Tate

Pshhh, in no world am I an "A-quality" podcaster. I'm probably a C+, you're more like an A-!
 
I'd also love to hang out given the opportunity, and I'll gladly be your and Phil's third wheel!
 
Very sweet ending, we'll miss you! Most of us, anyway 😛
 
 

For my final VHL podcast, I'm going to do what I never do, and add timelines below:
 
0:00 - 3:52 : Purposely long and self-indulgent opening
3:53 - 5:16 : My typical intro involving a rambling conversation about something happening in my personal life
5:17 - 14:35 : @jRuutu's questions
7:37 - 9:37 : Challenge to @Beketov
14:36 - 37:18 : @Gustav 's questions
37:24 - 40:47 : @Thunder's questions
40:48 - 41:42 : Shoutout to @OrbitingDeath
41:43 - 48:47 : @Phil's questions
48:48 - 54:30 : @JardyB10's question
54:31 - 54:55 : Special Guest's closing comments
 
Thank you to all that listen, much love to you. 
 
❤️
 
 

*LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED*
 
Uncomfortable fruit scene in this episode.
 
https://anchor.fm/jardy-b/episodes/Jardys-Hecking-Podcast--Season-2-Episode-22-THE-FINALE-e1scelk
 
 
Featured track is Could by Elderbrook
 
In this big long SEASON 2 FINALE, I discuss the following:
 
- My 3ish weeks of inactivity and future inactivity
- The woes of Los Angeles, and all the disappointment attached to it
- Comparing Poopy Peepants to Bo Jo #Leadership
- The lame trade deadline
- VHL Christmas Auction
- Cologne is the best VHLE team
- The S88 re-creates (with a brief intermission to call out the @Moderator crew) (27:20-32:30) @Josh @fonziGG @STZ @scoop @MexicanCow123 @Beketov @diamond_ace @TheNeonShaman
*Commerical break* (Honestly I think it's hilarious, fast-forward to this point if you listen to nothing else)
- A little quick and dirty BOG LEAKZ (33:50-35:30)
- Random jump to VHFL things (35:30-37:10)
- New Depreciation Changes and Player Store (37:30-42:25)
- @Tate's departure (42:30-44:00)
- Being too inactive to listen to podcasts (44:00-46:40) @DarkSpyro
- Figuring out why @Keno was mad on Wednesday (I figure it out eventually) (46:40-53:00)
 
Mentions of various importance:
@Berocka @Shindigs @Moon @youloser1337 @Acydburn @Ricer13 @GrittyIsKing @Dom @Dil @UnknownMinion @leandrofg @DreMin15 @Alex @KaleebtheMighty @AJW
 
Thanks for the year of listens, gang!
 

 
 

I could not have said it better, and I do hope that the staff reads your response because it is spot on.  
 
Thank you again for being such a great teammate and friend, take care!

Thank you for the kind words, and for the battle you are fighting.
 
I agree completely, these leagues and forums should be places where all kinds of thoughts and creative "things" are shared. People should be encouraged to try different angles, tones, and perspectives just to try them out. People should be encouraged to listen and to see different angles, tones, and perspectives. There is a line to everything, of course, but the line is far too low nowadays. It should not be the job of the staff to moderate the league as heavily as they have. The staff is not the league. The job of the staff should be the opposite - they should encourage people to speak up and to create content.
 
Content is what makes this place. You want to see all kinds of ideas being posted. You want to see informative and fun content, you want to see nice content, you want to see content that makes you go: what on earth is wrong with you?
 
You are right, there is a lot of creative talent out there that never gets found because people are too afraid to try. A lot of ideas never get suggested and tried because nobody says them or nobody hears them. A lot of thoughts never surface, because people are too afraid to look at themselves and their beliefs from a different perspective. That is a shame.
 
