Wow! Time does fly! :)

almost 2 yrs for me too, come sept.

Cynthia, you were one of my first inspirations here! I remember all your kind words for everyone and never-ending commitment to make something, anything! hehe happen! I remember your Mini-Actions! etc. and I do believe that you may have made the most from this place! :)

That was a Fun Time! back when ONet was just getting it's wings, and the 'sky' was the limit! and we all thought that here we truly could possibly accomplish anything we could dream of!

:) B

Thanks, Brad. Those early days were special, weren't they? The Mini-Actions were such fun. I remember a camp fire and a story that anyone could add to... It was very magical for me then. It doesn't feel as magical now, but I think that's because I'm not so much sitting in the "what if's" but more in the doing of it. But, I think I want to reconnect with that magical feeling. What if we still "all thought that here we truly could possibly accomplish anything we could dream of"... Like that line in The BIg Chill "Where did his hope go?" So I;m for the doing of it with a heavy dose of magic and dreams....

Are we where we want to be? If o.net isn't what we dreamed it could be, why not? What were we hoping for, and why can't we still make it happen? I think in a lot of ways it is happening. I think we just thought somehow we could circumvent reality and that somebody was going to drop a big wad of cash on our heads.

See, rambling again... really need to hit the sack. Thanks for checking in, Brad, and sending me down a wonderful lane of memories.

:))))))!

~ Cynthia said: ~

~ you shared s'mores; you lied about my snoring..... ~

Yes I did; no I didn't :P

~ It is probably significant to no one besides me ~

Calling BS on that one! I for one am very happy you are here for as loooooooong as you have been here! You are one very awesome lady and I'm proud to call you friend : ) (but I'm never sleeping with you again ; )

Luv 'ya lots!!!

LOL, Meron!

And Cynthia raises some very interesting questions (which I do not really feel are of a personal nature -- and therefore might be better addressed in another group [e.g. Community Decisions and/or O.NET TOWN HALL]).

Cynthia Gentry said:

Are we where we want to be? If o.net isn't what we dreamed it could be, why not? What were we hoping for, and why can't we still make it happen? I think in a lot of ways it is happening. I think we just thought somehow we could circumvent reality and that somebody was going to drop a big wad of cash on our heads.

Being viciously attacked by others is the main impediment for me. I have recieved alot of negative feedback from other people, and I can think of only 1 instance in which it was constructive. It was constructive because the person was overt and forthright about it -- and we resolved the issue (at least to the best of my knowledge). Anything less than clarity and/or transparency really sucks. This is the malaise that continues to plague omidyar.net. If the people who throw eggs and tomatoes had to do it in the open, they would do it alot less (but they would still do it when it is reasonable to do so -- see e.g. this).

So I have 1 clear suggestion for vastly improving omidyar.net: stop anoymous feedback altogether!

(note that I am not suggesting it would solve everything -- but I do feel it would solve alot)

:) nmw

You always make me smile, Meron! :-) And you're sweet to call my pitiful statement BS. I appreciate that.

Think I'm in a bit of a funk these days. Too much horror and sadness in the news; feeling overwhelmed. Plus, a bit physically drained from working so many hours at the part-time job. It is going well though. I just found an incredible woman to become CFO of a microfinance/ incubator/foundation here in Atlanta. Working on finding a COO for Genocide Intervention Network. All rewarding, but it takes an enormous amount of time away from Art Heals. I'm hoping that once my body gets acclimated to being back "in the grind" that my energy will pick up.

For now, I'm watching "The Girl in the Cafe" for about the 7th time and being reminded about what one voice can do. "Better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness." - Chinese proverb

I luv ya, Norbie. Don't always understand you, but I'm glad you're here.

Cynthia Gentry said:

I luv ya, Norbie. Don't always understand you, but I'm glad you're here.

Yes -- I would also appreciate the "luxury" of not being able to understand what is "wrong" with anonymous feedback (especially the negative kind). I was basically giving you an answer to your question ("why not?"), namely: the problem is anonymous feedback.

:) nmw

Cynthia!! this place would not be the same without you. I feel blessed to have met you in person, not once, but twice!

I am always inspired and amazed by the work you are doing, and the contributions you make here (and, of course, your fantastic connections!!)

Congrats on your 2 year anniversary!

Two years and this place is big enough that you and I hardly ever overlap! (Of course I have only been here about 18 months.) Honored to have you here. Inspired by all you do.

Thanks, Susan and Jean. You're both very kind and I'm so happy to know you.

The best is yet to come! (from all of us)