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Music break

This is for "work", but really a thinly veiled excuse to build my own Telecaster/Esquire. Going to use a spare Fender neck. Solid pine & pickguard is an old LP :)

[1].♦ Dr. Blofeld 14:53, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

  • Wow, they still have the skills. I spent a couple hours playing to YouTube loops on a baby Line 6 amp I keep in the living room last night (Mrs. Brown is infinitely patient it seems, I have guitar stuff all over the place). Knowing I'm about to break here, and looking to jam on stage just a little again, it felt like putting on an old favorite pair of gloves for the first time in a long time. It just felt right. Dennis - 2¢ 15:20, 24 November 2014 (UTC)
Enjoy the jam sessions, Dennis. I love them, I do them all the time. I've met lots of musicians, and got lots of dep work, and ultimately, I got my partner too. If you ever happen to be in the region of Maidstone on a Monday night, pop along to the Lower Bell and give your Tele a good ol' twang. Don't be a stranger. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 17:37, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

ACE2014 questions

Hey, just thought I'd let you know I answered the questions you asked me. I apologize for my delay in getting to them. Ks0stm (T•C•G•E) 21:44, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

I'm not sure if you're aware...

...that your name was invoked here in a negative context.

I hope you're enjoying your break. BMK (talk) 06:03, 28 November 2014 (UTC)

I'm not sure if you're aware...

...that your name was invoked here in a negative context.

I hope you're enjoying your break. BMK (talk) 06:03, 28 November 2014 (UTC)

Arb Election

I have no interest in making a voter guide now, but I feel I'm uniquely qualified to offer a perspective about one candidate in particular, DGG, David Goodman.

DGG has served as a mentor for me since we both joined in 2006. We have worked in close proximity hundreds of times, most often at AFD. At my RFA, I said there were a couple of people whom I trusted enough that I would resign the admin bit instantly with a single request, but I've never named them until now. DGG has always been #1 on that list. That I granted him this trust and now publicly declare it is not a small thing.

My user page hosts one of DGG's quotes, one worth going to read. Like many new editors, I would bludgeon a bit at AFD and this quote helped me break that habit. It inspired me to write that very essay. It wasn't so I could preach to others, it was to reinforce the lessons learned and remind myself to not bludgeon. David and I sometimes disagree on notability for cultural event or other interpretations of WP:GNG, but we share the same respect for consensus and willingness to move on. My experience has been that he won't hesitate to oppose someone when he disagrees, and uses the opportunity to instruct rather than tear down. When he is not sure on a point, he will simply say so. He understands the difference between fact and opinion, and this is reflected in every action he takes.

A few times, he has publicly chided me when I needed it, but did so in a direct yet inoffensive way. He was right to in each instance. I learned something, licked my wounds and moved on, a little wiser from the experience. His example has helped me slow down, be calm, reflect a bit, and do my best to stay neutral. He has unwittingly taught me to admit up front when I have a bias. Having a bias isn't a character flaw, but failing to admit it is. I've learned to never be afraid to speak out or disagree, but to do so without being abrasive. At his core, DGG is a very good teacher; he does more than point out problems, he suggests solutions, and is willing to listen to others. Granted, I've yet to master all this but his example still influences me to this day.

For me, picking an Arb isn't about finding someone you think you will always agree with you, or picking someone who is always right. That kind of person doesn't exist. The best we can do is pick people who are objective, experienced, calm, thoughtful and willing. Someone you can respect even when you disagree. I can think of no editor better in that role than DGG. Dennis - 2¢ 16:29, 30 November 2014 (UTC)

A bunny for you

The soft bunny of happiness and tranquility.

A nice bunny being given to you, and maybe not for the first or last time. :) Anna Frodesiak (talk) 14:32, 2 December 2014 (UTC)

Seasons Greetings

Happy holidays.
Enjoy your break and best wishes for joy and happiness to you and all your loved ones from ```Buster Seven Talk 21:44, 5 December 2014 (UTC)

Straw Poll

There is a straw poll that may interest you regarding the proper use of "Religion =" in infoboxes of atheists.

The straw poll is at Template talk:Infobox person#Straw poll.

--Guy Macon (talk) 09:18, 6 December 2014 (UTC)

Origin of Techno-Rampaging IP

According to Biksternet, this genre warrior comes from Greece.

JG

Malmsimp (talk) 16:43, 16 December 2014 (UTC)

Requesting input

Yes, I know you are on break, but I wonder if you might have any input you might want to offer at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention#Editor of the year?. John Carter (talk) 00:25, 16 December 2014 (UTC)

  • John Carter - The Editor of the Week is just a random sampling of some of the more productive editors around. For every "winner", there are a 50 more that we just haven't found yet, but the reason one person gets it isn't tied to criteria or comparison. After thinking on it a bit, I wouldn't likely support a "Editor of the Year", as that implies they are greater than those that didn't win it, it might make it seem like a contest, with winners and losers. I'm worried it would be easy to take away the original intent of the Editor of the Week, which was: Find a hard working editor who flies under the radar, throw a little confetti and say "Hey, we just noticed you, and we like what we see. Thank you!" - Simplicity (and the hard work of several people) has been what has kept it going, and (I hope) has made it useful to the community. Farmer Brown 2¢ 20:58, 16 December 2014 (UTC)

Close review, second close

You participated in the Overturn of the first closing of the Media Viewer RfC. You are invited to comment on the Close Review Request of the second closing of the same RfC: wp:Administrators'_noticeboard#Close_Review_Request_after_overturn_and_reclose. Alsee (talk) 14:23, 17 December 2014 (UTC)

Seasonal Greets!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2015 !!!

Hello Dennis Brown, May you be surrounded by peace, success and happiness on this seasonal occasion. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Sending you a heartfelt and warm greetings for Christmas and New year 2015.
Happy editing,
NorthAmerica1000 15:26, 18 December 2014 (UTC)

Spread the love by adding {{subst:Seasonal Greetings}} to user talk pages with a friendly message.

Happy holidays, Dennis/Farmer Brown! NorthAmerica1000 15:26, 18 December 2014 (UTC)
What NA1K said. You are keeping busy with the family and jamming I trust, and good for you. Enjoy the holiday season and hope you get a gift nicer than a Jimbo jumper. (and when it's all over, that RfA nom ... no, it can wait until the spring) Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 17:17, 19 December 2014 (UTC)

Can't stop this! Seasonal Greets!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2015!!!

Hello Dennis Brown, may you be surrounded by peace, success and happiness on this seasonal occasion. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Sending you a heartfelt and warm greetings for Christmas and New Year 2015.
Happy editing,
Hafspajen (talk) 14:16, 20 December 2014 (UTC)

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Wikibreak

[2] ... Merry Christmas! Now stop reading and post on all the accounts ;) NE Ent 02:50, 25 December 2014 (UTC)

    • I have limited myself to only the few things that I started, so I could finish them, plus a couple article edits I was reading for fun. I've been good about this, and felt that since I injected myself at the beginning, I felt a duty to the process (and you) to say "yes, I think it was a fair process". I haven't even looked at admin boards or other user's pages. To be honest, I've had no desire to. With this account, I don't have my tools or watchlist, no temptation. It is all but done now. Farmer Brown 2¢ 02:58, 25 December 2014 (UTC)

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2015!!!

Hello Dennis Brown, may you be surrounded by peace, success and happiness on this seasonal occasion. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Sending you a heartfelt and warm greetings for Christmas and New Year 2015.
Happy editing,
MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 04:01, 25 December 2014 (UTC)

Spread the love by adding {{subst:Seasonal Greetings}} to other user talk pages.

Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of {{U|Technical 13}} to all registered users whom have commented on his talk page. To prevent receiving future messages, please follow the opt-out instructions on User:Technical 13/Holiday list

Mele Kalikimaka

Have a bright Hawaiian Christmas! --Mark Miller (talk) 16:33, 25 December 2014 (UTC)

Happy New Year Dennis Brown!

Happy New Year!

Dennis Brown,
Have a prosperous, productive and enjoyable New Year, and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia. Hafspajen (talk) 10:19, 31 December 2014 (UTC)

Send New Year cheer by adding {{subst:Happy New Year 2015}} to user talk pages.

Have a bacon-filled new year!

As a member of WikiProject Bacon, I'm wishing you a very happy New Year's Eve and a great 2015! May your new year be filled with positive experiences, great wiki contributions, and of course, well-smoked thin-cut bacon. Hope to see you back from your break soon. ~SuperHamster Talk Contribs 01:28, 1 January 2015 (UTC)

Happy New Year Dennis Brown!

Happy New Year!

Dennis Brown,
Have a prosperous, productive and enjoyable New Year, and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia. NorthAmerica1000 01:50, 1 January 2015 (UTC)

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2015 already

Enjoy your break, Dennis. No frills - just a quiet ‘’all the best’’ to you for 2015 and I hope you’ll be back when the time is right. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 13:17, 1 January 2015 (UTC)

Happy New Year Dennis Brown!

Happy New Year!

Dennis Brown,
Have a prosperous, productive and enjoyable New Year, and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia. AmaryllisGardener talk 04:30, 2 January 2015 (UTC)

Send New Year cheer by adding {{subst:Happy New Year 2015}} to user talk pages.
I'm late, of course, but Happy New Year to one of Wikipedia's best admins! --AmaryllisGardener talk 04:30, 2 January 2015 (UTC)

A foodstar for you!

