...that explains why I haven't done work on the site...

K so when I posted the update with the new Mario 3Ds game, I said in that update I was going to take a few weeks off, and like I said, I did do work on 3 during that time.

Then, things kind of fell apart. But before I get ripped to shreds, let me explain.

So I took those 2-3 weeks off, and it was around March 22-23 or so when I found out the following:

Grad school applications are due April 1.

$#%#$%^$&#$

I don't know if anyone has ever seen what's done for a grad school application. You have to get 3 letters of recommendation, an academic statement, a personal statement, the school's application, etc. Oh yeah, the GRE.

The GRE is a really difficult test that costs hundreds of dollars to take. I never knew it existed till I did this. Most people spend months studying for it. I had to sign up for it Monday night and take it Tuesday morning.

So that goes another week till April 1.

Then, afterwards, I go to racquetball class and I hit my head on the wall. Try racquetball walls. They're a few feet thick of solid concrete.

I got a concussion from it, and was advised not to play games, watch a lot of tv, go on a computer, etc. That was 3 weeks ago, and I STILL have it because I do have a history of concussions (I had a major concussion 4 years ago).

I haven't played a game for more than 10 minutes until this week for the first time in 13 weeks.

Other than that, I got stuck with a terrible partner in my final class. I'm building a site like Facebook. Like, that in depth, that difficult. You can imagine the countless hours spent. She hasn't touched it and I've done more than anybody in the class time wise, and I'm not halfway done. It's due April 27 and revisions on May 4.

Plus, I work an average of 15 hours a week. Oh yeah, I live paycheck to paycheck. If the law hadn't changed on April 1, I'd be on food stamps and welfare right now. I have 4$ in my bank account. Before my last paycheck 2 weeks ago, I was in debt 35$. All for food.

My priorities are a bit away from the site right now, unfortunately.

So if you need to know where I've been, you have your answer. I do apologize for not being here. I probably could've left a message or something, but it just never crossed my mind with everything going on.

Also, this won't apply to many people but for those select few who it does apply to: If you have something to say about me, say it to me. Stop trashing me to other people. Man up and face me. Not cool.

I

I would also like to point out one thing.

I'm not trying to throw anyone under the bus, but for all those who say stuff like "Sm should be here it's his fault blah blah blah" in the 2 month absence, I've received a total of....*drumroll*

0 new content additions! whoo!

So it's not like I am the only one slacking, 'cause that's just unfair.

As far as the wiki, I've asked my web development teacher about it and hope to have a solution as of May 7. No one here has ever done the administrative side of the Wiki, so cut us some slack. We have to learn it as everyone else does, and not only that, I've done a lot of things. They just haven't worked. But it's not like I haven't been trying. I don't want spam either.

SGR deserves a medal though. The news blog is the most popular feature thanks to him. Seriously thanks and props man.

Man, that sounds extremely stressful. I kinda figured college had something to do with it, and I never placed blame on you for not being here often. I'm under a lot of stress right now too, and with the spam and such, and lack of interest in the wiki right now (though Sparky is doing a great job!), I have a hard time finding time for the wiki.

Good luck Sm, hopefully we get the wiki patched up and things will start rolling again.

I will say the concussion caused a lot of problems. Walking made me sick and wanting to throw up. There was no way I could spend extended time with a screen in front of me.

That's just horrible. Take your time, and get better soon!

I really should've told everyone else about the concussion. I just kind of forgot that it limited your computer use, though I did mention you were busy with college and work, I didn't really scratch the surface, so sorry about that.

I guess as far as submissions are concerned, we all sort of slumped. That, and I was waiting for when I saved up enough for a new capture card. I'll write some articles 'til then, but once I get that, I'll definitely be doing some stuff.

But in any case, get better soon and good luck with all this stuff.

Ow, and holy geez. I wish I could make some kind of donation to help you out.

And don't worry about anything here, at the wiki, or any of that. Just rest and all that. You, your well-being, and your personal life are all far more important than any of this.

I feel the same way when I built my entire site by hand of HTML, Took about 5 weeks or so (not paid), then I go on black ops to make a machinema with the worst people ever (still not paid), then I have to create several photos with the same logo over and over and over and over and over... (did you bring a paycheck? No...), then I have to record the machinema, do the voice acting, add the music, buffer. (and your paycheck comes to $0 and 0 cents), then I have to record several pieces of gameplay and edit those, make pictures for those, buffer. (You know whate happens here). It was all worth the 7 members I have in my forums but I feel alittle like I did EVERYTHING! I feel your pain... -ish.

Except you didn't get a concussion.

We are all understanding of times when others can't update because the majority of us are extremely busy with lives outside the Internet (I know I am, and that's why my updates are infrequent).

But!

The main site is really the integral part to everything done here. Without updates to the main site, those of us on the satellite pages (Newsblog, Wiki, etc.) feel that we're not even getting views. At least that's what I believe, I don't often talk to other staff so I don't know how they feel about it.

Also, I hate for this to be a "look what I've done!" type of business, but there are some aspects of the Newsblog that don't necessarily show up as content. Approving messages has been an almost daily task (along with sifting through the hundreds of spam messages) for me. It's just one of those things that goes unnoticed and I wouldn't feel the need to bring it up normally, but I kind of feel like defending myself a tad.

I really enjoy posting on the Newsblog when I have the time, but it's something that has been hard during the college months (more-so than I expected). As summer approaches, I am sure many of us will be updating more frequently. Though that's the case, I am becoming frustrated by being thrown under the bus every 2 months or so.

Also, I am not one to talk behind someone's back. If I have a major qualm with you, I'll come to you to discuss it. I am not sure if the comments you've heard are coming from staff, but they're certainly not coming from me. The way this has been discussed in the announcements has made the staff out to be angry, lazy people. Please just out the people believed to be talking about you or take care of it privately. I don't want to play the "who said what?" game.

I am not angry at anyone. Truly I'm not. I just want everyone to be happy and have the site move like clockwork. These conversations, though not always the most pleasant, lead to progress.

I have to say, absolutely no one has any right to accuse the News Blog staff of slacking. Despite your personal lives, you guys still find the time to post interesting and informative articles very frequently, as well as (as you mentioned) doing all the unseen parts of running the blog. I don't know if any of the other staff (Note: I don't know, I may be forgetting a staff member) can stand up to the News Blog portion's contribution record.

Also, you guys are all awesome. :thumbsup: Even if some parts of the Donut Plains Network are a little slow.

Thank you! On a lighter note, I love your signature sparky. I hope Master Hand shows up in the next SSB. :)

Agreed. He's one of my favorite bosses. On a darker note, I've been grounded.

Damn... I don't even think you needed to explain yourself for this case Super Mallow. I am sorry to hear all of this happen to you, and I hope things turn for the better soon for you.

After putting in about 55 hours in 5/6 days, V3 is 95% done.

I just need to add some new content from the staff and make the update and do some error checking

There's a teaser on the main site now. Not at /index.php but just at www.donutplains.net

Lol I can still look at the site by going to index.php. I expected I wouldn't be able to. Of course it still looks like V2 so i don't get a preview...