WOW - Stepping Down
Monday, October 2nd, 2006 - 3:39pm
Over the course of the last few weeks I've noticed that my enjoyment playing Warcraft has been steadily degrading. I think this is the result of a combination of factors but ultimately I think it just comes down to the fact that I'm too wrapped up in Warcraft - mentally, physically (the amount of time I spend playing), and emotionally.
For reasons that are purely personal I need to take a step back and evaluate things. I'd like to continue to enjoy the game and in order to do that I'm going to be trying some different things.
I've only been the guild leader for a very short while since Leap left. I've been very suprised how quickly this changed the game for me in a number of ways - some good, some bad. I think lately the bad has begun to outweigh the good for me.
I'm going to be stepping down as guild leader this week. It just isn't fair to you all to have someone in charge who is constantly impatient and frustrated. There isn't any one person or any one event that has lead me to make this decision. More of a cumulation of things that have made this a neccesity for me. The bottom line for me is this: I have enough responsibility with my family and career. The moment I started to feel like logging in was another responsibility was probably the onset of my current disposition. If I'm going to continue playing I need to start enjoying the grand total of the game again. In addition to some of the other changes I'm going to make in the way I'm playing I'm hoping that this will get me back to a place where WOW feels like fun again.
I sincerely hope that you bear no ill will towards me because of my need to do this. I don't need any new enemies in a fantasy world - I have enough of those in the real one. I don't have any reason to hold any grudges against anyone and I truly hope that everyone gets whatever satisfaction they desire out of this game. I'm simply trying to pursue this same type of satisfaction. This is a decision that I've considered very carefully. One of two things will come of this; I will begin to enjoy myself again or I will set the game down again.
Khushmynta has been an officer on the alliance side for some time and she has always been very helpful to everyone. She has offered to step up to the role of guild leader and I know she'll do fantastic in that capacity. She also has the counsel of the GWJ Horde guild leader from her husband. Both sides of Warcraft GWJ guild leadership will be under the same roof! I'll stand by for the near future to make sure she has everything she needs from me to take the helm.
I'm going to fade to the back a bit. I may take a short break but I'm still not entirely sure. I'm basically just going to try some new things and start doing what feels fun again.
Thank you for your support during my brief tenure as your guild leader. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Deepsea
"Fault always lies in the same place...with those foolish enough to lay blame"*
-Cort
*Unless you're Amazon or Funcom, in which case, SCREW YOU.
You did a great job Deep. Noone can say other wise. You have to take care of personaly life first and anythign game related comes last. Anytime virtual world conflcts with RL, RL wins.
I know Khush will do a great job as new leader!
Thanks again for stepping up for as long as you did Deep. We all owe you! (You still owe me a sword... this doesn't change that!)
WOW: Bounce
I am saddened by this....and I don't really even play WoW.
Here's to you improving your quality of life.
Baba Ganoush1
-WAR, Iron Rock-
Flisriin, Zamfir, Ser
Deep, you did a great job as Guild Leader. I'm sad to see you step down, but I can certainly understand the desire to do so. Running a guild (even one as casually oriented as ours) can really seem like a full time job, especially when you consider the GWJ involvement with the SGA and such.
If you end up taking a break, I'll certainly miss having you around. I must say, you play a mean MT.
Skriss: lvl 70 undead mage - Bloodhoof
Kyrator: lvl 63 night elf rogue - Blackhand
Thadryn: lvl 70 draenei mage - Blackhand
This comes as a big surprise, Deep, but I'm sure everyone including myself supports you in whatever you need to do in both your personal life and WoW life to make the most of things. For what it's worth, I thought you were doing a great job. =D
That said, I for one welcome our new essence of fire gifting overlord. Let's hope this guild leader tenure thing isn't progressing at a geometric rate, or by this time Wednesday, someone's little brother (who has yet to join the guild as of this writing) will be the new head Goodjer.
Quote:
- Legion, taking "keeping it in the family" to a whole new level.