Soon, maybe
Tell you what, I haven't had one of these in a long time. When you come down here, maybe for some business, we'll cook something up. Drmies (talk) 03:39, 25 January 2015 (UTC)
  • Nice to log in and see all the kind words, and obviously the offering of good grub. I think I'm passed the "finding out yet more problems", and into the stage where I decide and implement solutions. I've already had to make some tough calls. Within a couple hours of finding out, I listed my guitars for sale, have sold half now. It's just "stuff". I am a solution oriented person, after all. In all honesty, it is difficult but I'm ok and will be. Unquestionably, I will be a different person when this is over, single instead of married for over 20 years, broke instead of prepared, but stronger and hopefully a little wiser. Many people would gladly change places with me, so I'm just thankful for what I have. Within hours, I had a free apartment from one friend and a little cash from another, plus the support from so many. Honestly, I've never felt richer. Dennis - 2¢ 21:10, 25 January 2015 (UTC)
"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose". Ain't it the truth? But only one that's been there can understand it. Gandydancer (talk) 21:45, 25 January 2015 (UTC)
I was JUST listening to that song earlier, it struck a new chord with me. In my youth, I was that kind of broke, so I know broke from broke, but the message is still there. Dennis - 2¢ 21:51, 25 January 2015 (UTC)
I was where you are 35 years ago. My best buddy gave me the best advice ever----Sleep 7-8 hours, wake up and have a big breakfast. Getting down to the basics opens doors to a new beginning. Buster Seven Talk 22:50, 25 January 2015 (UTC)

Note

I've updated my message above explaining a few things. Please understand if I don't expand any further. I have dropped off my admin bit at WP:BN. I may pick it up again eventually, maybe. Dennis - 2¢ 13:41, 20 January 2015 (UTC)

Your user rights

I've granted you rollback, autopatrolled, and IP block exempt, since I figured it might sometimes be inconvenient for you not to have those if you end up returning to Wikipedia. I'd be happy to grant you any other rights that are included in the admin package; do you want any of them? Template editor particularly comes to mind, but I don't think I ought to grant it without asking first. Of course I'll happily remove anything I just gave you if you don't want it. If you reply here, please link my username lest I not notice. Nyttend (talk) 22:56, 20 January 2015 (UTC)

I threw on "autoconfirmed" just cause I won't be outshined. Drmies (talk) 01:14, 24 January 2015 (UTC)
That is fine. And thanks for the kind words to all. It is one hell of a challenge. I've been to hell and back, and this is near the top of that list. Rather than hide the real problem, I find it better to just be honest. I'm pretty open about everything, to a reasonable degree. I may come pickup the admin bit when things settle down, but the community put a lot of trust in me by granting it, and I felt a duty to surrender it while I'm under this kind of stress.
Worth noting is that my best friend's daughter is 21 years old and has the genetic disorder Friedreich's ataxia, and is using a walker. Almost into a wheel chair. It is fatal, there is no cure or treatment, you just slowly get more crippled then you die. I've known her since she was a few months old. She calls me Uncle Dennis sometimes (usually when she wants something...;). She's a bright, charming college student who hasn't lost hope, even though odds are that I will outlive her. When I get feeling sorry for myself, I just remember that she has real problems, and instead of crying, she works out, she goes to school, she parties, she lives life to the fullest. She falls down a lot, but she gets back up. If she can do that, then I can, too. I will have bad days, but in the end, I will be fine. Dennis - 2¢ 00:20, 21 January 2015 (UTC)
Yes, you will, you surely will. And there will surely be a gene transfer protocol to arrest the progression of Friedreich's -- similar to those in progress for other degenerative diseases (e.g. cystic fibrosis). Hopefully soon. DoctorJoeE review transgressions/talk to me! 23:12, 21 January 2015 (UTC)
information Administrator note confirmed is redundant with autoconfirmed and has been removed, there will be no impact on your editing. Best regards, — xaosflux Talk 18:47, 27 January 2015 (UTC)

Thanks for sharing

Your opinion, as stated @ Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention/Editor of the Week/Nominations/Archive 1#An opinion, was eloquent and right on time. Thanks for that. The Project talk page has the beginnings in draft form of an Op-Ed article for the Signpost some time in late February. I wonder if I might lift some of your comments and statements and use them in the Op-Ed draft??? No one can express what WER is better and where it's going than the guy with the original idea. . Buster Seven Talk 09:00, 30 January 2015 (UTC)

  • You have compared yourself to tap water. Many would disagree. Some might say you are like the mist of a mountain waterfall. Others might "see" a gurgling forest brook...others a clear placid lake. You are more that tap water. Thanks for keeping an eye on the good ship HMS WER. . Buster Seven Talk 17:31, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Sockpuppet Investigation

Just popping in to say hi, and show you all the sockpuppets I've been investigating: [3]. Figured this was a good way to put some more eyes on them. Dennis - 2¢ 16:15, 6 February 2015 (UTC)

Epic! Only WP:DENY keeps me from naming the Four Socks. Favonian (talk) 16:22, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
I saw your earlier page notice, but didn't comment. Safe to say I wish all strength to your arm through your current journey. Stay well my friend. Pedro :  Chat  16:27, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
I've kept my sense of humor and love of innocent mischief, which helps keep me sane. Thanks. ;) Dennis - 2¢ 16:33, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
Awkward moment, when a sock out-drums Lars ... DoctorJoeE review transgressions/talk to me! 20:26, 6 February 2015 (UTC)

Idea

If you revitalize your Musical career, I suggest the stage name of Tap Water Brown. It has a musical lilt to it. Should you become famous and rich I will, of course, expect a sizable royalty check. . Buster Seven Talk 15:01, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

Note; you mentioned a potential EotW to Admin Sarah back in November 2014. I just recently ran across that request and have acted upon it. . Buster Seven Talk 12:33, 7 February 2015 (UTC)

A beer for you!

Hi DB: A cold one for you for all you have done to better Wikipedia. Your positive demeanor, tactful, yet direct style, and strong sense of equity has not gone unnoticed, at least by me. Help me edit more food and drink articles in the future! Cheers, NORTH AMERICA1000 15:37, 8 February 2015 (UTC)

WER Signpost article draft

When you get a moment could you swing by Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention#Draft for a Signpost Op-Ed article and proof read the current draft. I have not "pinged" any of the editors mentioned in the article as of yet. I do not want a repeat of the recent tensions with administrators so I have tempered any mention of a rather vociferous discussion. But special care is needed so as not to upset a sleeping giant so it needs your keen socially-aware eye. My problem is the eye-patch that I wear limits my view. I don't need an eye patch. I just wear it for effect. . Buster Seven Talk 17:50, 6 February 2015 (UTC)

Today I learned vociferous is a word, for which I thank you. Martijn Hoekstra (talk) 18:18, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
And I thank Sister Mary Theresa, BVM. . Buster Seven Talk 12:21, 7 February 2015 (UTC)
The paragraph "Not all consultation participants..." seems to single out one person, and might be better worded if it was more generalized. He isn't the only one with concerns, and presenting it as a minority opinion instead of a singular opinion might be more accurate. In truth, keeping EotW and WER in general on track and on the original mission isn't something you do once, a singular thing. It is a constantly evolving struggle, so the concern is valid. By its very nature, what happens shifts back and forth, party because others jump in and try to change the mission (innocently), and because WER members tend to be the types that want to solve problem, even if they are out of scope. These aren't bad things, just realities. Like driving a car, you keep it between the lines by constant corrections. I think that if we present that paragraph with that in mind, and giving credit to the concern (even if we think it is currently within scope), we do better justice to the reader. Other than that, it is fine. I'm probably quoted too much, but I accept my role in that. Dennis - 2¢ 12:55, 7 February 2015 (UTC)
 Done I replaced "not all ..............." with a slight paraphrase of what you say above. I think it's good to go and will submit it to Go P tomorrow. . Buster Seven Talk 06:45, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
(andBuster7, and Go Phightins!). I think the article is biased and reads lke an advertorial. If it were to equally discuss some of the problems it's going through, e.g. among others, becoming the new venue for the band of editors who instead of commenting at RfA, now user WER as their playground where they can make their obnoxious attacks and innuendos with impunity, it might attract more members instead of losing some like me. Stay tuned for the Signpost comments section when the op-ed goes live. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 05:39, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
The article is still a draft and, as far as I'm concerned, you can add anything you choose to it. You can completely rewrite it if you like. There is no deadline. There is no set publishing date. From the very beginning (January 24th) editors had the option to add or subtract anything they wanted. If Go Phightins chooses not to use it, that's 100% OK with me. There is no need to begin his editorial career with controversy. That an article get written was a suggestion during the "Consultation" (as I started to call it). I thought it was a good idea and ran with it. If you think it's biased, change it. I won't disagree that it may be a bit advertorial but then I'm not disgruntled. I like the place. . Buster Seven Talk 06:05, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
(andBuster7, and Go Phightins!) It still seems to have escaped some people's attention that I feel alienated from WER for boldly offering my opinions. I'm also ashamed to share space that allows trolling and PA on its pages with impunity - to me that defies the purpose of the project. I therefore decline the kind suggestion that I recast the article - current WER members understand the new focus and philosophy of WER better than I do.--Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 07:20, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
Somethings you have to fight for, others you coax. The devil is knowing which. I did ask him to tone back some of the verbiage to not single anyone out, and to acknowledge that opinions like yours aren't singular, although I do think they are minority. This doesn't mean the minority is wrong, as statistics are simply numbers, not judgments. Honestly, I don't know all the details that got us here, if I had the time to find out, I would gladly give it, but I don't. I understand the frustration, WER can get ugly sometimes, but often it takes ugly to get the facts out, which is why we have always been more tolerant there...to a point, and once that point has been made, the regular rules apply. Some will go there to make their "parting shots" before retiring. It seems pointless to "punish" someone retiring, so it generally gets ignored, as an example. We have that luxury because WER isn't an "official" board, it is a loose collection of individuals that have similar goals. It has never had a singular vision, singular goal because retention isn't a singular problem. Often we disagree on what the *real* problem is, but even those arguments present opportunity to learn. I will simply say that I have always learned more from those I disagreed with than I have from those I agreed with. I am betting you have as well. Steering WER requires an huge amount of patience, finesse and diplomacy. A velvet rope. Occasionally a short blunt comment or two. I still would prefer you help from the inside out, rather than comment from the outside in, but the choice is yours. It requires you put up with things you don't like. Lord knows, I didn't agree with everything there. But it was and continues to be built on the "stone soup" philosophy, so you have to let everyone put in what they have to offer, even if it isn't to your taste. You are up to the task Kudpung, even if it tests your limits from time to time. You are certainly no less capable than I am, quite the opposite actually. You just have to set the bar a bit lower in regard to others, and accept imperfection on a grand scale. At the end of the day, most of the work is still great work. The rest is just the price we pay to get the other. Sorry to be so long, I'm not very pithy when I'm tired, but the short of it is this: As flawed as WER is, it still beats the alternative, and with leadership by example rather than leadership by role, it can get better. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 10:20, 12 February 2015 (UTC)

