[Roa_Aoife]

Ang, no one blamed Valesse for anything. In fact, it was made clear in several posts that Valesse had done exceptionally well, and that anything being talked about was not her fault in the least.

And Esty, I don't cool down quickly at all. I'm hotheaded, not moody. I don't change how I feel from one moment to the next. It may take me a day or two to calm down. Perhaps it would be better for me to not engage at all, in that case, an idea that hasn't been stated. As they say, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." But what I meant by "slip" is that I generally don't realize that I'm being offensive. In fact, I'm almost always taken by surprise when people take what I've said as a personal attack. As what I write isn't written with that intent, I don't see how that intent is found. It takes a direct personal attack, with my name in it and direct statements to me, before I see something as personal. So, when I make a general statement about the way things went, I don't assume that anyone will think it's directed at them personally. I've never understood why people do so, and I think that's at least one of the major causes of all the tension. All I can do is try to tone down as much as possible, which I've already said I will do.

EDIT: For heaven's sake people, I said I'll try, but I'm not perfect. I'm bound to mess it up at some point and when that happens I'm trying to let you know in advance that I'm not trying to attack anyone personally. What more do you want from me?