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Rock On

Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:48 pm
by Todd
Hey guys,

Amassment is so freakin important to me. When Masao and I started it almost ten years ago, we envisioned a place that anyone interested in shrines could join to interact with others, receive support, and gain motivation. We wanted a place that shrine makers could feel at home at. We wanted to see the dying shrining hobby pick back up. What a journey we’ve been on! I am so proud of the accomplishments of this community. I have had the privilege of getting to know so many of you, and watching you guys blossom into amazing shrine makers. I feel like shrines keep getting better and better, and I am so happy to have so many to so many different subjects online to visit. In addition to increasing the production of shrines with events here, and support from one another, I feel like we’ve really delved deep into what makes up a shrine, and all of their little facets, and I think that we as a community have opened up the world in a sense to what a shrine can be. The shrines we see today are so different from the shrines of the past, and I love that you guys find ways to be innovative, and to put more of yourselves and the things you’re passionate about into the shrines, whether it’s writing about unique things, finding different ways to present a character or subject, or even trying new techniques with your layouts. I’ve seen so many of you grow, and I feel like I’ve grown, not just as a shrine maker, but as a person. I am thankful to you all for that.

Being a co-founder, a co-owner, and an administrator at Amassment has been tough at times, but it’s an experience that I am proud of, and that I know I will look back at with positive thoughts. It was tough because being a figurehead or an administrator of any community puts you in the spotlight. You try to make the best decisions you can, and you try to do what’s right, but not everyone will be happy. Not to mention, administrators, myself included, are human, and we make mistakes. I have made a plethora of mistakes. As humans, we sometimes react emotionally, and we sometimes say things we don’t mean, and things we say don’t come across how we intend them to. To anyone I’ve personally upset in the past, I am truly sorry. Having said that, I learn and grow everyday, and I think we all as humans do that. Anyway, I respect everyone who has held an administrator position here so much, because any one of them can tell you it’s not easy, and it’s not always fun, but in a large way, at least for me, it was rewarding, because we were doing something good to serve the community. Thank you Sofia, Lethe, Masao, Destinie, Varen, Daphne, Chrissy, Ava, Dubiousdisc, and Samantha. And thank you to anyone and everyone who has volunteered and staffed at Amassment: Mikari, Robin, Sarah, Josephine, Juhi, Megan A., Megan K., Crystal, Chibi, Emma, Karen, Yamila, Saya, Dragoneyes, Stefi, Cherri, Camy, Angie, Tara, Nyx, and Vii. You guys ARE Amassment, and the time, effort, and energy you guys have put into the community is really why it has gone strong all these years. I am so thankful that we’ve had such an active, involved member base with individuals who wanted to step up and do something to help others.

Amassment.org was set to expire in April, and I went ahead and renewed it for another year. Unfortunately, I will not be behind the community for this next year. I won’t go into details, because they’re not that important, but I have been stressed and have had some issues going on online and off, and I need to focus on my own things for a while. This was an extremely hard decision to make because I love this community so much, but I think it’s for the best. This decision was made because of how much I love this community.

Amassment is going to continue living! Sofia is stepping up to adopt the community. I can’t speak enough good words about Sofia. She has been with the community as a regular member, as a staffer, as a Team Lead, and as an Administrator. She has volunteered and worked so hard in so many different areas of the community, and I know she cares about Amassment like I do. Like we all do. Your other administrators are still around as well.

And I’ll still be around. While I won’t be making decisions that will affect the community, I will be kicking around on Discord and Twitter, working on my own shrines, and I look forward to continuing to interact with you all as a member here.

I want to end this announcement with my wish, and that is that this community continues to be what Masao and I set out for it to be: a place that anyone interested in shrines can belong. Keep accepting new people, and keep motivating, supporting, and inspiring one another. Doing these things, you guys will achieve great things.

Thanks so much, guys. It’s really been an honor.

Re: Rock On

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 9:04 am
by Destinie
I respect your decision to step down and move on, after all, taking care of yourself is most important at this point in time. I would be lying, however, if I said I wasn't sad at all about this. First Masao and now you, it's hard to accept change but all things, good or bad, will pass.

Todd, thanks so much for everything you've done for the community. Amassment has been my internet home since ~2008. It's one place online where I always felt like I really fit in. I love meeting other creative people who push me to improve my craft. I'm truly thankful for all the time and effort you put in here.

I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! ♥

Re: Rock On

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 4:39 pm
by dubiousdisc
Thank you for all that you've done! I get it that there's things to do and stress and so on, and I wish you all the best (and a quieter and less stressful near future). I'm glad to hear that you're leaving stuff in the good hands of Sofia, and I'll be looking forward to see what shrines you'll be making.

Let's all do our best. :D

Re: Rock On

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:36 pm
by Robin
Echoing all the thanks already mentioned, and adding that I'm glad you won't be cutting yourself off completely, Todd. Stay in touch, keep making sites (as you have time and brain power), etc!

As for Amassment, I look forward to where we're going from here!

Re: Rock On

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 10:21 am
by Sarah
This makes me so sad, Todd. :( The end of an era, for sure. But I definitely respect your decision; you need to do what you feel is best for yourself and the community. (Yourself especially.) I am glad you will still be around here and on twitter, though! And I know Sophia will be great.

THANK YOU for everything you have done for this community and its members! There aren't enough words to describe just how amazing you have been. :)

Re: Rock On

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 9:02 pm
by Camy
I was shocked at first but I understand needing time for yourself~ Many thanks for getting together with Masao to create this community. Without it, I would probably stop making fansites years ago back in 2009. I'm also glad that you won't go away completely and will stay as a member :D

Re: Rock On

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 5:09 am
by Sofia
I have been a member of Amassment for many years and this wonderful community was the reason why I re-started shrining after a detour in fanlistings so…thanks a lot to both you and Masao for creating it!

It's great to hear you will still be around as a regular member and continue making shrines. Best of luck for all your future endeavours and thanks again for entrusting me with Amassment!

Re: Rock On

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 2:55 am
by Stefi
Thank you for your years of hard work and dedication to Amassment! Although I am undoubtedly sad to hear you step down, I am still extraordinarily grateful for your inspiring and uplifting message to all of us. Your presence as a leader has left a huge, positive impact on this tiny community, so thank you for stepping up not only to help keep our community alive, but for having a place for us shrinemakers to belong to after all these years.

You've proven time and time again how much you love Amassment from the bottom of your heart, so here's to the rest of us carrying on that same sentiment moving forward!

Re: Rock On

Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:48 pm
by Todd
Thank you so much to everyone who has taken time to comment here, or send me messages via PM, Twitter, e-mail, or Discord. I have loved hearing your experiences with Amassment, and what Amassment has meant to you. It makes all the time and energy I or anyone else has put into this community completely worth it. Your comments have meant a lot to me -- more than you guys probably know. I'm glad I was able to contribute to your shrining experiences as much as you all have contributed to mine. I've said it a million times, but thank you, thank you, thank you!

<3