Hello

Hello how are you?. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I would like to give a concern. I realized that you blocked the user:ENT 70 A user has many problems, vandalism and insults relating in particular to the Christian articles in Arabic Wikipedia. This user:ENT 70 was blocked several times in Arabic Wikipedia. The user:ENT 70 make a sock puppet called user:ربيع الغد which as far as we know is violation of the rules. and we blocked him Arabic Wikipedia. The user:ENT 70 - or as sock puppet user:ربيع الغد- is active now in the English wiki here here. So since the user:ENT 70 was blocked and he made several racism and personal attacks, I wanted to say that's he is back here in different name user:ربيع الغد as we found in the Arabic wiki. and we concern he will make the same kind of vandalism as he did in the arabic wikipeida. Deeply apologize for the inconvenience but we wanted to say our concerns about this user who has a history of vandalism in the arabic wikipeida.-Jobas (talk) 15:58, 8 February 2015 (UTC)

@Rschen7754: Yes. Thank you for notifying me. --Meno25 (talk) 07:45, 12 February 2015 (UTC)

Also hello

Did you hear TParis left us? I wonder if this is how you two lovebirds met. Take it easy Dennis! Drmies (talk) 16:49, 13 February 2015 (UTC)

  • I was aware, he was kind enough to mention me by name on his user page. Tom and I never pulled our punches in debates, and sometimes it got a bit ugly from the viewpoint of the outside world, but we never lost respect for the other. Most of the time, we all agree anyway. In a perfect world, that is how admin should get along, not afraid to take a stand, not afraid to disagree, but never losing sight of the fact that we all serve the same master, the reader. I did slam him with templates pretty fast in your example, but forgive me, that was 7 years ago and I had only been here a couple of years then. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 20:17, 13 February 2015 (UTC)
  • Drmies, Tom Paris is the neerdowell petty thug turned good guy pilot of the USS Voyager in the TV show Star Trek: Voyager. IE: The pretty bad boy. I'm a major Star Trek geek, so I instantly knew this when I saw his name TParis back in 08. I'm reasonably confident that this isn't his real name in real life. Calling him "Tom" when it isn't in his user name just gives me street cred with the Star Trek gangs around here. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 20:02, 14 February 2015 (UTC)

Thanks

Hey Dennis;
Thanks for the advice. Yeah - now that I look back on it, I should have waited a bit. Thanks for the advice - I will strive for at least 5000 edits before my next RFA. I appreciate your support. Thanks! --The one that forgot (talk) 05:52, 16 February 2015 (UTC)

WER

The more the discussions develop there the more I am convinced I did the right thing by retiring from it. Your comments are right on the nail but try to convince the new owners of WER and the riff-raff they allow in. We have perfectly legitimate interest groups on Wikipedia, they are centred around topic areas for articles, development of our policies and software, and for the integration of users with our guidelines, and we call them 'projects'. I am thoroughly against sectarian groups (gender, religion, LGBT, colour, lawyers, professors, policemen, politicians, etc.) having a social networking space on Wikipedia, (and we've got one already for the aficionados of foul language and PA and you know where it is). IMHO the best thing such people can do is go and create their own forum somewhere else - there are plenty of free web hosts and plenty of free forum software packages, heck they could even install and use free MediaWiki software. Such groups on-Wiki would inevitably cause friction sooner or later or fall foul of an AE, and we have the whole Arbcom drama all over again with the perps crying 'injustice'. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 06:52, 14 February 2015 (UTC) I think I;ll just ping Buster7 on this too. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 10:39, 14 February 2015 (UTC)

  • I never owned it. Again, if you look back at the original talk page histories, you find I do everything I can to NOT be in charge. I tend to speak with a bit of authority now only because I have faith that the majority agree with me. It is always a risk. But even now I do so as gentle but direct as I can. Then as now, I see my role as providing some spiritual guidance, not dictator authority. To do this, I've always had to step back a bit on most things and let them play out, hopefully allowing others to first come to the same conclusion, before I had to say anything. I knew stepping back would be bumpy. I'm giving what little time I do have almost exclusively there. Perhaps creating coordinators was a mistake, perhaps not, I don't know yet, it's still early. I had no authority to do so, nor authority to erase that decision....except that authority granted by consent. Limiting the scope to assisting those that do not discriminate is an easy decision to make, however, and I will find the time to fight that in the most vigorous manner possible. Like I said, you don't end discrimination by practicing it. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 12:02, 14 February 2015 (UTC)
    • I will add, one of the primary reasons for me being outspoken on keeping WER open is exactly to avoid AE and the whole gender gap arbcom case problems. WER isn't a battleground, political tool or bully pulpit for anyone. I've never used it that way and will not allow anyone else to. WER is about bringing people together, not carving them up into little groups. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 12:07, 14 February 2015 (UTC)
  • I was not "pinged" here. I think its because a capital "U" was used instead of a lower case one. Elsewhere Dennis uses the analogy of "an open tent" to describe WER. I like that image. Open flowing walls, a cooling breeze, a welcoming place for all to be normal, riff-raff included. Nothing prim and proper, nothing set in place to discount the worth and value of others. Monitors in place to handle the occasional ruckus which happens so rarely that it is remarkable (to some). No entry fee or qualifying membership required to participate. A good place. . Buster Seven Talk 13:20, 14 February 2015 (UTC)
  • I think that is a valid analogy Buster. Even now at WER, I've made a stand on inclusionism that is fairly succinct. It didn't end the discussion, but instead redirected the discussion in a direction that considers my ideas and original goals, and how it applies now. There is more focus. I don't have all the answers, but as for the principle ideals behind WER, I am confident I have a keen grasp of these. This is why I never get involved in the details and instead worry about the big picture. To be honest, I never wanted the role but this is where we are, so it would be foolish to not admit it. Not a leader, not a dictator, but instead, a guardian, subject to consensus. It does feel like WER is under attack at times by people wanting to use it for their own out of scope purposes. Kudpung, this is why you are needed, this is why I hope you can adjust to the whole "let wild conversations die a natural death, if you can" place that it is. It usually isn't like that, we just have to allow it to push the limits of our tolerance once in a while. The Big Picture matters most, and we need strong people, people who aren't afraid to bump heads but won't take it personal. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 19:55, 14 February 2015 (UTC)
Dennis, (and FYI Buster7), I have never for a moment suggested that you are/were the owner of WER or a dictator, or whatever else. However, as is often the case in RL when a strong leader is no longer available, rival factions arrive all jostling for the number 1 position and they are usually grojups rather than an individual with strong leadership qualities. Discipline degenerates and they they don't care what riff-raff joins in with any excuse to use violence. There are three or four users with whom I refuse to share space on projects like these - for years wherever I go they slip in and quite unprovoked they drop their one-line offensive turds, complaining among other things about incivility while at the same time having the longest block logs in history. If you look at the edit hist of WT:WER you'll easily see that such people are among the highest posters to the page but they have never once made a positive contribution to it - not once. I'll come back, but only if a clear message is sent out to those who deliberately try to disrupt the work of WER, to sod off. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 04:44, 15 February 2015 (UTC)
This is priceless. Wikipedia at its vintage best! --Epipelagic (talk) 06:02, 15 February 2015 (UTC)
Membership has never been a prerequisite to participate. So...technically, you never really left. You can edit there any time. Maybe even nominate someone for the Eddy award. New nominations are always welcome. Or...you could visit the current Editor of the Week and say a few words of encouragement. That's something everyone should take 10 seconds to do. The front Project page needs a serious cleaning and updating. Most of it was created two years ago. Some good ideas but they never got off the ground. There is a lot to do. But one thing. I think you are wrong; I don't think there is anyone that deliberately disrupts WER. . Buster Seven Talk 08:09, 15 February 2015 (UTC)
I do think there have been some people who have tried to use WER as a soapbox or as a tool for their own purposes, but Kudpung and I are likely talking about different people, at least in part. And Kudpung, I didn't mean to put words in your mouth, those are mine, via the concept of "benevolent dictator", such as Linus Torvalds or Jimbo. I am constantly put in the awkward position of playing a role I have no authority to play, thus dependent on consensus to support myself. I would use the expression "First among equals", but many would take that out of context here at Wikipedia, which is very much NOT in tune with the real world use. Again, I didn't ask for it, but it seems that things go much smoother if I simply play the part. My personal life is utter hell right now, if I am to be honest, and this is why I gave up the bit for now. I can't make promises, but I will try to monitor WER a bit more. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 12:46, 15 February 2015 (UTC)
Dennis. Don't add worrying about WER to your already topsy-turvy world. I got this. I'm there everyday and I won't let the place sink into oblivion as some might warn of. There is absolutely nothing going on that even hints at what has Kudpung so wound up. It would help if I knew which four or five (or is it six?) editors Kudpung wants us to ban. Not that I would suggest banning or even warning but then I would know whom to watch. Make sure they don't rip holes in the tent walls or turn over the potted plant in the corner. Or say things that Kudpung doesn't like. I've looked at the top 10 posters and done a little math. I know he doesn't mean himself or you or Isa. That leaves 7. I don't think he means GD or MM. That leaves 5...one of which is me. That leaves 4. Are those the four that need monitoring? Buster Seven Talk 13:46, 15 February 2015 (UTC)
I didn't expect to do it alone, but it isn't about "I", it is about "we". This is the only reason I've managed to do what I've done, with the support of everyone, not because they owe it to me (they don't), but because I try to take a stand consistent with what they already believe, and just use that velvet rope I keep harping about to lead them to where they already want to be. I can't stress that strong enough, and it isn't easy or intuitive.
I think you and Kudpung should go have a tea together, you would probably like each other outside of what you've been doing here. I've talked with him face to face (thanks to skype) a time or two, and found him to be a rather enjoyable conversationalist, and intriguing individual. We all come across different in type than in real life, this is important to remember. When you see someone here, whether it is Kudpung, you or me, you are only seeing two dimensions. As he has noted, Kudpung is a bit more eloquent using his voice rather than his fingers, and a bit more gruff in writing than real life. He is a linguist, I write commercial copy, it is no shock that we would make our best impressions using our natural mediums. In each case, we are much more than we appear. This is important to remember. That doesn't mean Kudpung and I always agree, but I always find his disagreeing completely tolerable. That is a common theme with me, isn't it? Toleration. It doesn't require agreeing or even liking, merely enduring. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 14:21, 15 February 2015 (UTC)

