Nicky

I posted some comments here and here about some recent actions by Nicky.  He has now posted on ASPD a resignation from the staff.  I don’t know Nicky very well.  I’ve heard rumors, but then there have been rumors about most ASPD staff.  (The ones about me were false. )  Saw him at a party or two but never met him.  He was a prickly personality . . . as are many who’ve worked as ASPD staff.  I guess I am as well.  Amber thought very highly of him, and based on that poll in Houston as well as the threads surrounding his retirement, he was well regarded there.

In any event, another significant change to ASPD staff . . . which will have minimal effect on ASPD itself.  Just as did departures by other staff.  ASPD survives.  Most members don’t even really notice the staff usually.

New ASPD Dallas mod

Earlier this year, Dallas had seven mods, but then El Oso and Buck disappeared.  Five really wasn’t enough for an active city like Dallas, especially since 2 or 3 of them (apparently) were not able to be on there very often.  Well, even St.Christopher and Namssa were limited in how often they could hang around.

Other reasons for no-shows or last minute cancellations?

Other than double-booking or a real emergency/problem (as opposed to facile excuses), what else accounts for these?  The incidence, by both providers and hobbyists, seems significantly higher than in any other business I can think of, but why?  From some providers, part of it may be that they’re young girls, a bit immature, and not used to responsibility and running a business.  Beyond that, though, I think there are a couple of other factors.

Double booking?

Awhile back, Jarod speculated that no-shows by clients were because they had double-booked; saw one provider and no-showed the other.  Today, Alexis suggested providers double-book as well, at least with unreliable clients.  I’ve also read (but can’t find right now) speculation that some providers no-show or cancel because after making an appointment, they get a call from another client — a favorite, or someone who tips more, or wants a multi-hour appointment.

Providers reviewing hobbyists

This idea pops up every now and then, although most review boards (including ASPD) have declined to allow it.  It appears, though, that AHC may be considering it: see this thread (go down to post #35 by Ruby), about a month ago.  Of course, they may have decided against it or just not gotten around to it, but it will be interesting to see how it develops . . . if the reviews are viewable by (or leaked to) the hobbyists. 

Flip side

Below, I talked about the necessity of some sort of acknowledgment when a moderator takes inappropriate actions:

Mod haters?

An interesting quote from a column in the 7/3 Business Week:

“Very few people would ever identify themselves as boss-haters.  They usually see themselves as noble victims, speaking truth to power.  Forget that line.  Boss-haters are a breed.  it doesn’t matter where they work — big corporations, family companies, partnerships, nonprofits, newspapers, or government agencies.  Boss-haters enter into any authority relationship with barely repressed cynicism and ingrained negativity toward ‘the system.’  And even though their reasons may be varied, from upbringing to personality to political bent, boss-haters are unified in their inability to see the value in any person above them in a hierarchy.”

When moderators attack . . .

In this post, Amber talks about how she handles screw-ups by staff:

“Just as parents undermine authority if they challenge one another in front of a child, I feel that public reprimands of staff undermine their authority as well. I can’t think of many of my staff who have not at one time or another gotten their butts chewed out for crossing line though. Just because you do not see it happen, doesn’t mean we do nothing about it.”

Add re drama

Online:  I enjoy substantive, thoughtful discussions; couldn’t care less about idle chatter and flirting; and am turned off in the extreme by nasty, invective-filled arguments.  Perhaps because I’m an introvert.

Regardless of the reason, it affects my mood.  Some people seem to be energized by reading, or even by starting, the drama but I find it enervating.  If a lot of crap is floating around, the emotional toil and wear makes me less interested in reading that online community and in hobbying.  If I manage to break the addiction, there are some folks I may have to thank for helping . . .

I also increasinbly find myself becoming angry at the participants.  Another reason it was a very good idea for me to resign from moderating.

“Drama”

People keep complaining about “drama” on ASPD but it’s never defined very well, and I think there are at least three different things people lump under that label:

1. “Woe is me” complaints about what is happening in their personal or hobby life — in this sense, usually a reference to posts by providers
2. Constant inane or annoying posts — sometimes providers (which may be particularly problematic if perceived as ads) but sometimes by hobbyists as well
3. Nasty, mean-spirited attacks on others — although not exclusively, almost always by hobbyists