Xbox Live: Fedaykin98
Dude... I'm actually rather shocked.
And I hope that my questioning didn't lead to a loss of enjoyment for you. If it did, you have my sincerest apologies.
I know you have our respect, and I think you were doing great as guild leader, both via your enthusiasm and the effort you've been putting out to get us a little better organized without compromising our casual-friendly nature. I certainly hope to still see you around and would love to have more opportunities to adventure with you again.
And Khush, congrats and condolences on your new position.
You'll do just great, you're a fantastic guildmate. 
It was me restoring my account after seven months off wasn't it? *cries*
Cyrana Mage 80 ~ Artesia Druid 72
Cyranna Shaman 62 ~ Acereri - DK 61 ~ Artasian - Priest 59 ~ Lenna - Rogue 60
Deep...I don't know what to say.....
Well, let me say this. I think I was around to watch the progression from on regularly (back when you were breaking into the fifties) to running with the Killer Bs, to bypassing us within a week or so (you little leveling freak, you), to a leadership role, to Guild Leader. I was -- and am -- amazed by your energy level and your committment to our virtual community. I am sorry to see you step down, but I was astounded at your constant presence online and had wondered about its sustainability. That you for everything!
As somebody who has recently suffered significant GF-agro, I was amazed by your consistent presence online. I am still not sure how you accomplished it for as long as you have.
I do hope to see you around and hope to run with you (regularly) in the future. But, beyond my own personal interests, I hope that you find again your love of this game. It is a good game. And it can give rise to a great community. You are certainly a strong contributor to that and I hope that will not change.
My thanks and best wishes,
Edgar
Gamer Tag -- Edgar Newt
*points*
It's a witch! Burn her!
I was always amazed that you were on every time I came on, no matter what time (in one of your guises or other). I've had little dealing with you, but what I have had, you were always willing to give me time and your attention. You wrote some excellent guides to BG's and such and I have them earmarked to return to them time and again. Still I'm a bit sad for I found you a great leader.
I truly respect anyone who takes on this kind of leadership. The energy and commitment to it seem's to me overwhelming when you take on all the various RL commitment's one has. I think we have lost a good person as leader here, but I definitely found myself agreeing to everything you said. Leap' was gawd-like in his fortitude and you can only be more amazed how he did it.
Khush' has all the qualities of a great leader (well she has been before in other
'Land's) and should do a great job. Her patience, fortitude, fair, but even handedness should make our Guild to continue perk right along. I hope we all give her support and consideration (as I hope we all did for Leap' and Deep').
Take care Deep' and hope to see you in the Land's of Azeroth now and again.
XBL: DonanGWJ
PSN: Toxdon
By the way, should we be splitting up various responsibilities as far as the running of the guild is concerned, in order to make things easier on the guild leader? I know some guilds have things like a leader and a raid captain, etc., and perhaps that kind of thing would help us distribute the load in a sensible fashion. Just throwing ideas out there.
And what is Kiri going to do to follow Deep's "Kneel Before Zod!" avatar? That's a tough act to follow!
Quote:
- Legion, taking "keeping it in the family" to a whole new level.
Xbox Live: Fedaykin98
Well, even though the name doesn't rhyme, I know Khush will be a great leader.
Congrats Khush, you have my full support. One word of advice from seeing the toll leadership responsibilities can take on a person, don't take on too much responsibility. I do think it's pretty neat that leadership of both GWJ guilds will be under one roof. But uh...SPIES! 
I know Deep meant only the best for the guild, but you know, with the casual nature of this guild, there are going to be disappointments if we try to get uber organized. That's not to say we can't do a bit better at that than we have in the semi-recent past. Before all the end game raiding business started, we had great turnouts for Thursday night guild raids, and it was always a blast and truly unified the guild.
