User talk:Essjay

File:Grace Light & Peace.jpg

From the One Who was, Who Is, and Who Is to Come:

Grace, Light, and Peace be with you all.

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Please feel free to leave me a message. I will not be responding to messages, as I am no longer active, but other users may continue to watch this page and answer questions.

It's important to remember: I'm not a Catholic, I'm a scholar of Catholicism.

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With all my heart, I love you, my friends. It pains me to leave you, but sometimes that is what we must do. You will go on, your pain will subside, and greatness will come to you. I shall rest in the peace of knowing that I have such great friends as you. -- Essjay · Talk 20:27, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

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I was an Administrator; if you need help, please see the list of administrators.

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User:Essjay/Header

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX November 16, 2024, 09:30 (UTC) · Directory · · One · Two · Three · Four · Five · I frequently archive my talk page to keep it short.Enter the Archives

The Next Admin Gen

I just though I'd drop a little suggestion; perhaps it would be in order if you made a motion to elect the next Admin Gen by consensus—recommending someone for the post and requesting that Esperanza support. I am concerned that a run off for the top spot might lead to more hurt feelings, especially since the capacity to serve in an office is much more limited than what was intended when elections introduced into the charter. Seeing if the community will rally behind their Admin Gen's pick would be relatively harmless in comparison to what could unfold if they reject the move—the worst that could happen is that they would reject the move and proceed with multiple candidates who would square off against each other, each seeing who did and didn't support them; which of course would have happened anyway. I know I have a reputation for being rather secretive and authoritarian, which is why I surmise that I'm somewhat of a persona non grata throughout most of Esperanza, and I hope this suggestion doesn't further that reputation. However, I do feel that this is a sound suggestion, given that it is based on precedent, does not conflict with the charter, and such actions have been well received in the past—providing for smooth and stable transitions. I hope you will give serious consideration to my proposal. Thanks. -JCarriker 05:57, 28 November 2005 (UTC)

It is a good suggestion, and you're argument for it is certainly sound. However, I don't feel comfortable doing it for a number of reasons:

1. There are a lot of qualified candidates, and several of them are friends of mine, and it spells nothing but trouble for me to try to pick one of them. Even if I managed to decide who to suggest, there is no way it could be seen as impartial.
2. Consensus is always good, but I've noticed a disturbing trend: Whenever I open my mouth, whatever comes out of it is supported because others have come to believe I know what I'm talking about. I'm concerned that whatever candidate I picked would be supported because I picked them, and not because the association feels they are particularly qualified.
3. Anyone who opposed the pick would be subject to negative reaction. I used approval voting the last time so that there was no possiblity of having hurt feelings over "Oppose" comments, and I stand by that method strongly.

As such, I can't in good conscience go with an acclamation process; I'd much rather see a candidate statement from each interested party, and let the association pick their leader freely. I think it's just best that way. -- Essjay · Talk 18:44, 28 November 2005 (UTC)

Supertroll back

FYI, Supertroll is back I think [1]. --a.n.o.n.y.m ^t 21:04, 28 November 2005 (UTC)

I wish you all the best of luck in fighting him/her and the rest of the whackjobs who are obsessed with causing problems here. -- Essjay · Talk 16:42, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

sorry...

sorry for voting delete on Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Wikipedia:Catholic Church of Wikipedia its just a really strongly feal it is really unecyclopediacal and there is no need for it. Dont leave wikipedia just because of any thing relating to it --Adam1213 Talk + 08:07, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

You aren't sorry in the least, you're a vindictive child and you opposed it simply because you're pissed that I wouldn't let you run ramshod over the CVU channel. I rest comfortably in knowing that if you don't grow up, you won't be around here long before someone hits indef block. -- Essjay · Talk 16:41, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

That has nothing to do with it. Many people agreed with deleting it however it was kept in the end so there is no reason for you to leave wikipedia at all, so stop thinking of leaving. Why would you think that is why I voted delete???? I felt that it show be deleted because it was unecyclopedical and so that you did not feal bad that there was another delete vote on it I appoligised becasue I noticed your comment on you leaving if it was not kept. I am still asking you to stay, if I was intending to just have it deleted to annoy you why would I appologise? --Adam1213 Talk + 04:12, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

Please...

