The future of Beast Wars International

CabooseMoose7103 · Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:25 pm

Sapphire wrote:I'm not handing it over to Miss Special, either. Frankly, she's done enough and it's a pretty damn thankless job for her. I complain when I don't get appreciated now and then, but she virtually NEVER gets appreciated. She needs a break, too.

If I had known that you two would like an occasional Thank You note in your PM box, I would have gladly sent you them. Moderating is no easy job, even on a fairly good board.

Sapphire wrote:I thought, Yeah, it is a struggle to run, more so now than ever, but look how GOOD it has been for me in terms of friendships and experience, and look how good it has been for all those people laughing and chatting right before me. Surely that means something.

Yes, it does mean something, it means quite a lot. Sapph, you have accomplished quite a feat. Not only have you taken an interest and pursued it (you've met people like David Kaye and Scott McNeil), but you brought other people together who shared the same interest. You've helped friends meet, you've kept a website going for 5 successful years now. Even more, you've kept a website going with a close-knit community that is friendly, welcoming, and mostly sane

Do you realize how hard it is to find places like BWINT on the entire Internet? Yes Sapphire, you have accomplished something, and yes, it means a great deal. Regardless of your current state of mind, remember that you have accomplished something rare. Now don't believe for a second that I mean you shouldn't be furious with a lack of response to your hard work, you are more than entitled to be. Just keep in mind while you are fuming, that you have done something.

Sapphire wrote:I'd like a favour done in return. Please, please don't give me a hard time.

The thought never even crossed my mind. BWINT is yours to do with as you please. Regardless of what happens to the site, I am very glad I found it. I have met many great people here, and I hope to continue conversing with everyone in the future.

In closing; Sapphire, Miss Special

*bows*

Thank you both for everything you do. You two are simply amazing.

Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:32 pm

Wait.. I just realised that Beast Wars is 10 years old and Sapphire has been running this site for 5. I originally thought of those two facts separately, however when analysed side-by-side, she has created this haven for us and maintained it for at least half of the period of time this series has been in existence... hmm.. no small feat.

Having only recently been added to this awesome group, I can say that Sapphire has been fantastic even during this brief time. From a small query about any potential conventions occuring in the near future, I became a member... wait scrap that... I became an addict. Every day while I am at work, I am looking through the threads and dispensing my (un)wisdom to those fellow Beasties out there. I haven't been able to attend the group chat sessions, nor create a sufficient fan fic (there is a concept but it needs a lot of work) due to time constraints, however even with the minimal exposure, I can say that I love this place. Every outside friend I have I'm sure is sick of hearing "I was on BWint the other day...." I'm glad to be surrounded by a group of people who are both whacky and into Beast Wars and I take my hat off to Sapphire and Miss Special for their hard work in this.

Now... the real question comes out... how far are you guys willing to go to show appreciation? There was talk on a previous thread about Botcon and helping people get around... well how about we assist Sapph personally and work out a holiday for her? Its easy to say take a holiday and get away from it all, but her financial situation does not allow this by the sound of things. I'd be willing to fork out some cash to help her out (although with the Australian dollar the way it is, it may be the equivalent of Monopoly money

). Its just a thought. I bring it up, because I know that we all love Sapphire and support her, however this is a case of providing something practical and I doubt many people out there have the time/experience to take over even a fraction of her duties. For course if there are then speak up.

So a huge hug for both Sapphire and Miss Special for all the work that they have put in to the site and I hope that we can assist you guys in any way to ensure the continued success of this wonderful site.

Unread post by **Sapphire** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:14 am

Thank you for the kind responses everyone. And about the appreciation - I DO feel appreciated most of the time, and I am glad to know people care about me, though it's always been a secret wish of mine that the Bwint chats would do well even after I left as a sign of the community holding together by themselves. The fact that they die when I leave means that I must be the only one holding it together, which actually kinda saddens me, but anyway...

Silver, that's very sweet of you, but don't worry about it. I'm already a part of the Botcon donation fund and I'm in the process of selling my Transformer toys to save up enough money to go away to Botcon next year. I've also had a good friend tell me he might take me away for a bit next year, so I have breaks to look forward to, thank goodness.

I was really surprised to see how much of a response this post had received so fast. It's nice to know that you're supportive and respectful of my decision. I love this community - I've been updating for five years not for the "glory", but because of what it does for PEOPLE, for the fans and their continued enjoyment of a series they love mutually with me. But like people have mentioned, doing that for 5 years eventually burns you out, and I need time to recover and think on how I'm going to handle things in the future.

Kittie Rose · Unread post by **Kittie Rose** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:30 am

I'm already a part of the Botcon donation fund and I'm in the process of selling my Transformer toys to save up enough money to go away to Botcon next year.