editing break

Yes, a cup of soothing tea would be nice. You say Kudpung is a linguist and you write copy. Well, I'll have you know that I am a bit of a wordsmith myself. I once received an "A+" on an essay I wrote titled, "What I did on my summer vacation". So I guess that make us equals. I've spent the last couple of hours re-reading and remembering the WER talk page, basically from early on Jan 22 when your situation was first mentioned. What followed for the next three weeks was some very powerful wide-ranging long and fruit-filled discussion on a bevy of topics. More talking than had taken place at WER in the previous 6-7 months combined. some heated, some mild. From my reading and interpretation of the in-and-outs of what was at times some contentious talk over three weeks, at no time did I find any sign of any riff-raff or charlatans or rival factions with bad intent. There were no unprovoked or bad taste interjections by anyone that I could find. If we are going to continue down this road of questionable accusations and requests for forced behavior modification of editors that are participating and the request to ban them if they don't behave in a certain way, I think we will be acting contrary to what you created. WER is a vegetable garden: some are bitter some are sweet. What some people want to call weeds, I see as mis-labeled flowers. Is it a walled garden? No. Not yet. But it will be if we post a sign on the door that says, "Some editors are not welcome". Warnings of retaliation for what some don't like has no place at WER or at EOTW. . Buster Seven Talk 13:26, 16 February 2015 (UTC)

We agree that we must take the bitter with the sweet. I'm not disagreeing with your assessment, and WER will never be a walled garden as long as I'm associated with it. I'm just looking for everyone to tolerate more, persuade more and argue with each other less. You know me, I try not to declare who is right and wrong, but instead to get both sides to talk and understand each other. Besides, there are no saints at Wikipedia, we all could use a little improvement and I will happily raise my hand first to admit that clearly includes me. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 14:15, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
One does not need to ban the riff-raff from the page, but it would be good if someone had the courage to say to them: 'Look, you do nothing but slip in here to drop veiled PA and other nonsense. Instead of trying to reduce the pleasure of the others who contribute here, please be more friendly and make positive contributions. Othwise please stick to what you do best elswhere on Wikipedia.' I'm not saying it will work, because such behahaviour in some individuals is so long-term that it has become a habit - one that is harder to kick than smoking, but if enough people say it, and if it doesn't work, that and together with their disparaging comments elsewhere and the polemic they maintain on their user pages will be enough to open an Arbcom case. And this year's arbcom is showing its muscles. That is more in line with 'editor retention' because if such editors continue the way they are going, sooner or later we are going to have to do without their contributions to content. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 01:15, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
In my opinion, this conversation was a turning point, where most of those who commented (with your notable exception) seemed content to allow the focus of the editor retention project to be diffused into the ocean of every concern brought by whomever to the discussion page. Unfortunately it's a self-perpetuating problem: as participants are discouraged by the overly-broad scope, there are fewer and fewer people left with a common purpose who can overrule others by consensus. At this point, perhaps the best course of action now is to ignore problematic comments, and open new threads, leaving the old ones for the rest to have their own discussions. isaacl (talk) 01:49, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
I'm on the verge of something moderately bold, something that will probably piss off a couple of people. I ask for your patience, and trust. Without revealing details, Isaac made some extremely interesting points (and personal constructive criticism of myself) in an email that got me to thinking. My time and patience are precious right now, but I will spend a ration at WER and on this, to rebuild some core items. We are iced in with single digit temps expected this week, not sure if that will increase or decrease my time available, so again, patience is appreciated. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 11:36, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Lets see what K's suggestion looks like in a banner:

Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion so a clearer consensus may be reached.
Relisting comment: Look. You do nothing but slip in here to drop veiled PA and other nonsense. Instead of trying to reduce the pleasure of the others who contribute here, please be more friendly and make positive contributions. Othwise please stick to what you do best elswhere on Wikipedia. Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, . Buster Seven Talk 22:24, 16 February 2015 (UTC)

Hmmmmm. I somehow don't think a statement like that will work. I think it would ruffle more feathers than calm them. I like the banner. I just think the message is too aggressive and would increase veiled PA and other nonsense. . Buster Seven Talk 13:17, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Of course it won't work, but that's the whole point - throw them the bait until they are firmly stuck in something they cant wiggle out of with thier 'I'm untouchable - I'm a big content writer'. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 16:07, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
So...it's a trap...like one of those mouse sticky boards used to catch vermin. Or like one of those big snapping Bear traps to catch really large prey. Interesting! . Buster Seven Talk 16:35, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
Maybe we just need to direct off-topic discussion to a WER sandbox. As in the real world, an unprotected sandbox is usually full of cat turds, but better there than the main page. I'm working on some clarity as to the narrowness of the scope, not completely sure how I want to do this. All I know is that not everyone will like it at first, as is the case with any change. Unfortunately, I live in the middle of the winter storm and still have to go to work, meaning work is eating up even more of my time than usual. Low temps of 2 and 5, in North Carolina, which is ill prepared for this kind of weather. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 17:22, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
As in the real world, an unprotected sandbox is usually full of cat turds - Dennis, you have a marvelous way with words! --MelanieN (talk) 01:53, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
@MelanieN: The creativity of us North Carolinians! :P --AmaryllisGardener talk 02:04, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
Admittedly, I was proud of that one, having just the right amount of crass in it. Being a commercial copywriter, I like to create visuals in the mind of my readers. And yes, 23 years of living in NC has definitely rubbed off on me. ;) Dennis Brown - 2¢ 02:55, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

Chicken shit

I've created a little stub. LadyofShalott 23:45, 16 February 2015 (UTC)

Kewl! I'm on it! --MelanieN (talk) 00:06, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
Awesome! It's but a bare start, so make it better! :) LadyofShalott 00:09, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
Interestingly (or not) my grandparents had a homemade board game they called chicken shit (well when we were kids they would refer to it as chicken poo while we were around, naturally). It was very much like Trouble but with wooden pegs. The board was made of old counter top (probably the part that was cut out of the sink portion). They played it every morning to determine who "the boss" for the day was. Of course we always played them as well when we went to visit. Sort of a family tradition I suppose, I should probably build one of my own for my kids to leave at the trailer, it would be great fun. Anyway that is my story for today, thank you for creating the article LoS, and for expanding it MelanieN, Dennis, I hope you are enjoying your time off. --kelapstick(bainuu) 00:35, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
  • Presumably redirecting it to something like ANI, arbcom, or Jimbo's talk page would be considered pointy? NE Ent 00:56, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
    I can promise that I wouldn't block you for it, which is easy to do since I'm not an admin. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 17:25, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
  • In Wartime: Understanding and Behavior in the Second World War, Paul Fussell included an entire chapter on chickenshit in the WWII-era militaries of the world (I believe it was entitled "Chickenshit: An Anatomy"). He noted, in passing, that: "The literature of chickenshit is extensive, and not surprisingly, since so many authors-to-be were, in the services, precisely the types that are chickenshit's eternal targets..." Once I dig up my paper copy of the book, I'll see if I can add anything useful to the article. MastCell Talk 17:50, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
Thank you Lady of Shalott! This term was used in the weeks leading up to and following our (US) attack on Iraq for bombing the Twin Towers, opps I mean having nothing to do with the bombing of the Twin Towers. I took part in the first group in Maine that objected to that (this) war, so I remember the term very well. I will look for info and add it as time permits. Thanks again, LoS. You have made this day one of the many days that make me proud to be a Wikipedia editor. xxxooo (sorry...lost in emotion... :D) Gandydancer (talk) 19:01, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
I simply couldn't help myself, and awarded her a well deserved barnstar for this. And it was sincere. I love it when an unusual article brings out the cooperative nature in all of us. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 19:15, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
I'm glad that my little RfD-rescue is inspiring others to help it become a decent article! LadyofShalott 20:29, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
Are you sure that "decent" is the right word? 0;-D --MelanieN (talk) 22:37, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Hey!!! Somebody moved it to Chicken manure and filled it up with agricultural information - reducing our "decent" article to a paragraph at the end. I object, your honor! --MelanieN (talk) 16:28, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

(talk page stalker)Some people have no sense of humor. Dare I revert to the "decent" article, since a purportedly serious article on chicken shit is just ... stupid? DoctorJoeE review transgressions/talk to me! 16:38, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
The cleaned up article is now at DYK and is full of pictures about chicken farming. So no, we shouldn't revert it. But maybe we could re-expand "Chicken shit", now a redirect, back into our decent naughty article? --MelanieN (talk) 16:44, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
That is the correct answer and what I had already concluded when I saw it earlier. Until it is large enough to qualify for a DYK of it's own (and I would love to see and not participate in those discussions), then being a section within the larger topic really is the right solution. The good Lady may end up causing two articles to be born by putting her stone in this great big pot of soup. You have no idea how big I'm smiling right now. Her first draft might have looked a bit chicken shit (pun intended), but it spawned a lot of smiles and collaboration. On the best of days, that is all Wikipedia can hope for. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 17:42, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
Nothing would please me more than for there to result two good (if not even WP:GOOD) articles from all of this. Anyone want to start a sandbox where we can collaborate on a separate article for the slang term? (No manure allowed in the sandbox!) LadyofShalott 17:47, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
I'm with you, Lady. IMO it's nice that somebody thought it was worth their while to create an agricultural-themed article about chicken manure. But I don't agree that the slang expression should be included in the same article. They are too different. There should be an article about an agricultural product, a separate article about a slang expression, and appropriate hatnotes. There should be an article called "chicken manure" which begins "Chicken manure is the feces of chickens and is used as an organic fertilizer, especially for soil low in nitrogen" and is listed under categories like "organic fertilizers" and "chicken". There should be a separate article called "chicken shit" which begins "Chicken shit or chickenshit is a slang expression which means..." and is categorized under "profanity" and "slang". The chickenshit article doesn't have to be DYK-worthy, it can just be a nice (or rather "decent") little start-level article. Right now - does it really make sense to categorize Chicken manure under "slang"? --MelanieN (talk) 18:05, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
P.S. About "manure in the sandbox": Please see the section above. It's the cat turds you have to worry about. I will be proud to host this article as User:MelanieN/Chickenshit. Something to brag to my grandchildren about. Anybody in? --MelanieN (talk) 18:07, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
Here's your sandbox, children. Have fun, but watch out for the ... you know. --MelanieN (talk) 18:14, 18 February 2015 (UTC) Never mind, NorthAmerica beat me to it. --MelanieN (talk) 18:24, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