Good luck to you, Tate. Hopefully, you will return to VHL and simulation leagues in the future! 🍻

For my final VHL podcast, I'm going to do what I never do, and add timelines below:
 
0:00 - 3:52 : Purposely long and self-indulgent opening
3:53 - 5:16 : My typical intro involving a rambling conversation about something happening in my personal life
5:17 - 14:35 : @jRuutu's questions
7:37 - 9:37 : Challenge to @Beketov
14:36 - 37:18 : @Gustav 's questions
37:24 - 40:47 : @Thunder's questions
40:48 - 41:42 : Shoutout to @OrbitingDeath
41:43 - 48:47 : @Phil's questions
48:48 - 54:30 : @JardyB10's question
54:31 - 54:55 : Special Guest's closing comments
 
Thank you to all that listen, much love to you. 
 
❤️
 
 

I sincerely hope you don't leave. I feel like I barely got to know the real @Tate. Vancouver is appreciative of you honouring your contract, I hope we still see you around in the LR from time to time. Maybe if Fuhr or the team finds success we'll be able to reel you back in ;). Wishing you the best even if you don't return, it's been a pleasure.  

I appreciate all that you said above, and also agree with what you’ve said, your civilized and thorough approach in acquiring feedback was well done and effective. 
 
We all bring unique skills to the table and I would say the impact you’ve had since coming here is immeasurable. You rock, Gustav. 
 
 
 
 
I’ll elaborate more on this below but my focus on retention isn’t as much to do with the VHLM. I have always found my experience in the M to be positive, even as a veteran player.
 
My first time around in the M was extremely positive, and this is where I disagree with the common belief that retention lives and dies in the M. 
 
 
 
I just want to give one last shout out to the GM’s of the M for what they do. I see two significant benefits to your first run in the M, and that is:

1. Understanding how to build a player and earn
2. Fun environment built on a draft year and usually an opportunity to meet some vets. 
 
Beyond that my retention focus is on what happens next. 
 
 
 
 
One of the best ways to maintain retention is to place attention and praise on your active members. 
 
Some ideas on that would be to: 
 
1. Reward content creators with capped TPE boosts. For example an awesome PT could be featured on the portal and the member rewarded with 8 TPE instead of 6. It’s the little things and acknowledgements that give people a boost, and you’re not giving them extra TPE but you’re making their workload smaller while also praising them.
 
2. Look for opportunities to grow non content creators (and content creators). But maybe you have some quiet people and who don’t like to do media but do like to hang out in Discord. They can help Moderate or act as mentors to help aid new people as well. Acknowledge their work and literally feature them on the site/portal. I know Builders are a part of the HOF, but we’ve got Builders here like @a_Ferk @Garsh who may not create as much media but do so much to benefit the league.  
 
That is in no way to suggest that Ferk or Garsh are in any risk of leaving or in need of retention, but imo you need to keep giving love to those who stay and help. 

This is where I don’t fault Bek for having trouble in doing this, because he is but one man. Retention continues all the way through your tenure here, and there are steps along the way that if people just got a little more encouragement or respect then the end result might be different.
 
I have more ideas of course, it’s just about creating a more open, positive environment. No lines drawn in the sand.
 
 
 
By no means should people be forced to participate in anything they don’t want to. It’s more of opening up a conversation and making sure we’re on the same page if someone crosses a line.
 
There should always be a bridge back. One that people can see. 
 

I agree with you that there are those who listen, and such is why I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. 
 
Take care, good sir

I think it's true that being active on Discord/super visible in the community can influence how someone is taken when they choose to take steps to be visible. Last year, I made a survey on moderation, complete with a corresponding article. I like to think it was civilized, and I like to think it did accomplish something (in terms of something specific, a major complaint seemed to be communication within the ban thread beyond just "x member broke x rule" and I think that was addressed after the fact). I won't act like league moderation is perfect--and I don't think it is at all--but I'm proud of being able to lead a constructive discussion on the topic. I practically KNOW for a fact that, had I been in the league for two weeks, my survey wouldn't have had as many responses, my article wouldn't have had as many replies, and nothing would have changed because nothing would have been taken seriously. Had that been you, as an established but more controversial member, which way would it have gone if you said and did exactly the same things? I'm not 100% sure myself, but I think it's fair to say that with all else being equal, you might be looked at differently, and I would agree that that wouldn't be OK.
 
