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Hello, I'm Debbie. Many of you have given your support and condolences to Jeffpw over the last many weeks since he lost Isaac. I'm Jeff's sister (and no nothing about Misplaced Pages, except that my brother enjoyed the site, the friendship and suport).
I hope I'm going about this in the right way, if not, I'm so sorry.
My brother died yesterday- I suppose of a broken heart. But he recieved so much compassion from all of you, and you all made these last days (almost) bearable to him. I am so grateeful to you and HE was so grateful. He intended to acknowledge each condolance sent to him individually, but since he can't, I thought I'd let you know.
There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere.Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
An unfortunate effect of a group less active than in the past is that our articles lose integrity. This one is at Good Article Review for that reason. The talk page is quite active as a result. You have the opportunity to help. This is the corest of our core articles, and it needs some attention because it gets a lot of controversial input from many sides. If you can spare any time to edit the article, please do what you can.
Soon after we were informed that Homosexuality is being scrutinized, we heard the same for one of our few Featured Articles. As a participant of the Featured Article process, I think this is actually a good thing. The standards for Featured Articles are getting higher with time. But as a member of this project, that means that a few of ours may be de-listed unless someone can swoop in and save them. This one has to do with the designation of homosexuality as a crime in Germany. Most of this article's sources are in German. If anyone has any particular skill in this area, please lend a hand!
I know you folks think I have much experience in a gay bathhouse, and I hate to disappoint you, but I actually do not. I seem like the sort of person who likes to stroll about in a towel. Shocking, no? It appears that Ashleyvh is single-handedly addressing all the problems with this article at its GA Review. While that's pretty impressive, it's also no doubt exhausting. Can anyone help out there?
In what I hope will counter the jolt of re-evaluating three Good or Featured Articles, José Sarria and Janet Jackson as gay icon passed as Good Articles, and Black Cat Bar (famous San Francisco oft-raided gay bar) is nominated, all by Otto4711. Rock on, man. You're a machine. Good luck with your nominations. What is it about women that make them gay icons? And are there lesbian icons that aren't lesbians? How about bisexual icons? Am I the only lesbian who reacts with soul-trembling fear at the sight of Angelina Jolie?
New WP:LGBT studies member Pinkkeith has done this cool thing. If you click on that link, you'll see all the articles, categories, templates, and miscellany up for deletion. They're usually there because they're not considered to be not notable. That can be a relative concept, and sometimes it has to be argued that topics pertaining to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues are notable.
It seems a recurring issue which articles to tag, and what to say about a topic that's tagged. Certainly, because an article falls under our scope doesn't necessarily make the person gay. Florida Governor Charlie Crist has been rumored to be gay in some newspaper accounts. Although we all know Fred Phelps is supergay, he won't admit it so instead he does the absolutely awfulest anti-gay things on the planet to deflect suspicion. NAMBLA, the red headed stepchild of the LGBT world, is tagged with an explanation we have yet to decide if we'll keep.
In the lurking I do around and about on Wiki, I've long been astounded at the forbearance Benjiboi has for the utterly insane. Perhaps not so much, since the message on Benji's talk page notes frequent absences due to homophobia and transphobia. But it takes some kind of ... something that I don't have to face the constant anti-gay POV Benji does.
Benjiboi is a a bit of a WikiFaerie, a WikiGnome and also a member of the Article Rescue Squadron in addition to being a LGBT project member. A few of Benjiboi's favorite links for making the wikiverse more fab are:
Becksguy didn’t start actively editing until May 2007. His most frequent tasks on Wiki include reverting vandalism to LGBT articles and creating new project-related articles. He comes from New York state, and to prove not all of us are teenagers (ha! I am so totally 15!) he's in his 60s and retired.
Becksguy considers his biggest triumph on Misplaced Pages so far was a DYK in December 2007 for the first-ever newspaper report on what became AIDS, in the New York Native. He's also helped save several project-related articles from deletion. His lowest moment here was getting involved in the discussion on a particular terrorism related article, thinking he could help calm the roiled waters on an extremely contentious subject with multiple edit wars and passionate editors.
Here at WP:LGBT, he creates and improves articles that present notable LGBT related subjects in a fair and balanced way, and tries to include more of the significant alternative sexuality related subjects without being an activist, and works to better source project-related articles.