I have boldly moved content about the slang term back to Chicken shit. This was not intended to be a chickenshit move, but it appears that the overall topic can be covered in two articles... NORTH AMERICA1000 18:17, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

Thanks, NA, you are a good sport. I'll dispose (hygienically) of my unneeded sandbox. --MelanieN (talk) 18:24, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
Hygienically is a good idea. Those aren't Tootsie Rolls in that sand, per our previous discussion....Dennis Brown - 2¢ 18:33, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
A big thank you to Northamerica1000 for that move, that article's quality and clarity of the subject was as good as chicken manure. Also, today, Melanie has had *poop* in her sandbox, meanwhile, I've added a draft for a fancy restaurant in my sandbox. Quite different, eh? P.S. here's some gloves for that job of yours, Melanie. --AmaryllisGardener talk 18:41, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for the gloves, Amaryllis, but I keep some handy now that I'm an admin. Disposing of sandboxes is the least of it. --MelanieN (talk) 19:06, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
I'm about to get too busy to be here very often, but the last few days have been refreshing. I'm not missing the admin bit, but I am missing working on cultural articles. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 18:58, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
In my best Ricky Van Shelton voice:
She said she would always be true,
And then I saw her with another man.
The day I found out my Tootsie Roll,
Was just another cat turd in the sand.
Dennis Brown - 2¢ 19:10, 19 February 2015 (UTC)
As usual, I am late to the party, so I'll throw in an anecdote about a nameless frontman of a blues band in the late 60s describing a 12-bar throwaway number as "something in the style of Peter Spleen and Chicken Shit - the worst number we do". Can't find a source for it online, and the magazine I read it in 20 years ago has long been thrown out. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 19:44, 19 February 2015 (UTC)
Chorus (everybody sing):
Tootsie rolls in the sand,
Tootsie rolls in the sa-a-and.
(singers point to the floor in front of them)---that's not chicken shit!!!!
It's Tootsie rolls in the sand. Buster Seven Talk 12:53, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Dennis, re: your edit summary copyright 2015 Dennis Brown. All Rights Reserved.: Too late. You went and put it on Wikipedia. When it charts, don't expect any royalties. --MelanieN (talk) 12:59, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Story of my life. Literally and figuratively. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 15:10, 20 February 2015 (UTC)

Ah, Dennis,

...you shouldn't've gone and done that. Really. BMK (talk) 07:09, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

  • Well, I'm flattered, but honestly, having the admin bit removed was something I did because I care about Wikipedia. I'm going through a brutal time in my personal life, divorce after 22 years, loss of life savings, that kind of thing. Nuclear situation. I'm smart enough to know that this will affect my judgement (and patience) so it is better that I don't have the temptation of the tools for a while. Really, that is what any good admin SHOULD do: realize your own limitations and act in Wikipedia's best interest. It's the same reason I've not been here much except the last few days. I'm a resourceful codger, so I'm confident I can turn things around in time, but until I get in a proper state of mind and body, Wikipedia is better off if I don't have the bit. I need to build my new single life, and with the little time and energy I have spare, maybe help herd the cats at WER. I would like to think my best work didn't use the admin tools anyway.
  • A good number of folks here have been very supportive, very kind in email and here on my talk page. Wikipedia isn't therapy, so I try to not cry too much on the pages here, but we are a community. This is why I've been very forthcoming with the issues I'm facing, in very general terms. If we couldn't do at least a little of this, then we would have no authority to call ourselves a community. It is a fine line, and I've tried to walk it carefully as to not burden anyone. It's similar to why I use my real name here, don't hide where I live and work, and why I'm an open book here: we are a community, dysfunction and all. That said, I'm 100% responsible for my actions, and under no circumstances should I try to blame an error on my real life burdens. Surrendering the bit was the responsible and respectful thing to do. When I'm confident I will be a net plus with the admin bit, I will request it back. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 14:22, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
  • Dennis: I certainly understand -- and support --your decision; I guess I was just feeling a bit beleaguered at seeing some really good, sensible and intelligent admins leave or desysop themselves for various reasons. That was selfish of me - you do what you need to do, and I know the good folks around here will gratefully welcome you back when things settle down and you feel you can ride the bit again. BMK (talk) 14:34, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
Dennis, I may be feeling a bit whimsical, but your calming presence makes Wikipedia more of a WP:HAPPYPLACE and less of a WP:Dramaboard and you are missed by many. Take all the time you need, I have been there and done that but life can and does get better. Keep jamming! Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 22:41, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
You were such a fair admin, Dennis, this is a big loss for Wikipedia. But it sounds like you are going so much stuff, I understand your decision and wish you well. May the future be brighter for you than it seems at this moment. Liz Read! Talk! 01:31, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
  • My thoughts are with you, Dennis. —Tim /// Carrite (talk) 07:25, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
  • You had such sound judgement and exhibited a high level of maturity when resolving disputes. I hope you do return and I wish you well in your affairs.—Masssly✉ 10:07, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
  • I consider you to be one of, if not, the most fair admin on Wikipedia I've ever dealt with.--JOJ Hutton 11:44, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
  • I wholly second that, Dennis. What a loss. But personal life should always come first. Additionally, however, you show here a very useful example to all admins that it's sometimes perfectly appropriate to relinquish admin status. Hope you can return when able. Martinevans123 (talk) 11:51, 20 February 2015 (UTC) As Harrow's greatest poet once said: "Noel Coward was a charmer. As a writer he was brahma. Velvet, jackets and pyjamas. The gay divorce and other dramas."
  • Dennis, you've always been a person whose opinions I respected. I think the admin ranks are sorely depleted by your auto-de-bitification, and I hope it is just a de-bit-a-vacation while you try to make some lemonade out of the hurdles life has placed before you. Best wishes. Edison (talk) 18:27, 20 February 2015 (UTC) (ETA:I suppose it would work better to make lemonade out lemons rather then from hurdles.Edison (talk) 18:29, 20 February 2015 (UTC))

Quick question

I've asked for peace and resolution at the SPI case, and for the battling to stop. That is all I can do. Until it is properly investigated by SPI or Arb, the cloud will persist, so my recommendation is be helpful, or just ignore what you can. Weak, perhaps, but it's all I have. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:31, 21 February 2015 (UTC)

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Per WP:SOCK#LEGIT: "long-term users might create a new account to experience how the community functions for new users. These accounts are not sockpuppets." Doesn't this apply to me? I am a long-term user that recently made a new account. Can you explain why the policy says this when your position is that anyone who seems to know too much should be blocked without reason or connection to a sockmaster? Rationalobserver (talk) 17:18, 20 February 2015 (UTC)

  • That is a question for the Arbitration Committee, not me, as it would require you disclose information that you (quite reasonably) wouldn't want to in public. These types of cases are difficult to generalize about. As for my opinion, I can only base it on publicly available information, after due diligence, and only offered it after I was asked to opine. Your claims here say you had an account and now you have a new account seem to be at odds with your claim at SPI that you only have one account. Might just be wording, but that is why I said you should talk to Arb to clear it up, as my gut says there is more than meets the eye. That doesn't always mean socking, but socking is one possibility. If Arb says that they have looked at it, and you are clean as a whistle, I'm happy to take them at their word. Until then, it would be dishonest if I had said anything less at that SPI investigation. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 17:52, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Yes. It's a wording thing. I'm a long-term user who used to edit anonymously. Last summer I made my first ever account, which was in my real name, so I retired it after I realized that I didn't want me real name out there and made this account. I have now emailed ArbCom and disclosed the previous account. Can you answer why policy allows for users to make new accounts, but that those same users will then be viewed with suspicion for knowing too much? E.g., you created two articles ([4] and [5]) within your first eleven edits, but if this is your first and only account how did you know how to do that? Rationalobserver (talk) 17:58, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Suspicion can't be regulated by policy, it is human nature based on previous experience. I may have the experience but I genuinely don't have energy to do my own full and proper investigation right now, due to real world pressures. This is why I only spoke when it was requested and limited myself to a single paragraph. I trust the wisdom and experience of my fellow editors, admin and Arbs to handle it, many of which are more qualified than I am anyway. It isn't personal, I'm simply incapable of enduring a long process or debate right now. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 19:58, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
But my point is that the cause of the suspicion is steeped in bias and false notions. So the underlying suspicion is misguided. For example, the Copyright Clerk strongly disagreed with Vitoria's characterization of my writing, so right now there is absolutely zero evidence that I am ILT or anyone else, and the entire reason Victoria thought I am ILT has now been debunked. Anyway, I saw that you are having some life issues. I really hope that everything works out for the best. Remember, "every new beginning is some other new beginnings end". Or something like that. What song is that from anyway? Rationalobserver (talk) 20:06, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Rationalobserver, I'm not trying to tell you what to do or what not to do, but I would appreciate it if you would consider leaving Dennis to his wikibreak. He's a big guy and can stand up for himself, but he's also someone who has difficulty rejecting people when they ask for help or advice, and right now, it seems his mind and focus is on other things than Wikipedia, which I think we should respect. Martijn Hoekstra (talk) 20:21, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Suspicion may be right or wrong, but you can't control that. You can understand, tolerate and accommodate it, those things tend to reduce it. Fighting it tends to make it grow bigger. And I appreciate the kind words from you both. I'm piddling here a bit, spreading a little joy if I can, soaking it up from others, but staying out of big issues benefits Wikipedia as much as me. I'm not sure what my limit is, where my judgement breaks down, and it is best if we don't find out. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 20:29, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
The duck test is inherently fallacious. There are lots of birds that look like ducks but aren't, and one of my best friends is 1/2 Pacific Islander and 1/2 French, and they are routinely mistaken for Mexican. I have Italian Greyhounds, and people always think they are Whippets. But anyway, for the record, the founder of Wikipedia Editor Retention is publicly stating that any accounts that seem like socks should be blocked without evidence of a connection to a sockmaster or disruptive behavior that's damaging the project. Dennis, you found the time to recommend an unjust block, so you should find the time to answer for it, but never mind the accountability, I'll leave you alone. But Fighting it tends to make it grow bigger is just a bizarre thing to say. If I'm ILT, why would I be so attached to my 109th account? Rationalobserver (talk) 20:37, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
(talk page stalker)I don't have a dog in this fight; I have no idea, and care less, whether you are ILT or anyone else. And I would never presume to speak for Dennis, but it seems to me that he's saying, when you've dug a hole, the first rule is to stop digging. Exhibit A: If I'm ILT, why would I be so attached to my 109th account? That strikes me as a much stranger thing to say. The lyric you quoted is from Semisonic’s "Closing Time" (1998). Apologies for inserting my tuppence. DoctorJoeE review transgressions/talk to me! 22:46, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Okay. I agree. I don't want to bother Dennis in his difficult time, but this whole episode has me frazzled, and he did find time to help pile it on. Thanks for the clarification on that lyric. Rationalobserver (talk) 22:59, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Wikipedia hit parade

