This Is An Intervention

Okay, I don't normally take the time to write a blog, but I feel the need to address the drama that is going down on TDF right now. First of all, I understand why people are angry. Really, I do. People are feeling hurt and betrayed, and I totally get that. The thing is, do we really want to let this destroy our beloved community? So, the mods had a secret forum where they ranted when they were angry. Is that wrong? Yes. But, you know, it's just as wrong that someone leaked it. See, moderating a forum is hard work, and what with all the shit that they have to deal with, it's natural that they would get frustrated and want to rant to one another. Are you honestly going to try to tell me that you've never talked about someone behind their back? I have. Half my friends have started out as people that I really didn't like, and I've even ranted about my best friends when I'm frustrated with them. Does this make it right? No. But it's human. And, guess what? Our moderators are just that. Human. They are allowed to make mistakes. And, yeah, this secret forum was probably a mistake. Maybe I'd be feeling more worked up if I had seen a post that said, "That Cinderanna is soooo annoying!" or something, but I don't really think so. I can't control what people think of me. And the thing is, ranting can be healthy. Sometimes it helps me get control of my feelings about a person's actions so that I won't explode at them and end up saying or doing something that I regret. It sucks if people find out about it, but I think that if the mods were talking in a secret forum, it probably helped keep them from snapping at every stupid mistake that one of us made and let them deal with us in a more responsible and rational manner. And maybe they should've confined that to MSN conversations, but they didn't, and that's a fact that we have to deal with. Do you know how many awesome, amazing members we have that were stupid n00bs when they joined? And do you know how many I internally bitched about or wanted to bash over the head with a metaphorical club? If I'd had a secret forum, I probably would have ranted there, too. Once again, human.

So, we have a choice. We can either allow this drama to destroy our wonderful community, or we can use this as a chance to get everything out in the open and start working toward a newer, stronger, better TDF. If people walk away now, what will that say about our community? Honestly, I don't think that this makes what TDF was to so many of us a lie or less meaningful. I still feel safe there. I mean, it's not like they were spreading all our deep secrets about the interwebs. And, yes, I wish the mods hadn't done this, but this doesn't make me think that they're horrible people. They're just humans who made a mistake, albeit a rather big one, and who are now paying the price. You can choose to leave if you feel that's what's really right for you, but think about what you can do if we all just work together to get through this. I love TDF, and I don't want to see it disappear forever. So, you choose. But think about what I've had to say. We have the power within our hearts to forgive those who have wronged us and move forward. I truly believe that we can do this, and I hope that all of you will think this through and join me in fixing these problems. Please, for all our sakes. Our moderators are not bad people, and we need to accept that they've screwed up and start moving forward.

"You Can't Go Wrong With Peppermint Tea."

Since I'm lazy, I haven't gotten around to getting internet in my apartment, despite the fact that I've been living there for 6 months now. Pathetic, I know. However, this means that in order to check my email/facebook/etc., I have to go to a coffee shop, and it just so happens that there is the loveliest little coffee shop a couple of blocks from my apartment. It's located in the back of a fiber arts store, and the walls are lined with shelves and shelves of brightly colored yarn. The room itself is large and airy with high ceilings, cozy little tables tucked into every corner, big bay windows looking out on the lake, rustic pine floors, and a multitude of bird feeders outside the window. Usually I like to order a large mocha and nab a table next to the windows. Today I went with another favorite: peppermint tea. I also ordered an excellent flatbread pizza that they made with herb cream cheese, fresh peppers, and parmesan cheese. Yummy! This cozy little coffee shop is one of my favorite places in town, even if it is a little overpriced.

How May I Help You?

Today I start training in the more casual partner restaurant on the first floor of my restaurant's building. My boss wants people to pick up a couple of lunch shifts here and there, and I want a change of pace. I also want to work in a restaurant where the waitress actually serves the food. In the Brazilian-styled Grill, the meal is made up of a buffet style salad bar and then meat served on a spit by the gauchos, or Brazilian Cowboys. Since our restaurant is pretty upscale, I have a lot of experience serving drinks and, most importantly, bottles of wine, but when it comes to balancing a tray of food, I'm a rookie. So I see this as an opportunity to get a little practice so that when I leave this restaurant (and maybe this city), I'll have all the skills necessary to get a good job in any restaurant I choose. Wish me luck!

Getting to Know You

I'll start this blog with a little about me. You can call me Cinderbelle, or Cinders for short. There's a long story behind the name, but I'll tell that another time. I've started this blog as a place to ramble about whatever happens to be on my mind. Often this will be about movies, as I'm hopelessly addicted to them. In my DVD collection, I currently have 84 movies and 5 TV series. Other times, it'll be about my job in an upscale Brazilian restaurant. Or perhaps about my boyfriend of 5 months, who will be known as Schip-boy on this blog. Why Schip-boy? Because his personality reminds me of a Schipperke. As for me, I define myself as being Ringtailed Cat-like. I often use animals to describe myself and those around me. I'll probably talk more about that later. For now, I'm going to head off to watch an episode of Prison Break with the boy. Tchau!

-Cinders