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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Dec 2008 : 05:31:37
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-Here's WotC_Mike:
quote:
Originally posted by WotC_Mike
Hi all. Now that I will be working closely with Solice Id like to take the time to introduce myself.
After 20+ years of playing 50+ RPGs, MTG since Fallen Empires, and hundreds of video, war, and board games I was clearly a lifestyle gamer. I also had many years of customer support and design experience from working at such diverse companies as Gamestop, Electronic Arts, and Walt Disney World. This, along with some good networking skills, enabled me to begin my career here at WOTC back in 1999.
I started out as an assistant manager in game support, answering detailed questions about 7 card combos for Classic Magic (6th edition) and other Wizards games. Once the Pokemon TCG came to WOTC, I moved over to Organized Play where I was known as Master Trainer Mike, the Community and Tournament Manager for it. After 3 years of Pika-fun, I stayed in OP designing various programs for the Harry Potter TCG, D&D minis, Duelmasters, and Avalon Hill games.
I spent my previous last years (2003-2005) at Wizards creating the Delegate Program and managing all our fan support programs such as MPR, D-MAX, and the RPGA email newsletters.
I was recruited at the end of 2005 by ArenaNet, the company that makes Guild Wars, to create their organized play programs for them. After two fun years with them I came back to WOTC at the start of 2008 to be the Digital Games Program Manager.
Ive spent the last few months working with Scott Larabee to take over the event design and management for MOL as well as working closely with the web team on several discontinued (*cough
Gleemax
*cough) initiatives.
Now, as one of the new Community Outreach Managers, I am excited to continue working with all of the various OP, Brand, Marketing, and Web teams here to provide quality Community and Tournament support for Magic Online and other WOTC products.
I look forward to listening to what you all have to say while helping develop Magic Online to become one of the most sparkly online doodads of all time.
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(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3249 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2008 : 14:12:23
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Okay, I've done some study on 'how to write letters' as it were, to better my grammatical and presentation skills. By ending that post with
quote:
I look forward to listening to what you all have to say while helping develop Magic Online to become one of the most sparkly online doodads of all time.
the implication is that Magic Online will be the main focus for Mike and whomever will work with him. Almost everything I read about letter-writing says that you want to reinforce your focus at the end of the letter, since that's what the reader will take away (rightfully or wrongfully) as being your main 'idea' for the letter.
That said, I'm hoping it was just a tag by Mike placed at the end that doesn't mean a damn thing.
Oh, and fruitcake is a delicious dessert.  |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2008 : 15:46:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
Okay, I've done some study on 'how to write letters' as it were, to better my grammatical and presentation skills. By ending that post with
quote:
I look forward to listening to what you all have to say while helping develop Magic Online to become one of the most sparkly online doodads of all time.
the implication is that Magic Online will be the main focus for Mike and whomever will work with him.
I agree, although that probably wasn't intentional. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2008 : 16:44:45
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Not just letter-wrting - ANY form of written presentation should be done that way. At the beginning you deliver your 'mission statement', as it were, and then reiterate that point at the end.
Even lawyers use it - it's called a "closing Argument". Its the most effective way to deliver a message.
A collectible cardgame online? 
I'm just not getting the appeal. I collected MtG through the first half-dozen sets, but then sold everything for a great price (I had three complete revised sets, plus thousands of other cards). I enjoy the collecting aspect MUCH more then playing, so I just can't understand the appeal.
Of course, the same might be said for D&D books... |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 06 Dec 2008 00:23:16 |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2008 : 17:12:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Not just letter-wrting - ANY form of written presentation should be done that way. At the beginning you deliver your 'mission statement', as it were, and then reiterate that point at the end.
Even lawyers use it - it's called a "closing Argument". Its the most effective way to deliver a message.
A collectible cardgame online?
I'm just not getting the appeal. I collected MtG through the first half-dozen sets, but then sold everything for a great price (I had three complete revised sets, plus thousands of other cards). I enjoy the collecting aspect MUCh more then playing, so I just can't understand the appeal.
