PacHerp, maybe you need to leave!!!!!!

[Retribution Reptiles]

Ryan, I am not here to agree or disagree with the posted topic, but do think it blows when anyone posts a negative topic ANYWHERE ON THE NET, a swarm of people sting the original poster.

Ryan we are cool and I am sorry you thought I was speaking to you.

It's all good i just didn't want anyone to call me or yourself a hypocrite ya know...cause that's all bad

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Ryan was that directed towards me?

was what directed towards you...i don't even know who you are....

 

[clarkee_04]

it was an earlier comment, i didn't realize there was five pages. Forget it, you obviously don't need more drama.

 

[KelliH]

OK, warning, this is kinda long lol

Look I've been thinking about this off and on today and for me it all boils down to this... what Brittney said in that comment hurt me. It hurt me because she was laughing at and about this website, something that aside from my family and animals is one of the most important things in my life, one of the more meaningful things I've ever done in this hobby. Inside joke, well, he always calls this place the OTHER FORUM from what I've seen. This is not the first and only time a situation like this has come up (there were some very hurtful things said in chat a few months ago as well) and probably these past instances have made me more sensitive to stuff like this.

As far as this website goes... It took me (and most of the other breeders that have been around longer than two years) many, many years to build and promote my gecko business. Those of us that have been around for awhile did not have a huge leopard gecko website like this one to not only learn from (this place is WAY more in depth than any book could ever be!) but could also promote ourselves and our animals and websites to thousands of people, for free!

Many of you do not even know the reason this community exists. I created this place after the sudden loss of my 13 year old son Hayden, who died four years ago on June 21st 2005. The community, which at that time was MUCH smaller and tightly knit, helped keep me alive. I honestly don't know if I could have made it through the next year without them. GeckoForums was something I had been wanting to do for some time prior to that, but I don't know if I ever would have really done it had it not been for that whole situation. I don't need nor do I want people to go around saying, 'Kelli you're the greatest blah blah blah.". I am not a person that takes praise very well, as the very few people that really know me here can attest to. I don't seek it out nor do I wish for it. However it does feel good when every now and again someone thanks me for what it took and still takes out of me to run this community, and what I went through in the aftermath of it's creation.

So yeah, the support of someone like Matt, a guy that has called Marcia and I "old ladies" that just banned him either for personal reasons (not true or his ass would have been banned a year earlier:main_yes: ) or because we were jealous (not at all) or was it because we "didn't want to know the truth" (ummmm ok..truth about what?? LOL). He trashes this place but the other day I banned the fourth account he had signed up with here (consequently shortly after that he posted the YOUTube video that is the subject of all this mess).

As far as someone doing good shit for someone else... it works both ways and in the case of a business deal it is not, or should not be, one sided.

But you know what you guys, these things always sort themselves out in the wash so to speak. Eric was doing what any friend that truly cared for another friend would do. He was defending me. He was upset because he knew seeing a comment like that would hurt me, and he was right. Most of you don't understand why it would hurt me but it's ok, I don't expect anyone to understand except a few that know me in real life. Anyway the rest is between me and my psychiatrist. :main_thumbsup:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

WHAT THE FUCK! It's shit like this that makes me ashamed to be a part of the gecko community. Knock it the fuck off and grow up. ALL of us are entitled to our feelings and emotions, but we are all ultimately responsible for our actions... especially when they come back to bit us in the fucking ass later on. There is no need for any of us to be so self-absorbed with this pettiness!

I am in very fragile physical and emotional condition right now, and am under the influence of some pretty good pain medication... so I'm going to tell you ALL exactly what I think. It's only my opinion, so take for what it's worth. I am also not in my right mind at this time, so forgive me if I don't make a lot of sense.

Matt has been a terrible problem for Kelli (and me) and GeckoForums. There are things he has done that have gone on that the rest of the community are not aware of the damage he has done. Just because Britt gives him crap on YouTube doesn't mean a fucking thing! We ALL do and say things... none of us are exempt. Is it right to judge someone for this? Wouldn't we each expect that level of understanding and respect?

One of the things I love the most about Kelli, Eric, and Brittney are that they are fierce defenders for those they love. I am fortunate beyond words to have these 3 wonderful people that I KNOW love me. Each of them have their own unique way of expressing it. Eric felt the primal need to defend Kelli because he loves and respects her... whether it was warranted is insignificant! Isn't this a quality we admire in our friends?

