[RustyParticipant]

I have been reluctant to post in this thread. If I say too much, some will accuse me of pandering. If I say too little, some will say I am not supporting my friend. One thing has becomes clear, this community has no shyness about criticizing each other. That being said, EVERY member of this community brings something to the experience… has value.

Personally, one of the reasons I remain part of this “experience,” one of the main reasons I continue even though I have been tempted to withdraw… is Mike. For months, our conversations about all things “Tension” have been incredibly thought-provoking and challenging, I appreciate his insight and encouragement. From very early on @mike and I shared our interest in this adventure on our myhauntlife podcast and others seem to respond to many of the same questions and musings we put out there. It is an honor and a pleasure to participate in those conversations with him.

So, in this thread… we are supposed to share our “appreciation.” I can’t even describe my appreciation for Mike, the individual. He is a friend who constantly challenges me to learn and grow and expand my horizons – not always easy things to do He has offered me support, advice, loyalty and the occasional kick in the pants. He is an inspiration.
But… that’s all very personal. That’s me sharing my life with a good buddy.

Let’s go bigger than that. I must acknowledge Mike, the member of this community. Overall, he has been one of those people clearly leading all of us in this adventure. It is his heart, his clarity, his humor and his attentiveness to detail that helps make this journey easier and more accessible (and more enjoyable) for many. Evidence of his commitment exists through every thread of this Forum and through other websites and platforms, as well. To anyone who looks honestly at this community as a whole and the _paths we are all traveling, his value is obvious.

Wait…….
Yeah, look, everything I just offered, I do sincerely mean… but, screw the niceties and all that…

Let me get very blunt for a moment. This is my friend. You want to know the truth?
In all honesty, I believe our entire society is better off because HE is a member of it. Seriously.
It is an honor to call him my friend.

Appreciate him? Hell, that doesn’t even begin to describe what I feel.

[RustyParticipant]

@gatekeeper3 I must say, I believe you offer some valid points, indeed, but your methods are… confusing… murky, perhaps?

You judge my friend for an action he takes to challenge me, to inspire me to grow. Seems odd, but I can see your point of view, believe me, I can. @mike does have a bit of a sadistic side and he is hard too please at times. Does he have my back at all times? To be honest… I am not sure.
He also has a kind and generous heart, as well, and has offered me support in many areas others never see… as good friends do. Mike is my friend and I accept ALL sides of him. You judge but you do not see all sides, apparently of any of us here.

This community is a mixed bag of folks with many faults and many fine qualities, as well. We are, after all, HUMANS. We stumble and we fall sometimes, and since the beginning the OOA has made vague promises of making our _paths forward somehow more valuable or worthwhile or…

We have formed a community as has been asked, with all the problems and advantages a new community might contain. If you want to wreak havoc, that is your choice. But, don’t put the blame for any vindictive or reflexive actions you decide to take at our feet. You have choices you make… just like the rest of us.

I have been patiently waiting to see how you will lead…

[RustyParticipant]

This is so valuable. As someone who’s crazy work hours often prevent me from constant monitoring… I greatly appreciate this!

Thank you so much @coryphella!!!!

[RustyParticipant]

You are speaking to some who also have learned to care for Addy” even if we have only interacted briefly with her.

But, in all due respect, I have also been told you may have been the one to influence her in the beginning… the one who may have set her on this path. I know that Tom and Margaret… they have their doubts about you. I am sorry for your pain and your loss, truly I am… but your outbursts are not confidence builders.

[RustyParticipant]

DOH. And, I totally forgot to mention this… I have received a call from that number, as well. It was the call that informed me that my OOA meeting on May 28th was being moved. BUT, cannot guarantee it is an OOA number since that meeting was “compromised.” When I researched the number, it simply came up as being from the Culver City area.

[RustyParticipant]

Thank you for this detailed post @nosnevets. One thing that sticks out to me is your point,
“it seems this may be more a personal journey than a lot of us have thought. Dealing with our own personal experiences and past knowledge. What may seem like nothing to one may mean a great deal to another or perhaps, can only be accessed by a select few.”

I have stated before that their earliest communication with me used a “nickname” or “tag” that identified me specifically as a member of the “haunt” community and is a reference to my affiliation with one specific event in my past. Not many people would label me in that manner… so, someone close to me gave them that information to use or is “in on it” to some level.

Do I have suspicions? Yes. To be honest, though, I don’t want to know. They have specifically told me that my past will come into play at some point, but I have no clue what that means. I revealed some stuff in my questionnaire that I never believed would actually be used in any way… and now I realize that was naive of me. Still, that does not worry me, it excites me. I agree that each of us are having a unique experience and this whole thing seems to be aimed at being a reflection of who we are as individuals and the things in our lives that help make each of us unique. That’s pretty damn cool.

Isn’t it exciting that this odd connection from your past is now playing some role in all this? It’s like one of their puzzles or riddles… specifically for you alone!!! 😉

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  Rusty.

[RustyParticipant]

Perhaps @regent7 is no longer smiling due to some realization… perhaps the weight of the situation is more than some suspected?

[RustyParticipant]

@mike

Deal with feelz, Buddy. Deal with the feelz.

[RustyParticipant]

And this type of response is one of the reasons I am happy you are my friend, Mike (Fontaine)

[RustyParticipant]

Thank you, Sean. Much appreciated.

[RustyParticipant]

By the way, happy to see you, @jeromy, jumping into the mix! Your creative mind will flourish here!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  Rusty.

[RustyParticipant]

@mike Morgan and I have discussed this angle. I don’t think you, or the others that have chimed in, are being insensitive, just cautious. It was a rough decision to share as we have… and it is why I stated I “hoped we reached the appropriate conclusion.” We are not sure what Addison’s reaction to this news… whether it be 100% true or false or maybe something else entirely… will be.
As a community, we are all a bit in the dark around much of this.

[RustyParticipant]

Thank you @111error, Morgan, my friend, for reaching out and letting me know about the call and what happened. I hope we reached the apropriate conclusion…
This has been a harsh evening.

[RustyParticipant]

@halfbloodfangirl Thank you for sharing this phone call. And, I agree with the others… it must be a reference to III.

During all of this, I have not received any calls, personally, but I think that is very deliberate. (Addison has reached out to me and a few others, but we seem to be at a loss as to how we can be of assistance to her… right now. Or even if we can be of assistance. I think a few of us are supposed to be lost and confused right now, haha!)

Very interesting that you get a message about protection. Perhaps there is a reason you are unaware of that you need protection… a plan in motion that “insiders ” of the OOA disagree upon, perhaps? I do not want to encourage paranoia, but you obviously are being noticed… and for you to be told “you don’t know what he’s capable of” is pretty intense!

[RustyParticipant]

Glad you got the call @lukasrl Please let us know if there is any sort of follow up to it!

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