Deep, I thought you were doing a great job trying to get that old feeling for guild runs back, and I have to admit, I'm a little sad to see you step down without fully realizing that goal. I'm sorry for my part that I wasn't able to help much. On the other hand, I'm glad you're taking steps necessary to prevent this game from becoming a burden on you. Nobody needs that, and I wouldn't want that for anyone.
Here's to the beginning of the next phase of GWJ Alliance, and to our fearless leaders, past, present and future!
"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long...
...and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy."
-Jayavarman.
-Jayavarman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayavarman_VII
DEEP , I would like to commend you on the great job you have done as the Guild leader ! I can certainly understand that being in the top position can put a strain on you. It can be very hard to have fun while taking on the daunting task of trying to appease everyone . I think you handled a demanding position very well and I hope you can find a way to have fun in WoW again .
I would also like to voice my support to Khush. I know she has the required skills to be an excellent leader as well. I owe the honor of being invited onto the GWJ to her and I have never regretted being a member. We have a great group here and lets continue to have fun together.
My best to both of you !
Feel the power of the "Darkside"
If you have to ask, you're not worthy.
This doesn't come as much surprise to me, but only because Kiri and I were talking about it during y'alls MC raid the other night (as I watched over her shoulder).
Guild leader is a tough gig for one person. It may be best for the health of our guild to do as Fed suggests, and split the responsibility between multiple people. Kiri, you know that while I'm logged on, I'm available to help out, and when I'm not logged in, my mailbox here is always open. If you ever need someone to take something off your hands, just PM me. You'll do fine though... you've always been a good leader.
Deep, relax bud. Like I said above, guild leader is a tough gig for one person. Being burnt out from leadership happens, even with the best of groups. I doubt anyone can resent you for making a choice that's in the best interest of both the group, and your family. Life comes first, and the moment in game stress starts to affect that, it's time to take a moment to step back and chill out. I think you've made a good decision.
IronClad Online: PurEvil
I'm sorry to see you step down, but only because of the great job I thought you were doing. I hope the one good thing that comes out of this is that you find the desire to keep playing. If not, only two months until Burning Crusade.
Deep, you have done an awsome job leading us and making opportunities avalable for everyone. The officers have been discussing this and offering up sacrifi......umm cadidates.. Yeah thats the right word
I am honored to be considered a decent replacement until Leap decides he isn't gonna hide anymore 
I expect Deep to log in whenever he wants to see what trouble we can all get into 
Umm and as for spies....well ummm...does this mean my Tauren have to give up their officer status?
Live Strong
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house. ~ George Carlin
No, it will put us ahead of the game when the Horde and Alliance unite to fight the Aliens in the third expansion! Muahahaa, MUWwahHAHA...cough...ahem...carry on.
That'd be Demons... You call yourself a warcraft fan... BURN HER with the other witch!
WOW: Bounce
Thanks for all your kind words guys. I'm sorry I don't have the fortitude to maintain this for any longer than I have. I regularly supervise a division of 23 people in the military. Four times a year I have to take the lead during our Mobilization Excersises (MOBEX) and supervise groups of 80+. I think after I took the helm of GWJ Alliance I quickly came to realise was that the regular leadership positions I get in the military are quite enough for me. I do enjoy being a leader - especially with awesome groups of people like you all. But good leadership takes a lot of work. And I came to realise I don't want to play a video game if it starts to feel like work. It is after all - A Game. I game to get away from my responsibilities for a while - not relive them in a different medium.
My Wife realised something was wrong when I started refering to things in the game as a responsibility or an obligation. As usual she saw the writing on the wall before I did.
I hope you don't all think I'm a complete flake. I'm really not. And I'm not going to quit the game or disappear. I'll be around to help out people and have fun in instances and such. I'm going to change some of the things I do in the game - try some new builds, play with some new people, play a few alts. I'll still be around though.
I'd also like to reiterate that my reasons for stepping down really have absolutely nothing to do with anyone in the guild. You guys have all been great. I just need to try some new things.
"Fault always lies in the same place...with those foolish enough to lay blame"*
-Cort
*Unless you're Amazon or Funcom, in which case, SCREW YOU.
