Hi Everyone,
I want to take the opportunity to make a special announcement with
regard to contact and communications with me.
It's no big secret, that for years now my "Achilles Heel" has always
been communications with the membership, delayed responses, or
simply lack thereof. The reasons for this have been many. But put
simply, it's been a struggle to juggle communications with you while
making things happen and bringing things to life for you. It's been
an upset balance almost from day one. What started out as a hobby
turned quickly into something larger. And it has grown much larger
than me. The time has come to try to implement a more efficient way
to keep in contact with the community while I do what is necessary
to continue to fulfill my obligations, both current and future.
As most of you know, I have always been one man doing the work of
many. I have never had employees as other makers have. I've had
to take on multiple roles in my time here at TDH. Sculptor, Producer,
Shipping and receiving, accounting, public relations, technical support,
and friend to the community. Unfortunately, there is no way anyone
can successfully manage such tasks when the scope and scale has
outgrown your abilities. I am a typical man, with a reasonably typical
ego. And what comes with that is a "pig headed" mentality that says,
"I got it covered, I can do this". Just as much as not asking your wife
or significant other to give you proper directions and taking it upon
yourself to get you both lost, I've stood my ground until I found myself
looking around wondering where the hell I am. Along the way, the most
significant aspect I seem to have failed is my "friendship" to the
community.
The perfect example of all of this is the current GMH project that's
on the table. It would seem that Stormrider has finally been able
to articulate what I and most others have tried to over the years
and failed. In "layman's terms" ...
Post # 657
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f31/grant-mccune-helmet-gmh-definitive-boba-fett-helmet-now-available-38956/index7.html#post539936
There are members here that have been around a long time that have
seen this first hand, not just from me, but from others as well. An
understanding has been developed over the course of time that this is
the way it is, and in this hobby patience is "key". The problem is, with
TDH growing at the speed of light our newer members do not necessarily
come on board with a built in understanding. Unfortunately, it is often
left to the "Older membership" to allay the concerns of our newer
members when one arrises. This is not only unfair to those gracious
enough to donate their time and efforts to vouch for me, but as inefficient
as all get out. For the record, each and every one of you that
have spoken up, or out for me over the years. I thank you 
Moving forward to the point of this most recent novella :
A decision has been made to attempt to clean up the mess I've seemed to
have created. I cannot emphasize this enough, and will re-emphasize this
through the rest of my message to you all ... this is a "pilot program".
From this point forward, the vast majority of my communication with the
community will be handled through our very own "Flo Fett". She has
graciously stepped forward to help assist in improving communications
between myself and the community.
Most of you will look at this as somewhat of a "secretarial duty". I want to
be very clear, that it is much more than that. "Flo Fett" (Florence) is not a
"secretary". She is my "Fiancé". The love of my life, and my partner in life.
So I would ask each and every one of you to use the utmost courtesy when
corresponding with her (both privately and publicly), and offer her the
highest level of respect. If anyone fails to extend her these courtesies, your
message will not only be ignored by her, but addressed by "ME", and will
likely force me to re-evavluate this new policy. I would very much like to see
this promoting the secondary backbone that makes TDH ... and that is we were
built as a "Family Community". Hopefully, it will help set a trend and be a
perfect example of members and their families working together for a
common goal.
For those of you that may not have yet been "in the know" about something
as profound as this, it will likely open a gaggle of new questions with regard
to recent history and my own personal tragedies. This is not the time, nor
the place to discuss such matters as they are not only "deeply" personal,
but even more tragic now. So I ask each and every one of you to use discretion
in your replies here as well as your private communications with either of us.
When the time is "right", I will of course tie the "loose ends" for those of you
that care to know.
Moving on with procedure :
The way this will work is VERY simple. Florence's communications with you
on "my behalf" will be handled through "MY ACCOUNT". "FETTPRIDE". So
please, keep this in mind. Again, all communications intended for "ME",
will be NO DIFFERENT than before. You will PM ME, "FETTPRIDE", and your
messages will be answered in a reasonable time by "FLORENCE" when I am
unable, or indisposed. If you direct your messages to her account, they
will go "UNREAD". This is not to be "mean". But only to make sure that
her own account isn't inundated with messages.
Someone may likely pose the question that this is against the policies here
at TDH because it closely borders "sockpuppeting" with Florence logging into
my account to answer messages. I must emphasize that express permission has
been granted by TDH's Administration. To be specific, the owner of the board.
So every step and reassurance has been taken and given to promote a more
streamlined method of my interacting with the membership. Let's face it, no
matter how many methods I have given for anyone to contact me
(I'm the only maker that has made public his personal addresses and phone
numbers) it's moot when you consider that if I'm unable to respond to a PM, it's
likely that I won't be able to respond to an email, FB message or voicemail
either.
When you message me, it will be made VERY CLEAR to whom you are speaking
with. ALL messages will be signed by either myself or Florence accordingly.
There will be no ruses here. No split personalities. No one hiding behind
anyone else. To be even more specific, you'll always know the difference.
Florence is from Scotland, her articulation, her spelling and grammar, and
her general method of communications is VERY different from this old redneck
To everyone here at TDH I would like to give you my sincerest apologies for
having dropped the big red ball for so many years. I do realize that it has
become quite an irritation (at best) to communicate with me, or patronize
me. So much so, that it has hindered both business and friendships. It is
my sincerest hope, that this will go smoothly and provide you ALL with a
much better service :cheers
I will petition the Administration to make this a "STICKY" so that it won't
get lost in the shuffle of day to day threads and will always be available
to newer members.
REITERATING THE RULES :
Very basic, but VERY clear ...
1. Direct ALL communications to "FETTPRIDE", NOT "Flo Fett"
2. Please conduct yourselves with respect and courtesy (both publicly and privately)
3. Please make your communications straight forward and try not to convolute.
For the most efficient response, it will be best to be strait forward and clear.
GUIDELINES :
* Matters of a more personal nature especially, will be addressed by myself
directly, but will likely produce a more delayed response. Rest assured, this in
no way means that I'm going to become "the little man behind the curtain". I
will make myself available as I always have to the best of my abilities.
** Lewd, or otherwise inappropriate conduct / behavior will NOT be tolerated by
either one of us, or the Administration. I would ask that you treat Florence with
the same level of respect that you have given "Mirax" (Kristen) over the years **
*** Keep in mind, that Florence is also "ONE PERSON". She will do her best to
make sure everyone is treated equally, and in order. But please understand
that she does "WORK A DAY JOB", and there is a time difference because she
is still in Scotland at the moment, and will still be for a short time. Until she
arrives in the States, please remember this as you await a response as any
response you receive will likely be in "OUR" wee hours of the morning or
early afternoon and weekends.
Please bear with us, as we get our feet wet with this. Understand that this is
the first time either of us has done anything quite like this and it will not be
an exact science at first. There will be mistakes until we can get some sort
of rhythm going.
If we can all follow along, this will likely become permanent. But I re-emphasize
that this is a "TRIAL" program. What Florence is doing for me, is a benefit to us
ALL. I am grateful and feel very privileged that she has stepped up to offer her
assistance. Thank you sweetheart, I love you
All the best,
Chris
