I guess it's been pretty obvious for a while now, especially to some of the oldies around here, that I've been absent from the forums for a while. It's for a variety of reasons, most of which are personal, and it's not a situation that is likely to be resolved anytime soon, which is why it's time that I made a decision that I've been trying to put off for too long.

I've been here now for almost four years and been a staffer for most of that, and in all that time it's been such a privilege to get to know some of the people that I would never have met if I had never discovered Harry Potter, and I've made some wonderful friends from all over the world. But I have to acknowledge that I can't maintain the same level of commitment here as I once did, and thus, for the welfare of the forums, the time has come for me to step down.

Though I won't be leaving completely and I am likely to drop in once in a while where I can, it's doubtful that I will be able to give the dedication to the VTM forums that they deserve, which is why I've asked Matthew for someone else to take over my duties, and I'm very, very happy to say that from this point on, your head honcho, so to speak, will be Passerby, aka Janet - one of the best, most loyal, most committed, and most dedicated staffers I've ever had the privilege of working with here.

It's been a privilege being a staffer here, and an even greater one being part of the Harry Potter experience - something I'll treasure forever I'm going to miss this place a great deal, especially all the staffers who have come and gone, the good old days of the shipping debates, the long conversations about Snape's loyalties and Lupin's future and whether or not Harry was a Horcrux, and I'm especially going to miss the fanfics and the whole fandom experience, but I guess that the time inevitably has to come when a gal recognises that she has to let go...

I want to wish Janet all the very best in her new duties as Admin - there couldn't be anyone more deserving in the post and I hope everyone will treat her with the same level of respect as you've treated me. VTM is such a wonderful place to be, and I'm so pleased and grateful that I had the opportunity of being part of the HP experience in such a unique way.

I guess I'll see you all around then!

Good luck, Janet! The reigns are all yours!

So, I'm not quite sure what to say here. I'm torn exactly half way between great sorrow and great excitement.

Throw all those smilies into one, and you'll get how I'm feeling.

Firstly, the fact that Louise is leaving makes me choke a bit. I can't imagine VTM without you! It's not possible to thank you enough for what VTM has become because of you, but since one has to at least attempt it: THANKS, Louise! I could go on for very long about exactly what it is I'm thanking you for, but anyone who had the privilege of seeing you in action around here would know what I mean. Thanks for everything! It's been a wonderful experience working with you, and I'll sure as heck never forget it!

Secondly, to Janet - CONGRATULATIONS! You know how psyched I am for you, and I have to agree with Louise, no-one is more deserving of this position! I'm confident you'll do a great job, there's no doubt about that! Good luck with all the buttons and things and all the duties of an admin!

I know exactly how your feelimg Laurette.

Louise, you'll be missed, what else can one say. In my short time on VTM, you put a great deal of faith in me and for that I will always be grateful. I hope life treats you kind, but above all this I wish you......forget that . Anyway, the days of the great debate will never be the same, Good luck and see you around, it's been a pleasure

Janet...no-one is more deserving of the headship. You are a mighty Mrs, with a heart of gold and I wish you all the luck in the world with your new position here at VTM.

What a double edged sword......

All the best to you Louise. I remember the time when I first joined and the debates in the 'Ginny-thread' together with Razberry. It seems like a long time ago now. I hope everything will be sorted out and I hope you'll still drop in and take part in the discussions (not that I did that much for quite a while now )

Congratulations Janet! You are the very best for this job! And I'm sure you'll do your job perfectly.

Olivia

Oh Louise I hope that everything's ok and that things resolve themselves. It's weird to think that you won't be around here as much anymore but you must do what you feel is best and i wish the best of luck to you! I'll miss a fellow puppyshipper in SPELL, there are just too few of us now

Janet, best of luck to you! You're really hard working here and you deserve your new role as world leader head of the forums Plus you do sew the meanest pillow cases

Oh, there appears to be a big hug going on, wait up! *Helen runs after the bandwagon but misses every's hands to help her on and ends up falling in the mud* Oh well.