Kelli and I have been friends fo a long time... and that friendship is on a level that many people don't experience in a lifetime. Kelli knows my most intimate and deepest thoughts and feelings that no one else on the face of the earth knows. I trust her with my life. And I feel very protective of her, for reasons only she and I know. I had a problem (and still do a little bit) about having THIS 'Fight Club" forum here one GeckoForums.net. She and I had opposing opinions about it, but the bottom line is that this is HER website, and as her friend I will defend and support her to the bitter end of time. When she or GF is attacked, (even if it only a perception) I will step up to the plate to support her and this community. My love for Kelli has no limits.

Eric and I go w-a-y back when he was a novice gecko keeper, and we have developed a bond that cannot be disconnected. I know without question the caliber of his committment to those he loves and cares for. I am so lucky to have Eric as a friend! I know in a hearbeat he would selflessly love and defend me if I ever needed it. Eric and I are so much alike in many ways... almost telepathically. If I was in a battle, I would want Eric to be one of my most devoted Generals. I love Eric with all my heart.

Brittney has been a devoted friend to me. She was here for me when my husband battered me and she took me into her own home and gave me nothing but love and support when I needed it! When I have had serious emotional or health problems, she was here at my house in 10 minutes... no questions asked. To me, this is what friendship is. I love Brittney like she was my own, and it hurts me me beyond words to see her so distraught. I am the only one of all of you that has the priviledge of actually knowing her.

Right now, I am in a very fragile physical and mental state. I had to put down one of my most beloved geckos last night because he was suffering so much he bit me... real bad! This little gecko has never been anything but sweet and gentle all the years I have had him. Last night, I was is the same physical condition he was in. I have NEVER experienced the level of physical agony I felt last night, and my only thought was..."I only wish someone loved me enough to euthanize me!" Kelli, Eric, and Brittney carried me through last night adn the aftermath of today. It's so hard for me to ask for help, but without them I don't think I could have made it. Seriously.

Soooo... I am going to be selfish here. I am not by nature a selfish person. All I know is that I am facing the most painful and challenging situation in my life coming up soon. It's hard for me to ask for help, so when I do I really need it. I see three of the people I love most in the whole world at each other's throats, and it is absolutely killing me inside. I am going to ask... no, PLEAD, with all of you to put all this petty bullshit aside and HELP ME. Please, please, please, if for no other reason than for my sake, PLEASE! I need all of you to at least agree on one thing right now. Please agree that I need you all so much right now. I need all the love, support, and solidarity from you that you all can muster... from the ones I love the most.

If there is nothing else that can bring you back together, I hope it can be MY love for you. Please, if just for a temporary time, join forces to help me right now. I don't know how else to express this, but I will not survive this without you.

 

[KelliH]

Marcia, I love you with all of my heart and I will do anything and everything I can to help you. I will always love and support you, no matter what. I don't let personal shit with someone else get in the way of that. I've told you how I feel about certain things, and it's been a long time coming. My feelings are not going to change. They have validity and are based in reality. My post above yours pretty much says it all for me in regards to this situation. I'll always be here for you, my feelings toward anyone else are irrelevant.

 

[eric]

Marcia, I love you with all of my heart and I will do anything and everything I can to help you. I will always love and support you, no matter what. I don't let personal shit with someone else get in the way of that. I've told you how I feel about certain things, and it's been a long time coming. My feelings are not going to change. They have validity and are based in reality. My post above yours pretty much says it all for me in regards to this situation. I'll always be here for you, my feelings toward anyone else are irrelevant.

:main_thumbsup:

That goes for me also!

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Dude Eric you need to man up buddy....you can't hide behind other people once you get called out on your bullshit.....

 

[eric]

First off I ain't your buddy! And second, who's hiding?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Dude Eric you need to man up buddy....you can't hide behind other people once you get called out on your bullshit.....

Ryan, thanks a lot for reading my post. Fuck you.

 

[KelliH]

Dude Eric you need to man up buddy....you can't hide behind other people once you get called out on your bullshit.....

Let's just all do each other a favor and drop it. Eric did what he felt was right. Brittney did what she thought was right. I did what I thought was right. I think all of us have more important things to focus on. I'm done with this. I'm washing my hands of all of it and moving on. Let's all be better than we are being right now and just leave it. For the sake of all of us.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

washed....done with topic

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

So now that i have both ADMINS publicly bashing me i can't say my piece due to they are ADMINS?

i just want to make sure i don't break any TOS before i respond

 

[Ehatcher]

Firstly, Marcia said what she said with a myriad of feelings and problems going on in her life right now, and i see no indications of KelliH bashing you?
She asked for the topic to be washed away from everyone.....