Don't go. It looks like the Church will be kept, as it should be. It'd be terrible to lose such a wonderful Wikipedian just because some people don't have a sense of humour. the wub "?!" 17:16, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Sorry, I just can't do it anymore. -- Essjay · Talk 17:28, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Please consider logging on to either IRC or MSN so I can cheer you up... --Celestianpower ^hablamé 17:33, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

No thanks, I just need to go. Thanks for everything, I love you all. -- Essjay · Talk 17:36, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Reading your user page, now written in the past tense, brings me close to tears; I cannot image how you feel or exactly how much detritus you've had to put up with. You shall always remain in my highest estimation, whether you remain on the wiki or not. I hope, at least, that these few words are of some small comfort to you. If you are around and able myself and Celestianpower are in IRC #wikipedia-en-vandalism and would appreciate you joining us there. Alf ^melmac 17:41, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

I can't now, I have a meeting to go to, but what I will promise is that I will sign on later tonight. I need to anyway, as I have to transfer the channels to others. -- Essjay · Talk 17:45, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

I really am sorry

I know you are stressed and may never come back, and I would hate to see it happen. Please just take some time off and join back up later. No one was criticising "your" work. This is a wiki, and once the CCW moved out of your user space, it was open for anyone to edit. I hope you reconsider in the near future. I'm not sure there is anything we can say to change your mind. Godspeed Essjay. --LV ^{(Dark Mark)} 17:51, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

For what it's worth, your stay here was an unalloyed net gain for Wikipedia. I really can't think of anything nicer to say. --Maru (talk) Contribs 18:41, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

What are you doing?

I know I come across somewhat hardcore at times but, there is no way I'd let some troglodites chase me out of Wikipedia!...we could have protected your page and we could also have done some harder banning. You can do whatever you want...just make sure it is what you want to do and not what a few little twerps would like. We have the alerts...if you were under attack, surely the troops would have come to your aide to help you deal with the trolls. Let me know if there is anything I can do.--MONGO 17:59, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Please, don't leave

In any sufficiently large group of people (and Wikipedia is huge) there are going to be people with whom you disagree. Count on it. I myself thought that if I kept a level head and treated people kindly that I would be immune to that reality. I was utterly wrong. The sad fact is there are people here who are hate filled, who will seek out to put down people they despise, and will stop at nothing to do it. The best course of action is to ignore these people. Their own hatred is their undoing. You know this. I know you know this. Take it to heart, and live by it. I just did a tally on the AfD on WP:CCW. It's 31 keep, 21 delete (original AFDer was an anon), with two days left. It's going to be kept. The opposers would need at least another 30 oppose votes in two days. That just isn't going to happen. Whether it's offensive (as many of the delete voters are stating) or not isn't a valid point. Wikipedia can not bear the cross of not being offensive to anyone. This is impossible all the moreso in a world-wide community. Furthermore, a Wikipedia space article is not part of the encyclopedia. Thus, arguments that such content should not be in an encyclopedia are falsely based as well. There are bad neighborhoods in Wikipedia. You've been victimized by them. Don't let yourself be. You are who you are regardless of what happens on Wikipedia. Don't let the negative elements of Wikipedia get you down. There's too much good here to ignore. --Durin 18:30, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Please don't leave!

I once heard somebody say that every time a good editor leaves the project, the idiot quotient goes up. Please don't leave for good, Essjay. You are a valued contributor. Take a Wikibreak, by all means, but when you're refreshed and ready, please come back. We'll miss you. Hermione1980 18:36, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Re: All

Thanks, I really do appreciate all your kind words, and you all know how much you mean to me. It just isn't in me to keep going with the project, and I can't stay around when the negativity outweighs the positivity and I can do nothing about it. I've tried to be a light in the darkness, but my candle's blown out. Please guys, don't waste your time on me, just let me go in peace. Let it be remembered that I tried and let that inspire others to keep trying. -- Essjay · Talk 19:40, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for inspiring me

Dear Essjay; thanks for the inspiration. I used to look up your edits and so on and felt reassured that such an ethical person was here. Lots of love. Autumnleaf 19:44, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Do what you need to do for you.