(If a little bit muddy on my part)

Wow! I can't imagine VTM without Louise. Although I have only been an official member for several months now, I have been sneaking peeks for the last 2-3 years, and Louise was always there front and center whenever I came on. I've always been impressed with her intelligent, in-depth posts and debates.

I truly wish the best for you, and I hope that whatever life is throwing at you, you are able to throw back with interest. Take care of yourself, and always know you have people here who are standing in your corner cheering you on.

To Passerby/Janet, what can I say?! Congrats from the bottom of my heart. You truly deserve this honorable position. If anyone has the chance of filling Louise's shoes, you definitely have the best shot at doing it. Have fun with your new "badge"!

By the way, Janet, any chance we'll be getting an update to HP's real world before you get too busy?

Laura

What can be said?!

Your time here as the matriarch of the VTM Forums was incredible, and for that, Louise, you deserve a hug. Hehe...but in all seriousness, I cannot imagine the past four years of VTM without you. Granted, I've only been here for two of the four, but the impact you made on me in literally the first couple of days here was remarkable. The best of luck to you, Louise, and we hope to see you soooooon!!

Janet -- Congratulations!! There is no other person I can think of that would do a better job than you as the Admin of the VTM Forums! Hooray!

At the risk of sounding repetitive, Louise, you were a wonderful administrator! Actually, when I first joined I was a bit frightened of you (lol) but once I became staff I got a taste of what a big job the forums can be, and how hard it can be to remain calm in the face of so many silly goings-on as we have in here sometimes!

Thanks to you, though, we have a workable forum that is not only fun, but feels safe! There is none of the attitude and rude comments to fellow posters here that is seen so often everywhere else (and if there is, it's quickly nipped in the bud!), and a lot of that is due to you! I do hope you find time to visit whenever you can.

Janet, I think Louise did exactly the right thing in choosing you! You are a calm presence here, infinitely fair, and that's so important. I hope you have great fun learning how it all works! The forums will be safe with you in charge!

To Louise:

To Janet:

Oh man, what a bitter sweet moment!

Louise, I think the sheer fact that none of us can come up with words to describe how wonderful you've been to all of us and this site is a triumph in itself. I'm trying to phrase this all nice and think of the right words, but it's so hard. I remember when I first came to Vtm and was scared out of my pants of Dana_Sculley! I came back though and realized that Michelle Dessler was the nicest person ever, and intellectual to say the least! And now that we're on Louise, I really think that you've been such a great admin it is really hard to imagine a Vtm without you. You've been one of those enduring faces around here and it'll be sad to see you leave. I fell in love with Everlasting Day and Pale Moon (I've always secretly hoped that you'd finish it!) and that's how I got so interesting in fanfics. I seriously was obsessed with those fics, I read them over the summer and fell in love all over again. You've been so great to me and this site for a really long time.

Look at me ranting all teary-eyed. I guess what I am trying to say is this: good luck with everything that life throws at you, I hope you'll be able to juggle it all! I also hope that you'll stop by here every now and again. I'd hate to lose you completely! Send a PM sometime when you get a chance every so often, yeah? Best of luck with everything hun! Thank you so much!

And of course, Janet! Congratulations, my friend! Can't think of who better for the job! You're inexhaustibly patient and your wit and sense of humor I love! You've got such a great personality and can be loving, but enforce rules all the same. You can always jump on when somebody needs you, and you can handle almost any situation. All these qualities are sure to make the best of admin! You're going to do great, but good luck all the same!

Oh, this is such an emotional post, love to you both!

Well, sad to say it's not a surprise to me. Louise, you were the best Admin a site could ask for. And I'm so sorry this job has to take a back seat. We'll miss you terribly and you'd better make sure you come back and visit otherwise I'll be on a plane over there to force you onto a computer! That or I'll just flood your inbox and emails with reminders. I'll probably go with the second option because flying over there takes money and effort and I have neither. Anyway.

