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Archive through August 06, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Sep. ~ Nov.: Not sure where to start.....: Archive through August 06, 2005 users admin

Author Message
Admin
Board Administrator

07-07-2000

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Admin a private message Print Post    
This is Neil here, better known as admin...not sure where to start...

As you know, in July of 2000 the Big Brother Fan Club started and later that year, after the Big Brother TV show ended, the TV Clubhouse was born as a way to extend the fun and success we were all enjoying. I had a vision of a community website with discussions, chat and always free with no requirement for membership except that of respect of tolerance for each other. I was unemployed at the time and it was a great way for me to learn and grow and try to find some direction.

For the last 5 years the TVCH has grown and developed. Early on other people came on board to help because it became a big task managing you crazy bunch! (insert smilie here!). Seriously; moving messages around, helping members, organizing areas and making sure everyone is respecting each other is a big job. The term moderators was born and we haven't looked back. I've met a lot of interesting and wonderful people and have grown a lot in the process. My computer and programming skills have grown with the site as well.

Somewhere along the line Lisa and I had 2 children, Nathan and Starr, and life got real busy. In January of 2004 we saw the biggest upgrade yet as we moved to a new version of our discussion board software. It took months of preparation and planning to make that move, and I'm not sure about others, but it drained me. I've had a hard time participating and becoming excited about the TVCH since. I still love the TVCH, but I haven't been able to dedicate large amounts of time to it in the last year and a half.

Now, with two small kids, a large house, a continuing sketchy career life, aging parents and other responsibilities, the TVCH has become secondary on my list of priorities. The moderators continue to manage the site in my absence and the membership grows and changes. I've become a little alienated and whenever I'm needed on the TVCH, I can't find the time or willingness to step up and do what I have to do. I tend to neglect things and they either don't get done or the moderators do it.

It was obvious to me that you the membership deserved better. The moderators love the site too and wanted better. I had thoughts about shutting the place down because I couldn't deal with it, but the moderators wanted it to continue and wanted me to give up control. Finally I've realized the only way was for me to step back and let someone else take over. It's become your clubhouse. The type of members and the topics discussed has evolved in a direction I never imagined, it truely has become a place with a mind of its own. In the early 90's I was a member of a local BBS (before the internet) and I found internet friends and bonded with some people that I still talk with today. I know a lot of you have found those same friendships here. I haven't really, maybe being here in Canada may be partly to blame because it's too far for me to GT with you, and I haven't bonded with you in the same way you've bonded with each other. I've always been too busy as admin too, but I know what you have, and it's valuable and worth preserving. The TVCH can't end!

I guess the moderators were thinking the same thing and just when I was thinking about offering up the site, a group of members approached me with an offer. We made a deal and it's with a very sad heart that I have to say, I've turned the TV Clubhouse over to a group of members. I can't just step back and let go, I love the TVCH and feel like I'm losing a kidney or something. The only way for me to let go is to let go completely, so I've sold the TVCH and signed a contract giving complete control of the TVCH to a group of dedicated members who want to see the TVCH continue and hope to bring it back to its former glory, as the biggest and best website on the internet for Reality TV discussions! The domain names tvclubhouse.com and bigbrotherfanclub.com are also part of this deal.

I trust them fully and I know the TV Clubhouse is in good hands. I must move on with other things in my life and give up the role of Admin of the TVCH forever. I'm now just a regular member like you. As I said, I have a lot on the go and I probably won't be here much, but the TVCH is in good hands and should continue on as successfully as always, maybe even moreso. I'll always be around (I've had email since about 1991 and don't think I could live without it) so hopefully we can still talk, but I'm not involved with the TVCH from an admin/moderator point of view.

It's hard to believe it's ending this way. I never thought I could let go. I'm sorry if I let you down or didn't treat you fairly in the past, I'm hoping to wipe the slate clean now. It's really just the beginning for me and for the TVCH. I hope to keep the TVCH in a special spot in my heart forever and let it be known that I will always be thinking of you and what we had. As I've always said, this place is here for your enjoyment and the day you stop enjoying it is the day you need to move on. If you want to come back it's here, waiting. So now I must take my own advice and move on and I hope the TVCH will be here if I decide to come back. Again, I appreciate everything you've all contributed over the last 5 years and I'm not leaving bitter. I'm leaving sad, knowing that real life is more important right now and knowing that by letting go I'm allowing my ultimate goal to continue to be realized: to create a place where you can come and have fun, without prejudice and without cost. A club, perhaps the only club you've ever belonged to, where the only requirement for membership is respect and tolerance for each other. I hope you respect my decisions here today and keep me in your mind forever.

Neil Brommell

me and Starr


Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rupertbear a private message Print Post    
Thank you for all your hard work and effort and all the very best to you and yours in the future! :-)

Sharebear
Member

09-16-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharebear a private message Print Post    
Neil,
I respect your decision. I am also happy that the board will still be here. Will there be introductions of the new owners? Will there be new rules?

I also want to state, I have been here for a few years, and am sad to see you go. I have followed the story since I joined. You have done a tremendous job as the owner. You will be sorely missed. Take care of your family, you will be in our thoughts. Please stay in touch.

Respectfully,
Sharon

Moderator
Moderator

06-30-2002

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Moderator a private message Print Post    
Hey, we'll be making our announcement soon, please let this thread be your place to say hey to Neil. :-)

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
picking jaw off of floor.....

But want you Neil to know I respect you, and understand your descion.