Essjay, you need to do what is right for you. If you want to go, then go with your God and all our best wishes.

If you choose to take a Wikibreak and come back later, dozens upon dozens of Wikipedians will celebrate. You are genuinely admired and respected by the majority. You will be missed whilst you are away and your absence will be felt.

Do what you need to do for you, not for us. But we'll all look forward to you changing your mind if you do. ➨ ❝REDVERS❞ 19:46, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

You should reconsider

I believe you should reconsider, perhaps take a wikibreak, but if you are intent on going on won't ask you do do something you do not want to do. -JCarriker 19:52, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

• Won't you at least consider working on your wikibio so a record can be made of what you accomplished and why you left? -JCarriker 19:54, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Put "He did a few things, made a few friends, and left when he couldn't take crying over what was happening to the people he cared so much about." I think that about sums it up. -- Essjay · Talk 19:57, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

• With respect, you underestimate yourself. As an experinced editor the biggest mistakes I've made at wikipedia were when I was tired and frustrated—you don't have to stay at wikipedia, but please at least sleep on this. -JCarriker 20:03, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Well, please reconsider.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy..

--Nlu 19:59, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Ok, read the sentence you wrote above. "He couldn't take crying over what was happening to the people he cared so much about." That doesn't just describe you, it describes all of us when we see a great user like you leaving. At least, I know that it describes me. Please reconsider. Titoxd^(?!?) 01:31, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Regards

I have "confessed" on the talk page to have been the nominator of the CCW page, and I stand by the nomination. You may wish to see my comments there. That said, please don't leave. Not everyone shares your sense of humor, but NO ONE (among real WPians) doubts your merit, and your tremendous contributions here. I will beat any vandals who harrass you with my bare hands, if I must. The CCW may live on elsewhere, and I'll even pledge myself to your service, if it helps. I'm very deeply sorry you've been hurt. Remember that the RCC is like a mother to many people, and it is always wise to use tact in joking about somebody's mother. Best wishes and great sadness, Xoloz 20:22, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Your Wikiness,

If this helps... I have a page in my userpage which is a preserved copy of the "FucktheSouth" article. I swear to you that my dislike of the South is passionate, probably as powerful as your own feelings regarding the CCW and the Roman Church. My own feelings on that matter remain intense, and always will, as a reflection of the pain I and my family have endured and do endure. Nevertheless, in deference and recognition of the sacrafice I have asked you to make of your namespace church article, I will now mark my userspace article for deletion. Sometimes, even deepest feelings must be kept quiet, if they are not relevant to the core goal at hand, which is encyclopedia building. Again, I am sorry and truly sad, Xoloz 20:41, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Best wishes

I don't think I've ever talked to you, but I've admired your work. :-) Whatever you do is best for you. Hopefully this will just turn out to be a Wikibreak, but if not, best of luck IRL. --Deathphoenix 20:24, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Essjay, it saddens me greatly to see you go. You were a great mentor and role model to new users such as myself, and you will be sorely missed. I can understand your desire to leave, despite how much I want you to stay. Best of luck wherever your tallents and skills are actually appreciated, Mysekurity 22:49, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

P.S. I know you like to stay annonymous, but if you're in Boston this summer, would you come by Wikimania 2006? It'd be great to meet you, or if not, just come and see those whom you have been working with for the past 6 months or so. Again, goodbye, Mysekurity 22:49, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Essjay, I always appreciated your work. Go in peace, friend. -- DS1953 23:19, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

• You will be missed.  :( Voyager640 01:15, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

I'm very sorry to see you go. :( Do what you feel you have to do, and best wishes! --Jen Moakler 03:14, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

WTF?

