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plexi_lexi
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Tips to the Unfairly Banned
I received several PMs and even profile comments from people asking or needing help on how they can restore their banned account, which were also banned for the same reason - "profitting from botted gold". I will do my best to help those who were unfairly banned, sadly there is only one me and there's a lot of you. Hopefully this little journal entry can help for it's the most that I can do with the little spare time that I have.

Before I proceed I would like to remind people, that both in Gaia and Real Life "THERE IS NO PERFECT SYSTEM" - as human beings no one is perfect and so any application or system made by us humans are never perfect.

Considering there is no perfect system below are several DOs and DONTs to the unfairly banned users, their supporters and haters

arrow UNFAIRLY BANNED USERS:

Dont react violently to Gaia Admins and Moderators
- This wont get your account back and definitely wont help your case

Dont Start a hate crusade against the entire Gaia system
- Just because a certain flaw on Gaia's Judiciary System on botting doesn't mean 100% of Gaia's site and game features is terrible and worth destroying

Dont PM several Mods & Admins about your banning
- Not ALL mods and admins handle banning cases, if you think you are banned and you want to find out how and why, contact an Omnimoderator

After talking to an omnimoderator and getting the information you need about your banned account, complete the feedback form
- Make sure to be as detailed as possible, provide all available evidences to prove you are unfairly banned, like links to your threads (charity, quest or store), screen capture of your paypal account and ebay accounts (to prove you dont purchase virtual gaia items with real money), explain your connection with possible related banned accounts (siblings, shared mules etc). Sometimes if your feedback is insufficient, Gaia will require a 2nd email from you for additional information needed - again it will take another 3-5 weeks to get a response, so make sure to place as much information as you can on your first message to make the communication/investigation process short.

BE PATIENT
- There's too many gaia users and not a lot of admins/moderators to manage the site. It takes awhile for moderators to read your submitted feedback, I am guessing base on my experience that there is a 3-5 weeks backlog on banned cases. Dont submit AGAIN because you are tired of waiting, this wont speed up your case and your adding more unneccessary REPORTS.

Fight for your case as smart as you can.
- Dealing with ignorant haters is not smart, letting your banned account stress you is not healthy. Lying about your case and posting incorrect information is not adviseable. If you did NOTHING wrong there is no need to Extend the TRUTH or LIE about it.

If you still want to play Gaia, dont be afraid to create a new account, or use an existing one
- Always remember, you started gaia with NOTHING, so starting over while waiting for your account to be restored is NOT a major lost - any item can be regained through hardwork even without the help of friends.

DONT BEG or ASK for DONATIONS
- This only makes things worst for you and it discourages possible donators. Donation is a choice, asking or begging friends and other users to donate is no different from OBLIGATING them to give. If you need help, setup a quest thread or setup your quest in your journal. This way you can inform friends and users about your unfair banning and the same time post the items and gold you need, you never know a random user may help you gain it ALL back with just a single trade smile .


Try to be as positive as possible
- Despite your empty inventory you are very knowledgeable on how to earn gold and how the system works. The experience of losing an account UNFAIRLY is still beneficial, for this will help you identify REAL friends from FAKE ones, know existing enemies and AVOID them, help educate friends and other users to avoid getting banned for the same reason, and of course you learn from it and the knowledge acquired helps you become a better person - just remain as positive as you can, bad things happen to give way to BIGGER and BETTER things .


arrow SUPPORTERS:

Investigate first
- Before you support or help someone you think is unfairly banned, make sure you review all available information about the user. Reading their past post, talking to their friends, journal entry and other things related to the user. Investigating WHILE USING your COMMON SENSE will help you come up with a better judgement. Dont TRUST HEARSAY, better focus on existing ACTIONS of the said user and test their credibility as a member of GAIA ( like member for 2 years with clean records, has reputable friends, guilds, threads, legitimate means of making gold, etc).

Respect the Banned User's Wishes and/or Requests
- You cant consider yourself a supporter if you refuse to respect the wish/es of the banned user you support. Requests and wishes were made by the banned user for they believe these wishes/requests are beneficial to them. Example: Informing people to not send donations to him/her - this way possible problems with POSERS and scammers can be avoided.