Of course, the same might be said for D&D books...
-M:tG is a big thing, apparently. And, think of it like this: What is the main appeal of the DDI stuff? The online game aspect, so you can play with people from all over the world, that you would normally not be able to. M:tG Online is the same thing. You get to...duel (It's not Yu-Gi-Oh!, but...) people from all over the world, that you would normally not be able to. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3249 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2008 : 19:19:11
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| I'm sorry Dag, was that post-quote from Mike when he first came on the boards? I thought it was him re-introducing himself in the wake of the layoffs. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2008 : 22:12:33
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| -No, no. He hasn't introduced himself other than, you know, "Hi". From looking at his posts, he's still firmly entrenched in the M:tG stuff, but now is in charge of everything. Many of the VCLs seem to be "reorganizing" themselves to handle a lot more stuff, so... |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 00:31:15
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Yup.
Everyone at WotC now must work harder because of these layoffs. The company doesn't plan on doing less - they just want their employees to work that much harder.
After working for Home Depot for a year (and seeing this exact same policy), I can honestly say we should expect customer satisfaction to plummet...
And it's not the employees fault. (At one point, the store I was working in would only keep two associates on the floor at night during the off-season - for THE ENTIRE BUILDING!)
Then management wants to know why sales are dropping. I sometimes think Corporate Executives all took the little bus to school. 
Anyhow, I said I wouldn't be tempted by "the dark side", so I'm trying to keep these responses as neutral-toned as possible. Don't fault WotC for the same things everyone else is doing - it's just a sign of the times. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 23 Dec 2008 18:08:32 |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4216 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 00:43:54
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Aye, it is a sign of the times.
As I said though, this sort of short-term tightening of the belt usually only hurts a company later down the road.
I myself was forced to close an entire store in my region...not because it wasn't productive (it actually made profit); but simply because upper corp. management wanted to re-shuffle and focus "in a different direction" and all that.
Edit: somehow hit the post button 
Anyway, although I don't work for that company now I still stay in contact with some of my old managers. Now that the economy has taken this sharp turn, they don't get to "refocus" and are without the income they would have had if they had left the store open...like I told them to. You don't shut down a profit...even if you think you can make more money by shuffling the money from that enterprise into a "better" one. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
Edited by - Dalor Darden on 06 Dec 2008 00:46:30 |
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danbuter
Seeker
USA
74 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 02:16:13
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WotC President Greg Leeds in an article on ICV2 on the recent layoffs:
Consolidating internal resources coupled with improved outsourcing allows us to gain efficiencies in executing against our major digital initiatives Magic Online and D&D Insider. Wizards of the Coast is well positioned to maximize future opportunities, including further brand development on digital platforms. The result of this consolidation is a more streamlined approach to driving core brands.
I'm glad that WotC has maximized it's future opportunities... :( Jerk.
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Nothing beats the gray box!
Dan |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 02:38:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Then management wants to know why sales are dropping. I sometimes think Corporate Exacutives all took the little bus to school.
-I took the Mini-Bus to school one year. What's that supposed to even mean? |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4216 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 02:39:08
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quote:
Originally posted by danbuter
WotC President Greg Leeds in an article on ICV2 on the recent layoffs:
Consolidating internal resources coupled with improved outsourcing allows us to gain efficiencies in executing against our major digital initiatives Magic Online and D&D Insider. Wizards of the Coast is well positioned to maximize future opportunities, including further brand development on digital platforms. The result of this consolidation is a more streamlined approach to driving core brands.
I'm glad that WotC has maximized it's future opportunities... :( Jerk.
Wow...exactly what I thought: they are taking the wages that would have been paid to these employees to use in other projects. I'll go out on a limb here and say it is short-sighted practice. Not a bad decision from a bottom line standpoint though..."a company has to do what a company has to do..." and all that.
I can see where they are coming from...but I can also see where they are going to if they don't stick to exactly the plan of using the wages of these poor disaffected souls to make more profit...simply giving a big bonus to a CEO for "cutting costs" will only lose potential earning capital.