Have you lost your mind? Leaving? Seriously? Let me get this straight. Somebody or some group attacked you and said hateful things about and/or to you. So? Surely you already knew there were assholes in the universe. You have many friends here (and some you don't even list - ahem). By leaving you're saying there's nothing we can say or do to counteract the other things. Is there something else going on in your life making you depressed? Please, please, see a doctor if there is (modern pharmaceuticals can be truly amazing, and then there are the legal ones) . Regardless of what else is going on in your real life, here in wikipedia-land you have plenty of friends who will support you. You can count on it. -- Rick Block (talk) 01:16, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Bye

I understand you're leaving, I won't try to stop you, or even ask you to reconsider. Do whatever you want, whatever makes you happy. Have fun with that you're doing, and don't listen to all these buggers that are pestering you to come back if you don't want to. It's too bad to see you go, but its not like everyone'll be on this project forever anyway. So bye, mate. Quentin Pierce 01:20, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

See, people don't have any respect for you. You say you want to leave, and be left alone, and yet no one will. At least I have enough respect to let you go when you want to. I think of you highly as an editor and an admin. But its your wish to go, no one should even try to change your mind. Only you can do that, so please go, and if you ever want to come back, then do so. But once again, have fun being one. It'll be good for you. Bye again. Quentin Pierce 01:59, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Is there fatal flaw in the system?

Honestly, I don't know what to say anymore. So many people are leaving that I'm at a loss as to what can be done to stop the bleeding. It makes me wonder if I've wasted the last five weeks trying to make Wikipedia a better place. --TantalumTelluride 01:23, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

I don't think there is. I think that the constant stress of fighting off vandals and people with different mindsets (haven't you ever seen it remarked that most of the initial and second-generation Wikipedians were very geeky?) wear users down, until finally there is a straw that breaks their back, so to speak, whereupon they leave. Essjay simply reached the limits of his endurance. --Maru (talk) Contribs 01:27, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Ok, listen!

Well, I admit these last few weeks have been quite stressful for you. However, in direct contradiction of Private Butcher's suggestion above, listen to all these buggers that are pestering you. It isn't fair to make a ranking, but if I made a list of the users I respect the most in Wikipedia, you would definitely be on the top tier of said list. And I can guarantee you, I am not the only one who thinks that. Please, listen to all these users who are trying to make you see just how much you are appreciated. Wikipedia would not be the same place without you, don't go!!!! Do we need to have another sit-in to remind that you? Titoxd^(?!?) 01:29, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Indeed, Wikipedia will be a different place without him. We'll miss you, Essjay. -- Rune Welsh | ταλκ | Esperanza 01:45, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

CCW kept

The debate is over and consensus is to keep the church. I have joined the church to express my support, and I'm praying to Jimbo to curse the delete voters to eternal damnation! (No offense, by the way.) --TantalumTelluride 02:14, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Honorable martyrdom

I would go, too, after all the abuse I've suffered - and not a single soul recognizing my 4-year anniversary. But I promised mav that Wikipedia would always be part of my life.

The world needs a place to assemble its knowledge, and until something better than Wikipedia comes along this is it. Please take a good long break, and rest assured that your example lives on. :-) Uncle Ed 04:45, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

While I have not had any interactions with Essjay, and did not participate in the present snafu, so that I am not aware of its nature, I must say that I agree wholly with Uncle Ed's sentiments. I myself left Wikipedia in frustration (and I may yet again) but at this time, there is no real alternative. WikiSceptic 19:30, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

An example to follow

Essjay, I don't know whether you will read this, but you are truely inspirational. When I saw what you've done, I said to myself: 'hey, I can do that.' Best wishes. --Doc ^ask? 09:56, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

This is news for me

On the surface, like a sudden sign, my friend. I feel very fortunate to have met you, thanks to Wikipedia, where you have done an exceptional and truly outstanding amount of good. Will email you soon with more thoughts. Yours always, El_C 10:18, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

It's broken

Essjay, I knew you were doing a lot of things right merely from the number of times, and the viciousness with which, your user page was vandalized. Indeed, I was surprised that you didn't leave a lot earlier. I didn't often see your edits, as your interests were very different from mine and as your pursuit of vandals didn't often coincide with mine; still, what I saw I liked a lot. And I was particularly charmed by your awarding of indulgences and other witty gestures. WP without your comments will provide a lot fewer laughs for me.