You've always brought up the idea of a retention crew, so I'm curious--how do you see the responsibilities of a retention crew differing from what the VHLM GMs are supposed to do in the first place? Already, a VHLM GM is supposed to be a mentor to their players, who cares about player development and...retention...and we run the VHLM with the idea in mind that a GM isn't doing their job right if they aren't doing the retention bit already. If there are ideas for retention that you think are missing on that level, I'd love to hear it--and if you're speaking in terms of acting outside of that level, how would you address the idea that players who have already progressed beyond the VHLM might not feel that they need to be actively helped?
 
If you're actually serious about leaving for good, I hope you know that I do wish you the best. You alluded to the idea that leaving to prove a point might not accomplish much--and I'd honestly have to agree there--but I hope you know that even though you've said that you think the league has a lot of people who aren't willing to listen (which I wouldn't necessarily disagree with), we still have a lot who are.

I think it should have gone the other way. Drop it to 5% for 3 seasons and zero if you play a 9th season. Why punish players for working hard. To be fair, this sim isn't close to a real life hockey league so I would say it's better to treat the ones that are still earners with a bit of a reward and not a punishment. All I see are welfare players in the M except for a handful. Seems like we need something fixed that is keeping players from being active instead of regulating the ones that are. Just my take on the matter. I do what I'm told, most of the time.

For my final VHL podcast, I'm going to do what I never do, and add timelines below:
 
0:00 - 3:52 : Purposely long and self-indulgent opening
3:53 - 5:16 : My typical intro involving a rambling conversation about something happening in my personal life
5:17 - 14:35 : @jRuutu's questions
7:37 - 9:37 : Challenge to @Beketov
14:36 - 37:18 : @Gustav 's questions
37:24 - 40:47 : @Thunder's questions
40:48 - 41:42 : Shoutout to @OrbitingDeath
41:43 - 48:47 : @Phil's questions
48:48 - 54:30 : @JardyB10's question
54:31 - 54:55 : Special Guest's closing comments
 
Thank you to all that listen, much love to you. 
 
❤️
 
 

I was actually going to try to tackle that VSN project you proposed, but got absolutely swamped by school and my other duties. Still something I really want to tackle but of course that comes second to real life.

Shame it didn't work out for you here, best of luck in your future endeavors!

pre-listen: i hope it's a dance battle

Love the ode at the top, you made me legitimately laugh out loud multiple times. You’re not only great at doing podcasts but you’re going to improve the tiny void left by me. 
 
No worries on me being contacted to waive my NTC for Fuhr (if wanted), and I still plan to claim welfare until no team wants my player anymore.  
 
I’m glad you didn’t go through my thread doing a play by play, but I’ll say that the list of topics I included were my list, not necessarily the list of a first gen. My post wasn’t for theme week. 
 
You rock Hogan, honestly, I appreciate your sense of humour. Enjoy your trip, and take care!

https://anchor.fm/hogan4/episodes/the-seattle-bears-hazed-me-e1s2paf
 
people mentioned in some form:
@Dil
@Tate
@fishy
@zepheter
@rory
@god
 
i talk about bad contracts and other things. i have anchor now and also audacity mypodcast growth is exponentiall
 

Sass with Stras #15 - FIRST GEN

 
Treat me like a joke and I'll leave you like it's funny.    KnightTime Radio is proud to present an all-new Podcasting series!!   Another epic journey in podcasting!  Join me for some chill hangs, good vibes. Answers from October for our friend @Tate Featuring a feature on the featured: @Jason kranz     Sass with Stras Podcast Question Thread   Songs: Forget December - Something Corporate   This is a division of KnightTime Radio.    Run Time: 44.5 minutes

What’s your top memory from your time in the VHL?

