My absence from the forum floor

(Old drawing I did - 2004 "Dear God, What Have you Done!?")

I have taken a voluntary leave of absence from my position once  again. I suppose you could say I ran again. This, however, will be a  much shorter break, and it is not a break from the band itself, but  rather, politics.

There have been comments as to my absence from the Emerald Hall, and  so I thought I should address them here formally.

For those of you who do not know about The Emerald Hall, this is the  name given to the official meeting place for fans, just off the  grounds of the Celestial compound. It was given that name due to the  color of the walls. Ezra chose the color in the mid 90’s. For those  of you who don’t know Ezra, he is on of the better known Gards. He  joined the Celestial Army during the era of unrest and Fan Civil War.  He is most known for risking his own life to quell the nightly  battles between the new fans and the old fans. Through his bravery  and soapbox preaching, he was instrumental in helping bring about  peace between the generations of fans. Oh, and his favorite color is  Green – that’s what color his hair is too.

Enough about Ez, back to The Hall. –Photographs are not allowed  anywhere within the Hall. I’ll draw something one of these days.  Debates and discussions about Celestial, the band, the Gards, or even  politics amongst the fans themselves are discussed at great length.  Oh we can go on for hours. Debates can be very formal, as fans tend  to take things very seriously. At other times, they deteriorate into  lengthy discussions about enemas, this usually happens when the bar  is in operation.

Yes the meeting hall has a bar, and it serves liquor. The Emerald  Hall has been used for many wild parties. This is not common  practice; a great number of fans are under age. A greater number of  them are nerds, and despite the massive gathering and a giant dance  hall with a bar – most cannot drag themselves away from the Debate  Floor.


(My Photo - The House)

(My Photo - The woods surrounding The Hall)

Well, I’ve had to drag myself from the debate floor. Discussion once  again has deteriorated into politics, gossip, and all out fighting –  mostly between the younguns in Status Gard. Sadly - this, of course,  is when the conversation is most interesting. Seriously, it’s like  Jerry Springer, I can’t look away. “Seizure Seizure Seizure!” I love  it, a little too much. I’ve found I was spending too much time on the  council, watching the others go at it. Stupidly trying to get  involved (what can I say, I like trouble too much). I could spend all  day just watching the sparks fly! And that’s just it – I need to  spend all day working. So that kids, is why I will not be taking my  seat on the Gard Council, and will not be speaking on the floor of  the Emerald Hall for quite some time. I prefer to experience the band  for what it is, not for what it can be dragged down into.