On Misplaced Pages as a whole, he says, "I think we need to learn better what processes work for a massive collaborative project. Some of what worked well for a more informal small project doesn’t scale up well. Process is not as important when the participants know each other. We need to get more of the current members to be more active. If more members were energized, the project would be able to accomplish more. We should be, in effect, the smaller and included Misplaced Pages for LGBT related subjects. Overall, I wish we could focus more on content creation and improvement, and less on vandal fighting."
"A Supreme Court decision in 1958 reversed a 1956 ruling by a federal district court that U.S. postal authorities were correct in prohibiting the mailing of the Mattachine Society's ONE magazine. The lower court had ruled that ONE was not protected by the First Amendment because the magazine's contents 'may be vulgar, offensive, and indecent even though not regarded as such by a particular group ... because their own social or moral standards are far below those of the general community ... Social standards are fixed by and for the great majority and not by and for a hardened or weakened minority.'" - Michael Bronski in Pulp Friction, 2003
To stop receiving this newsletter, or to receive it in a different format, please let us know here. If you have any news or any announcements to be broadcast, do let Moni3 know.
Thanks for your note, I too was shocked by that comment. However, I have no intention of allowing this individual to choreograph his own demise. I will act when it suits me, and through proper channels, not any Mickey Mouse scheme. Haiduc (talk) 12:01, 1 August 2008 (UTC)
Miss Julie's Whizbang Welcome Wagon and Curiosity Shop
I'm hoping Miss Julie might come out of semi-retirement to sing a few tunes and possibly sell cosmetics door-to-door, I mean, head up the welcoming of new recruits! I've boldly redecorated the {{LGBT Welcome}} template but unsure if the peer review and jump-a-class stuff makes sense to have there if they aren't active. They may just be in a lull - I'm not active in those areas so I just don't know. Feel free to update as needed and make things more clear, re-prioritize etc. as I was simply spiffying up a bit. Banjeboi19:31, 1 August 2008 (UTC)
p.s. at User:Moni3/Sandbox1 we have a draft of the LGBT tag inclusion statement to help spell out its use to assist in conflicts over the tag. I think it's getting close to acceptable and my impression is we'll end up linking the statement on the template to assist the more "reasonable" editors out there to see it's use as - just a project tag. Banjeboi19:31, 1 August 2008 (UTC)
Now with 200% more Jewishness!
Yes, folks, we're moving on up. This newsletter is now the newsletter for both WikiProject Judaism, WikiProject Jewish History, and WikiProject Kabbalah. In the future, I may split them, but for now I think we'll be just fine with one. As always, any questions or comments should be directed to me, L'Aquatique.
A Special Dispatch
Just a note, not aimed at anyone in particular. By order of the administrative cabal, it is officially not cool (and possibly dickish) to call someone an anti-semite when they aren't being anti-semitic. Anti-semitic is a very charged word, and it's important only to use it when you're absolutely sure it applies, lest it become the subject of a Godwin-esque law. Remember Hanlon's Razor: never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. In the News
A new class on the importance scale has been added- C Class- which covers articles better than start but not quite to B Class yet. It is up to the WikiProjects to decide whether to adopt them or not. Currently, there has been little discussion within our Projects, so if you feel strongly either way be sure to note so at your Project.
Thanks largely to the efforts of Xyz7890, a new navbox has come into being featuring Halakha topics. See: Template talk:Halakha to join in the conversation about how it can best be improved.
To Do
The Simple English Misplaced Pages is beginning a project of creating and improving articles related to religion, including Judaism. At the present time, volunteers are needed to propose our most important subjects for articles to be created. The official working list is here and a more extended list is here. If you are unsure of proper topics, you might try checking our lists of top importance level articles: Judaism and Jewish History. (WikiProject Kabbalah currently doesn't have such a list)
WikiProject Christianity is considering running a monthly drive wherein two or three top importance articles from English Misplaced Pages are simplified and moved over to S.E. They have extended an offer to work with us in creating a similar project for Judaism related articles. For questions or volunteer opportunities, please contact User:John Carter.
WikiProject Kabbalah is in dire need of an article rating system for quality and importance. If you are familiar with that system and have some time on your hands, please create one. It could also use some infoboxes...
This newsletter was automatically delivered because you are a member of one or more Judaism related WikiProjects. If you would like to opt out of future mailings, please remove your name from this list.
