Another ACTA issue, another editorial!
You may recall from our last issue the fine editorial Senex donated. In keeping with this, we've asked Asenath Amenhotep if she'd grace our e-zine with an editorial of any subject she'd like and thankfully she agreed! For those that don't know her (though nearly everyone does) Asenath is a very active member of this site and a constant contributor in so many areas I couldn't even begin to list them. You may find her editorial enlightening as to why she chooses to remain a member of our community and it may even remind you of why you continue as well..
An open letter to AncientWorlds
When I was first asked to write something for the ACTA, I thought I ain't no writer!! What am I going to write about? Well, as I was talking/gramming Laurels, thinking about what to write and not really having a clue when it hit me.
I've made some incredible friends in here and sometimes I don't know what I would do without them. I may not always say it to my friends but I do value our friendship and always will. The support I've received in the past couple of years has been fantastic and I might not have stayed if I hadn't have had that.
When I first arrived at Ancientsites, I didn't have a clue what was what or who was who. I floundered for a while until someone by the name of Cleopatra helped me. I don't think there were scribes then but she did a lot for Egypt at the time. I think we had 70 (or was it 90?) days of mourning because she was leaving? I can't really remember now. Before I knew it, Ancientsites folded and I lost contact. To this day, I still can't remember which Cleopatra it was or even if she came back to AW. She may or may not remember me but I do remember her.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all are here because someone reached out to us when we first got to Ancientsites or Ancientworlds. I think it's time we said thanks to those people and repaid the favour. So if you can remember who it was who encouraged you to stay and get involved at AW, go and leave them a message of thanks. You may not think that a simple thanks could ever be enough but believe me, it could go a long way. Whilst you are doing something like that, visit a "newbie" or someone you haven't talked to before. Get to know them and make friends with them. Even if you only visit one person, that's ok too. With all the people here, we should be able to cover everyone! You just never know but that "newbie" could become a scribe one day….. all because you took the time to say hello.
So, now that I'm here in AW, what do I do...? My main priorities right now are Arachne's Web, A Games World, Feng Shui and hopefully getting the advent calendar up and running for Germania as part of their Yule celebrations. I also post in the Horsechick thread, the Graffitti Board, various pubs around the place, help out the scribes when I can with various stuff, talk to people and friends about this and that, make graphics for AW, learn HTML and CSS and possibly write a few puzzles to put up in a Games World, Hellas or anyone that needs one.
I bet you are wondering whether I do have a life outside AW. Yes I do but I have an eclectic mix of interests though. Arts and crafts (all sorts), Bonsai, going to movies, shopping (never enough time for that! or the money lol), reading, numismatics, music. Did I mention that I work and go to TAFE college too? Looking back on all this, it's a wonder whether I get any sleep! Sometimes it feels as though I don't coz I spend most of my night hours in AW!
Speaking of which, I think I better get to bed as it's past midnight, yet again!!!
Toodles,
Asenath
Thank you Asenath! The focus of her editorial coincides with an ongoing discussion in several site-related issue groups and is a topic near and dear to this editor. When is the last time you connected with a new member of this site? If you are a new member, gram someone online now or visit their homesite and say hello.. just for the heck of it! Same goes if you see one online and have been around for some time. It is a community after all ;o) Now on with our regular global news..
The "Change"
Once a year, usually in November, it's time to look at scribal terms of office. Some retire, some are brought on board, and everyone parties, both in saying thank you to retiring scribes or in welcoming new ones. But a scribe who has served his/her full term doesn't disappear: they become
Scriba Emeritus (you'll notice the elegant domus plaques). This not only represents the fact that they've given of their knowledge, ideas, hard work, and creativity to AW over an extended period, but that they have proven their commitment to meeting newcomers, helping newbies, soothing frazzled Internet nerves, and otherwise being part of the builders of our worlds. If you have a question, remember that besides the current scribes, an "SE" will have vast reserves of experience to help you; they are still deeply involved with AncientWorlds, so introduce yourself, or drop off a nice bribe of an amphora of wine. They'll respond in kind!
