, much? Deal with it like I dealt with your immature "banning" of my interaction and effectively ruining what kind of frivolty that was actually WANTED tonight from me.
"You are an inconsiderate power-gamer yourself. Again I state that everything I have ever seen you do seems to reflect a need to "one-up" everybody else you are interacting with. I could give you examples, but that would require me revealing to you who else I play, and that's just not something I desire to do because I don't want you harassing me every chance you get. "
When people actually IM me and ask me to stop or not do something, I honor that request. As for wanting to "one-up" everyone, it already seems clear to me that this is a pissing contest and that RP is dead. Most of these 'one-uppings" are bluffs. I feel no need to expatiate on this.
"I really don't know how Stiles (whatever his real name should be) can tolerate you. In fact, I feel sorry for him. Stiles has potential. He knows how to cooperate. You, on the other hand, seem only capable of sticking your nose into everybody's business and being an obnoxious little twit. "
You leave him out of this. He has been shown this entire conversation since you've directly mentioned his name.
"For accusing me of godmoding, when in fact I was not, you owe me first an apology. Second, you have to show me that you are capable of consideration and courtesy, in knowing how to play along and understand the full concept of Free Form Cooperative Role-Playing, before I ever consider acknowledging anything you do. "
Lol, u mad? Yea, u mad. deal with it. There's an ignore button for a reason. Use it.
You got your apology and I meant it. However I will not apologize for how I play Yejix. That's about as douchebag as douchebag gets, demanding an apology for that.
And here's my response right back at him. Though I'm going to have to change the format a little bit. His quotes will be pretty obvious and italicized.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
The Denubae Vaccine was only to be used among my own characters as a faster way to combat the paralysis, but not the pain.
The fact about that "insta-fix" that bothers me is that you did not consult with me first. Not to mention that the name of it is utterly ridiculous. "Anti-venom" would've been more appropriate, as the toxin itself is not a disease but, well, a toxin. The Denubae are not a disease. The "venom" that they inject only lasts for 30 minutes, as described, and it is not lethal. Sure, that may not seem entirely logical, but that's the way it is. The venom only seizes motor functions and immobilizes victims for 30 minutes tops. After that, it wears off and people are just fine and dandy.
Though if you want to have an anti-venom, that's fine. It's plausible. Something to inject straight away to counter-act the effects of the toxin could be useful, and it's entirely logical. Given enough time, study and research, that sort of thing could be developed. I just found it inconsiderate that you went ahead and made it happen instead of consulting the mastermind behind the storyline, me, first.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
Butthurt, much? Deal with it like I dealt with your immature "banning" of my interaction and effectively ruining what kind of frivolty that was actually WANTED tonight from me.
Yes, that's right. Go ahead and continue insulting me. Let me also point out the fact that everyone else involved with tonight's main event went into it knowing that ICly they had no idea the monsters were going to show up. When you had your hissy fit and left with Yejix making the comment of "I've got better things to do than deal with dogs." -- That too was inconsiderate powergaming. It was also blending on your part. Nobody else, in character, knew the Denubae were going to show up. So how do you justify Yejix instantly knowing?
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
When people actually IM me and ask me to stop or not do something, I honor that request. As for wanting to "one-up" everyone, it already seems clear to me that this is a pissing contest and that RP is dead. Most of these 'one-uppings" are bluffs. I feel no need to expatiate on this.
And this is where you fail as a role-player. Nobody is going to want to play with you when you express an attitude like that. You completely fail to understand the concept of cooperative free-form gaming. I don't even know why you're here on Dragon's Mark, or Rings of Honor for that matter. Nobody should have to IM you to ask you to stop or not do something. You should be considerate enough, and smart enough, to know better not to do something on your own.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
You leave him out of this. He has been shown this entire conversation since you've directly mentioned his name.
You say that as if I should be afraid that you informed Stiles of what I said. Nothing I said has any negative impact on him whatsoever. I like him. As I said, he has potential. Half the time I get the impression he's embarrassed by your very existence whenever you bring a character into the room to interact with him. I know I would be if I were him.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
Lol, u mad? Yea, u mad. deal with it. There's an ignore button for a reason. Use it.
You got your apology and I meant it. However I will not apologize for how I play Yejix. That's about as douchebag as douchebag gets, demanding an apology for that.