To whom it may concern,


 
Welcome to the VHL a sim league like none other; were sixteen team in the top league fight for the glory of the Continental Cup and have been doing so for the past some eight plus seasons; which should last around ten weeks in real time. We also have two feeder leagues in the VHLE and the VHLM; with the latter being the first league that any new player will hopefully start to make a name for themselves. Hopefully a good one!!  


 
Remember you control only what you can control and sadly in the beginning that is how your player develops. The more you develop your player, interact with others within the team or the league will make the enjoyment of the league that much better. Heck, this can also lead to you maybe becoming an Assistant General Manager of VHLM team and working your way through the VHL General Manager system until you become the Great General Manager ever!!


 
It is a long road that will be meet with bumps, frustration and even joy as you navigate the world of the VHL through the forums and discord while letting your creativity lead your player through development by earning TPE via podcast, creative writing, graphics, weekly press conferences and trivia. Earn extra TPE thought Weekly Fantasy, Seasonal Fantasy leagues, Predictions and everyone’s favorite Theme week.


 
If this sounds interesting or something that might find appealing then feel free to join the league today but remember you are a rookie and there is a lot to learn about the league before you can become successful. Have faith, fun and the Future is yours!!


 
Sincerely,


 
Future Self & No longer a Rookie me

Hi Hatter, I did not initially see your reply until now. 
 
 
 
 
Not ridiculous, I guess I'm doing a bad job of explaining it because everyone seems to be getting my point wrong.  My whole thing on Frank was HOW the process was conducted.  I don't believe I've earned a job due to my time in the league, but based on my contributions (which are outside of this, very positive), I should have at least been given an interview.  I'm talking about how choices like that kill morale in others.  It's about how people feel they've been, "treated," - whether they are right or wrong in their observations.  
 
Frank is fantastic, for the love of all holy.  That's why I pointed to a GOOD hire done poorly. 
 
 
 
So, I kept silent when I came back, and I tried to play nice.  I spoke out because of what I saw them do over a calendar year.  Please, if you're interested, take the time to read my thread and listen to my podcast.  The listening part is the most important IMO because you hear my voice, and my real tone.  I do try to write in a way where I don't sound like a complete dick, but based on my responses I think I don't know how to write otherwise. lol. 
 
I'm sticking up for the silent people here, Hatter.  You may not be one of them, but there are others like me.  This is just for clarity (about me), none of this will likely change the league.  

This table above shows how many first gen players from the range of the given draft classes went on to surpass 200 TPE (E.g. For the top one, there were 203 first gens taken from the Season 63 Draft Class to the Season 71 Draft Class that surpassed 200 TPE in their VHL career). As you can see, we are at our lowest number for quite some time, in fact you would have to go back to the Season 61-Season 69 cycle (drafts that took place in 2018-2019) for a lower first gen over 200 TPE count and that’s only because the Season 61 Draft Class had just two first gens surpass 200 TPE. There are many reasons why we could be experiencing this dip; many people point to Covid sparking a lot of new players joining and engaging in the league in the mid Season 70’s and we also don’t have quite as many avenues for advertisement as we did in the past, due to some irregularities we had in the past with reddit. But the main thing that we should be doing is instead looking at what we can do with the players that we bring in to do our best to make sure they stick around because, from what I can gather from my research, at our current pace that number is more likely to continue going down in the future than it is to go up.
 
