Thank You and What's Next
Jan. 2nd, 2025 07:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
clauderainsrm posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
therealljidol Back in 2006, I was a few years into being single, and incredibly bored. Idol was the idea that filled that hole, and definitely made life "not boring" :)
Over the years, it stayed that way - through all the changes in my life, as well as the changes to Livejournal itself (that eventually got to the point of needing to leave it)
It was my passion, and the success of every single person who came through these doors felt like MY accomplishments, that I had played a small part in it. (even if it was only reflected) It was something that gave me a great deal of satisfaction and pride.
2023 was rough for me at the end, and got even worse during 2024. My job took up all of my time and energy. Those successes were huge, and the failures were draining. Losing it though, that meant that all of the damage I had done to the rest of my life by allowing my job to become who was, all of that were just more failures.
(deleted a lot of DARK, and honest stuff)
I need you to understand how important Idol is to me. How important all of you are to me. It's not just showing up and participating. Your successes make me feel like I've had a small part in them, which has kept me going through some pretty dark months.
I saw a comment during the finale about a couple writing communities where people sign up at the start of the year and the writers all motivate each other to meet their word count goals. Obviously it's a great idea. It feels like those are the people we need to reach, writers who WANT to be motivated to write, who are trying to complete their personal goals. Idol is definitely something that gives people an excuse to write!! So, if you happen to be a part of those groups, or any other writing activities - PLEASE spread the word about Idol.
I have two ideas, and neither of them are particularly "new member friendly". :) One being the 20 Year Celebration in 2026/All Stars/Legends/your name here which I really hope I can make into a giant homecoming party.
The other is what I want to do between now and then, which I can only describe as "What if everything that drives you crazy about LJ Idol were on massive amounts of drugs?" I don't know if that is the Idol I want to introduce newbies to, heck, I don't even know if veterans want to play it once you hear what it's about... but it's something that is exciting me at the moment. And I NEED something to be excited about. So I really hope you do decide to come out for it, and tell your friends. I'm still in the planning stages, and have someone working on brand new graphics for it, so that might take a couple months before things are ready to reveal. I WILL tell you the name though... because that tells you everything you need to know: LJ IDOL: The Wheel of Chaos I'll let that image haunt your dreams. :)
Anyway, this started out as me wanting to thank you and let you know how much it meant to me to have you come out for this particular mini season... so, again, thank you. I hope you had fun.
I still have the Patreon. I was using it to make fun of my old high school and college poetry for a few months, but no one seemed interested. :) It's still there if you're curious. In theory I'll post more about Idol in the coming months. Mostly it's there because people asked me how they could contribute and said I should have one. So if you want to, here's the link www.patreon.com/c/user
I've already had a couple people throw some money into the hat via Paypal today, which was very kind of them and reminded me that I usually end seasons by putting the hat out, again, just in case you feel like it: Venmo is @Gary-Dreslinski PayPal is @GDreslinski
Again, for people who are in a place where they feel like they can/want to. Idol is a passion project for me. I feel like I dropped the ball quite a few times this mini season, and appreciate people sticking with it. It means more to me than I can ever fully express.
Thank you for being here, and for being you. I hope to see you when The Wheel of Chaos starts to spin.
Dreslinski Out.
Over the years, it stayed that way - through all the changes in my life, as well as the changes to Livejournal itself (that eventually got to the point of needing to leave it)
It was my passion, and the success of every single person who came through these doors felt like MY accomplishments, that I had played a small part in it. (even if it was only reflected) It was something that gave me a great deal of satisfaction and pride.
2023 was rough for me at the end, and got even worse during 2024. My job took up all of my time and energy. Those successes were huge, and the failures were draining. Losing it though, that meant that all of the damage I had done to the rest of my life by allowing my job to become who was, all of that were just more failures.
(deleted a lot of DARK, and honest stuff)
I need you to understand how important Idol is to me. How important all of you are to me. It's not just showing up and participating. Your successes make me feel like I've had a small part in them, which has kept me going through some pretty dark months.
I saw a comment during the finale about a couple writing communities where people sign up at the start of the year and the writers all motivate each other to meet their word count goals. Obviously it's a great idea. It feels like those are the people we need to reach, writers who WANT to be motivated to write, who are trying to complete their personal goals. Idol is definitely something that gives people an excuse to write!! So, if you happen to be a part of those groups, or any other writing activities - PLEASE spread the word about Idol.
I have two ideas, and neither of them are particularly "new member friendly". :) One being the 20 Year Celebration in 2026/All Stars/Legends/your name here which I really hope I can make into a giant homecoming party.