Dont OVER DO IT!
- All unfairly banned users appreciate any form of support you can offer, like a message of support, donation to their quest (if they have any), providing information you think may help the user's case, continue their existing gaia projects and difussing situations that were made to DISCREDIT the said user. BUT REMEMBER DONT OVER DO IT! Too much support can become ugly even creepy - you dont want people to label you as a suck up, you also dont want them to misunderstood and think the said user DIED in real life. Remember BIG or SMALL help are labeled the same, even the thought of helping is appreciated a LOT so there is no need to go OVER BOARD when it comes to helping or supporting a banned user.

Avoid CONFLICTS
- You cant expect everyone to be on your side, arguments are bound to happen between users, everyone have different views on things - banning related or not. If you can avoid heated discussions, avoid it. If you cant avoid it, control yourself and try to handle it as smart as possible without offending anyone or violating ToS. Last thing you want is make the banned user feel bad that you were banned for defending him/her.

arrow HATERS:

Do not JUDGE base on assumptions
-Not unless you are directly connected to the said user and the reason behind their banning. You shouldn't judge base on hearsay even if it is from someone you thought is a reliable source (not unless it's from the actual user himself/herself along with a detailed investigation)

Avoid posting your anti-supportive opinion in threads that support banned users
- You are just asking for trouble if you post your anti-supportive message/s in threads that support the banned user, this is no different from trolling and you can get yourself banned.

Avoid naming banned users or setting such users as examples in community threads/discussions
- It's never considered a good way of using your freedom of speech if you used it to discredit or attack someone - even if it is TRUE or FALSE. Regardless if your motive is to discuss a topic that revolves around the user it is considered a banned user's topic and not a community topic. You are only risking yourself from getting embarrassed and labeled as a jealous insecure individual.

If you confuse jealousy with hatred try not to make it obvious
- Stalking and harrassing supporters and/or anything related to the banned user wont do you any good. Your plan of discrediting the user will only backfire, you help increase the number of sympathizers not counting the fact you destroy your own image and credibility. This can also be used as grounds to get you banned for violating ToS - continued harrassment is a serious offense. If you think you are gaining supporters, actually you are only gathering people as jealous and insecure as you, doing so will only make you a part of a group that are miserable and/or insecure - such group use their time to attack or discredit a person because the said person have achievements they are most likely incapable of achieving--- this group are what we sometimes call as LOSERS wink


Hope the information above helps, my final message to the following:

To the unfairly banned users - I wish you goodluck in getting your account back - remember PATIENCE is a VIRTUE

Banned users supporters - I am sure your help/support are greatly appreciated by the banned user expect your good deeds to return - GOOD KARMA is always GOOD

To the anti-banned user
- as long as you have good and valid reasoning, I wish you goodluck in fighting for what you believe in

Confused anti-banned users
- Jealousy is good if you use it to motivate yourself to become a better person, trying to pull down a person you are jealous of and HATE them for it will only make things worst for you.

Pretending to be unfairly banned - You have my sympathy, for you lack respect for yourself and to the people who supports you. You cant expect great things if you are dishonest to yourself and the people close to you.



THERE IS NO NEED TO BE UPSET OR DEFENSIVE IF THE NEGATIVE DESCRIPTION ABOVE DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU!






User Comments: [86] Viewing page 0 of 2 · Goto Page: 1 2 » 
PANIC. ITS. GRACE.
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comment Commented on: Wed Sep 20, 2006 @ 02:57am
Very well written/typed 3nodding heart

I'm gonna bookmark this for future reference


comment Commented on: Wed Sep 20, 2006 @ 05:14am
rofl

Quote:
If you confuse jealousy with hatred try not to make it obvious


HA HA HA i know a person that fits to be the perfect example of that !



[[_DeVoN_]]
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sparkofwisdom
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comment Commented on: Wed Sep 20, 2006 @ 01:37pm
Thank you for the information and the positive wishes for all those unfairly banned users who are hoping to get their accounts back. You are a model Gaian.


comment Commented on: Wed Sep 20, 2006 @ 04:53pm
luffleh. Thanks hun!



[ Panda Lubb ]
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Sapphire Zelda
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comment Commented on: Wed Sep 20, 2006 @ 10:44pm
Very good and true infromation.

I'll keep it in mind.
<3


comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 12:07am
::User Image::

weee! I'll keep that one in mind ♥
^____^

Hi plexi!! I'm Hanyou! ♥ ^o^



MissCatastrophee
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Tukoreshen
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comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 12:40am
I'll bookmark for future refreance also.


comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 01:17am
Thanks for helping out those unfairly banned.

