#gabitevents

[tinknevertalks]

Finally uploading my ATX pics onto the cloud. This is my favourite so far. (No idea of image quality...)

[riskinghearts]

Amanda Tapping at AT9 Gabit Events (London)

[wordsoffandomwisdom-blog]

Respect

When I decided to go to AT7 it was to accompany my best friend, I never expected to go to another event. I enjoyed my time so much I found myself at two more conventions through the year. I made some wonderful friends and have great fun. I was blessed with acts of kindness and generosity I will never forget, or be able to repay. 

However, I also found myself in unknown territory, a fandom. A fandom described by its centre as ‘loving and giving’. Not long after AT7 I realised how wrong her statement was. I believe the statement to have been made either before, or in the early days of Sanctuary for Kids. 

This fandom, joined by common loves and interest is fraught with competition, jealousy, and social comparisons made on how much money each individual has raised for S4K. 

The motivations behind some of the fundraising activities are far from the genuine support they seem to be. Too many initiatives are aimed at getting attention from Amanda and not about the raising money for the cause. 

Fundraising should be about the children, the women and families the money is helping, not getting attention and praise from Amanda. 

Attention seeking and raising social status by shouting about your ‘better’ experiences is another issue. Everyone’s experience is unique and personal, it is special to them, remember that. 

It is not about what Amanda wrote, said, did, or how much you raised. It is about the act of raising money, and being part of the group. To quote Magnus, I am beyond sick of this gamesmanship. 

I have never seen such obvious jealousy over tweets. Tweets people, tweets. 160 characters. It’s a tweet. Let’s put things into perspective, you’re fundraising to help children meet their basic needs and get an education, and you’re getting your knickers in a twist because you didn’t get a tweet? I repeat, a tweet. 

It’s worse than being back at school. The name calling, bad mouthing, the cattiness, the bitching behind people’s backs and general negativity. This behaviour is not limited to the younger members of the fandom by any means, grown adults are actively participating in this childish nonsense, and are old enough to know better. 

I was bombarded with the immature behaviour within weeks of joining the fandom. It’s stressful, tiring, immature and unnecessary - has anyone tried keeping up with who likes who, and who hates who this week?

Many people jumped on the respect bandwagon and preached manners, civility and positivity, and were catty and rude alongside it.

No one gets on with everybody, it’s life, but being polite and conscientious or rude and catty is a choice. Manners do not cost anything, live and let live, don’t ruin your own experience by being negative about others. You don’t have to love everyone, or be their best friend, you might dislike them, but manners don’t cost anything. Polite acknowledgement and a simple hello creates a positive environment. 

If there is a problem, have the guts to face it.  We’ve all said negative things about other people, it’s human nature to do so, but maturity is about owning those actions and taking responsibility for the consequences. There is far too much ‘but she said’ in this fandom, and passing the buck so you still look good in front of Gabit and Amanda. If you shit on your own doorstep, clean it up and don’t shove it onto someone else’s. 

At this moment, this fandom is competitive, jealous, petty, rude and disrespectful. It’s a disgrace and a dishonour to Amanda. She is a role model to this fandom yet we (as a collective) are the opposite of everything she stands for. How dare we repay her kindness, empathy, grace, humility and encouragement with this childish nonsense. 

Can we all, each and every one of us, stop with the petty, childishness, the competitiveness, the negativity and focus on why we are part of the fandom. Can we enjoy ourselves and show each other some respect by being polite, civil and accepting. 

Be respectful: 

Be polite

Take responsibility for yourself and your actions

Be courteous to others

Be a positive influence

Think before you speak to 

Be honest with yourself, are you part of the problem? Do YOU need to act?

Be motivated by a desire to do good in the world 

Set aside differences for the few days a year you see everyone 

Enjoy your own experiences and let others enjoy theirs

Don’t be bitter about others experiences, be happy for them

In short, show people the respect that you want to be shown in return.

[agirlcalledsmish]

ATapps…

A few photos taken (by me) at Gabit Events AT7, London, 21st-23rd Feb 2014

[german-mimi1986]

AT6

Yeah finally! I'm looking like a little kid at Christmas!