Aww!

Jagna · Unread post by **Jagna** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:21 am

enjoy yourdelf sapph. if you want to go on a break close to home, might i suggest cornwall? (not in winter of course yech) i wish i could come to a botcon conventioned coz id love to meet you.

we do love you sapph.

Sinead · Unread post by **Sinead** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:20 pm

Good! You deserve to be taken very well care of, Sapph. Remember, you need anything for Botcon next year, you tell me. (I don't care if all you need it a meal, you lemme know and I'll take care of it, darnit! XD)

And the toys were nice to look at, but they're . . . just nice to look at. >.>;; *whispers* if you sell your RT toy, I'll give you mine.

Sphinx · Unread post by **Sphinx** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:34 pm

*de-lurks*

I know I'm not terribly active around here, but I do putter around. Heh. And I'm an oldster, so I've seen a lot of BW sites come and go. Including my own.

I have to say, though, that BWINT is seriously pretty much the best BW site that's ever existed. Seriously. I honestly feel it's better than BWA by a long stretch. And that's because Sapph (and Miss. Special) has put SO much love and effort into it. But, realistically speaking, it's not possible to keep that up by yourself forever. You need to spread out the burden. I think DragonsFlayme had that great idea for self-coding fics. Just post a tutorial, and we on the boards can help any newbies with coding troubles. The coding is what ultimately lead to me closing my site. I just couldn't afford to put in the hundreds of hours it required.

I think taking a break is a really good thing. But if you do decide to keep going with the site, you may want to seriously consider delegating some of the work load on to some of the people here.

I really hope you feel better soon, Sapph. You're a wonderful person and you really are very much appreciated. Running a site this big is a really tough job, and you've done an absolutly amazing job.

Unread post by **Nurann** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:46 pm

As I recall, Sapph, you are three years overdue for this, so I am glad you are going to take a rest. Each year you've put it off for our sakes, you have earned it ten-thousand times over and more. As Una said, this is our home, but you've nearly killed yourself making it this way, and so has Miss Special. That just isn't right. No one should feel like they have to do that because others ask so much of them.

You needed this break a long time ago, and I can never apologise enough for what happened the last time you asked for this......

*bows to Sapphire in respect* So take a winter-long vacation, all for yourself. If and when you feel ready to come back, we'll have a party in your honour waiting for you. Cake; streamers; everything.

*also bows to Miss Special* You too. Many-a-time you have filled Sapphire's shoes in more than a few ways, and having briefly seen that side of the job for myself, I can vouch for the both of you that it's no simple task. You have also more than earned a break.

Us "oldbies" will hold down the fort until you two come back. Now go! Get your vacation on! And no worrying about us while you are off, okay?

Unread post by **SilverfromOZ** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:03 pm

OI!! You forgot the most important part of the party.. Rattrap leaping out of said cake!!

"Oh man... we're all gonna get drunk."

That's cool Sapph. With any luck I can muster up the resources to get over to Botcon myself (even if it means getting a specially made crate with holes poked out the sides in the cargo hold). Well make sure your boy spoils you with an awesome holiday, so help me if he doesn't.. we'll... uhhh... post... lots... and... hmm... well, there's not much we can do is there... well anyhoo, have an awesome time with the chilling. If you somehow find yourself downunder make sure you harass myself and razor to show you the sites of Oz... uhh.. if we don't do the croc wrestling thing... its because they are all hibernating at the time... really...

Well that's enough out of me... BEAST MODE!! #Joe climbs on the bus and sits down on the front seat as the hiss of the hydraulics closes the door#

VelociBerg · Unread post by **VelociBerg** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:36 am

Damn. I know I'm not the oldest member here, or the most active by far--But I can realize what a break would mean, you really deserve it. Was in a similar situation myself last/this year. With that being said, take as much time as you need, us BWINT members will hold the fort while you're gone, right guys?

Rakshash · Unread post by **Rakshash** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:08 am

*nods* Take a break, take all the time you need. Ever since I 've known you you've been busy busy BUSY with the site and balancing it with life and if you don't deserve a break I don't know who does. In the meantime Bwint is in no danger of fading away quietly, and when you're ready to re-start it'll go on with a blast. *hug*

Nexus Zero · Unread post by **Nexus Zero** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:09 am

As a new member to this forum thx for your hard work & I look forward to posting often on this forum & to help make it a happy place.

Baron Fel · Unread post by **Baron Fel** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:00 pm

Take your time Saph!

I hope you enjoy it. You do deserve a break. Look forward to seeing you at Botcon again this year.

(As an aside, did I miss where we donate money to the Botcon fund? I can't give much but will give what I can.)