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Post by slcgsecretsanta on Dec 24, 2007 15:20:06 GMT -8
Merry Christmas to Nftysqrt69!  From, Your Secret Santa  |
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Post by gaudianprincess on Dec 24, 2007 15:49:09 GMT -8
Since i am so late on getting this out...i figured i would post the gifts i bought for coolgirl...i was her secret santa.
Unique Unis,Red Grundo Plushie and Yellow Uni Plushie
  
happy holiday!!!
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Post by dlfreak on Dec 24, 2007 16:29:16 GMT -8
... all i said was we're not doing it that way. And this, really, is my point. Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether a proposed idea might be (maybe, could be, why risk it?) against Neopets rules, this is Dlfreak's guild and he gets to make all the rules (that Neopets hasn't already made).
Well yes of course no one is arguing that. 
Actually this is quoted directly from that article you linked to: "Sometimes the gift-giver will personally give the recipient the present, thereby revealing their identity." There's no right or wrong way to do this and certainly no need for such a huge ruckus about it. If anything all I got from that article is that there are various ways that it can and is done in the world it even links to variations and other ways that it's done.
At any rate, the spirit of a "Secret Santa" is giving gifts and that, IMO, is all that matters. The finer details of it's execution aren't the point, it's the spirit of the season of fraternity and giving. Now can't we all just get along?
Happy Christmas Eve! |
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Post by Audra on Dec 24, 2007 16:30:41 GMT -8
I still think it's stupid that we can't use that nifty slcg_secretsanta account to distribute the gifts, it would have added a neat twist to it.
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Post by dlfreak on Dec 24, 2007 16:32:04 GMT -8
I know Audra, but I still feel it better to err on the side of caution especially knowing how finicky Neopets can be sometimes with their absurd rules!
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Post by Alexia on Dec 24, 2007 16:41:40 GMT -8
Well I'm glad that has been settled! Our Guardian Secret Santa that we do with each other was a wonderful hit. Serena was my Secret Santa and she gave me this lovely Koi Shell Tiara that she made herself!
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Post by captvatng1 on Dec 24, 2007 17:20:43 GMT -8
Actually this is quoted directly from that article you linked to: "Sometimes the gift-giver will personally give the recipient the present, thereby revealing their identity." I'm sure you're right, that this particular quote is in there. The key word is "sometimes." I, however, stopped reading down about Latin America and their invisible Christmas ghosts, after all of the paragraphs explaining how "secret" and "anonymous" and "invisible" is manifest in other languages and cultures. You conveniently have skipped all the ways that the "secret" is maintained in all sorts of countries and circumstances (except at the jobs you've held) until the last possible moment to prolong the fun. My issue isn't that we all have different ways of celebrating the holidays. I have great difficulty when one person decides that S/He Knows All and will dictate how others SHALL enjoy the festivities, to the exclusion of ideas and traditions that the Rule Maker may not yet have experienced in the world or thought up on his own. But, just to be fair, I have formally asked Neopets to take a look at our guild theme week and confirm which activities are within the rules and which are not. Because, after all, we do want to follow NP rules, imagined or otherwise. Right? And if, as you claim, you're looking to err on the side of caution, there's no exposure for you. I could project here what the response will be, but my bet is that you'll hear from TNT officially before I do. The "spirit of Secret Santa" isn't just about gifts. That's the "Santa" part. And that's really a fundamental thread of our guild. We give gifts, no matter the occasion or season. And that's what makes our *members* noteworthy. We don't wait for permission and The Dlfreak Rules of a theme week. To quote you, "that, IMO, is all that matters." I disagree. Your opinion is not all that matters. Unless, of course, this guild is really a dictatorship -- which, at the moment, it smells like. No offense, but in time, you'll learn that delegation brings with it an expanse of one's empire and greater power than one can acquire solo. But to go there requires a secure ego. This guild has an impotent council. (No offense, ladies, I respect you all and it's not your doing.) One staffed with some dedicated, creative individuals who could help you grow this guild and create more exciting activities and buzz than you have been able to do on your own. (Not to diminish what you've been able to do solo.) If only you would give up the mantle of control freak and ... <gasp!> ... let others help you look good. It's the "Secret" that we're debating here. And I don't think anyone would disagree that if "Santa" 's identity is known, then s/he isn't "secret". If there's no secret, then "santa" is just an excuse for giving. So where's the additional fun? I give gifts all the time. I love giving gifts. I enjoy opportunities to make gift giving different and creative and fun. What dampens my enthusiasm is when somebody arbitrarily decides that we can't have even *more* fun because he didn't think of the idea himself. That's just petulant. And a sad role model. |