Oh, I'm not mad, Yejix, or whatever your name may actually be. I pity you, in some small way. Maybe just an ounce of pity, that's what I have for you. Though I accept your apology for insulting me, for accusing me of godmoding when in fact I was not, I cannot yet accept you as a role-player. You have a lot to learn.
I suspect there will be more from him, but I don't want to keep editing up a single LJ post devoted to his idiocy. If there's more, I'll make another post later. lol! What an idiot.
We'll start this off by saying... A couple of weeks ago I made a post on Mutual Endeavors about a specific incident. This psot, if you are a member, can be found on the Troll Cave (formerly known as Bitch Fest) board under the subject title of "Don't be an asshole." And it's all about this one singular douchebag whom I would very much like to eviscerate with a rusty pick axe.
So I've been running this global storyline recently, or rather I just recently reactivated it after long months of inactivity. This storyline is detailed in full on GreaterRealms under the thread Sinister Plot. One day I was playing out a small scene with a couple of friends, and this dickhead comes in and immediately IMs me and accuses me of godmoding. This was not his best start.
Now. For about a month now, a small handful of us have been plotting and planning this large live event which went down tonight. What's the very first thing this asshole does the moment he sees my name pop into the room to get the terror party started? That's right. He IM'd me. But I have a series of IMs in relation. It started with my dear friend Trent who got an earful that he IM'd to me. It went a little something like this:
Trent: That's what collaborative role-playing is. Nobody's forcing anybody. If you want to go with it, you just go with it. If you don't, you don't.
Yejix: i don't like it, but Yej is already tied up in this crap.
Trent: How so?
Yejix: He, Kuro and Zero successfully fended off a rush on the RDI a few weeks ago.
Which, according to my informants, is actually total crap. But Trent asked me what he was getting at. To which I said, "What he's saying is that he intends on being a dickhead instead of just sitting it out." The conversation continued, as Trent shared with me.
Trent: I think you might want to sit this one out. I don't think you really get
what's about to happen here.
Yejix: Are you bossing me, Neo?
Yejix: I know damn well what's about to happen.
Yejix: a massacre.
Trent: I'm giving you a suggestion. Every single player here does too.
Trent:: A massacre? No such thing.
Trent: No one's character is going to die here.
Yejix: of course not, cuz it's rhydin. nobody dies because they're afraid to have to deal with it.
Yejix: now shush an' lemme hunt.
Trent: See, you still don't get it.
Trent: This isn't a pissing contest of "my character is stronger than yours so die".
Trent: This is collaboarative story writing.
Yejix: stop trying to force your "logic" on me, kay?
Yejix: Neo.
Trent then proceeded to ask me, "Can I go ahead and tell him that the people running this SL have no intent of acknowledging any of his actions?" I told him to go right ahead. Better that the douchebag know he's being ignored than to get frustrated when nobody acknowledges his actions. And furthermore, as I would've expected, get so frustrated that he starts calling shots all on his own and ruining the show for everybody else.
So ... He finds out that nobody's going to acknowledge him for the big event tonight. The first thing he does is IM one of my cohorts. That IM went a little something like this:
Yejix: ..alright. who's the wanker tryin to keep me from the worthy challenges you give me?
Yejix: i do so love the hunt.
Cohort: It's not me. I'm sorry. I'm not running this storyline, I'm only helping in it.
About twenty minutes later, when I'm ready to start the main event of monstrous invasion and I pop my name into the room ... I'm immediately assaulted by the following IM:
Yejix: Oi.
Yejix: What's the deal with banning me from the lovely hunts you give me?
Myself: I have no time for you.
Yejix: And why not?
Myself: Either you play along cooperatively tonight, or not at all.
Myself: Because ... I'm coordinating a large scale event and cannot spend my time chit-chatting with you, arguing semantics.
Yejix: And what'll it take to be able to have any fun tonight?
Yejix: =\
Myself: I'm here to play. Not be lectured or ridiculed.
Yejix: I wanna know what your problem is with me.
Myself: Play along according to the rules we've set forth. Play along like
everyone else is. Don't try to be the big damn hero and ruin everything.
Myself: PM me and I'll tell you later.
Myself: Like I said, I have no time for you right now.