Well would you look at the WP Hot 100 (And yours wasn't even about WP!):

  1. "Tootsie Rolls in the Sand"
  2. "Blanked Space" (Those vandals did It)
  3. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back On Wikipedia" (The Retirement Song)
  4. "Block for It" (We don't tolerate incivility, had to include an Iggy Azalea song you know.
  5. "When I Was Your Admin" (The pain of desysopping)
You know I can always take thing one step further. --AmaryllisGardener talk 15:33, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Amaryllis, now you've gone and done it! This needs a whole new section, because now everybody is going to be chiming in with their favorite songs.
  1. "The Jimbo Limbo"
  2. "She was only a sockpuppet (but she was just my size)"
  3. "(Good) Faith, Hope, And Civility"
  4. "Once, Twice, Four Times a Tilde"
  5. "Block Around the Clock"
  6. ...and of course the old children's classic: "All around the articlespace, the admin chased the vandal. The admin thought it wasn't much fun. Block! goes the vandal."
--MelanieN (talk) 16:30, 20 February 2015 (UTC)

Don't forget

  1. "ArbCom Motions"
  2. "We Dem Botz"
  3. "Jimbo Club"
  4. "Counting Barnstars"
  5. "Trout Slap"
  6. "PROD Tag"
  7. "Story of My Life (AN/I)"
  8. "Ain't It Done?" (Song about getting an article to FA)
  9. "Don't Break Templates"
  10. "R.f.A. Love (La La)" (Song trying to covince admin hopefuls that RfA isn't that bad)
  11. "Pon de Essay"
  12. "Run This Bot"
  13. "We Found a Stub"

--AmaryllisGardener talk 18:08, 20 February 2015 (UTC)


You guys are truly as warped as I am, and for that, I'm grateful. :) Dennis Brown - 2¢ 20:30, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
I'll take that for a compliment. --MelanieN (talk) 17:05, 21 February 2015 (UTC)
I guess I'll take it as a compliment too? @Melanie and of course the old children's classic: "All around the articlespace, the admin chased the vandal. The admin thought it wasn't much fun. Block! goes the vandal., LOL good one! --AmaryllisGardener talk 17:07, 21 February 2015 (UTC)
Bravo! It's things like this that a new user might not appreciate, but those of us that have been at it for years....A couple of people might be "offended" (quotes are intentional) but we have to find a way to laugh about general things like this, or we would go insane. Sometimes, a little silliness is good for the soul, to release some pressure. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 21:12, 21 February 2015 (UTC)

A thought

A break's a good idea and all, but sometimes it's good to have a creative outlet when we are going through rough times. Just sayin'. Rationalobserver (talk) 21:32, 21 February 2015 (UTC)

  • I have my acoustic in my hands as we speak. Starting playing around 1970, and I've gigged in some of the finest VFW halls and dive bars that America has to offer, in my younger days. I've even been broke down, playing for tips on the streets of Nashville. It wasn't nearly as fond a memory back when it was fresh. Time has a way of healing things if you let it, I've found. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 22:36, 21 February 2015 (UTC)

Gail Selinger - Pirate historian, author, woman, redlink.

While she isn't as well known as Selena Gomez or Lady Gaga, she is an important historian in a popular field, pirate history, yet we don't have an article on this interesting and notable woman. These are the kinds of things I want to fix when I have more time. For now, I'm hoping that planting these really good seeds, finding some sources as a jumping off point will help someone earn a great new article with DYK and GA potential. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:58, 23 February 2015 (UTC)

That "article" is a verbatim cut-and-paste from her own website (probably a press release reprinted by a journalist too lazy even to swap a few words about, rather than a copyvio); going by her own website "The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pirates" is the only book she's ever published; her media appearances seem to have been limited to a couple of minor talking-head spots on TV and DVD and three radio interviews; and while there may be print-only articles that haven't found their way online, I can't find a single legitimate newspaper article (e.g., more than a reprinted press release) ever published about her or a single peer-reviewed paper ever published by her. Unless someone can unearth sources from somewhere, I'd AFD an article on her without blinking; "countering systemic bias" means making an effort to cover underrepresented topics, not lowering the standards to artificially inflate article counts in underrepresented areas and certainly not lowering the standards in the case of BLPs. (If you do think this is a salvageable topic, I'd recommend contacting User:Parrot of Doom—if she's ever written anything noteworthy in relation to the history of piracy, I'd expect him to know about it.) – iridescent 2 02:04, 23 February 2015 (UTC)
In no way would I suggest lowering the bar (in fact, I'm quite against that idea in all aspects of life). I just did a little digging, I've seen here in a few shows, and my gut said she was notable. The NPR interview is absolutely reliable and independent, even if it is spoken word instead of text. The rest I will leave to someone. I was just watching the MMC show and she looked so familiar, I went and looked her up. As for the article and website, I'm not sure which came first, the chicken or the egg, but if they match, it really doesn't matter. I didn't expect it to be a major article, but I did find enough it was worth someone else smarter than me spending 15 minutes of looking. A challenge, so to speak. I'm convinced she has more credits than IMDB shows, which does make her an authority, assuming cites are found. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 02:16, 23 February 2015 (UTC)

Musical medicine

Any one tried this? Jim Carter 09:17, 22 February 2015 (UTC)
I have recently been discovering the work of Pete Brown and Piblokto!, the side project for Cream's occasional songwriter, including "Sunshine of Your Love", and I particularly like Thousands on a Raft. Elsewhere I have got hold of Quatermass (album) and listened to it for the first time in decades, but that's more of an acquired taste to be honest. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 09:36, 27 February 2015 (UTC)

a calming voice

As usual, you are a calming voice behind-the-scenes. Thanks for that. Any time frame on improvements to WER? Many of us wait with bated breath. . Buster Seven Talk 15:59, 1 March 2015 (UTC)

  • I've been trying to, but super busy at work, and Friday just got another huge piece of bad news in this whole debacle that is my life. Major setback, and the math doesn't work. All this is short term/mid term stuff, but I can't get to the long term until I deal with and conclude all this short term stuff. And there are yet other problems. I feel like I'm trying to solve a Rubik's Cube with one hand tied behind my back. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 16:33, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
Forget I asked. Pretend I'm just a curious 8 year in the back seat. Don't sweat the small stuff. . Buster Seven Talk 19:29, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
I could never get the damn Cube to come out the right way with both hands, let alone one. Take as long as you feel you need to. John Carter (talk) 21:36, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
Just peal the stickers off and put them back on in the right order ;) Dennis Brown - 2¢ 04:19, 3 March 2015 (UTC)

Are you back again Dennis? Last I heard you'd got a bit fed up so I haven't been watching what you've been doing. Hope you're well. Try this.♦ Dr. Blofeld 16:23, 3 March 2015 (UTC)

