anyone know anyone who lives near where Torvalr moved?

[kareina]

I wrote to Torvaldr off-list to try to cheer him up after having had his name bashed on the SCA-West list, and he replied:

"Thank you, but it doesn't matter anymore. It will be over soon."

I wrote him back straight away, but there isn't much one can do from the other side of the planet, and I need to head to a meeting right now. If there is anyone who can reach him and see what kind of help he needs, it may be the time to act...

Comments

[rustmon.livejournal.com]

I dropped him an email as well. not that close to where he lives, but it may help.

*HUGS*

[kareina.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I did get a slightly longer note from him in reply to the note I sent before the meeting, he sounds like he's really down. I've tried cheering him up, but sometimes when people are that far down they can't hear what is said to them, so it may not do any good.

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

Which is pretty much what he said on the list. The good news is that that sort of dramatic statement, made to a large group, is virtually never an indication of anything serious.

It is unfortunate that the wronged party felt a need to air his grievance on SCA West, but really, if he was no longer getting responses, what was his recourse? I get the impression this kid is pretty fringey and did not know about the grievance process or know anyone who might intercede for him. I didn't really see bashing, just trying to get a merchant who took his money to make good. I think people are being pretty harsh on someone who simply wants what was promised and paid for.

[kareina.livejournal.com]

I have no problem with a dissatisfied customer asking on the list for help, it can be a very good way to get responses when you can't reach the business owner for whatever reason.

However, when he said that this business transaction makes him wish he'd never heard of the SCA and that it is full of "liars and cheats". That is the part that prompted me to use the term "name bashing".

The public statement on Torvaldr's part may or may not be an indication of an intent to solve his problems permanently, but I'd be willing to be that the feelings still feel "serious" to him, even if he's got no intent to harm himself, so if anyone is in a position to actually talk to him, as opposed to just sending e-mails across the ocean, I'm betting that he could use a shoulder.