So he PM'd me. And as promised, I delivered him a response. I think this will please the majority of you. I have the guts to be brutally honest and tell a dickhead why he's a dickhead. Here it is:
All right. Let's start with the fact that your very first interaction with me started on a negative note. The very first words out of your virtual mouth -- or fingers, if you prefer -- were insulting, demeaning, and altogether inappropriate. When you saw me playing with a small handful of people, the very first thing you did was accuse me of godmoding. That's not exactly the best start to any relationship, RP or otherwise.
The Sinister Plot storyline is something I started nearly nine months ago. I started it in June of last year. It began with a small handful of individuals, a couple of friends whom I trusted to know it was me behind the idea. Those few started threads as I asked. There is a long explanation of what the storyline entails, including most importantly the clause that it is entirely optional. As with all global storylines, you do not have to participate in it if you choose not to. However, it's very bad form to do any number of things, of which you are guilty.
1. Don't insult the creator. I started the storyline. Picking apart my "logic" and telling me how I'm "doing it wrong" does not win you any favor points.
2. Don't insult those people who are participating in the storyline and enjoying it. Those people you saw me playing with had already read "the rules" and agreed to my terms for the storyline. They liked the idea and were playing into it. I didn't force anybody's hand. I do not force anyone to play into my storylines. It is always 100% by choice. I give plenty of warning in advance, as I did tonight for the Shindig, of what to expect. Those who participated tonight knew what to expect.
3. Don't be a hero. Everything I've seen you do so far in correlation to this storyline has been nothing but a series of mockeries and insta-fixes. I asked very specifically, as is stated in the thread I linked you to, that nobody put an end to this storyline right away by being the big damn hero.
Let's also point out the fact that your character created a Denubae Vaccine? For what? These monsters are apparently a disease? You have a special medicine that instantly deflects them somehow? I've only heard about this through other people. It would have been courteous of you to first PM me and ask me if it was okay since these creatures are my creation and only I know their strengths and weaknesses. You don't seem to understand them at all. And instead of barraging me with IMs whenever I was online, you could have had the courtesy to PM me and ask.
You are an inconsiderate power-gamer yourself. Again I state that everything I have ever seen you do seems to reflect a need to "one-up" everybody else you are interacting with. I could give you examples, but that would require me revealing to you who else I play, and that's just not something I desire to do because I don't want you harassing me every chance you get.
Role-playing is not a contest. It's a game. It's a community project that requires cooperation, consideration and communication. As a game it has to be enjoyable for people to continue playing it, and you sir seem to have an infallible tendency to do nothing but ruin the fun for everybody around you. I really don't know how Stiles (whatever his real name should be) can tolerate you. In fact, I feel sorry for him. Stiles has potential. He knows how to cooperate. You, on the other hand, seem only capable of sticking your nose into everybody's business and being an obnoxious little twit.
For accusing me of godmoding, when in fact I was not, you owe me first an apology. Second, you have to show me that you are capable of consideration and courtesy, in knowing how to play along and understand the full concept of Free Form Cooperative Role-Playing, before I ever consider acknowledging anything you do.
You asked to know what "my beef" with you is? Well there it is. Grow up. Play along. Don't be such a jerk to everybody. Or get the hell out of my game space and leave me the hell alone.
And that, my friends, is what happens when you invoke the wrath of Bitchzilla. Hopefully he gets a fucking clue. I couldn't have made it any more CLEAR for him. But it was also an opportune moment. I told Trent I was seriously considering writing him a letter telling him exactly what I think of him before he asked it of me. Well. Now he knows. And I'm not shy about it one bit.
But wait! There's more!
So of course Yejix wrote me back. Here's his letter to me, verbatim copied from the PM.
I'm trying not to be an ***. I'm really trying.
My humblest apologies for assuming anything.
The Denubae Vaccine was only to be used among my own characters as a faster way to combat the paralysis, but not the pain.
"3. Don't be a hero. Everything I've seen you do so far in correlation to this storyline has been nothing but a series of mockeries and insta-fixes. I asked very specifically, as is stated in the thread I linked you to, that nobody put an end to this storyline right away by being the big damn hero. "
Butthurt, much? Deal with it like I dealt with your immature "banning" of my interaction and effectively ruining what kind of frivolty that was actually WANTED tonight from me.
"You are an inconsiderate power-gamer yourself. Again I state that everything I have ever seen you do seems to reflect a need to "one-up" everybody else you are interacting with. I could give you examples, but that would require me revealing to you who else I play, and that's just not something I desire to do because I don't want you harassing me every chance you get. "
When people actually IM me and ask me to stop or not do something, I honor that request. As for wanting to "one-up" everyone, it already seems clear to me that this is a pissing contest and that RP is dead. Most of these 'one-uppings" are bluffs. I feel no need to expatiate on this.
