My thanks to all who have written open and honest posts on the GoldFest issue.

I do enjoy working on things here at AW. I never knew Ancient Sites, so the celebration of its rebirth as AW touches no nerve. But far from me to discourage anyone's creativity in marking his/her gratitude in some way -- gratitude that AW is here. I too am glad it's around.

However, the fact that so many long-time members have been torturing themselves for some time in order to keep GF alive, with such an acute sense of obligation, yet without any pleasure, does touch a nerve. In the name of humanitarian principle, I would like to make an insistent call to put a stop immediately to any more suffering ! It horrifies me to think so many devoted members are feeling forced to go through with a festival that makes their life miserable. Surely that is not what AW was invented for.

I have counted 19 persons so far who have expressed various forms of agony about working on GF, or eagerness to drop it. Forgive me if I've miscounted. I refuse to believe they are all under the spell of some evil guru who tries to brainwash them into groveling obedience. Someone else said it already : they do have a choice. AW is not a sect, if I'm not mistaken.

I have also counted 4 people who have GF projects they would like to pursue. Forgive me again if I've miscounted. In addition, several new ideas have been proposed. It is my hope their devotion and creativity will persevere ! Their talents need not be dependent on the eternity of GF as it has functioned in the past. I for one, who am absolutely no good at inventing festival activities, am very grateful to you that have that gift. So even if 19 other members feel that enough is enough, I hope those other 4 planners do not bin their efforts but will allow us to benefit from their creativity, GF or no GF.

Lastly, to all those present or former scribes who are now sick of GF, and although I only speak for myself, what I've heard about your past sacrifices for the sake of that commemoration deserves not only gratitude but recognition. For example, the basic recognition of your inalienable right to express discontent with the present situation.