<3333



Kimchi Kakanin
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Letolas Reloaded
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comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 01:34am
Love you Plexi. Great post, like everything you do heart 4laugh


comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 03:38am
Quote:
Always remember, you started gaia with NOTHING.


Yes, it's always hard to remind people of that. ^^;; Thanks once again for sharing your views and experience with us, Lexi.



Icarus 2.0
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DeadSquall
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comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 07:20pm
THank you so much for taking the time to create this write up!! I got a bunch out of it and I'm sure others will as well. Good job!!


comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 08:24pm
Nicely written Lexi!! Major props heart



Naeyru
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[.Parade.of.Underpants.]
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comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 09:01pm
Oh Pleaxi, you so smexy.

When I heard you were banned, I was pissed off, but now that you're back, it gives me hope in case my account is ever banned. Thank you.


comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 09:52pm
how very noble of you to do something like this! i'd never have the patience to type that all out! sweatdrop anyways good job and yay for you getting your account back (really to be honest i didnt know you until i heard of the unfairly banned people and put the petition link on my signature hehehehehehehe sorry, really i followed a link to this! reasonable though



SayGee
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silleh-rabbitz
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comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 10:58pm
Wow..this really helped so much! Thanks for the tips, I really hope to get unbanned someday and this is really useful. <3


comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 11:16pm
Great post full of really useful information to keep in mind if I'm ever banned unfairly. I've never talked to you, but I've heard a lot about you and your unfair banning problem in the petition. Glad to see you're back.



Yaymeimashi
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faebell
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comment Commented on: Thu Sep 21, 2006 @ 11:59pm
plexi, you do not know me but I followed the news of your banning closely, as I had seen your thread and thought you had to be a good gaian. Well I just wanted to say that I am very happy you got your account back. Thank you for posting this very informative guide for those who have been unfairly banned. Welcome back!


comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 12:33am
I shall admit, I never knew seasquall, but I am glad you are doing this for all of us. I shall throw in my support as well. *salutes*



YYugi54
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AzazelX
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comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 02:18am
Very well said, Plexi. 3nodding *bookmarks for future reference*


comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 04:06am
very good entry. 3nodding



pirategirl27
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~LunarNights~
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comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 05:56am
well done for helping others 3nodding this is a great ummm thing for people who are introuble or somthing like that 3nodding 3nodding


comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 06:14am
I have no idea why I read this being I'm not been banned or anything,but it made perfect sense and you said not to leave without a comment.So I commented.^^



Superfagalicious
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Kasumi-hime
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comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 03:51pm
Very well said 3nodding


comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 04:09pm
very helpful biggrin
...I hope that in the future the ones who had their account unfairly banned will get it back



YanniSlur
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Champion Of Valhalla
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comment Commented on: Fri Sep 22, 2006 @ 07:01pm
I just realized with my new account i relearned how it feels to start out again and it feels great. Like when im playing a brand new RPG.

It is a shame because i held donation items that were rare and valuable.

I guess the mods just stabbed the market place a little.........


comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 01:32am
It's nice to know that my friend and I aren't the only ones in this... 3nodding

We've already talked to mods and are still waiting...though it's been about three months now. -_-;; I'm being patient though...



JadedLies
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taligator
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comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 02:56am
First, thank you for posting this. It is very important that users understand that this is a process and that patience is very necessary.

Second, on the topic of "Unfairly Banned Users", to me, there is no such thing. We don't ban for grins and giggles. We ban for reasons that are supported by data we've collected. Is this data ever wrong? Rarely. Is the situation not what it appears to be? Possibly. We review the bans as they are contested to find out more information and we then can make a change or we can stand by our decision.

I work at Gaia and I'm here at least 8 hours a day reviewing banned accounts and answering user questions. I work hard at what I do and it takes a lot of time. I don't have the all seeing eye that says, 'oh this person really is innocent'. I can only go on the DATA that we have. I review every aspect of a case and make sure that ban was done fairly and accurately. We have wonderful moderators and when they do ban someone it is for legitimate reasons. If we elect to undo a ban it is not a reflection on the decision or action of the original moderator who made the ban.

Yes, some users get their accounts back but it has NOTHING to do with petitions, banners, flowers, or community support. It has to do with data.

I'll say one more thing before I end this ... don't be angry when you email us. It doesn't improve our mood. If you want us to help you, be polite and corteous and treat us with the same respect you want us to give to you and your situation.