I'm with Uncle Ed: The world needs a place to assemble its knowledge, and until something better than Wikipedia comes along this is it. A pity that WP's insistence on openness makes good editors like you waste their time on, and sometimes be defeated by, trolls, vandals, hucksters, and blowhards. All the best. Hoary 10:29, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Good shepherd

I'll protect of your precious fold in your absence (and promise not to eat Acetic'^Acid. -- ( drini's _vandalproof page ☎ ) 16:19, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Saddened

I am sorry to see you go, too, but I think I understand how you feel. I'm beginning to wonder if Wikipedia is an exercise in futility. Pollinator 19:37, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

You have done good work...

You have done good work here on Wikipedia; be proud. Should you come this way in the future, you will be welcome. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 16:33, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Hello and good luck

I have never had any personal contact with you but know of you and have been impressed by your work. Came here hoping to get some advice on making a template but that is of no import. Didn't know you had left, but good luck in whatever you do.--Dakota ^{t e} 17:33, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Peace

"Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." - Richard Bach

-- KHM03 20:11, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Good-bye, Essjay. And thank you. -Mysekurity 21:17, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Good bye, good luck, and remember what Abraham Lincoln said: "Party on dudes!" :)--Sean|Black 21:59, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Godspeed

Please know that our thoughts are with you and you will be missed; you played an integral role towards helping Wikipedia "not suck". Should you ever decide to reconsider, you will be welcomed back with open arms. Until we meet again... Hall Monitor 22:29, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

What happened

Well Essjay was a great user!!!! Why did he leave?

Prodego^talk 03:24, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

( :( :( :( This is one of wikipedia saddest days. Please come back Essjay Everyone will miss you Hope you have a good wikivacation and come back one day. :( --Jaranda(^{watz sup}) 03:30, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

So long

We'll miss you. Thank you so very much for all your contributions to Wikipedia. I pray that God will bless you on your future endeavors. I mean this, Essjay. You've done so much: now do what you think is best. Regards, Bratsche^{talk | Esperanza} 04:01, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

Essjay...

...should you ever hear about Wikipedia in real life - I hope you'll still smile - and know that there are and always will be Wikipedians who care about you here. --HappyCamper 04:17, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

one more goodbye

sorry to see you go man, your work was superb and you will be greatly missed.  ALKIVAR™ 05:37, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

Ditto, (sorry to hijack this post) you will be missed greatly Essjay. Thank you for being a great Admin Gen of Esperanza and for just being an all round great editor. So long and thanks for all the fish. Banes 07:15, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

Goodbye.

Dmcdevit just told me you'd left. I, uh, I missed that. I'm fairly certain I'd made it clear how much I respected your opinion and your contributions while you were here, though, so I think you know why I'm saddened by this. The Literate Engineer 11:27, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Was"!? Are you gone!? If I offended you or had anything to do with this, I'm sorry.--Anti-Anonymex2^{Come to my page! I've gone caliente loco!} 23:52, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

An Award

I would like to award you with the "Great and Peaceful User Award" and the "Great Admin Award". I would also like to give you the "Peaceful Goodbye Award".--Anti-Anonymex2^{Come to my page! I've gone caliente loco!} 00:02, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

{{{info}}}

Good and Peaceful User

Oi! Whatcha doin?

Whats this? You cant leave. You shouldnt leave.. hmmm.. Maye these will lure you:

• 
• 
• File:Orxata.gif
• 

I do not know what happened. PLEASE reconsider.

Please please please, do not let the annoying people get to you. I am unaware of your conflict with people, whatever it is I am willing to help with my best abilites. I cannot offer much but I can offer and am offering everything I got. --Cool Cat^Talk|@ 20:12, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

A recomendation: go watch Oh My Goddess! --Cool Cat^Talk|@ 20:31, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

You Don't Want to Leave (Jedi Mind Trick)

I never talked to you. But I heard about you and saw you while I was an anon IP. (I made this account only a little while ago) but I don't think you should go. There's nothing wrong here, and everyone wants you here. Since you're going I'll hope that all will be well with you. In The Flesh?