Hamsterlady
Member

07-03-2003

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hamsterlady a private message Print Post    
Neil,

Thank you for creating this wonderful place that a lot of us call home on this here internet thingy. LOL I've made a lot of wonderful friends on here as have hundreds and hundreds of other members over the years and we all have you to thank for it.

While it's sad to see you go, I wish you much luck in your future endeavors and happiness beyond your wildest dreams.

Take care of yourself and your family.

And thanks again Neil! :-)

Hamsterlady

Star291999
Member

07-07-2005

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Star291999 a private message Print Post    
What a beautiful baby!

DK ;p

Misosmart
Member

07-03-2005

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Misosmart a private message Print Post    
Dang Neil - I am sad to see you go, but really really happy that your life is so full. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for so many years of dedication:-) I wish you the best!

Mamapors
Member

07-29-2004

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamapors a private message Print Post    
Thank you Neil so much for this board. One of the first times I came here, I read about you and the board in About Us. I didn't know you, but I was thankful for your insight into creating the TVCH Clubhouse. Good luck to you. Take care of those children. And Thank You.

Realityrocks
Member

09-01-2003

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Realityrocks a private message Print Post    
Good luck to you and your family.


Thank you so much for all the heart and hard work you put into TVCH.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Thank you Neil for starting this place. Because of this board, I have made some wonderful friends in real life (not just in Juju's mind) and will be eternally grateful for that.

Enjoy your children!!!

Saggkl
Member

07-17-2002

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Saggkl a private message Print Post    
Hey Neil. Thanks for all the years of enjoyment. I really hope this site continues. It is the best. I was so sad to see TV Tomb go. I am glad people stepped in to keep this going. Again thank for all the hard work that brought so much enjoyment. And happiness for you and your family.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Thanks Neil, it's been a great journey.

Brit_lusion
Member

06-20-2005

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brit_lusion a private message Print Post    
Thank you for creating a space on the world wide web where I can go (whether it's to speak or lurk) and never have to worry about being disrespected.

Your hard work shows and is appreciated.

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sillycalimomma a private message Print Post    
Thank you so much Neil for starting this wonderful place. It came to me in a time when I needed it and the people here and has grown into a great place where I can share my life and discuss my closet reality tv obsession!

Sorry to see you go as far as being "admin" but it sounds like you will still be poking your head in here from time to time....maybe with the title as a "regular" ol member you won't scare so many of us from talkin with ya...<insert goofy smiley> (kind of like talking with the principal...teehee)

You have a beautiful family and I hope all goes well for you!

Meggieprice
Member

07-09-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Meggieprice a private message Print Post    
I actually shed a tear while reading this. As a member for all the BB's I considered you the Papa of the board. I read throuought your wife's first pregnancy. This is hard! It is kind of like loving someone enough to know it is time to let them go. How wonderful of you to do that with this baby, TVCH.

Thank you Neil, with all my heart.

Jbfrommi
Member

07-24-2005

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jbfrommi a private message Print Post    
I don't know you, but thanks, Neil!

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
Neil, no matter how far back you step, your lifeblood will always flow through this place. Its because of your vision, and the people you attracted here, that TVCH has become the unique and special entity it has become.

Thank you so much for giving us a place to live. I wish you all the luck, love and happiness I know you've already cultivated, and know there's only more of the same ahead of you. And of course I hope for the day we'll see your lovely self back in the TVCH fold.



Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Skootz a private message Print Post    
I can truly understand you decision Neil, I wish you the best.

Thanks for bringing to so many of us a place to cry, laugh, share, pray, organize, catch up on television shows, play games, and most of all, make friends that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

TVCH is a special place for me, the first place I visit in the morning with my coffee and newspaper and the last place I visit before I put myself to bed at night.

Thank you to the moderators who have graciously taken over your responsibility of "looking after us"

All the best to you and yours!





Ark
Member

07-10-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ark a private message Print Post    
Neil,

Letting go of this site is good practice for you. You nurtured and nudged us these past few years and now it's time for your baby to fly without you. You'll be doing that with your real babies soon enough, but until that day comes, spend as much time with them as you can. We'll be out here, spreading our wings, anytime you want to spend time with us.

Theowl
Member

09-28-2000

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Theowl a private message Print Post    
Dear Neil, I started to tear up reading your good-bye to us, but when I saw you and your beautiful little girl, I just smiled!! You've made this my second home for the last 5 years, and for the next five, except without daddy now. Good Luck to you and your family, and PLEASE stay in touch!! TheOwl



Ladytex
Member

09-27-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ladytex a private message Print Post    
Best wishes to you and your family Neil. Thanks for all you've done for us ...

Enb
Member

07-07-2000

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Enb a private message Print Post    
Neil here, plain old user account now. It's the phonetic spelling of my initials, NB. You guys are making me sad and I'm sorry I didn't give much warning. Sometimes things are like that. Yes, I think it's like loving someone enough to know when it's time to let go. It's good for the soul this letting go stuff.

And yes, I've seen many websites and BBSes and things fold up so hopefully this move will prevent that. It's true, as admin I've always been distant and people have felt reluctant to contact me when in reality I'm just a regular guy that needs love too, ya know? Maybe now I'll finally fit in? :-)

Anyhow, I'm trying out for a reality show on HGTV (Handyman Superstar) and I've got to get to my application.....wish me luck! Thanks for your kind wishes.

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sillycalimomma a private message Print Post    
Woohooo! Our very own reality TV star! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you Enb Yay! Sounds fun.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
Good luck Enb! Now THAT would be the ultimate RIGHT....having the founder of TVCH become the first TVCH'er on a reality site. Yup...that works for me!