TRFWTF is shutting down apparently

[Breandan]

Despite having been "arrested" in part*, according to some, due to suspicions that I was a part of the group, I had actually never heard of them till a couple of weeks ago when someone here mentioned their newsletter. But, apparently they are finally shutting the newsletter down. It's sad, in a way, as it was a way for people inside the faire to give voice to problems that were occurring without fear of retribution (and I am walking, talking proof that retribution is swift, brutal, and very, very real) in an effort to help better the faire. Criticism is the best way to learn how to correct mistakes. Wise men and women listen to criticism, judge the validity of it based on merit and fact, bereft of ego and pride, and make changes as necessary accordingly. Vain men and women let their egos and pride get in the way and reflexively attack critics, sometimes professionally, other times in unprofessional and profane manners. TRF as a corporation has for decades possessed a vanity approach to critics, as we have all seen here and on their FB. That is, apparently, starting to change as Terre is being more open than any GM I have seen in the past. He's still reflexively defensive, as we've all seen here, but approach him in the right way and you may get past that protective reflex and be able to talk sense to the man. Because of that, according to their latest post TRF-WTF is shutting down it's newsletter and is turning into a filtering body for complaints and criticisms to be filed anonymously without fear of retribution. Again, I don't think Terre would do so, but he has some seriously loose cannons in his staff who will, and until they are reigned in or booted and replaced with business-savvy and professional individuals, the fear of reprisals will be very, very real throughout TRF. Thus, there will still be a need for a venting filter to get word to him without others being able to use it for attack.
Personally, I'm kinda disappointed. Aside from the fact that I JUST found out they existed and was enjoying the humour as I read through back issues, it also gave a semi-public forum for grievances to be aired anonymously. We can still do so here, and I will continue to speak my mind about things that concern me- not to be a jackwagon, but because I honestly love TRF and want to see it pull out of the nosedive it's been in towards becoming an overpriced renaissance flea market with no soul or artisans- and encourage others to do so as well, civilly and professionally.


_{* and in large or total part because Mr. Brock, TRF's PR guy, hates my guts and blames me for his being permabanned from this forum for his pedantic and outrageous behaviour under an assumed (poorly) identity that took me and a half-dozen others all of five minutes to figure out and report. Said hatred was enough for him to go behind Terre's back and issue a trespass warrant and compile a rather stalker-esque profile of me and my family that was back in the security office. Way to use corporate law enforcement resources for a personal vendetta, Mr. Brock, keep on keepin' it classy!} 

[Terre Albert]

Breandan,

So when are you going to come have a meeting with us? 

[Breandan]

After the first of the year, when I'm not up to my eyeballs with holiday stuff and planning for Space City Con, and when you guys get back from your much-needed break after post-season chaos

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Remember boys, play nice. 

[Breandan]

oh trust me, I love the fact that Terre is willing to actually listen to people. I've been out at TRF in various capacities for 23 years, and he's the first GM to be this approachable... once you get past the protective reflex

[Terre Albert]

I know I have Acid Reflux, but didn't know I had Prective Reflex.   

[Breandan]

It's similar, one just pays better 

[BobSmith]

Having never missed a year since opening, I can say

"nosedive it's been in towards becoming an overpriced renaissance flea market with no soul or artisans"

truer words have never been spoken.