Oh no

No, no, no...please don't leave. I voted abstain in the end, I hope you aren't angry with me. I have nothing but respect for you, and we love you here, man! εγκυκλοπαίδεια* (talk) 02:31, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

Oh no (2)

What is this? Are you really gone? Why? If you were having trouble you should have contacted me and I would have helped out in any way. Please don't leave for long, Essjay. You have been one of the finest contributors I have come across and I would desparately hate to see you leave. Wikipedia needs people like you here. I know there can be flak, and some individuals who drive us up the wall, but credible people, good editors, and honest contributors are needed.

I pray you are not gone for good. If you are, then I wish you all the best. Wikipedia will be a lot poorer without you, my friend. I am really really upset at the thought that you have left.

With thanks for your contributions
and respect for you as a person
FearÉIREANN\^(caint) 02:49, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

Sad news

Hi Essjay, Greatly saddened by your news. Have you thought about transferring to Wikisource? Most of my time is spent there now, as I think I can be of more use. With your skills and background, you could make a very positive contribution without the hassle. Hope to hear from you. Kind regards. Apwoolrich 12:47, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

Your Departure

Well, I just learned that your leaving Wikipedia. I would just like to say thank you for the kindness you gave to me over my Wikipedia career. I hope, one day, you will return. Hope to talk to you again! Cheers! :-) SWD316 00:24, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

Immeasurable sadness

I can only hope and pray that you stumble on this page to see the outpouring of love we have for you here. My e-mail is always open. It would be an honor to stay in touch with you. Thanks for the love and support. - Lucky 6.9 06:50, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

Alas, alas, alackaday

You were my welcomer. I'll remember that. The day that you left was a black day indeed. EvilStorm 15:07, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

Jesus

Check out the Jesus article and edit it to keep it focused on Jesus and a biographical account of Him. Watch the Jesus page to keep it focused on Him. Thank you. Scifiintel 21:51, 6 December 2005 (UTC)

Bye

Bye. The user formarly known as Howabout1 who left and became an IP with a long singature.

Another Goodbye

I'm really sad to see that you are leaving. You welcomed me to Wikipedia and gave me advice on my first articles. I really appreciate what you have done. It's too bad that some people have to wreck it for others, but I guess that's in the past now. Peace. --Think Fast 00:38, 8 December 2005 (UTC)

:-(

I will miss you, Essjay. Please, contact me once in a while through e-mail. I understand that sometimes we must move on, so I will not get in your way in regards to leaving. Good luck in your endeavors.

Best wishes and kind regards, Alex Schenck (LB) 01:54, 8 December 2005 (UTC)

oh dear

I've only noticed this now. What a shame. You'll be missed. I wish you all the best for the future. Palmiro | Talk 17:44, 9 December 2005 (UTC)

Come back, we miss you!

Radiant_>|< 22:29, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
You were one of the first users to make me feel welcome here! This place just isnt'a as great without you here to help me. - Pureblade | ^☼ 23:57, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

No return

For those who will see the block log and wonder if I'm back, no I'm not, I was reading an article after I read a story on Yahoo! News and I noticed a 3RR that hadn't been acted on. Edit warring on an article that is getting high hits because of the news is something administrators should know better than to do. I am not back, and I will not be coming back. -- Essjay · Talk 21:47, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

Oh, he's back... but now he's probably gone again. We all want you back Essjay... just thought I'd tell you... again. Hope your break is treating you well. Cheers. --LV ^{(Dark Mark)} 21:54, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

Oh, Essjay quit it! You know we want you back you think it is painfull to watch good editors getting harrased, stalked, annoyed. We all agree. It is 10 times more painfull for us to NOT have you around. Please end this nonsense and return to wiki. You will come back becase we the wikipedians who are here to create a free encyclopedia request it.

