I'm a new member here. I've been signed up for some time. I even have a picture I posted a while back. But I'm new here. I don't know the politics going on, though they sound about as familiar as with certain IRC chat networks, BBS servers, Forum sites and Online games. It's sad, yet almost accetable because it is so consistant between groups.

In each of these cases, I as a user have seen other users (or in some cases have been that user) who has stood up and said "I want to make a differance! I want to be part of the solution here! I want to help those who I can beit newbie or admin. I feel I can be a great asset to the community!" I have also seen many of them fail at the simplest of these responsibilities. Some of no fault of their own, others who simply couldn't handle the stress, preassure or power.

It takes a special bread of person to devote their spare time to a community of people who barely recognizes their sacrafices. It takes an even more special person to make it work and to hold down their position. These jobs, tasks or privlages are not to be taken lightly or failure will be ensured.

The community needs to stop being self-endulged for a moment long enough to realise that great things are being done by these people. Life dosen't just happen, especially on a web based medium such as DA. These people who spend their time caressing, grooming, caring for this community and this site make life happen here. With out them, without people such as +ekud, life here would stagnate and die.

Sure there might be a few people posting some "art" here and there. But the vibtance, the essence of this community would be lost. With out these curators, DA would be a dusty, stuffy web site with no real community in any sense other than accounts.

I give thanks to those who post their works here. With out you, there would be no reason for people to donate their time here. But it is also you who needs to appreciate those who do donate their time. Give thanks to them and maybe be a bit easier on them when things don't go your way.

But now, I have to give props to the staff. To those who give their all into making this a great community in all of the sense of the word. Keep up the good work gals and guys! Don't get too discouraged, and don't let people get to you the wrong ways.

I am proud to have an account here at DA.
Let's be sure we can all say that in a year, five, ten and beyond!