Dude, you haven't heard about the Aliens?? sheesh...you'll be sorry, you'll be sorry.
Sorry to hear it, Deep - I was really impressed by the time you put into the guild. From what I've seen, it's a tough job to keep all zee guildies and our associate guilds on the same page and I don't blame you a bit for deciding that it wasn't worth sacrificing real-life happiness.
I'm glad that the always-friendly Khush is able to step in, and I'm sure she'll to a great job.
Everything can be debated, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's debatable.
--Chuck Klosterman, Fargo Rock City
The next expansion darn well better be the Northrend expansion I had hoped to get this time around!
She turned me into a newt!
I got better.
That which does not kill you, still hurts like Hell. - Anonymous Soldier
None of us is as dumb as ALL of us. - Anonymous Staff Officer
Veni, Vici, Ridebam, Discedebam - "I came, I saw, I laughed, I left"
Vladimir?
Unfortunately, if I slash my wrist with my lightsaber it cauterizes instantly. - PurEvil on emo Star Wars plots.
Oh, so Troll is now stealing my lines, eh?
Quit trolling the boards....
Gamer Tag -- Edgar Newt
I do not know you in the guild but being the second in charge in my guild I see what you are saying and coincidently my guild leader and I talked about this last night. He was tired of people coming up to him to do nothing other than to bitch about another player. Now another problem that we are facing is that we are breaking out of the whole 'casual gamer guild' to the 'raiding every week guild' and that is taking its toll on some people. A lot have come to me and Raven (the guild leader) and said they wished we could go back to the way it once was. And sometimes I wish that too. But with getting my first taste of the end game content of the 40 man raids and such I want to keep it up and continue to challenge the guild. We can do almost half of ZG with only 13 people. That is not a small feat. We will be starting MC and Ony within the next 2 weeks. but I feel going to these places is almost certainly going to drive a wedge right in the middle of my guild. MC is somewhat a major commitment in that once people start getting their Tier 1 epic sets they will want to play the dungeon more and more to get it all. I may be going on a tangent here but I do feel your pain Deep even if I do not know you personally. Once the expansion hits Raven and I have discussed doing a major over haul of our guild and reevaluating what we want out of WoW. Because it certainly was not to baby sit people that happen to be in RL almost twice as old as me. Not to get to specific but we have a 45 year old player and both Raven and I are 26.
I really didn't mean to write so much but I just wanted to explain that what you are going through Deep is fairly common. I think this kind of stuff happens in all MMORPG games that offer a community atmosphere. I mean I am not going to turn a deaf ear to problems in the guilds, its just I don't want to hear the stupid stuff that people bring into the game. I think emotion and somewhat RL should stay at the login screen. But that is just my opinion take it what you will.
Again I apologize for the size of my post.
Fathgar - Feathermoon
wordsmythe - "Jesus would drive a Hummer and burn as much oil as possible, since the dinosaurs it's made out of seem to be confusing people.
Great run last night. Sorry my rogue isn't a better rogue tank! She just doesn't have the skills to hold aggro. Sig just does too much damage with those big fireballs of his!
WOW: Bounce
Fire....brass....we all do what we can for the fight.
That which does not kill you, still hurts like Hell. - Anonymous Soldier
None of us is as dumb as ALL of us. - Anonymous Staff Officer
Veni, Vici, Ridebam, Discedebam - "I came, I saw, I laughed, I left"
Yeah you hunters and your damn crits too! I was number 2 on the damage meter and I still lost aggro to your crit hits all the time!
Just wait until I get a really good level 60ish sword for Rack... MAYBE then I can rogue tank
WOW: Bounce
I'm still using lvl 58 and lvl 50 swords... I'm sad about that.
Skriss: lvl 70 undead mage - Bloodhoof
Kyrator: lvl 63 night elf rogue - Blackhand
Thadryn: lvl 70 draenei mage - Blackhand