"I really don't know how Stiles (whatever his real name should be) can tolerate you. In fact, I feel sorry for him. Stiles has potential. He knows how to cooperate. You, on the other hand, seem only capable of sticking your nose into everybody's business and being an obnoxious little twit. "
You leave him out of this. He has been shown this entire conversation since you've directly mentioned his name.
"For accusing me of godmoding, when in fact I was not, you owe me first an apology. Second, you have to show me that you are capable of consideration and courtesy, in knowing how to play along and understand the full concept of Free Form Cooperative Role-Playing, before I ever consider acknowledging anything you do. "
Lol, u mad? Yea, u mad. deal with it. There's an ignore button for a reason. Use it.
You got your apology and I meant it. However I will not apologize for how I play Yejix. That's about as douchebag as douchebag gets, demanding an apology for that.
And here's my response right back at him. Though I'm going to have to change the format a little bit. His quotes will be pretty obvious and italicized.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
The Denubae Vaccine was only to be used among my own characters as a faster way to combat the paralysis, but not the pain.
The fact about that "insta-fix" that bothers me is that you did not consult with me first. Not to mention that the name of it is utterly ridiculous. "Anti-venom" would've been more appropriate, as the toxin itself is not a disease but, well, a toxin. The Denubae are not a disease. The "venom" that they inject only lasts for 30 minutes, as described, and it is not lethal. Sure, that may not seem entirely logical, but that's the way it is. The venom only seizes motor functions and immobilizes victims for 30 minutes tops. After that, it wears off and people are just fine and dandy.
Though if you want to have an anti-venom, that's fine. It's plausible. Something to inject straight away to counter-act the effects of the toxin could be useful, and it's entirely logical. Given enough time, study and research, that sort of thing could be developed. I just found it inconsiderate that you went ahead and made it happen instead of consulting the mastermind behind the storyline, me, first.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
Butthurt, much? Deal with it like I dealt with your immature "banning" of my interaction and effectively ruining what kind of frivolty that was actually WANTED tonight from me.
Yes, that's right. Go ahead and continue insulting me. Let me also point out the fact that everyone else involved with tonight's main event went into it knowing that ICly they had no idea the monsters were going to show up. When you had your hissy fit and left with Yejix making the comment of "I've got better things to do than deal with dogs." -- That too was inconsiderate powergaming. It was also blending on your part. Nobody else, in character, knew the Denubae were going to show up. So how do you justify Yejix instantly knowing?
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
When people actually IM me and ask me to stop or not do something, I honor that request. As for wanting to "one-up" everyone, it already seems clear to me that this is a pissing contest and that RP is dead. Most of these 'one-uppings" are bluffs. I feel no need to expatiate on this.
And this is where you fail as a role-player. Nobody is going to want to play with you when you express an attitude like that. You completely fail to understand the concept of cooperative free-form gaming. I don't even know why you're here on Dragon's Mark, or Rings of Honor for that matter. Nobody should have to IM you to ask you to stop or not do something. You should be considerate enough, and smart enough, to know better not to do something on your own.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
You leave him out of this. He has been shown this entire conversation since you've directly mentioned his name.
You say that as if I should be afraid that you informed Stiles of what I said. Nothing I said has any negative impact on him whatsoever. I like him. As I said, he has potential. Half the time I get the impression he's embarrassed by your very existence whenever you bring a character into the room to interact with him. I know I would be if I were him.
Yejix Zabiru wrote:
Lol, u mad? Yea, u mad. deal with it. There's an ignore button for a reason. Use it.
You got your apology and I meant it. However I will not apologize for how I play Yejix. That's about as douchebag as douchebag gets, demanding an apology for that.
Oh, I'm not mad, Yejix, or whatever your name may actually be. I pity you, in some small way. Maybe just an ounce of pity, that's what I have for you. Though I accept your apology for insulting me, for accusing me of godmoding when in fact I was not, I cannot yet accept you as a role-player. You have a lot to learn.
I suspect there will be more from him, but I don't want to keep editing up a single LJ post devoted to his idiocy. If there's more, I'll make another post later. lol! What an idiot.