Simply put come back because I said so. --Cool Cat^Talk|@ 03:47, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Sorry, no, when this 3RR mess with R.fiend is over, I'm back to the shadows. Then again, it could be worse, I could have gone rogue... -- Essjay · Talk 03:49, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

I encourage you, nay, I demand that you go rougue! I mean, hi! :) El_C 03:53, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

We miss you. Raul654 03:54, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Well, at least it is nice to know you're watching us from a distance. As El C, said, hi! Titoxd^{(?!? - did you read this?)} 03:54, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

I know you guys miss me, but I just can't. My goodness, I did an admin action this afternoon, and it's already been attacked! Not exactly a strong showing of "we appreciate what you do," now is it? I'm going back to the shadows, but know that I am still reading and checking what's here, I just try to avoid clicking any of the buttons, that seems to be what gets me in trouble. My love to you all, Essjay · Talk 04:35, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Well, we miss you -- whatever others think. Come back, please. --Nlu (talk) 04:44, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Ay, me too. I will be forever glad one of your final edits was a support on my RFA. It shows you actually cared. Saying that I would "replace" you even meant a lot, even if you didn't mean it. I hope you reconsider, one day. Until we meet again -- SWD316 05:52, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Yes, my sentiments exactly. I would never have critised that action so heavily as it's better that you return and some random editor/vandal/sock leaves than for you, Essjay, to leave. We'll keep up the vigil here, Essjay. My WikiLove to you. --Celestianpower ^háblame 09:18, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

R. fiend's 3RR block

Greetings:

With respect to the note you left on R. fiend's talk page regarding your 3RR block of his account, I feel it worth pointing out that 3RR only applies if four actual reversions are committed. The item you list as "Strike one" is manifestly not a revert. User:R. fiend has only edited John Seigenthaler Sr. Wikipedia biography controversy a total of five times. The edit you list as "Strike one" was R. fiend's 2nd edit, total, of the page, and was simply a minor formatting change from the previous edit. (And the previous edit happened to be his 1st edit of the page, where he simply added Brian Chase's age.)

The edit you list as "Strike two" was the first actual reversion, in which a diff of two consecutive edits from R. fiend show no differences between them. The edit you list as "Strike three" was the second actual reversion, and the edit you list as "You're out" was the third actual reversion.

WP:3RR makes it fairly plain that there must be more than three reverts in a 24 hour period for a 3RR violation to have taken place. And they must be actual reversions, not mere edits. R. fiend did indeed perform three actual reversions within a 24 hour period, but he very clearly did not perform more than three reversions.

Of course, ideally, a dialogue at the talk page should be opened before the first reversion, and matters should be discussed there without resorting to petty back-and-forth editing in a game of "who can blink first". R. fiend, as an admin, is certainly aware of this, and I'm sure he simply allowed himself to be caught up in the moment, as happens to us all from time to time. I have no doubt that he has been suitably chastened, and given that no actual 3RR violation has occurred, I am taking the liberty of unblocking him (assuming he's still blocked at this point, which I haven't checked).

All the best.
→ Ξxtreme Unction {^yakł_blah} 13:05, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Help

I think your help will be much apreciated in Ken Kutaragi dispute. I just saw the icons in your user page and think you is the right person for mediation. --201.29.60.23 15:22, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Perhaps so, but if you look more closely, you'll see that, regretfuly, Essjay is inactive, indefinitely. El_C 15:26, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Explaining my unblocking of R. fiend

Dear Essjay,

I saw a note left on your page yesteday, in which you said that you were still not going to come back, but that you had blocked someone for 3RR. I looked at the block log, and saw that you had blocked R. fiend for "3RR @ John Seigenthaler Sr. Wikipedia biography controversy" I know nothing of this user, and had no reason to doubt the appropriateness of the block, but, just to see what the edit war was about, I had a look at the history. I could only find 3 reverts, not 4. Since you had written, I am not back, and I will not be coming back, I saw little point in asking you for clarification, and I saw also that you had not notified R. fiend of the block, so I went to WP:AN/3RR, thinking that it might have been reported there, and that I would see the diffs. There was nothing there about it, so I posted a message, asking for advice from more experienced administrators. I was advised that it would be appropriate to unblock, and that since you had left, it was not necessary to try to discuss it with you first. I went ahead and unblocked, and it turned out that another administrator did so almost simultaneously.