So my first suggestion for helping with this is making the forum site and the portal more accessible for the new VHL user. We have to acknowledge with the scope of our advertising that we are not necessarily going to be recruiting new members to the VHL who are 1) going to be familiar with forum layout or 2) have the patience to stick around and ask how to make a player when they don’t know how to. This is where my first point comes in, we need to make the link to the Create a Player area of the portal catch the eye. As it stands, on the PC version of the website, the only direct link to Create A Player is embedded between several other options at the top of the screen. It’s even worse on mobile where the only direct link to creating a player is hidden behind the sub-menu button. There are two ways that I think you potentially fix this. One is that you amend the Create a Player forum slightly, make it so that clicking on “Create a Player” in the main forum area links you to the Create a Player area of the portal (this is also the method that the SBA use for player creation). The other potential option is making a clickable banner underneath the Create a Player heading that stands out a bit more than “Create a Player” does in the sub-menu, an example of a concept of this can be found below (To point out in advance, there will be quite a few concepts in this piece and that’s what they are, concepts. I’m not saying what I provide is a good banner, but that is where I believe a good banner would be.)
 

 
From there, we move on to making the portal more accessible to the new member. This is probably not what the developers of the portal want to hear but for every step we make towards putting items that use to be forum-based onto the portal, more users will dedicate more of their VHL time on the portal, so we need to increase the amount of information about the VHL that the user can pick up on the portal. I’ve already mentioned in the past about how we should have clearer links to important pages rather than burying them under the manage tab, but I’ve got a few more concepts here. One such example would be a tip that the portal would provide to new members about where to apply their TPE upon creation. We have taken routes to combat the amount of people adding small amounts of TPE to every single attribute on creation with the First-Gen reroll, but why not give these players a warning ahead of time that spreading your attributes in that manner is not going to net the best results for your player so that they are better prepared upon creating their player?
 

 
Another method of interaction with the user could be to have the Player Management screen display how much capped TPE they’ve earned in a given week and provides a link to a pop-up box that gives a quick breakdown on what other capped TPE tasks are available to them. The example below is what could potentially pop up for a member who submitted for welfare (therefore 4 of 10 rather than 4 of 12) and the second is an example of what the pop-up box could show for a VHL.com graphic.
 
 

 

 
 
Finally, a way to potentially help newer users with the VHL Trivia task, the one that is probably the hardest for new members given their recent join date. Why not use the opportunity to link to the VHL Discord so that any struggling user knows where to ask for help with a trivia question?
 

 
So those are my proof of concepts as to how to potentially help improve the First-Gens approach to the VHL. I know that the VHL probably want to make moves to add more currently forum based tasks like Fantasy Zone to the portal, but I really think the thing that should take precedence right now is creating a more new-user friendly version of the portal because, while it’s great and the developers have done a lot of terrific work with it, with how much it has grown it needs to evolve beyond the base structure that Will gave it (a subsection of the VHL for you to update your player) to something that can be engaged with by users who may not be familiar with how the VHL works.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Right, that’s the proof of concept power hour out of the way, now to talk about other things that I think will help first-gen retention.
 
Stop letting people having so many jobs at a time
 
So this might stand out as a weird topic for helping first-gens, but bear with me on this one. I made a podcast talking about making more jobs PT equivalents and one of my listeners to that podcast was a user called SpicyGecko who, at the time, was a pretty promising first-gen user. After listening to the podcast they sent me a message about how they had a problem with people having so many jobs at once and how it reduces a new members ability to actively contribute to the site or try to improve their standing within the league by showing they can do a job well. Given the timing of the message in combination to their activity, it would not surprise me if this played a role in their eventual inactivity. While I do think there are ways that members can contribute to help the site without holding a job, I think the point they make is a valid one, there really is no reason why, especially when we are arguably at the best point in our league’s history when it comes to the number of personnel at our disposal that could actively help the league, some people are allowed to hold onto so many jobs at one time. I don’t see much of an argument for why a specific member in the VHL should not just be limited to one VHL job (e.g. Commissioner, Updater, etc.) and one GM job. Think about it like the VHLM, we try to encourage the members who are on the cusp of 200 TPE who are thinking of staying down to make the move up to the VHLE instead of sticking around the VHLM at a high capped level, so that they give the opportunity to other newer players to demonstrate that they can be good assets to the league. The same logic should work with jobs, if you get a higher-up/higher-regarded job than you’re currently on, by electing to also keep doing your old job on top of that, you’re effectively taking away an opportunity from someone else who could potentially prove that they can do a job for the league, so you should give up your lesser paid job once you take up your newer job. By all means, let them keep the relevant permissions so they can help contribute here and there if they so want to, but lets give more members the opportunity to contribute to the VHL so that maybe one day they can show what they can bring to the league and potentially rise to the same level in the future to that of the members they inherited their jobs from.
 