OK, I'm sure you'll be justifiably horrified but I find this ... ahem ... passage from fart lighting pure poetry of the people -
“
A major drawback of this popular practice is that it usually involves the hazardous coupling of fire, combustible gases and inebriated participants. Reports of serious burns to body parts are not uncommon but clothing helps to protect one's skin.
Now that gave me a laugh! Thanks for brightening my day.
I haven't managed to summon my courage for the gloryhole pics (recent widow, ya know? :-S), but will soon be up to the task, if today's mood is any indication.
And I am back at AA/NA, so I have a good support system in place now to allow me to manage my emotions in a constructive manner, rather than destructive one. Life is slowly improving. A snail's pace, to be sure, but I see improvement nonetheless. One day at a time and live in the moment.
I can't yet do the welcome wagon thing, as I am afraid about making a commitment I may not be able to honor, but you'll notice it's not erased from my p[age.
No worries. Even a short term help is better than no one. I'm a bit too "terse" one person said to me. I think overly direct might be what they meant but yes, I often have a loss of patience - so someone like yourself who seems to be full of kindness and such for newbies, in particular would be much better I think. Good luck with AA?NA remember 12-steppers are just two steppers who are size queens. Banjeboi08:28, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
Here's a deal: When you spot (ahem) "fresh meat", send me a PM with the name and a link to the welcome tag (for the first one, then I'll have it handy. And I'll send a cheery little greeting, in a modified "Miss Julie" sort of way. Sorry she won't be the Julie of old, but when you've seen Satan up close and personal, breeziness sort of melts away like a dandilion in an H-Bomb attack. Sound good? Even the Widow Julie could never be accused of being "terse", even when she had PMS (here's a litle secret for you: Miss Julie no longer has PMS, now that she's gone through "the change". Jeffpw (talk) 22:41, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
Latecomer
Hi, Hon!
My deepest sympathies... I hope you're doing as well as you can, living one-day-at-a-time and all that. I wish I'd gotten to meet Isaäc =( Much love and glitter to you! -- SatyrTN (talk / contribs) 16:38, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
Thank you, Satyr. That was kind of you, and I knew you were away from the 'pedia and hadn't heard the news. Hope you're well. I don't do fun and glitter anymore, but the love is appreciated, and if you send me some diamonds, I would consider wearing them. According to etiquette, diamonds (and your wedding band) are the only jewelery that may be worn while in mourning. Sable is the only fur. Just a thought--Christmas is coming, you know. Jeffpw (talk) 22:46, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
My brother Jeff
Hi, I'm Debbie, Jeff's sister. Our mom, Eleanor is here with me. We just wanted to let you know that Jeffpw died yesterday. His Misplaced Pages friends (and I hope this is the correct way to do this)were so supportive of him these past weeks and he appreciated you all so much. He had intended to personally respond to each of your emails, when he could. So we're doing that now. Thank you all for being a friend to someone we love so much.
This thread is highly emotive and needs to be managed with due respect. It may well be edited by people who are not familiar with Misplaced Pages. Please resist the temptation to discuss this thread outside of this talk page until more information is obtained. This template was placed at 22:04 UTC. 08 August 2008
Umm, I do hate to sound so process driven, but is there a chance you could verify this at all? We had no indication on Misplaced Pages that Jeff was ill? I can supply an immediate email or indeed UK phone number if that helps for you to make contact. These things are not taken lightly, and I apologies for intruding on your grief, but this is sadly the nature of our project. Pedro : Chat 21:51, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
What? This better be a joke. It can't be true, it just can't. Pedro, let me know if this is verified, and Jeff, please reply here if this isn't true....Keeper ǀ 7621:54, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
I'm online until we can clarify this. Can I ask we keep this ON THIS TALK PAGE and not go flying off to AN or whatever. Keeps - I'll keep you in the loop. Pedro : Chat 21:55, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
(EC)NO ANI, promise. I just posted to your talk, get rid of it if you feel your talkpage is watched by too many people. In fact, I'll do it myself...Keeper ǀ 7621:58, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
Ryan, I could supply some background that might be helpful on CU (it's a long shot), and I'm going through my email now to try to locate a phone, but it will take me a while. Can we take this to e-mail? I don't do IRC. Can you geolocate the cu for us? SandyGeorgia (Talk) 22:10, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
No, Sandy, I had not seen it, nor pretty much anything outside of the article I was writing, which really sucks, because I think Jeff would (have?) enjoy(ed) it. I don't know what to think or say about this. Please verify that it's true. Jeff's gotten in some really nasty battles with people. This could be some sick person's idea of fun. --Moni3 (talk) 22:35, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