They only said what they did after each of them had asked for the nonsense to stop and your post indicated that you did not have any intentions in doing so.

Im not attacking you, im just stating what they said. So dont take this as me bashing you.

 

[PacHerp]

So now that the theme of this thread has gone from a minor misunderstanding to slander, I feel that I must once again come on here in defense of myself and my business.

I do my best to provide my clients with the best customer service that I am able to provide. Honestly, in anyones business life, there are times when you cannot satisfy your clients 100%.

Just like in any business, I know there are people out there that I have not be able to satisfy. However, if you talk to the majority of the people I have worked with, in and out of the gecko community, you will find that they will say I provide top quality work, great communication, and that I work very hard to meet their needs.

Here is what Eric had to say on the matter after I completed a transaction with him -

“I contacted Brittney about a logo redesign and told her what I wanted. She was very helpful in the design process and gave great advice on how and what it would look like in different applications. Brittney was very easy to work with and very prompt on any questions I had. She also listened to what I wanted and the end result was outstanding. I highly recommend Brittney Gougeon, Oregon Gecko will be doing business with her in the future!” -Eric, Oregon Gecko

My work speaks for itself. I believe my designs are very well made, and I know that the majority of my customers are more than happy with what they receive.

And NO Eric, no matter what you tell yourself - I had you on Late Night Leos, did your logo design for 100% trade, answered all your questions about genetics, taught you about photographing geckos, etc. because you were my friend, and friends help each other out...

And just to reiterate, my YouTube comment was NOT meant for anything other than comedic purposes between me and Matt and was NOT a slight at Kelli or Geckoforums.

Thank you to those like Ryan and others who have come to my defense, it's in times like these that we know who our true friends are.

And to Marcia, I would love more than anything for this to be over and done with and to be able to move on from this. You know I'll continue to be here for you and that you are family to me.

 

[thestack510]

I see all three of you (Kelli, Marcia, and Brittney) as staples in the community and to some degree feel as if outside opinions (I'm not excluding myself being as I've said my piece) have, at least in part, only bolstered the issue and served to turn a mole hill into a mountain. I can surely recognize why Kelli would be hurt by any perceived negativity toward GF, which is her brain child, but I don't believe that was the intention, and I don't think that there was any true malice behind what was said on Brittney's behalf. I'm confident in the fact that Kelli and Brittney, with the beloved MOGL as ambassador, can resolve this problem amongst themselves as it should have been done before it turned into a six page thread. It need not be a Team A vs. Team B situation. I have nothing but respect for all of you and I feel as if our love for what we do should unite us rather than make us rivals, adversaries, opposites, or anything of the sort. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKQokgU4xH4 (If you can manage to decipher the message through the Bermudan accent this song is really poignant on many levels)

 

[KelliH]

So now that i have both ADMINS publicly bashing me i can't say my piece due to they are ADMINS?

i just want to make sure i don't break any TOS before i respond

Wait a minute... how am I bashing you? If it seemed that way I apologize in advance.

 

[Kristi23]

(((Marcia))) I am so sorry for everything you're going through.

I am definitely not taking sides in this and I like everyone involved. I'm sorry for everyone that got hurt and I hope they can move past it.

 

[dprince]

Marcia, you know how very much I love, respect, and care for you. You are a wonderful person who is going through some horrific things right now, and I know that you are in a tough place. Being in a tough place makes anyone vulnerable, and you are certainly there. Know that the gecko community is here for you - that will never change.

However, this issue with Brittney, Kelli, and Eric - it's their issue to work out, or not work out. You said it best yourself -

ALL of us are entitled to our feelings and emotions

All of their feelings, and anyone else's feelings, about this matter are real and valid. I KNOW how very sucky it is to have people that you love and care about not like each other, get along, whatever the issue is. But it's not up to us (the general "us") to try and change their feelings about each other - hell, we can't even control our own feelings, let alone change them!! :main_laugh:

I know you're speaking with your heart. I just wanted to speak from mine.

 

[Gregg M]

Maurice and Ryan, We are cool and I like you guys so I will keep this respectful...

This goes much deeper than this particular topic... This situation for Eric is the "straw that broke the camel toe, Oooops, I mean camels back"... I am staying out of this for the moment but if and when I am needed to defend my boy Eric, I will do so like a leo pouncing on a cricket... This also goes for Kelli and this site...

I would do the same for both of you if you were in the right but you really do not know the history involved so I figured I would be a friend and give you two the heads up...