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Post by captvatng1 on Dec 24, 2007 17:23:46 GMT -8
I still think it's stupid that we can't use that nifty slcg_secretsanta account to distribute the gifts, it would have added a neat twist to it. There is at least one guild member who *is* using the account to distribute his/her gifts. I, for one, am enjoying watching the buildup. I hope the recipient is squirming with suspense until the identity of her secret santa is revealed. I've been in touch with slcgsecretsanta, and hope others will be, too. |
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Post by missez_rage on Dec 24, 2007 19:23:51 GMT -8
i would like to participate .. if it isnt too late ...
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Post by gaudianprincess on Dec 24, 2007 20:28:18 GMT -8
i am sorry...i wanted to make sure coolgirl got her gifts tonight...FORGIVE ME for not using the slcgsecretsanta to give my gift....geshhh, no big deal
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Post by lindseyacron on Dec 24, 2007 22:00:48 GMT -8
dl, you mentioned that you think it could potentially be bad as we can't entirely trust one another (I'm paraphrasing as that's not your direct quote just the jyst of it) but if that's true - then what about the slcg_drives account? we all donate tons of items trusting that they're going to be donated to the money tree and not kept for personal gain... I don't see how it would be wrong on neopets part as they would just tell us that if the person kept the items, it's not their fault and nothing they would do about it as they were all given over willingly... now, that's my two cents. I think it's wrong to deny people the choice if they want to send them or have someone else send them and then reveal their identities later (as daisy did with me this year by having Lisa send over some earlier before sending the rest herself) I only thought it would look better having one central account to do it with like the slcg_secretsanta account that we all got something from earlier... I didn't realize that that particular account was not created by you, but rather someone else or I never would have suggested it in the first place... but when push comes to shove, I agree completely with karen on this one, you are very domineering and closed-minded about certain things if it's not something that's ever been done before - but I thought that was the point, to evolve and adapt to make the guild better based on changing times.... though I could be wrong and it could all be about your control or lack thereof or just the fear that you are losing it - come on dl, you and nifty disappear for weeks on end with nothing more than a few posts here and there regarding your many trips to disney land and then get upset when things aren't done specifically by your standards but you're not here to give those standards and then when the people that have been running the show have to shove over cuz the person that should be, but usually isn't, shows back up everything that we've done or thought about doing is shot down before it gets a chance to even take off and spread its wings... just seems rather well, as karen said dictatorial which is not what this guild is
I don't mean to piss you off here, though I know it probably will and you all know me, I don't care if it does or not, that's my opinion.... I do think it's a rather moot point now as tomorrow is Christmas and the gift giving is mostly over, though I will say that the issue does need to be resolved in the best interest of the guild, not to just one or two people which is usually dl and nifty
either way, I'm finished with this conversation though I'm sure other issues will arise as it's not the first time that suggestions or ideas have been crushed before they can really been discussed and I know it won't be the last either, I'll just be standing by to watch the fireworks when it happens again.
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Post by dlfreak on Dec 24, 2007 23:36:48 GMT -8
I am not denying anyone the right of doing it the way they want. Look I'm sorry but this is my guild and it's my Secret Santa. If you don't want to participate it in the way I want it run then you are free to do your own Secret Santas with your own accounts and rules and setup.