VHLE Draft Change
 
I’ve mentioned this idea in other point tasks I think a couple of times now, but we’re talking about things that will help boost the first-gen experience and I think this is one of them. Let me hit you with the least surprising thing you’ll hear today: Members in sim leagues like drafts. But what lessens the draft experience is when you have potentially three draft experiences with 48 hours, with two of said drafts not mattering for at least the next two and a half months. Instead, why not change up the experience so the user can experience a draft that would be immediately relevant to their interests the season after their other drafts to maintain their interest in the VHL for a longer period of time? My idea is to make it so that instead of entering the VHLE Draft in the same season as your VHL Draft, you enter it in the first off-season that you enter having surpassed the 200 TPE VHLE limit, basically limiting the draft to players that have exceeded 200 TPE over the last season. I talked about the other positives of such a move here, here and here if you want to read or listen to more of my thoughts on that.
 
More Content Focused Towards Newer Members?
 
So this is one thing that I don’t have a concrete idea for but I’ll bring up the concept of my thought here at least since it’s on my mind. One thing that helps keep newer members attention is seeing themselves acknowledged by their peers on the forum and we’ve had certain things in the VHL in the past that has been geared towards highlighting new members. For example, when I was in the recruitment crew I would run a VHLM Newsletter (unfortunately I can’t find any links to my old pieces since I’m guessing it's now in a hidden forum) that was mainly to give a breakdown of the VHLM and what activities were available that week but I would make sure to give a shoutout to the new members that joined that week. I also did the Draft Rankings (which I’ve kinda just filled since no-one else was doing them as I think they serve a good way of demonstrating to newer members that their earning activities are being noticed) and when STZ was in the recruitment crew, they also offered out graphics to new members of the forum, which is a pretty cool interaction especially given how good STZ’s graphics are. I don’t have anything particularly in mind that could fill that role, but maybe having more pieces of content that focus on members that have just joined would help to boost their activity and engagement with the site further. But this is obviously something that someone could also do off their own back with their graphics/media/podcast (in fact I believe Jardy does shout-out new creates on his podcast on occasion) so it doesn’t necessarily have to be a league job/VSN thing, but more just getting out there that if you want to keep people around, best thing you can do as a member is write about them and tell them how good they are.
 
2000+ words

Wanted to create something else on theme week, but people said I only can do about recent first gens. Lame. Here's you a list current Riga first gens. And I do need 500 words so I will talk about inactive ones as well. Thank you very much.
 
 
[S83] C - James Kagelberg
@MatiasMa
 
Actually he joined in with a storm and was pretty active in VHL gen in first 2 or 3 days. However, not much people were paying attention to him and his excitement waned out real quick. I assume he never felt he was fitting there and slowly went from active to clicker to inactivity. What a shame.
 
[S83] RW - Ronaldono Ronaldono
@ThomasSyster
 
Fairly sure he was an auto pick so I havent reached up to him immediately. Yeah I was on sleep mode by that time already. I tried to get him in once but he never responded. He did reach up to 251 TPE which was enough to spend a season in VHLE too. Not bad I guess?
 
