A few hundred people woke up to a frozen Lockergnome newsgroup hierarchy this morning. With virtually no advance warning, we put the server on ice. One of the last posts was made by the Ambassador, Randy Winch. He wrote: “Folks be happy, I quit – so have FUN.” I have virtually no time to police the forums and was growing increasingly impatient with the problems that kept springing up. Yes, I unleashed a handful of “uneducated” people into the groups, but my hope was that the community would grow. The personal and professional attacks put me over the edge. C'est la vie with Internet discussion boards. No, I'm not too popular with some people right now, but I couldn't see the value in keeping the newsgroups alive in their current state. Too often, certain individuals would bash, ridicule, and undermine Lockergnome's (or my) ideas. Does that mean I'm not open to criticism or feedback? Hardly. What I AM opposed to is envious whining and non-constructive dialogues. When Randy asked for feedback on the GnomeTomes project, that's pretty much all we received. Enough. Shout your hatred for all things “me” from the rooftops, but don't do it on my damn roof.

Let's just assume I'm a megalomaniac. Is it suddenly a crime to be a different person than you were five years ago? Jeez, if I was, I'd be pretty darn depressed right now. If certain individuals would have taken the time to see what GnomeTomes is all about, they may have reconsidered their perspective on me being a “greedy” person. Yeah, greedy. Right. Okay. Is asking $5 for 50 compiled, qualified tips greedy? Yes! Is soliciting author submissions greedy? Yes! Is offering those authors a higher percentage than other eBook networks greedy? Yes! What you see on the GnomeTomes site right now is nothing compared to what it's about to become. The beauty of the Internet is that things can happen with the click of a button. If something doesn't work, FIDO. I hate to disappoint the naysayers out there, but GnomeTomes is working. Very well. And it will continue to work well with every author, publisher, and affiliate who comes aboard. Your jealousy is unfounded; I've already invited you to join.

I hate negativity (I really do), but my fuse is getting short. I think you already knew that, though. Some say I need a vacation (Gretchen included). Some say I need an ego adjustment (Gretchen included). Some say I just need to do things the way they would do things. Yeah, well – life doesn't work that way. Yep, I'm guilty of trying something new. Yep, I'm guilty of repurposing content. Yep, I'm guilty of doing stuff for free. Yep, I'm guilty of asking subscribers to support our content distribution. Yep, I'm guilty of being one bad-ass, insensitive, petty, insecure jerk. It's ironic. We grow up beliving that success is something we should attain. But is it? Is it really? It seems that some people will stop at nothing to tear someone else down when they do “something.” Why? What's the point? To keep someone “in check?” I don't get it. I really don't get it. The more one does, the more one is hated. Seriously. I used to have a lot less enemies. I also used to know a lot less people. Well, if you're going to hate me – hate me. I still love me. Nyeah!