Second of all, I am really hurt, offended and for lack of a better word disgusted that you would go behind my back and not even discuss with me before going straight to Neopets. How is that supposed to make me feel other than blow up and be totally upset? I can't beleive that someone I trusted so much and held with such high regard would go behind my back and do that. No, I do not have anything to hide so it shouldn't matter that they've been asked to look into it but the fact that you did not even have the courage but rather the out right audacity to do this to me and on CHRISTMAS EVE simply baffles me when coming from a person that is supposedly not out to sabotage the guild.
I'm sorry but I did not conveniently leave out anything from the Wiki (and since when on earth are Wikipedias the go-to source for definite information) all I picked out from that Wiki was what I felt was pertinent to my cause and that's that Secret Santa's are run in various different ways including the way I was running it. Now whether this is just you being upset because I proved my own point with your own example that was meant to prove me "and all the places I've worked" as wrong well that's another thing. I'd have to say that that borders on petulant.
In addition, you seem to have purposely quoted me out of context, "that, IMO, is all that matters." is not me talking about my rules and opinions but simply that it DOESN"T MATTER HOW THE SECRET SANTA IS RUN. What matters is the spirit of giving and fraternity which it seems you are hellbent on preventing in my guild this Christmas.
The fact that you call the council impotent further shows your lack of understanding about our guild. Never has our guild council been more than than an informal honor to a member. As our Council page states, the council is not a ruling body, it is merely to showcase well-honored members. I've stated since the beginning that I wish there was a way to not have a council at all because it can create an unnecessary sense of entitlement and yearning for a postition that is only meant to show prestige.
And I'm sorry but if your enthusiasm is dampened by the simple logistics of a small gift exchange, that is what sounds petulant to me. As a paraphrase it seems a lot to me like a child whining that it's not fair that they are not allowed to have candy after bed-time. There hardly seems any reason to make such a big stink over something that is so trivial. It comes across to me as pointless whining. Our guild began as a result of the dangers of sharing accounts and having too many chiefs and not enough indians. I am all too cautious of that happening again.
And as a final point, I whole-heartedly disagree. I entertain all ideas and discuss them all with you guys as fairly as possible. As an example, I lengthened the theme week after it was pointed out that the theme week was started late so a deadline extension was granted. I've openly discussed any and all ideas for debate and completely disagree that I'm dictatorial when it comes to new ideas. I'm completely open to all new ideas and just because your ideas "are unfairly shot down" does not sound to me like a dictator, it sounds like someone that might be a bit bitter that their ideas haven't been implemented. I'm sorry, but I'm also looking for the best interest of the guild and just because I don't agree with some of your guys' ideas does not make me a dictator and it does not make me a guild ruler that "arbitrarily" makes rules and decisions. That is hurtful.
I have little else to say. I feel that--unlike the unfortunate case with Lindsey earlier this year--that I've kept a level head before jumping to hurtful words (which I can't say has been reserved against me this round) but I've been the first to say for the past year or so that I just haven't had time for the guild but am trying my best. You yourself know well capt that I've been trying to rebuild the guild in the background for the past few weeks. This past year has been very hard for me physically, emotionally, and personally for reasons I've shared here in the guild and for several others that I have not. Issues that I do not care to go into. Apart from that, my 3 hour daily commute for work leaves me little time for myself much less extra circulars like the guild.
However, I've never abandoned the guild in the nearly seven years we've been around and that seems to get glossed over. Those times where "weeks go by" (I would appreciate some examples of that if possible) between my few posts are evidence of me standing by what I've created and not letting it go. Most other people would simply let something like this just die and leave it alone (as happened with the original guild) but I'm not going to do that. As long as I feel there is a need for our guild and as long as I still care, it's going to stay and it's going to be run by my rules. I'm sorry but 6 years later we're still here. Nowhere near as strong as we've been in the past but we're still here. Members have come, members have gone. Good ideas have come and good ideas have gone. Still, our guild is still here and that's because I have the dedication to keep it running and the support of people who believe in the guild as I do to keep it running. The guild is still here and I intend to keep running it as I see fit.
Which only leaves the question, are you with me or against me?