I never understood that about companies:
Board: "Wow Mr. CEO, you did an excellent job cutting costs! We are saving half a million dollars now! I guess you deserve a bonus, here is a check for $50,000...now if you will excuse us; we have to talk about what bonuses we are giving ourselves for hiring someone like you to save us so much money!"
Tiny Fired Employee: "" |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4216 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 02:40:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Dagnirion
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Then management wants to know why sales are dropping. I sometimes think Corporate Exacutives all took the little bus to school.
-I took the Mini-Bus to school one year. What's that supposed to even mean?
My autistic son rides the small bus to school...alongside other special needs children. Behavior issues and such... |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 03:41:10
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| +1 Dalor. I have a little man who does the same each morning.. I think folks may need to sit back and think before they post. While it is unfortunate folks are being laid off from work, especially this time of the year, this is a common occurance across the board. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2008 : 03:32:51
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-The revolving door goes on:
quote:
Originally posted by WotC_Mike
Good afternoon all,
As you know, Wizards of the Coast has undergone some changes lately to focus on our core brands and digital initiatives. As part of this change, we have had a series of discussions on how to integrate community support with our game support activity for a more comprehensive customer service experience. I wanted to post and let you all know the results of this discussion and how Wizards will be supporting this initiative.
I will be transitioning off of day-to-day community management duties so that I can focus on my primary work responsibilities as the Tournament and Promotions Manager for Magic Online. In my place, I would like to introduce our two new community liaisons Bernie Stokes and Eric Sorensen. Both of these fine gentlemen have been working here at Wizards in Game Support as well as other duties for many years and quite frankly know our products better than I do.
They will be taking over all community programs (like the VCL program) and forums communications with the public for all of our programs and brands. While each of them knows all of properties well, they are specialized as follows:
Bernie Stokes Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons & Dragons Insider, and D&D Miniatures. In addition Bernie manages the D&Di Beta program.
Eric Sorensen Magic the Gathering and Magic Online.
While they are focused on these brands, Bernie and Eric will be working together along with their manager Trevor Kidd in regards to Avalon Hill, Star Wars RPG, Star Wars Miniatures, MapleStory and Heroscape. As a team, they will also continue fully supporting all of the CM programs and prize support we have run in the past at the same level while working towards expanding them in the future. And since this is the same team that manages the ORCs, this will also enable even better communication and workflow to take place between them and the VCLs.
I will be available to work with them if needed but I am confident in their abilities and resources to be able to pass along community concerns and answer their questions completely.
I will still appear on the message boards from time to time in the Magic Online area as part of my new job focus but please direct your questions and requests to them as of now so that they can quickly get you what you need.
I want to thank you all for your energy and enthusiasm and your involvement in the gaming community as a whole. It is your excitement that makes it a pleasure to work in this industry.
Happy holidays all!
Michael Gills
quote:
Originally posted by WotC_Bernie
Hi Everyone,
I just heard an announcement was posted about the new community team. I thought I better get a move on and post an intro so you know a little bit about me.
First off, Im Bernie Stokes, (Im not a women if youre wondering). Im a former US Marine who served in Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm and Somalia. Im an artist and from time to time do freelance graphic design, along with a background in computer development/sales. I also worked for Microsoft as a QA game tester, but had the opportunity to move into a position of running beta programs and managing a community of users. Seven plus years later Im still doing the same thing here at Wizards of the Coast, and Ive been here for over a year now.
I know Solice and Mike have provided the community with some great memories and experiences. Theyve both worked with you and established a great link to the community and I want to take what theyve started and provide a new experience in helping the community grow even further.
I hope that in the near future I get the chance to meet and know you all, and I look forward to working with you to grow the community.
So dont hesitate send me a message and say hello!
