Hi guys! So I just wanted to say a few things about raiding...

Being a raid leader is extremely difficult. Not only do you have to plan times that work for 25 different ppl, but you have to learn every pull of every raid, know what classes and specs are required, and know how to combine those classes to the best effect. You also have to know what buffs every class should get and receive. You have to figure out how to explain everything clearly in way that is understandable to members of all different ages and backgrounds. We have members from every corner of the globe, and for many English is their second or even third language. A raid leader has to be patient enough to run Kara 4,000 times, teaching one new person on every single run. Then on top of that you have to deal with ppl who want to play an alt, or only want to play a certain spec; some who want a certain piece of gear, others who only want to play between certain times. You have to deal with everyone's moods... good or bad. You hear about their RL problems and you lend a sympathetic ear. You deal with raiders getting wife aggro, child aggro, dog/cat aggro. You have to stop raids b/c one of your tanks farted on the OT and made him gag; you have to stop raids b/c babies wake up hungry, or ppl get sick. And always there are 24 other ppl waiting for you to keep it going.
You have to plan progression in way that keeps experienced players challenged and yet still makes new players feel included. You have to ask a lot of favors. And you have to pay every single one of them back.
The worst part of being a raid leader is having to tell ppl when they're messing up. I've had to tell ppl that their dps is too low, that their healing is too low, that their attitude is bad, that their language is rude, that their jokes are inappropriate, that their buffs are wrong, that they don't understand their class, that their gear is not good enough. Every week I have to sit ppl out of raids. Most of the time, the person understands that I mean well, that I'm trying to help everyone in the guild have fun. But sometimes I catch someone on a bad day and I have to listen to them tell me that I don't understand WoW, that I'm a bad raid leader, that I'm a mean person. I always try to keep a positive attitude and to let it roll of my back. I try to explain that if I put a low dps in ZA, then Zul'Jin never dies. If I put a healer who's not up to snuff into TK then I have 25 ppl with 40g repair bills grumbling at me.
This is all to be expected, but in the last couple of days things have gone a little too far for me. Several incidents have occurred where I’ve been cussed at, called names and generally insulted. I'm always glad to listen, to try to help. It's fine to disagree with me, but I have to draw the line when disagreements become insults and name-calling. I pay money to play WoW and I spend a lot of time making sure that all my guildies have fun. I don't pay to get screamed at, insulted, yelled at, or in any way attacked. I always try to be mature in my dealings with everyone and I expect the same courtesy in return. Unfortunately, sometimes ppl think it's ok to say whatever they want to someone, instead of disagreeing in a calm and mature way. So.... I'm taking a break. I’ll miss you all tremendously, but I need a self-preservation break.
We've worked hard to build TBOS and all of the officers appreciate the contributions of every single member. We consider you all friends and I hope that my being gone won't affect the guild at all. Our raids will continue so keep raiding! Keep running instances and keep having fun! Thank you to everyone who's made my time in TBOS so very enjoyable. Please keep up the great work and remember, your raid leader is a real person with a lot responsibilities to juggle, so please be nice to them, even when it's hard to. I <3 TBOS.

Orpha