Taligator icon_heart.gif

PS: I won't deal with banned cases through PM - unless I specifically request it. If your account is banned and you've filled out a feedback form then you will be dealt with in the order in which it was received.


comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 07:50am
@ everyone - thanks for the support and I am glad you find the information above helpful

@ taligator - I'm glad you find the information above useful, and no worries I am not angry with your inputs I appreciate the fact you took the time to respond to my entry. I will do my best to reply accordingly base on your views

Second, on the topic of "Unfairly Banned Users", to me, there is no such thing.

I totally disagree, of course there are unfairly banned users- like I said there is NO PERFECT SYSTEM. And this is no ones fault, but for every flaw there is a way for improvement and possible solutions, may not be 100% effective but it will help. In this case its a matter of educating people about the process and limitations so they can come up with a more effective solution.

We don't ban for grins and giggles. We ban for reasons that are supported by data we've collected. Is this data ever wrong? Rarely.

The possibility of data to be wrong is always there. And considering data and information you review are still considered limited, after all there is no way to have access to data or evidences outside the gaia database.

We review the bans as they are contested to find out more information and we then can make a change or we can stand by our decision.

So if one who becomes a legit suspect (base on the data moderators reviewed) they are banned - so the whole "guilty until proven innocent" applies. I repeat this is no one's fault, its just happen to be how the system works and considering the limitations and various factors around it, this is the only solution for now.

That is why information in journals of admins/mods and users like me were made available to provide information that may be helpful to users who need it (as assumed, the 0.1% banned users, the supporters or even random curious users).




plexi_lexi
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plexi_lexi
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comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 07:52am
cont...
@ taligator

I work at Gaia and I'm here at least 8 hours a day reviewing banned accounts and answering user questions. I work hard at what I do and it takes a lot of time. I don't have the all seeing eye that says, 'oh this person really is innocent'. I can only go on the DATA that we have. I review every aspect of a case and make sure that ban was done fairly and accurately. We have wonderful moderators and when they do ban someone it is for legitimate reasons. If we elect to undo a ban it is not a reflection on the decision or action of the original moderator who made the ban.


You along with all moderators like you have my utmost respect. I think it is very essential for users to understand the amount of work you all invested to maintain order in gaia, that is why users should do the same - and to start is for them to understand the process and why it is important to know the things that they should and should not do.

Yes, some users get their accounts back but it has NOTHING to do with petitions, banners, flowers, or community support. It has to do with data.

I know that for a fact, and most people who come up with such theories are either not well informed of the situation or prefer to think base on emotions. Atleast information similar to my journal entry can help those who are not well informed.

I'll say one more thing before I end this ... don't be angry when you email us. It doesn't improve our mood. If you want us to help you, be polite and corteous and treat us with the same respect you want us to give to you and your situation.

That is the whole reason why I made it first in my list of DOs and DONTs ^^
"Dont react violently to Gaia Admins and Moderators "

Again thanks for the input, me and a lot of other users appreciate all your hardwork.


comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 01:06pm
<3 That's really nice of you to help out other people who've been 'unfairly banned'
Good job! x3



bulmaluvr420
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Lehli
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comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 05:12pm
Wow, this is a very helpful journal entry, and, it's very well written. I have no intentions to get banned but if the thing should ever happen, I will be well prepared. Thank you! ^_^


comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 06:24pm
Nice entry =]

~Misti~



KittyKat62
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vampire_wolf_princess22
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comment Commented on: Sat Sep 23, 2006 @ 08:28pm
wow a helpful entry. thanks plexi. i shall bookmark it just in case.
PS: i'm a fan of yours!


comment Commented on: Sun Sep 24, 2006 @ 02:27am
It is awsome that you wrote this thank you for taking your time to do this you rock!



Glyndona
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Nina Halford
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comment Commented on: Sun Sep 24, 2006 @ 04:51am
Plexi: Thou hath rendered a great service to all Gaians, and give amazing advice full of wisdom.

The knight maiden salutes you!


comment Commented on: Sun Sep 24, 2006 @ 05:56pm
This will really help. Thank you so much.



SkyParker
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Darkest_Lord
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comment Commented on: Mon Sep 25, 2006 @ 08:56am
Thankyou for this information... It will definately help in getting Toxic back biggrin


comment Commented on: Mon Sep 25, 2006 @ 09:19pm
Thank you for your great ideas. 3nodding Perhaps with this information I can get my friend back if she wants to.

