Join the new world

Well, this is an interesting turn of events.

Shortly after I posted a ton of responses to member questions on the forum and posted my last article, Melissa Rose announced she is leaving the game because of RL dramz. We are all extremely sad to see her go and hope everything in that situation works out for the best.

For the party, this means the race is no longer contested. I suppose I should be excited that my winning streak has continued and a win is a win and all that, but because the contested part of this race came to a very abrupt halt, the conversation stopped dead in its tracks...at maybe the worst possible time for me. I had a couple more phases I planned on moving through to help the party get to know me and so I could get to know the party before conceding. So, there goes that. Without an opponent, there is no comparing ideas between candidates and feeling them out to decide who would be a better leader for this point in time, for this party. So now I am trying to earn this win, despite the situation. MR leaving so suddenly took some of the wind out of everyone’s sails, I think.

So allow me to change gears. My strategy with this election was to find out who my party is and where our priorities are. They did not disappoint. There are a few party members I didn’t know from before and I am very glad they are in our party. sidenote: There are also some players who left our party very recently and through catching up on things on our forum, I’m bummed out about that. I would’ve loved them. They were my kind of people.

I was going to talk about this on Pfeiffer’s radio show, but the universe conspired against us. We're already talking about rescheduling my visit to his show, but it can't be until after the election so the topics discussed will be different. Still...probably super fun.



Anyway, here is just some of what I got out of kicking the hornet’s nest-

shadowber- I like you, man. You are level-headed and relentless. You keep asking questions until you get the answers you need. You posted in my thread as much as I did and asked me questions elsewhere. You were open to discussing ideas, crazy as they were, before making a judgment. I appreciate that. The massive surge in activity we’ve seen over the last few days and the QUALITY of the conversation is due in no small part to your involvement.

Orikfricai- You know where you stand and you will burn everything to the ground in defense of it. I respect the hell out of that and I am glad we still have that in this party. We need that. It’s not just blind rage, it’s very focused. You make valid points and cut through the crap. I’ve been watching you on the eUS forums as well. I’m glad to be in a party with you.

Kody55555555555555- I’ve seen you get passed over for more jobs and opportunities in this party than anyone I can think of. Always the bridesmaid. Despite this fact, you are extremely loyal and committed to the Feds. Your love for the party, respect for its members and your dedication to the mission doesn’t waiver. You have been asked so many times to take a backseat and you always did it for the good of the party. I am really glad you’re back. I think it will be better this time.

Tyler Bubblar- The elder statesman, Tyler. You are very much the guiding force of the Feds. You are to other people what I was to you and it makes me very proud. You step in and try to steer things in the most productive direction. You know when to calm stuff down when it’s too heated and heat stuff up when it’s too calm. I will never try to convince you to quit eRep 😉

Lunete- You’re a party person, like me. You like that there is more to us than just an endless cycle of elections and political manipulation. I wasn’t sure how many of your type would still be in the Feds given how prominent we’ve become. I’m looking forward to working together!

Paul Proteus- Dude, you’ve changed. But I shouldn’t be surprised- a lot can happen in 3 years. I appreciate that you’re a reliable sounding board. You are honest and trustworthy. You say what is necessary, and often ONLY what is necessary. Your support really carries weight and I am honored to have it.

Molly Emma- You are who I think of when I think of ‘national Feds.’ You’ve always been a player that I respect and look up to and you represent this party well. We’re lucky to have you.

Tenshibo- I still can’t believe that you’re a Fed now. I really appreciate your support and you’ve brought me some great ideas for what you’d like to see in the party. I am really glad you’re here.

Gabrielz_Horn- You may unknowingly be the most important person in my campaign. I nominated you for PP. I don’t really know you, but I see you working diligently, doing the job that was asked of you in very difficult conditions. Once the race began, you told me you appreciated the nom, but want to be trained in party administration first. That hit me in the feels. My campaign was really just to shake the tree and see what dropped out. What dropped out was a hardworking newer player who just wants the opportunity to learn and do something cool in this game. That’s what I am all about and what this party was founded on. Your simple request to be considered for a job made me drop the tree-shaking and get serious about trying to lead THIS term. I want to help you.



And that leads me into what I learned about my own party. If there was ever one issue the Feds p much always agreed on, it was the importance of the party forum. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s the only thing that defines us and is the entirety of what makes us Feds, but the fact that we keep our home adjacent to the eUS forum is an important thing about us. It is a statement of recognition that there is more to this game than elections. That’s why I used the forum discussion as my starting point. If our opinion on that has changed, then I just have no business being a Fed anymore.

It sparked our party, but it also sparked every other party. The conversations these last few days have been very interesting.

There is a careful balance to strike between the mechanics and the social aspects and it’s a hard thing to really nail down. Too much role play and you’re a joke...and potentially dangerous. Too much mechanics and you’re a dick. There’s a sweet spot in the middle where you can work the mechanics and maintain a socially vibrant community. This is where the Feds have always excelled. There have been times when we leaned too far this way or that way. There are times when we lost sight of the bigger picture and put too much on country and self and not enough on party. When you hit the balance, it takes vigilance to maintain it.

I think the balance is most easily struck when we have a leader who is exclusively focused ON the balance. Historically I have been reliable in that regard. Now is no different. The stature of our party has changed and the game has changed, so I really can’t just rehash old plans and try and turn back the clock. We have to do something new. We may have to revive some old ideas, but we need to look at them with fresh eyes.

I know this election is not what people were expecting and my strategy of trying to learn what’s going on in the fastest possible way will not be appreciated by everyone… especially because there was one wrench after another thrown into the works with all the MR stuff. Not just leaving a couple days in, but being so hesitant to run in the first place. But it is what it is. I think the conversation has been really good for the party and I am excited to serve in this capacity. I am not so srs in-game. I like to have fun. But I do not mess around when it comes to working for this party and helping us move forward. It’s going to be a good month!



To non-Feds:

If you have ever wanted to be a part of a community that really has something to offer every player, regardless of age or ambition, consider joining the Feds.

If you sort of like this game but wonder where all the stuff is happening, consider joining the Feds.

If you have been around a long time and think you’ve done all there is to do, you’re wrong, you should consider joining the Feds.

If you are exhausted by fighting an uphill battle against the establishment but can’t shake your desire to make a difference, consider joining the Feds.

If you’re bored with just clicking buttons and want to feel like you’re doing something worthwhile, consider joining the Feds.

We cannot be all things to all people, and we are certainly not for everyone, but as the summer winds down and general activity starts to pick up, honestly consider starting a new chapter in your own story as a proud/horny member of the Federalist Party. Now is a good time.