 
 
[S80] LW - James Glove Dropper
@Jamomayo
 
Now onto the borderline zone. He's being on/off'ing as of late so I guess he can reach up to 600 TPE at some point. Managed to make the VHL relatively quick and now is playing his 4th season in the majors. Even made the playoffs once with Calgary in his rookie season. Was traded to us this season after spending couple of seasons in LA. All in all, decent player.
 
 
[S81] C - Daniel Clarke
@Danzo
 
There's something about DC and finding 4th rounders who actually can keep this up and evetually making the pros. Was drafted 62nd by the Dragons and managed to crack their roster in S84. Made the playoffs as well. Then was traded to us in the Karprizov trade and since then is a Riga player. Was having a rough +/- last season since not having a good chemistry in the second line. Now he is still in the 2nd unit, but his partner in crime Bentley is doing way more wonders. Already beat his career best in points, the only question is - by how much. Mostly being a clicker, but occasionally doing a press conference.
 
[S81] RW - Gus Bentley
@boatsinking123
 
Speaking about Bentley. Another late round pick, was drafted to another team which name starts with D. Davos though. Spent more seasons in lower tier leagues before making his debut this season. There was a chance to make his first appearance last season in Riga, but I was reluctant in sending picks. Anyways, it still happened this season and perhaps it was a better scenario for him. Right now he is the only VHL rookie with 1 PPG and is now leading 12 points on the second best rookie. Disregard the +/- stat...we're tanking you know. Very good start I have to say. Mostly being a clicker for now.
 
 
[S86] RW - Grizz Tazzo
@xslapxshotsx
 
Speaking about Davos. Alex was really interested to grab him and even offered me couple of lower thirds and fourths, but I was meh on that. So far so great. His time on Mexico is being productive so far [58 points in 44 games] and a good chance he could make a VHLE debut next season. Right now he is mixing between clicking and clicking plus (that's doing PC, trivia, vhl.com and stuff). Pretty good as for a late round pick. Sorry not sorry Alex.
 
[S86] LW - Sadie St-Louis
@sadie
 
The most promising Riga first gen. Also the best first gen of the S86 draft so it wasn't a wonder she went in a lotto zone (4th overall). Right now spending her season in VHLE's Stockholm. She already produced 62 points in 46 games; considering that Sadie was a borderline PPG at the start of the season, the progress is real here. Set to debut in the majors following this season so Mubbles better produce a cup. Right now max earning each week so hedge is happy here.
 
Ok, enough.
 
That's it and I'm out.

There has been a lot of talk generated by @Tate's article over the last 24 hours. I am not here to dispute, refute, or agree(fute - damn my need for alliteration), the article. Rather, I would like to shed some light on why I stay in the VHL, if for no other reason than it's a good topic to give me my sweet TPE.
 
No Commitments- @Ricer13doesn't need to shit himself here, but there's nothing stopping me from walking away at any point. I am a recent new dad and will some weeks find it difficult to get all my point tasks in. This is a league for recreation and so the vast majority of people will always understand that irl comes first. In my prime, I did a lot for the league. I enjoyed the platform and wanted to give back to the community. I was rewarded by being inducted into the HoF as a builder - by far the bigger honour the league has bestowed on me. But now, I feel like I can just sit back and relax and enjoy the league how I want to. 
 
The Community - whether there are toxic or inattentive members here, I won't comment on, but this is a very large community and it's got some fantastic people in it. I choose who I interact with to enhance my enjoyability from the league. I've been with this league for well over a decade so I have had relationships with some members for a very long time. That definitely keeps me coming back.
 
The History - 12 (13 now?) years is a long time to be part of something. I have grown up with the league, as the league has with me. I've watched members graduate high school, college, get married, have kids. Even if it's not on a very personal level, I have a deep connection with the league and its members. I try to make the VHL the place I want it to be and see what I want - encouraging, welcoming, compassionate. I try to pay that forward with all my interactions. 

I understand your point about deserving an interview, and I do agree with that in general principle.  Was your application never acknowledged?