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Post by dlfreak on Dec 25, 2007 0:51:11 GMT -8
I was Secret Santa for Fullbloom so here you go!!! I hope you like it, everything for your kitchen but the kitchen sink... wait I got that too! Merry Christmas!
[/center]
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Post by lindseyacron on Dec 25, 2007 1:36:35 GMT -8
Which only leaves the question, are you with me or against me? Always so black and white. You're right, this is your guild, so good luck with it and where it goes |
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Post by fairy_tale_girl64 on Dec 25, 2007 1:39:37 GMT -8
thank you to all for making our christmas's a wonderful experience...and no matter how we get our gifts....its all in the spirit of sharing our love to our fellow guild members.....this being said...and to quote a very popular christmas carol...peace on earth and goodwill to men...and no we not talking about the goodwill store (ok i have to throw in some humor) but i was Devin's secret santa! and i bought you these items   merry christmas to you and you still have two trades for the other presents i got you hope you like the items i picked out for you! well they were on your wish list |
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Post by dlfreak on Dec 25, 2007 2:02:35 GMT -8
Which only leaves the question, are you with me or against me? Always so black and white. You're right, this is your guild, so good luck with it and where it goes Thanks, hope you're a part of it! Every cloud has a silver lining. |
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Post by dlfreak on Dec 25, 2007 2:03:29 GMT -8
thank you to all for making our christmas's a wonderful experience...and no matter how we get our gifts....its all in the spirit of sharing our love to our fellow guild members.....this being said...and to quote a very popular christmas carol...peace on earth and goodwill to men...and no we not talking about the goodwill store (ok i have to throw in some humor) but i was Devin's secret santa! and i bought you these items merry christmas to you and you still have two trades for the other presents i got you hope you like the items i picked out for you! well they were on your wish list LOL, we have a complete kitchen in this thread just on the past few posts, LOL Well nowhere to sit but it's still a pretty complete kitchen, haha. |
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Post by fairy_tale_girl64 on Dec 25, 2007 4:30:41 GMT -8
well we all know and i know this is a thorn in a sore subject..but i just like us all to realize we are all different and all think differently...and thats ok that is what makes us all individuals and i won't take sides in saying i agree with this point and disagree with another point but what i will add to the above conversation is this....if we all thought alike..if we all were alike..it would be a very disinteresting world....and a subject matter that really isn't of great importance has really brought some heated feelings...the whole matter can be solved in this alone....its not a big deal...the secret santa is meant to be to show our love and care for others in a fun way....and that is all that matters..how the end results go as long as everyone is included that wanted to be included is the only main factor.....we all have ways of looking at a painting and deriving our own interpretations of it...and lets all just realize that its good to have opinions and battles be they big or small only hurt our hearts with ill feelings. thats one thing i have been working on this past year is to let go....let go of the things that will never change my life for good or bad...cause ulcers from years of holding on to anger...and things that have upset me have literally ruined my health...posting positive energies projects positivity into your lives...and its all about enjoying what little bit of time we have here..none of us are promised a tomorrow...don't let our personal beliefs hurt our todays....i love you all and i want everyone to have a smile today....if nothing else just because we have shared gifts that we might not in real life be able to afford to give to each other in real life....that our health is put us still here another day...that we have such a close knit family in the guild..and hey even familys disagree and thats cool....but its not cool to loose family over minor incidences, differences of opinions...
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Post by devindemel on Dec 25, 2007 9:45:34 GMT -8
thank you so much fairy for everything!!!! =D i absolutely love my new kitchen items!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas today, especially you dl, I know you work really hard to make this guild a wonderful place and you do a fabulous job!
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Post by slcgsecretsanta on Dec 25, 2007 15:19:30 GMT -8
i am sorry...i wanted to make sure coolgirl got her gifts tonight...FORGIVE ME for not using the slcgsecretsanta to give my gift....geshhh, no big deal
You're right -- no big deal. Using Secret Santa to deliver your gifts was simply one of the options available to you. There's no need for you to be forgiven for choosing another of the options. |
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[My5:]
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