After discovering that he had been unblocked, and after restoring (and even increasing) the block, you wrote on his talk page:

For those who can't count:

• R.fiend sets page to his preferred version. Strike one.

• Returns page to his preferred version. Strike two.

• Returns page to his preferred version, again. Strike three.

• Returns page to his preferred version, again, again. You're out.

My interpretation is different. I read it as follows:

• R.fiend sets page to his preferred version. Edit, not revert.

• Returns page to his preferred version. Strike one.

• Returns page to his preferred version, again. Strike two.

• Returns page to his preferred version, again, again. Strike three. He's still in.

I saw your indignant message to me when I got up this morning. I also saw that you had increased the block. I was rushing in to work, so had no time to reply, but I was still convinced that you had miscalculated. I left another message on WP:AN/3RR. When I unexpectedly had a few minutes free, I logged on from the staffroom computer, and, since nobody had responded, I unblocked him myself. I hastily wrote another message to WP:AN/3RR, but there was no time to write one to you or to R. fiend.

You also wrote on R. fiend's talk page:

As an administrator, you should know better. Further, using administrator powers like rollback in an edit war is inexcusable.

While I know that it's certainly considered politer to reserve rollback to cases of outright vandalism (which is what I try to do), I don't think that this is policy to the same extent as the 3RR rule. Certainly, I've never heard of a case of someone being blocked without warning for inappropriate use of the rollback button. (I accidentally used it myself recently, when my finger slipped.) The link you provided (on the word "inexcusable") was to the ArbCom's comments on Stevertigo's RfAr. The comments were in context of an admin editing a protected page to conform to his own version, unblocking himself, and blocking the admin who had blocked him. To extend a block by 12 hours for using rollback was, to say the least, controversial.

I assure you I meant no disrespect to you in unblocking. If you had not announced that you would not be coming back, I would certainly have left a message for you last night. I am disturbed by this and even more by this which seem (though perhaps I am mistaken) to be directed at me. I did not attack you, and I certainly did not want you gone in the first place (though I did want your parody of my Church gone). I was very touched by the kindness that you showed towards a recovering drug addict. I would be very happy to welcome you back to Wikipedia. But I'm sure you'll agree that it's unreasonable to expect an administrator to leave in place a block that was based on a miscalculation of the number of reverts, on the grounds that unblocking might upset the person who had carried out the block in the first place.

I would have liked to thank you for your vote on my RfA, but after you left, I felt it would be more tactful not to. I explained why, when I was thanking Redwolf24 for his vote.[2] It's unfortunate (and embarrassing for me) that this (i.e. the vote on the Catholic Church of Wikipedia and your mistaken calculation of R. fiend's number of reverts) all happened just after I became an administrator. But even if my RfA were running at the moment, I would still vote to delete that page, and I would still try to get an incorrectly-blocked editor unblocked. I do appreciate the good work that you did here, but that does not oblige me to go against my own conscience.

You may not look in again until long after this unfortunate blocking war has died down, but if you do, perhaps the best place to discuss it would be at WP:AN/3RR. Regards, AnnH ^(talk) 19:38, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Unblocking R. Fiend

Hi Essjay. I'm afraid to say that there really were only three reverts. There were four identical edits, but the first wasn't a revert. I checked very carefully, as I thought you were extremely unlikely to make a mistake. However, we are all human (don't I know it...). Ann (Musical Linguist (talk • contribs)) brought this up on WP:AN3, and I completely agreed with her. I also completely agree with you that the reverting should not have been going on. However, this is not grounds for a block. Please don't take it as a personal affront. And don't take it as a criticism of your ideals, which I share entirely. I was simply applying policy as it is written, and as I understood the situation. Once again, I am sorry you felt it necessary to leave that comment on my talk page, and I hope you can see why I removed the block. Yours in friendship, [[Sam Korn]] 12:06, 18 December 2005 (UTC)