The other is what I want to do between now and then, which I can only describe as "What if everything that drives you crazy about LJ Idol were on massive amounts of drugs?" I don't know if that is the Idol I want to introduce newbies to, heck, I don't even know if veterans want to play it once you hear what it's about... but it's something that is exciting me at the moment. And I NEED something to be excited about. So I really hope you do decide to come out for it, and tell your friends. I'm still in the planning stages, and have someone working on brand new graphics for it, so that might take a couple months before things are ready to reveal. I WILL tell you the name though... because that tells you everything you need to know: LJ IDOL: The Wheel of Chaos I'll let that image haunt your dreams. :)
Anyway, this started out as me wanting to thank you and let you know how much it meant to me to have you come out for this particular mini season... so, again, thank you. I hope you had fun.
I still have the Patreon. I was using it to make fun of my old high school and college poetry for a few months, but no one seemed interested. :) It's still there if you're curious. In theory I'll post more about Idol in the coming months. Mostly it's there because people asked me how they could contribute and said I should have one. So if you want to, here's the link www.patreon.com/c/user
I've already had a couple people throw some money into the hat via Paypal today, which was very kind of them and reminded me that I usually end seasons by putting the hat out, again, just in case you feel like it: Venmo is @Gary-Dreslinski PayPal is @GDreslinski
Again, for people who are in a place where they feel like they can/want to. Idol is a passion project for me. I feel like I dropped the ball quite a few times this mini season, and appreciate people sticking with it. It means more to me than I can ever fully express.
Thank you for being here, and for being you. I hope to see you when The Wheel of Chaos starts to spin.
Dreslinski Out.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 01:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 01:59 am (UTC)Chaos? Little old (OLD) me? G'head, twist my arm. :-)
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 02:59 am (UTC)There was a time when Murielle and Chaos were synonymous. đ
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Date: 2025-01-04 03:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 03:02 am (UTC)I've been reading a story about a group of rock stars recently, so the comment about "massive amounts of drugs" made me chuckle. Bring on the chaos, I'm game!
Dan
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 01:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 05:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 04:54 am (UTC)Also, I hope your 2025 is a lot better than the past couple years <3
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 06:31 am (UTC)My participation this time ran into some major life crisis which limited my idol participation. It was a very odd year.
2025 will be better.
Thanks Gary and everyone who plays. You really make our lives better, Gary!!
no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 01:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 08:24 am (UTC)Thank you for this last season, Gary. I had so much fun every week and it was a great thing to be a part of during a really bad year which I started last January not knowing if I would make it to the end of the month or not.
It's also really gotten me into a great pattern with writing which has helped me a lot in a job I began just as idol started, which involves writing non-fiction.
Can't wait for the next season and I hope you have a great 2025!
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Date: 2025-01-03 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 01:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 05:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-05 10:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-05 10:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 01:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-05 10:12 am (UTC)*makes it the main goal for next time, ha*- I'm so happy with how I placed because my main goal when I joined was get to the final 10. To make it there, then to 5 and final 3 was already great. Everyone here did such an amazing job every week, I felt really honored to get to second place.no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 01:48 am (UTC)Come on over here for a minute. Just walk across that glass to get here. You'll be fine.
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Date: 2025-01-05 10:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 11:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 01:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 01:26 pm (UTC)To be honest, that 2022 season somehow left me with a bitter taste in my mouth, and I still can't exactly point my finger at why exactly. Enough though, to not make me want to write for quite a while (which also had to do with a lot on my plate with a new job and other stuff).
So, I don't really know where I am standing re future competitions...I always love to read and to vote though (except in the last two months which were pure chaos, alas).
In any case, curious about what you will come up with!
All the best for 2025.
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 02:58 pm (UTC)Thank you, Gary for all you have done and continue to do for so many.
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 04:26 pm (UTC)Just let me know the time and place, I'll be there. I won't wear bells, because I find that I rather like being stealthy and creeping in from the side - LOL. It's been a great experience, I've loved the challenge and the mind games it has made me play, and I'll play in your sandbox any time you let me share your bucket. I'll bring my own shovel.
- Erulisse (one L)
Sandra
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 05:39 pm (UTC)I love both of these season ideas and will definitely sign up for wheel of chaos.
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 09:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-04 01:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-03 09:48 pm (UTC)I'm up for any Idol you care to host. Ideally, there will be no repeats of the personal tragedy that kept me away for so long.
I hope the new job offers you the opportunity to do great things, with less frustration and more work/life balance than the old job. :D
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:54 am (UTC)There's definitely a better work/life balance with the job itself. The commute is pretty annoying though.
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Date: 2025-01-03 10:11 pm (UTC)Thank you for creating this wonderful community, Gary.
May all of us have a peaceful and kind 2025.
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:55 am (UTC)I'm so glad that you have stuck around to read and cheer people on, even years later. Hopefully at some point you might throw your hat back in the ring!
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Date: 2025-01-03 11:44 pm (UTC)Also, if anyone wants to do a friend frenzy, as we used to at the end of other Idols, please feel free! I friended a few folks and I would love more Idol friends.
This community got me writing again and really prioritizing writing again. Thank you, Gary, and everyone who supported me this season!
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Date: 2025-01-04 01:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-10 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-01-20 02:52 pm (UTC)