Congrats to Janet, I know she's the best choice for this new job. And also now that you have power........you can use them however you want. Of course for the good of the site.....but you know what that could mean! Anyway, moving on. I hope you enjoy this new title and all the responsibilities it comes with. They could not have chosen a better person. Good luck!!!

And good luck to you too Louise. It'll be weird not having you as our main Admin but I think we'll get over it.

Terribly sorry to see you go Louise. I remember the first time I joined you were already on my case about one-liners You will always be the best admin a site could ask for and one in which all are measured up to. Like the others have said, I can't imagine VTM without you.

And Janet, you know you'll be/are a great admin when you're handpicked to be replaced by the best. Congratulations and good luck with all the responsibility!

Sorry I kept it so short

Wow! A VTM without Louise...strange indeed. I have only been around for about 8 months but have browsed the site for a couple of years. I will always appreciate Louise your conviction to stand firm for your beliefs and to call it like you see um. I saw that a lot in the creation/evolution debates...awesome...even if we were often of opposing views. I wish you luck in your future endeavors and happiness through out.

Janet... massive congrats to your new responsibilities. I know you will steward it well.

Aloha,
~Amanda

We are going to miss you Louise!!!!!!!!!!! This is sad... and shocking and so many other things you were an awesome mod and we are all going to miss you, and I want to say thanks for all the help you've given me, and with my 9/11 topic thing. You were a great friend, and I do hope you can come back and visit once in a while!! I really hope the troubles will soon go away, to bad we can't be witches and wizards!! I'm going to mix up a Felix Felicis potion for you and I'll send it to you!! I hope you like it!!

Congrats passerby!! I'm sure you will do GREAT!! I'm happy for you! You'll do a great job Thank you for helping out with my 9/11 topic also!!! I couldn't have done it without you two!! I'll send you some Felix Felicis too!!

Love Ya!!!!!!

Louise...leaving???????!!!!! But, but, you can't!! Your the best Admin ever! Whats VTM without you???

Ha, that just goes to show how much I hate change. Of course I'm really, really, REALLY sad to see you go Louise, but I know that these things happen eventually. I will never forget all of your posts and you deserve 10 GINOURMOUS hugs I know especially how hard you worked to keep VTM going and all. So....I guess this is goodbye, and THANK YOU for EVERYTHING!

Ugh I want to say more but I can't put it into words!

And Janet (passerby) I know you'll be excellent at your new job and Congrats at making it! You deserve everything!! Well done!

Wow, talk about bittersweet moment Hilly!

<3 Rachel

I am shocked into silence. Louise, your guidance to this newbie (right about this time last year) was more helpful to me than you could ever know. I don't know what else to say besides I am sorry to see you go, but I hope everything works out for the best for you.

And to deflect my sadness with humour, should you ever decide to come out of retirement, I am pretty sure we will find a spot on the roster for you.

Oh yeah (not to forget you Janet), thumbs up.

How am I just now finding out about this?! So much to say, and I'll try to cover it all without repeating!

Well I haven't gotten the chance to get to know either Louise or Janet, but I've heard such great things about both. Louise is a legend, who, from my understanding, favors the same ship as I do , as well as never being afraid to knock heads together around the forums when people start acting up. I know I for one will miss running into your posts that tell off another for their wrongdoings... oh how I'd hate to recieve such messages!
I hope that things slow down for you to occasionally drop in, as you said, because it would be a sad loss to all to not hear from you. I hope everything works out, as I'm sure it will!

As for Janet, yet again, I have yet to get the chance to get to know her, but I've heard so much praise on her behalf. I'm completely positive in her ability to fill her position perfectly. Being such a high ranking mod leaves you with little time for much posting, but that doesn't seem to stop Janet, and that's one thing I love to see! I hope that in the future I get a further chance to get to know you better, because I've heard only good things from Taylor, Helen, Laurette, and everyone else! Congratulations!! It was beyond well deserved!


Ashley