I know Jeff's last name; can anyone who knows of one please e-mail me the URL of a newspaper where he lived so I can do a search? SandyGeorgia (Talk) 22:52, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
Right guys. I've had a CU check the information, and after discussing the location of his sister privately with Sandy, I can confirm that User:Jeffsister does come from the same state as Jeff's sister. I would therefore suggest that we should take it as though they are the same person. My heart goes out to Jeff's family. Ryan Postlethwaite22:55, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
Do keep ringing as this needs verifying, it does seem genuine though, and yes very sad. more information would be appreciated, jeff's sister, as and when, as we are all left wondering. Thanks, SqueakBox23:00, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
(ec)I just found all this, including FatMan's email to me. I tried to call the number Jeff gave me few weeks ago, and got a message saying it had either been "changed, disconnected, or was no longer in service". I don't know if this could be a quirk of my cell phone and international calls??? (I never telephoned Jeff myself - he called me when we talked on the phone.) I'll give FatMan that number by email (not of course posting it here) so someone else can try in case it is a quirk of my cell phone service. Aleta23:12, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
Aleta, my call went through to an international ring tone, but got no answer. Did you dial 011 before the country code? I sent the last two digits of the number I have to The Fat Man; you can compare to see if we have the same no. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 23:14, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
Thanks for the 011 tip, Sandy; I didn't know that. I just tried that and got a message saying that international dialing is not part of my service. I didn't see what you sent FatMan; the last two digits of the # I have are 22. Aleta23:21, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
My heart goes out to you and your family, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I once helped Jeff with an article he was writing, and for that simple task, I gained a solid friend, who was always around to support and defend me from there forward. I never spoke to him "in real life", but he did send me his phone number after Isaac died. Now that I read back through my e-mail and talk page messages, I am garnering the idea that Jeff intentionally told me, more than once, that he was fine and healthy, when in fact, he may have been protecting and shielding me from the truth about his health, always with a kind word, a joke, something to cheer me up or make my day. He assured me that he was fine, more than once. If he did that on purpose, to spare me from worry, it was a generous and selfless act of friendship, and I'm sorry I couldn't have been there for him more fully. You have a fine son and brother, a person to be proud of. My kindest regards, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 23:47, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
Dear Debbie and Eleanor,
I am so so sorry for your loss of Jeff. I have known him for a while on Misplaced Pages and spoke with him some on the phone after Isaac's death, and I know how that grieved him. I know words can not express the depths of grief adequately. You and Jeff are in my heart. He was a kind-hearted man. This is a sad day for all of us. Aleta23:52, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
I'm bawling. I don't see the point in continuing to edit ridiculously unimportant Misplaced Pages articles. Jeff was loved. He is still loved. Both on wikipedia, and in the real world. It is so evident to me that he loved Isaac, and Issac loved him. I'm so very sad, and I want this to be untrue.....I'm going on a break to re-evaluate what exactly I'm doing here. Jeff was so necessary (what's the word? that's not the word...), he was so essential to this project. I'm going offline, I already miss Jeff....Keeper ǀ 7600:25, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
I would like to extend my sympathy to jeffpw's family and friends, he was a fine wikipedian and, although I didn't do a lot of work with him personaly I was always aware of the outstanding contributions he made to the project and the community. It is very rare for anyone to be as highly regarded and valued as Jeff was.
His passing is a tragic loss to us all and my thoughts are with you, Debbie, Eleanor, and your family.
May he rest in peace
PiTalk - Contribs00:26, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
Jeff...
Miss Julie, you ass. You missed my article. I wrote it for you and for WP:LGBT because the stupid crap we have to go through just to prove we're Wikipedians and the articles we concentrate on are important. I'm really proud of that article, and now I'm really fucking sad.
Que se descansa en paz. Yo tendria todos los desacuerdos con usted otra vez sin pensar ni un momento. La vida esta echaa de3 amor y lucha. Granny, who died in the last month, always wanted to be with papa, who died years ago. I travelled 6000 miles to be with her and we all kept calling the funeral a wedding. The dead spirits are the strongest. Thanks, SqueakBox00:38, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
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