[Beingist]

I am actually quite happy for you, Steve. By the sound of everything you've written here and on the blog over the last couple of days, and knowing what little I do about the effort that goes into keeping a forum as large as this one, I think you simply ceasing everything just as you're doing (allowing, of course, a few days for people to look elsewhere), is just the way it should be. You've reached a point where it's time to finish up this project, and move on to the next. I get it. And I really think it's rather a beautiful thing.

Some might be hurt by the circumstances that gave you cause to pause for a moment to assess the situation, but as things go, that's just how it ended up happening. I honestly think that the party started closing down the day James was banned. That was major, and it was a sign things were changing in a major way. It wouldn't surprise me if you've actually been pondering this decision for some time, even before that.

I've made sudden decisions like this, myself, where you know the decision is there, just waiting to be made, you're just not sure what it is, or what the catalyst will be that will expose it. Then, something happens, and often enough, that something is completely unexpected, and it all becomes quite clear in a very short time what it is that you need to do. Then you act decisively, and without much hesitation.

I'm sure you're perfectly aware that there are many who will miss this place, but after providing those same people with the opportunity to have this place to frequent for as long as you have, I don't consider the move selfish in the slightest bit. Those of us who are aware of this, understand that it would be selfish to insist that you move against a decision that you've made for yourself. And, as far as those who were banned, well, they, too, made decisions that affected other people, and thus they must endure the consequences of those decisions, just as you must. I may very well have done the same thing, were I in your shoes. Ultimately, whatever happened is between you and them. And if you burn bridges, you burn bridges. I've burned bridges. It happens, in the course of things, and is not, I don't think, inherently 'bad'. Sometimes, it really is the most appropriate thing to do, and the best for all involved.

Lastly, something that some of us might appreciate, is that, in closing this forum, you provide us with the opportunity to go do our own thing. I can imagine you mumbling under your breath, at some point, "go start your own forum, already". In that sense, even closing the forum provides as much in the way of personal development, if not more, than keeping it open while remaining disinterested.

So again, and for possibly the last time, thanks, Steve, for everything. The whole experience has been enlightening, indeed.