Poor Joy Blue. crying



ScarXLust_Fan
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ananda082001
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comment Commented on: Fri Sep 29, 2006 @ 03:38am
This is a really great resource. I completely agree about not attacking the Admins and Mods over it. The problem is with the imperfect system, not the Mods.

The only question I have is what to do if you try to contact an omni-mod and get either no response or a rude response? This happened to a friend of mine and when he tried to ask an omni-mod for information, they got very angry and accused him of trying to get use them to get him "off the hook", when all he wanted was help understanding what had happened and what he could do to defend himself. If that part of the process doesn't work, you can't really do the rest. confused


comment Commented on: Fri Sep 29, 2006 @ 05:40pm
Ms.Pexi thank-you very much on this..I keep this entry in mind for a friend of mine.. wink



Michelle Chiba
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Ikeda Daisaku
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comment Commented on: Sat Sep 30, 2006 @ 09:10am
you tell us to conatct and omnimoderator when my sister that had gotten hacked and banned tried to look for one and there was not one omnimoderator on the list and when she looked on how many there is on the intire site it said "0" how are we supposed to take it up with a moderator that doesnt exsist? or im sorry, when there is "nobody as one"? im not saying that the mods are bad people because god knows there are some good things they do and some rightfull bans that they decide on. but they shouldn't recomend us to moderators that there are none of in the intire site.
we either need to get some new moderators to do this "omnimoderator" job or they need to give the job to certian moderators that already exsists that can help with these people's problems. 3nodding


comment Commented on: Fri Oct 06, 2006 @ 01:49am
Thanks for the entry^^ Helpful. My account, Saxy_Misty, was banned for botting and I didn`t even know what it was. I sounded so pathetic when I went around looking for help, becuase I skipped over that section of the TOS while breifly skimming it.<.<; Reading long things online make me get headaches, but enough of my life story!

Personaly, I don`t really want to ger her back. I lost it for a reason. I have a quest thread and I will get everything back by myself, and with the help of some friends.^^ It would be more than lovly to revive her from the seemingly dead, but personaly, I don`t have enough patience. If somethings going to be done, i want it done as soon as it`s possible.

As you can see, I wouldn`t do well waiting for a reply from the mods. X_x;; It`s very kind of you to try and help people though^.^

YAY YOU!<3

-Misty



.~[Misty.Muffin]~.
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.Tortured. .Pumpkin.
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comment Commented on: Fri Oct 06, 2006 @ 06:54pm
`User Image`

`Thanks.`


comment Commented on: Sat Oct 07, 2006 @ 10:08am
    Well, i'd love to have something constructive to say.
    but i don't.
    D:
    -comment-

    -The Waffle User Image



Gothic Waffle
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kuma
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comment Commented on: Sun Oct 08, 2006 @ 01:29am
Thank you for the information, Lexi-chan. Much wanted. heart

Hoping to get mine back now (Patience is key, it's a fact). I still don't understand how they find out how gold is botted, but sadly 'tis not for me to know.

Welp, loves you much (even if I don't really know you...you're plexi_lexi for goodness sakes.)

heart
Ri


comment Commented on: Tue Oct 10, 2006 @ 09:45pm
Wow you seem to be a very wise person miss Lexi. You also must be a very kind person to do all this for people you dont even know, i wish gaia had more people such as yourself. i wish you the best of luck in the future heart



BloodFox1428
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kazemakase ran
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comment Commented on: Wed Oct 11, 2006 @ 03:26am
Thank you, it was an informative read. I particularly liked:

bad things happen to give way to BIGGER and BETTER things .

I have read about you at Gaia Legend, and was sad that you were banned, but am very happy that you're back. I hope to learn many things from you.


comment Commented on: Fri Oct 13, 2006 @ 05:57pm
I'm so glade you got unbanned! ^_^



Hope Loneheart
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-TwilitElementalistDaith-
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comment Commented on: Wed Oct 18, 2006 @ 08:47pm
Interesting. I'll keep that in mind.


comment Commented on: Thu Oct 19, 2006 @ 04:42am
Here here! I understand [omg for once XD] what you are trying to say



Le Duke of Candied Apples
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User Comments: [86] Viewing page 0 of 2 · Goto Page: 1 2 » 
 
 
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