  • I'm constantly fed up with something or another. No, I'm not back, I'm popping in from time to time, RFAs and the like. In the middle of a brutal divorce and she manages to make it worse every week somehow, the archives are there if you are curious. Best case for me to be 100% full time (if ever) would be a year. Have to rid myself of the pain, and get some new joy if I'm to share any. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 17:16, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
My cousin in Belgium is going thru the same pain, divorce after 25 years. I give you the same advice I gave him..."The best revenge is a happy life without her in it". . Buster Seven Talk 19:33, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
In fairness to her, she manages to heap misery on me not as much by choice as her circumstances. In many ways, it feels like the family is abandoning her. Sadly, I'm still the best friend she has, and while I will put some pressure on her to do what needs to be done, I actually feel sorry for her. I am divorcing, I am moving on, but that doesn't mean I have to abandon her or be hateful. And I won't. Unquestionably, I've already begun the process of moving on. My adopted niece (the one with FA) talked of setting me up with her boyfriend's mom. Another friend suggesting an older friend but on the prowl as "Ms. Right Now". They both know me well and are afraid my libido will betray me and that I'll go back (no chance). After 22 years of monogamy, the idea of dating or hooking up, is a bit odd and perhaps a bit intimidating. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 20:47, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
After 22 years of monogamy you should be thrilled by the prospect of hooking up. Make a profile at Match.com. You're obviously intelligent, so as long as you aren't too hard to look at you'll do great! Just protect yourself, and I don't just mean against VD; dating complete strangers can be dangerous. Rationalobserver (talk) 21:07, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
I suggest libraries and grocery stores and art shows and the local jazz club and the waiting room at the local Jiffy Lube and the theatre at the Mall and lady sitting alone at the diner and church and anywhere in your RL. . Buster Seven Talk 21:57, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
We were happily monogamous with a very healthy sex life, so being with a stranger isn't as appealing as you might think. I need to know them a bit first. I will get the male plumbing rewired to avoid becoming a father, but STDs are still a concern and the prospect of using condoms isn't appealing. I'm between a rock and hard place. A friend with benefits is only good for me if they are really a friend, and I'm not mentally ready to enter a serious relationship right now, and it would unfair (or dishonest) to present myself otherwise. In all seriousness, I was the best husband I could be, you wouldn't believe the level of dedication without seeing it, she will vouch for that even now. It was the most important thing in the world to me, so my self-identity has been stripped. In truth, most of my friends are female, but I still miss the non-sexual aspects of a close relationship as much as anything: Having someone to hold, to trust, to be held by, and to show off my cooking skills to. All modesty aside, I'm really an excellent cook and know how to clean a house, which are my more sexy attributes ;) I don't watch sports, I attend wine festivals, etc. Perhaps not the typical man, but not that unusual. In due time, I'm sure I will find someone who will appreciate my style. I just have to keep sane between now and then. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 22:03, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
Well, if that's at all accurate then you'll do great whatever strategy you employ. There should be a site for divorcées, or maybe there is one already. It would probably be nice to meet someone in a similar situation; or maybe not. Rationalobserver (talk) 22:08, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
With such a level of self-awareness and honesty, you will have no problems in the future. All will come right. It's the short to medium timeframe that will be the hardest. You will get through that, no doubts. Cheers mate Irondome (talk) 22:12, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
RE: Buster7's last comment, yeah those places might seem as good as any, but women who are out and about running errands are not in flirtation mode, and usually attention given during those times is just weird. We have to be in the right mindset. When a guy hits on me at the grocery store or the post office I do not reciprocate, even when they are super cute. Rationalobserver (talk) 22:15, 3 March 2015 (UTC)
In no way did I intend my list to be places for Dennis to "hook up" or "flirt". Its just a list where people are normal. I met my second wife at a parent-teachers conference. She knew my kids for 2 years before she met me. We have been happily married for 30 years. Not everyone takes a simple every day conversation as "being hit on". . Buster Seven Talk 02:08, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
Irondome nailed it, it is a short/midterm problem. I'm outgoing, can jump behind a piano or pickup a guitar, and do so good enough to impress. I can joke publicly with ease. I'm not a ham, but I'm outgoing. I also have great dental, healthcare and grooming habits. That is a big deal for a 50 year old. I also love women who are tall and short, slender and extra curvy, and any color of the rainbow. I've never been one to limit myself to one physical attribute, so the possibilities are endless. An ordinary woman with a great mind gets more and more beautiful as you talk with her. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 01:15, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
You can always try something new...

Dennis, I know that you are going through some horrendous life mess and we have spoken about it in a vague-ish way via email. I'm not familiar with US divorce laws etc but I'd hazard a guess that they are more opportunist than those of the UK. It might be best not to comment so much here, for fear that other might use it against you elsevhere? I am a sympathiser, as should already be clear, but clever lawyers blur lines. You may not want to become swamped with emails but in this situation I rather think that being swamped, as opposed to the various support messages above, might be the safer option. I may have got this wrong but, hey, my 2c.- Sitush (talk) 00:30, 4 March 2015 (UTC)

  • I appreciate the concern, but my situation is very simple. We had a quite respectful portfolio, her gambling ran up debts equal to or greater than everything we owned. She has already signed all debts and all assets over to me. I accepted this as a kindness, so she can heal, she doesn't have to deal with it. I went from basically owning two homes outright, including a rather nice lake front home, to a net worth of less than zero. If she took "half", she would have to write me a check. We are still friends, I'm still paying her medical insurance. I don't hate her, and have been helping her. I accept it is an addiction and will continue to help during the transition. I am still married to her, I won't abandon her. As long as I'm alive, she won't go hungry. There is resolve in my actions, but no hatred. She understands this. And to be honest, I'm a bit more clever than I may come across as an editor here. According to the law here, I could have stuck here with at least $100,000 worth of extra debt, and still could, but that doesn't come into play unless she tried to break the original deal, which was extraordinarily generous to her. Fighting only guarantees she loses more. She isn't an evil person, she just did some really crappy things, partly due to addiction, and partly because she broke the most fundamental rule we had: honesty. I will take my chances. You never hear me talk trash about her, nor will I put up with it from friends. (sometimes, veins pop out in their foreheads when discussing it, they think I am too generous). I'm safe. The loss of money hurts, but the breach of trust hurts more and is harder to fix. I can always make more money. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 01:15, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
  • I very sincerely wonder whether many or most of the editors around here would take as generous and forgiving an attitude, particularly under the circumstances. I know I wouldn't, but, then, I've been told in horrorscopes and the like that I am a bloody vengeful bastard waiting to horrible things to people for things they did 40 years ago or so, so I'm probably not the best indicator here. And, as everyone seems to be playing agony aunt here, I guess I might add my own 2 cents. The most positive and affirming individual I ever knew was a cat I found with a broken leg in front of an abandoned house. I had her for an unfortunately short ten years, and the basic response I got from her for all that time could probably best be described as almost worship. Female animals tend to be more sociable than males, so I've been told anyway, and one who feels real gratitude can make even the most miserable days a bit better. Anyway, just an idea. John Carter (talk) 01:26, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
You can always try something new...

Let me set one thing straight: Part of the reason you should be generous is for generosity's sake alone, but there is more to it. By being generous, I know I will avoid a fight. There is really nothing worth fighting over anyway. By continuing to support her as I go along, I am less likely to have to deal with a crisis in the midterm. I was telling someone else in email, but part of the reason you be kind where you can, generous where you can, is pure selfishness. Many people here see me as calm and measured, but I do have generalized anxiety. The primary treatment is behavioral modification. Forever the autodidact, I have self-taught myself how to slow down, take it easy and act in a disciplined way, so that I control my emotions and they don't control me. I chose to handle the situation this way because it benefited both she and I equally. It is what is best for my mental health, which is being tested by the event as it is. People that let their emotions take control, try to screw the other partner over....they lose. The lawyers get all the money, and both sides are broke and emotional wrecks. There is also the ethical considerations, ie: accepting she has an addiction. So in short, how I'm handling it isn't because I'm Mr. Wonderful (I'm not, I'm just a normal Joe). It is because I chose the path with the least pain for everyone. I didn't let selfishness and spite control my actions. They are the most logical actions, if you are able to look at the big picture and put emotions to the side for a moment. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 01:53, 4 March 2015 (UTC)

@User:Dennis Brown|Dennis]] Staggering similarities to my own philosophy, similarities in self-awareness, as a male, and some relationship histories. And I am 53 so I speak from a similar era of experience, in all senses. Mail whenever you want Dennis. I so see where you are coming from. Forming a new relationship at this stage would be massively inadvisable. You loved unconditionally, and that is what will get you through. As I say, short-medium term is the bugger here. Beyond that, hey the sun is already rising. Mail me whenever you like mate. Last comment. Respect. Irondome (talk) 02:25, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
I'm so sorry, even if it's somewhat congenial, divorce just sucks. Heh, and when you're ready for social activities, in addition to the ones mentioned above I'd suggest community theatre, the ratio of women/men is pretty high... Ciao, Shearonink (talk) 02:28, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
It does suck, but it seems Irondome and I both chose to limit the suck factor by at least not making it worse. As for community theatre, that is kind of funny as my best friend suggested the same. While it was a very long time ago, my letter jacket and 3 letters from high school were via "Drama", and the first time I was on stage acting, I was 6, as a musician, at age 8, so I have a history there. I'm not much of an actor, but I'm quite good at building sets and playing bit parts (even played acting roles in two ballets), and I do many, many voices. I need to get to the slower time of year at work, but theatre is high on my potential list. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 03:04, 4 March 2015 (UTC)

Soft bunny

The soft bunny of happiness and tranquility.

Anna Frodesiak (talk) 15:40, 4 March 2015 (UTC)

Giant bunny

The Giant Flemish bunny of Masculinity

Buster Seven Talk 15:48, 4 March 2015 (UTC)

Thinking about the bunny images above... I realized that I did exactly what many have complained about recently. A woman makes a nice peaceful statement full of love and support and, within minutes, I, a man, trampled on it with my muddy boots just to make a joke. . Buster Seven Talk 17:32, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
Oh dear, I must speak up! I thought that Buster's rabbit was very funny. IMO, women don't lack a sense of humor at all. And men can be just as soft and tender as women, in fact, sometimes more so. Gandydancer (talk) 18:36, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
I like it too. It is Hagrid in rabbit form. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 02:07, 5 March 2015 (UTC)
Is there some way to (or is there someone that can) superimpose the smaller bunny into the foreground of the Flemish bunny? Doesn't Anne Delong the famous @Anna Frodesiak: from Anna's Cafe do that kind of creative stuff?. Buster Seven Talk 13:23, 8 March 2015 (UTC)
We used to have a Flemish Giant, "Buckie". He was the nicest bunny ever and as tame as a dog just by nature. My other favorite was our first rabbit, Mary. In her first batch of babies she had 13. It was an unusually warm spring and she pulled the nest apart to help keep the babies cool. Then it turned very cold and she needed to rebuild the nest. She pulled out almost all of her fur to make it fluffy and warm again. I'll never forget seeing her pink, wrinkled skin. After Mary's first litter we began to eat rabbit, but we never could eat any of Mary's 13 babies and gave them away. I've got lots of good animal stories. I think that children today are missing a lot in that so few of them are around animals other than dogs and cats. It gives one a much different outlook on life to grow up around animals. Gandydancer (talk) 15:04, 8 March 2015 (UTC)
As you wish, although I'm sure Anna could do it better: --AmaryllisGardener talk 15:32, 8 March 2015 (UTC)
My superimposed bunnie pics, created with Microsoft Paint
OMG!!!. Its perfect. Exactly what I envisioned. Is it available as an image @ Commons? I think its a visual for the whole "95%men v 5%women discussion. . Buster Seven Talk 16:19, 8 March 2015 (UTC)
Thanks. I belong to the 95% men group, but I kinda like little bunny better... nice cute fluffy bunny... --AmaryllisGardener talk 16:37, 8 March 2015 (UTC)

