Alrighty, the months are flying by and already it is the time for the May update. It feels like just yesterday that I had nothing to say for the April Update… but I’ll try harder this time. Mostly because I’m not just posting for the same old anymore so I probably needs to sound less properly demented.
As usual I will start with stats, because I love stats (not really) but if you look at all the updates you can see how quickly we’ve been growing. We currently have 10252 Posts in 1217 Topics by 314 Members. Which never fails to wow me, good job guys we have over three hundred registered accounts. And for once I can’t say it’s all the same three people, because now I think there are about five or six of us instead. No, no I kid, there has been a real influx of members and admin is pleased as punch about it. I would like to welcome all of the new faces around here, we hope you stick around and that we don’t scare you too much. Also, people, keep inviting your friends and families to join, a bigger userbase means you don’t have to post with me, thereby making your wait time about thirty million years. (To be fair, a lot of people that I have owed for months have recently gotten replies, so, make sure you check and see if you were one of the lucky ones). Also, new people, consider filling out one of these so we can get to know you better: http://beyondstonewalls.com/rpg/index.php?topic=965.0
Next I guess I’m going to talk about Quidditch, which should be starting in a few months when The Quidditch Coach is allowed out of the hell that is school. Currently I believe most of the teams except Slytherin are full or close to it. However, I know from being the Gryffindor Quidditch Coach that that isn’t too helpful when everyone drops out before a game, and so, if you don’t yet have a character playing Quidditch sign up with your house team. You may find yourself warming the bench for a game or two, but Quidditch teams absolutely always need new players. Many people have players on multiple teams and would generally prefer to only have one. So, for the love of Merlin sign up your characters today. (Also members of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, drunk Quidditch Practise is going to happen, watch for the thread!)
I also, while I’m promoting things members can do to get involved, want to tell/remind people about the Beyond Stone Walls Chat probably the most popular aspect of the forums. (Seriously, no one ever posts, they just chat). It can be found at http://beyondstonewalls.com/rpg/chat/ . Everyone is welcome to join us in chat, new, old, whatever. Memebers of the chat have been known to be a bit strange, and at any given time the conversations can be a little PG-13, but take everyone in there with a grain of salt and you should get on just fine. Ravenclaw Prefect Daggett Prox, also known as Eva in the chat has written a guide for it, so look at that in the Help and Suggestions board. And remember to play nice in the chat. Also, for those not used to the general chat atmosphere, because we’ve been a really miniature communit for such a long time people may be very forward about asking you your real name, where you are from, and your contact details. This is because as a collective we know each other very well, however, should you feel uncomfortable with telling anyone this information no one will blame you or be upset with you so be as private or as open as you want to be.
Admin is also planning a forum plot for the summer! Not too many details on it yet (mostly because we don’t know them yet) but the Death Eaters and Order of the Phoenix will all be involved. We will also need a group of students who would like to participate, so if you’re interested keep your eyes open for the summer plot thread that we will be posting later this month. We want as many people involved as possible, so if this is your first time on the boards just fling yourself in like a dirty shirt. Seriously.
We’ve also finally roped someone in to redo the main site, so thank you to Carmen. I know not many people go there after their first visit to the boards, but if you do now, you’ll have more than enough opportunity to laugh hysterically at my expense which is always fun if you don’t happen to be me I suppose. Anyways, also in charge of promoting the site now an epic thanks goes to Carmen for all of the work she’s done up to this point, because let’s face face it, the three of use weren’t doing it. On that note, please remember to vote for us on the topsites when you have a minute, the closer we are to the top of the lists the more awesome we look. And we do look pretty awesome.
Speaking of looking awesome, the new version of Beyond Stone Walls is being slowly concocted by Kitty and myself, any questions, suggestions etc that you think would make for a great addition to Beyond Stone Walls version 2.0 please let one of us know, and we’ll definately look into it. (Keeping in mind I do the coding and she does the layouts and graphics.) I’m estimating the arrival time of it at the end of the summer, but this date will dance around the calendar I’m sure. Just know that it’s currently on our brains and we’ll difinately be really looking at suggestions for it now.
Also, if you have some spare change, and you’d like to keep Beyond Stone Walls banner ad free consider dropping us a donation. Becca pays for this whole thing out of her own hard earned cash, and any money you can send her would go a long way. There is no obligation to donate to us of course, but if you’re feeling generous it would be greatly appreciated by us. You can PM her for more information or click the pay pal donate button on the main page. Also, donations of graphics (including banners and buttons) are also greatly appreciated by us.
Oh, and for Californian bound Stoners heading to Azkatraz July 17 – 21, 2009 please note that one of our very own will be holding a panel on Harry Potter RPGs so, consider turning up and supporting our members. Also, this is a good time to sneakily rope in new people to join our evil empire. Not that we are evil, or an empire, really. I can’t afford to go anywhere beyond down the street right now and so I will be there in spirit. If you want to know how you will recognize our intrepid panalist, think Scotland the Brave. There you are then. (Please, if you do go take pictures of Carmen in a kilt with bagpipes, because God only knows I wish I could be there to see it for myself — I am a bitter old man.) More on this as we get closer to the event.
Finally, the prefects in their underground lair (in the prefect’s bathroom) have been cooking up some May events. So, I’m sure they’ll let you more in on that as we get more into May.
There we are, finally a healthy sized update. As usual, as soon as I post this I will think of something else to add, but let us pretend that this is the May monthly update. Happy May everyone, and I’ll post another one of these monsters in June.