Tuesday, 07 July 2009

• Why I Do What I Do - Protecting Xanga

     I guess you could call this another part of a mini-series of blogs explaining who I am and how I operate.
  
     I've been trying harder lately to become more involved in the community. While I still refuse to take part in the silly "contests" that only promote individual gains, rather than community spirit, I've dipped my hand into the more sinister aspects of this site. As such, I feel as if I've sort of elevated myself to the "White Knight" personality. Except I'm still mean as hell.
  
     Now I'm not saying I'm the saviour of Xanga, or that I'm the cure for everything that is going wrong on here. I'm not. Not the least bit. But in my head, I feel it is my duty as a member of this community to speak out against, and fight any powers that be that could threaten the integrity and structure of our community. Anything that would dampen our freedom of speech, or possbily cause this site to be shut down is to be met with force, and fervor.
     I lash out at things like what happened on HardestLevel; or Made2Sing4Jesus's "idea"; or BadboyDoomDaddy's antics involving his disabled daughter; or recently, Ron and X-jennababy's criminal behaviour, because I really do give a damn about the Xanga community. I care about how our site is run, or who runs it. I care about whether or not we're being heard by our admins. I care about whether or not we're being represented properly.
     I also care about those who are running this site. Without them, we don't have a site. Back during the Myspace fiascos, I read that Xanga was fined over $1mil for allowing under 13 year-olds to hold accounts on here, in spite of the TOS clearly stating they are verboten to do so. If you haven't been able to tell, the recession has hit Xanga quite brutally; and they're not exactly deep in the black--though not deep in the red either, I hope. For Xanga to get hit with more fines, would be devastating to our community.
     I care about the XT because they've gone to great lengths to provide us such a diverse and unified forum in which we can communicate. They're not just faces that punch in codes. They're actual people with actual jobs; and running Xanga is their job; their food; their home; their bills. It's also their passion. And anything that would threaten that passion, is subject to the very depths of my vitriol.
  
     All the people we know on here, we met through here (okay, many of them would be more accurate). A vast majority of our relationships and friendships have sprung up on Xanga. Notably, myself and Ritz becoming a couple (the best couple in existence, and you know it!); Kestryl and Chris; and Nathan and Adelynne.
     I met my current closest friend Semo on here. We've been friends throughout the entirety of the last 4 or 5 years, and he's helped me through the worst of my times.
     My roommate is none other than GunstarHero1988, another Xangan. He's helped me out financially and emotionally as both a roommate and a friend.
     After my horrendous break-up with Jess, I spent almost a year or more without a girlfriend, until Ritz came into my life through an AIM chat with Nori. Ever since then, my disposition towards my life has vastly improved; and I find myself learning (and maintaining a good working knowledge of) a secondary language. Not only that, but I've learned to accept who I am, and to work on changing the major flaws that hold me back from achieving the zenith of my potential. I fell in love with her, and I plan on spending the rest of my life with her. A deep part of me is completed, thanks to her being in my life.
     Without Xanga, none of this would've happened. I'd be without her, and my friends.
  
     And what of you? What of the friendships you've sown over the year(s) you've been plugging away at your keyboards? The loves that have come and gone (or stayed)? The blogrings you devoted yourself to. The Featured Entries you swarmed to, just to continue those (inter)national connections we hold so dear in this COMMUNITY.
     Yes, that's right: Xanga is not just a blogging site. It's a living, breathing community.
  
     And as long as "forces conspire" to cause potential harm to the life of this community, I will remain immovable in my stance to speak out, and protect that which I've come to love. Xanga helped me mature into someone far more intelligent than I was 4+ years ago. Xanga has brought me many new friends, joys, interests, and ideas.
     And I bet it has for you too.
  
     I'll always stand up for what Xanga is. For what I see in Xanga.
     And I hope you all will too.
  
     So heed this warning:
     Don't fuck with Xanga.
  

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