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(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
Edited by - Lord Karsus on 18 Dec 2008 03:34:36 |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4695 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2008 : 05:00:50
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| Hmm, two names I have never seen posting on "the Boards that should not be mentioned" and one is described as specialized in Dungeons & Dragons Insider and manages the the D&Di Beta program. Perhaps the two of them might be good comunity managers, just I have not seen any sign of them yet. *shrugs* |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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dwarvenranger
Senior Scribe
USA
428 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2008 : 16:54:00
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| A Marine! Good Lord. Well 4th ed seemed to be all about killing to me anyway. He should fit right in. |
If I waited till I knew what I was doing, I'd never get anything done.
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2008 : 21:08:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Dagnirion
-The revolving door goes on:
No kidding... |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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dwarvenranger
Senior Scribe
USA
428 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2008 : 14:16:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Dagnirion
quote:
Originally posted by dwarvenranger
A Marine! Good Lord. Well 4th ed seemed to be all about killing to me anyway. He should fit right in.
-Hey...That's not very nice.
Heh, I've been in the Navy for over 14 years, I consider it part of my duties to make snide remarks about Marines whenever possible. Just like they poke fun back at us "squids" whenever possible.
Nice? I suppose not. But it is what it is, sorta like sibling rivalry. |
If I waited till I knew what I was doing, I'd never get anything done.
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2008 : 16:34:38
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quote:
Originally posted by dwarvenranger
Heh, I've been in the Navy for over 14 years, I consider it part of my duties to make snide remarks about Marines whenever possible. Just like they poke fun back at us "squids" whenever possible.
Nice? I suppose not. But it is what it is, sorta like sibling rivalry.
That's okay, Marines make snide comments about all the other branches too, my little brother is one, and my Dad was one, so I kinda have the Marine outlook at other branches myself. And anyways, the Marines are tough enough to take the abuse. |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
* My character sheets (PFRPG, 3.5, and AE versions; not viewable in Internet Explorer)
* Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PFRPG OGL Rules)
* The Hypertext d20 SRD (3.5 OGL Rules)
* 3.5 D&D Archives
My game design work:
* Heroes of the Jade Oath (PFRPG, conversion; Rite Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 1: Cantrips & Orisons (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
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Ionik Knight
Learned Scribe
USA
222 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2008 : 16:44:57
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Jeez I see I'm not the only one who received the boot for xmas. At least I know my company had to make cuts due to the loss of their bread&butter customer. They also gave me a severance that will hold things together until I get deployed for my Guard unit.
On that note, anyone have room for a player in Stuttgart Germany? |
Fools to right of them,
Jesters to left of them,
Clowns in front of them
Pun'd and parody'd. |
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Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2008 : 16:14:25
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| My condolences to all these folks. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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dwarvenranger
Senior Scribe
USA
428 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2008 : 16:26:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Dagnirion
-I'm taking bets to see if it keeps on going. Anyone?
Hey! No profiting on the misfortunes of others! 
(What kinda odds are you giving? ) |
If I waited till I knew what I was doing, I'd never get anything done.
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2008 : 18:22:44
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About my earlier comment -
I honestly thought that was the more 'politic' way of making my point, and I'm sorry to anyone who took offense. Dagnirion - you live in the city, so it probably doesn't mean anything to you (bus sizes depend on numbers there, not special needs).
And just to make myself PERFECTLY clear, my oldest son - now 20 - took 'the little bus' most of his life, and was even forced to go to a 'special school' throughout 1-5th grades. I myself rode a 'small bus' up until junior high because of my Asthma.
What I meant was that people who take the 'small bus' usually have certain ... deficiencies... be they physical, mental, or both. There is NOTHING wrong with that.
My comment was intended as a sly way of intimating that such deficiencies exist within corporate managment... NOT that anyone with ANY kind of problem should be made fun of.
Sorry in any took it that way. perhaps I should have just said what I REALLY meant, rather then being obtuse that way. I just thought thay was the more... polite.. way of saying what I meant.
It wouldn't be the first time I stuck my foot in my mout; I guess it's a good thing I wash my feet often. 
Sorry to anyone who took that personally.
Now back on topic: Did that last long post concern hirings, rather then firings?
Why is it I only recognize names when they are firing?  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 23 Dec 2008 18:24:45 |
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Julia Martin & David Noonan made redundant ...