Dennis

Update your meta: m:User:Dennis Brown, commons,[8] and please see your email. Bladesmulti (talk) 02:22, 11 March 2015 (UTC)

  • Technically I'm an admin without the admin bit, or am I? Policy isn't clear. I know I can just ask and get it back, so that is how I see it. The bit only gives the tools, the community already granted the authority. As for helping, I can't right now, in part because my ex-mother-in-law was just hospitalized and I may be going down there. Hopefully all will be ok, but she is old and has severe COPD, so you never know. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 03:34, 11 March 2015 (UTC)

WER coordinator

A while back you created or announced or whatever you want to call it...a gaggle (?) of new coordinators for the Project. We missed one editor that has, in the past 2 months, [9] become an important component of the continued facilitating and success of WER and EotW. Can you formally announce that L235 should be added to the list of WER coordinators? Thanks in advance. . Buster Seven Talk 05:58, 18 March 2015 (UTC)

  • I don't think that is a good idea for a couple of different reasons. I'm not familiar with the editor, who I assume is a fine enough person in their own right, but that alone is insufficient. Next, I can't help but wonder if the whole coordinator idea was a bad one to begin with, as I'm not seeing what I hoped to see. I don't blame the individual coordinators, but instead myself and maybe I didn't provide enough guidance, or maybe it was just not a good idea to begin with, so I'm perfectly willing to take the blame for what seems to be a failure. I'm not quick to judge (in either instance) but I am inclined to sit, wait and ponder. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 12:56, 18 March 2015 (UTC)
My request to Dennis was in response to LI's request to me [10]. I completely understand Li wanting to be included in a formal manner to acknowledge his continued efforts on behalf of the project. Honestly, most of the coordinators don't do anything, not even the basics. I agree that the whole coordinator business should be reviewed during the renovation. You both partially know my real life history. I've been blue no-collar and I've been management White collar. Sometimes the workers like to be acknowledged and included in the decisions that the managers (coordinators for our purposes) make. I think Li would just like an up-grade in his pay scale. Rather than wear the yellow worker hard hat he would like to try on the white supervisors hard hat. Maybe you could consider that as the upcoming changes are pondered. Not many have stepped out of the ranks to do the work of the project. When someone does and is efficient and reliable, its a bonus...for all of us. It expands the substance of what you started years ago. I know Li has this page on his watchlist. . Buster Seven Talk 14:34, 18 March 2015 (UTC)
  • I always looked at being the "Founder" as a burden, not a reward. I kind of view coordinators the same way. It really isn't a reward. It is an acknowledgement that someone is dedicated and doing some good work, but the burden is that others will hound them with questions, expect things of them, and the blame will always fall on them. The purpose of a coordinator isn't for the person with the title, it is for the benefit of the average user, so they have an idea of who they can ask questions to, and are likely to get a correct answer. Right now, I'm just not wanting to change things up until I get a better bead what would work better. Part of me wonders if my own participation has been very beneficial or not. We do have some accomplishments, but if someone came up with leadership skills that I felt would be best for WER, I would gladly step out of the way. There is so much more we could be doing, and my goal is the results, not the credit. Foolishly, when I founded WER, I hoped someone would step up and lead it as I never wanted to be the leader and made this brutally clear early on. I'm still pondering, but real life has a way of eating up what little free time I have, like a cancer. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 15:21, 18 March 2015 (UTC)
  • For what it's worth, I don't honestly think something like WER should have leader (fearless or otherwise). Editor retention is a complex thing, and there are clearly a number of strong opinions abounding about it (including the feeling that some editors shouldn't be retained). With the wrong leader, WER would very quickly crash and burn. Intothatdarkness 15:49, 18 March 2015 (UTC)
    There is more than a little wisdom in that. I've tried to be a guardian, to allow the free flow of ideas, but put the breaks on when it digressed into chaos or hateful speech. Some think I tolerated too much, but at WER, that is better than being intolerant. I've never tried to dictate the content, even when I gently try to give random ideas a direction to move in. There is nothing wrong with people showing leadership, but it can never be someone telling others what to do. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 16:39, 18 March 2015 (UTC)
Thought I should comment here: I made the request because I thought I already was one and due to oversight wasn't listed, not that I wanted to become one; I'm perfectly happy with not being a "coordinator". Thanks :) --L235 (t / c / ping in reply) 16:24, 18 March 2015 (UTC)
I'm glad we cleared that up. I probably mis-understood Li's request but I'm glad it created a chance to chat. Hope all is improving Dennis and each day gets brighter. . Buster Seven Talk 18:01, 18 March 2015 (UTC)

Thank you

Thank you for your kind words. Appreciated. Contaldo80 (talk) 09:46, 1 April 2015 (UTC)

Blocked

You have been BLOCKED for helping us from time to time. Jim Carter 06:27, 1 April 2015 (UTC)

Harriet Lane

I'm shocked this article hasn't been taken to GA or FA/TFA with some extra effort. Very interesting subject matter, sources should be abundant, at least three good photos exist, and she was an important (and overlooked) figure in American politics from the Civil War era. This is one of those that I know Eric Corbett could clean up nicely, but so could a great many others. I'm still short on time, but felt like this article had a good base and could be taken to the next level with a little effort from a good editor. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 23:12, 29 March 2015 (UTC)

She is certainly an intriguing subject. It would be well down on my queue, but if no one else picks it up first, I'll give it a go. DoctorJoeE review transgressions/talk to me! 23:35, 29 March 2015 (UTC)

Well in its current condition I thought the idea of taking it to FAC was another April Fools...♦ Dr. Blofeld 09:53, 1 April 2015 (UTC)

  • I said no, no, no.... It needs a lot of work to get to FA, but there is enough sources in the wild to make a solid FA article. I'm a fan of expanding biographical articles, particularly historically important women, to GA or FA. It is simply a topic worth doing so with. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 17:15, 1 April 2015 (UTC)
Dennis, if it's historically important women you're into, then I've done a bit of work on Sara Roosevelt recently, but to paraphrase Ned Ryerson, she could always use a little more. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 18:19, 2 April 2015 (UTC)

Welcome back

Anna Frodesiak (talk) 15:11, 2 April 2015 (UTC)

I'm almost tempted to hand my admin bit in and request it straight back again just to get that t-shirt. Glad to have you back around Dennis :) Sam Walton (talk) 15:15, 2 April 2015 (UTC)
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Let's Party Hardy

He's back! Yaaaaay! I'll get the cheesy nibbles. Some of my favourite music was made back then Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 18:03, 2 April 2015 (UTC)

  • Don't quite call me back yet, I just went and got my tools. My first priority is still selling UV bulbs to climb out of this hole, but I will share some of my spare time cleaning up the bathrooms and the like. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 18:15, 2 April 2015 (UTC)

While watching Dennis dance a jig, one party-goer says to the other, I think he looks better with the red lampshade. Don't you? . Buster Seven Talk 19:59, 2 April 2015 (UTC)

Cool, a party. Will there be snacks? DoctorJoeE review transgressions/talk to me! 23:14, 2 April 2015 (UTC)
Later in the evening, while Dennis dances a cha-cha with the coat rack, one of the guests turns to another and says, "I didn't know Zoot suits came in fuchsia!. Buster Seven Talk 00:56, 3 April 2015 (UTC)
You laugh, but I knew a lawyer that wore a fuchsia suit regularly, back when I worked within the criminal justice system. Straight guy, car salesman type of lawyer. I'm not saying he was an ambulance chaser, but he could wear out a pair of shoes in a week... Dennis Brown - 2¢ 12:17, 3 April 2015 (UTC)
Welcome (almost) back!! BMK (talk) 00:09, 5 April 2015 (UTC)
As the party enters its 3rd day, an important delivery is made

.

mid-day on Day 3---Dennis and his guests try to rouse the bartender.

FWIW

Just thought you should know--- by complete coincidence the next 3 EotW's are women. If a point is to be made it might be that it's best when gender rights and equality 'bubble up' naturally rather than being 'decreed from on high'. . Buster Seven Talk 12:21, 5 April 2015 (UTC)

  • Exactly, and since these are chosen by random individuals, not some WER bureaucracy, it just shows the community is becoming more aware. Hopefully we will get a new admin or two out of the next couple of months worth of EotWs. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 12:56, 5 April 2015 (UTC)

SPI tools

At the moment it's looking like I may have volunteered for a project to propose a grant to fund the development of several tools, like fixing the NYT reference generator, and getting Wiki-Blame up and working again, etc. Basically the idea is for the community to develop the features we want ourselves, rather than nagging WMF for them.

One of the more complex ideas that are in the nexus is creating better sock-detection tools. For example, if we had some kind of language analytics that could rate the likelihood two accounts are the same person by analyzing their contribution history for similar language patterns, it would probably be more accurate and certainly faster than doing this manually and could still be over-ridden by human judgement. Just to supplement SPI of course and not as an automated blocking machine or anything like that.

I don't know anything about SPIs, except that I apparently fail at them[11] or am just too lazy to dig through contribs and diffs for hours. I see that you're not around much these days, so I wonder if you would suggest someone that may want to take on participating in the the SPI portion of the grant proposal. CorporateM (Talk) 03:18, 8 April 2015 (UTC)

A combination of Big Brother (Nineteen Eighty-Four) and Gattaca comes to mind. . Buster Seven Talk 10:23, 8 April 2015 (UTC)

WER is not a conflict resolution site

There is a situation requiring your input on the WER talk page.. Buster Seven Talk 00:01, 8 April 2015 (UTC)

  • I've been swamped in real life, and have only followed the gist of it over the last week, here and there, waiting for someone to just close it. I could have, but I was hoping someone else would step up sooner and calmly close it and perhaps collapse it. This stuff is forcing my hand, particularly since I do have the tools again. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 01:06, 9 April 2015 (UTC)
  • As one of those involved, I regret my involvement in it. But, maybe, we might have managed to keep an editor around with the possible i-ban which you proposed. John Carter (talk) 21:26, 9 April 2015 (UTC)
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