The fourth option

[zhie]

If the current lead team for the MEFAs is truly not doing it after this year, what's stopping someone from picking it up next year? I know, I know, it's all very raw right now, but y'know, if you're going to orphan something and walk away, I think that the whole 'and no one can adopt it' is... well, a little arrogant. That's like saying no one in the future could possibly organize it. I don't think that's true. I get that the lead team is upset right now. And I can understand that. But I also think if you really love something, but are really done with it, then you pass it along to someone else instead of burying it. Just like Ainaechoiriel did.

I don't think it's enough to tell people they should start something like it. Looking at the history of this group, it was Ainaechoiriel who first began them. And I'm going to repost something that she posted just before handing over the reins -- something to think about, for everyone involved to think about, since everyone is moving at a pace that I think is much too fast for Middle-earth: remember, we only have horses!


From post #6725 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEFAwards/message/6725)
January 13, 2006

I know it can hurt sometimes to see something you like change. I pick my battles. See the non-negotiables list. RL has caused me to back off far sooner than I had ever planned. I
knew someday I'd get married and adopt children. I didn't think of that when I started the MEFA's though. I'd been single so long.... And voila, Mr. Time-stealer comes along....

No, really, it's a good thing for me that he's come along. As much as love fandom and fanfiction, sometimes RL comes first. Most times. I'm starting a marriage and a family. That will take priority over the MEFAs. I'll try to make time, at least here and their, and Marta has promised to keep me aprised of important events.

But now I'm rambling. Sometimes the proposed changes hurt. Sometimes they're a bit scary. I know I don't want to poke my nose back in here in 5 years and not recognize the place. But I also have some amount of faith that because this worked in 2004, the LOTR fandom found out that such an awards program based on feedback can work and be pleasant and produce positive feelings, there will be enough people who value it around to keep it from being destroyed.

--Ainaechoiriel
MEFA Admin and Founder

Comments

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

That was the person who bundled slash in with pwp and violence as things not allowed at the MEFAs, wasn't it? Strange lady. First time I competed with a slash story was 2007. She's been asleep a while :)

[spiced-wine.livejournal.com]

That was the person who bundled slash in with pwp and violence as things not allowed at the MEFAs, wasn't it?

Yes. I have no idea who she was, but I know I started nominating and voting in 08, and wrote reviews for Oshun and Ignoble Bard amongst others. Both slash.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Oshun nominated Doubt in 2007, and she was on the ratings panel at the time so you'd assume she knew the rules *g*. I've had firsts in 2009 and 2011 for slash fiction too. Ver-ry strange. I think that was a case of believing what she wanted to believe. I tried not to be offended because her entire attitude was ridiculous, but I don't have much patience with Stupid.

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

It was Ainaechoiriel, the founder of the Mefas.

[spiced-wine.livejournal.com]

I think that was a case of believing what she wanted to believe. I tried not to be offended because her entire attitude was ridiculous, but I don't have much patience with Stupid.

I can't do Stupid, either. It's like trying to explain the sun to some-one who has lived always in a windowless room.