I was actually going to wait until page 100 to say this (would've been awesome) but I think the time has come to say it now, without further delay:
I have been thinking about this for 2-3 weeks now, and was very reluctant to admit it, but my time that I can spend on Argonath is becoming very limited, this fact combined with how much time I spend answering PMs, talking to members, sorting out problems, etc, means that this figure is going even lower.
In a MSN conversation with Daniel today, we agreed and established this fact, and we both came to this decision:
I will be stepping down as co leader of the Corleone Mafia.
I have been at the top for 5, maybe 6 months now, and it has required alot of effort. This may be a shock to alot of people who have been with me at the start of the mafia (the =CM= Azteca days) to this time. I realise this, and have been very reluctant to do this due to that fact. My respect goes out to those people, (Dirk, Chain, Art, Dome, Pank, Clvin, Christ, SVT, Bugy, Jolt, Vinny, MoLD, Billy, Prosac). I also respect and wish the best of luck to all the loyal members (and trial members) we have today, we always need new members and recruits to keep going, and to get to where we are today. Thanks to you guys, we have outlasted every single gang / mafia / business in Argonath, exept one, [ALS] - my respect goes to them, too.
My leave will not stop the mafia, I am simply stepping down to keep it going. An inactive leader/co leader slows everything down, and makes people lose trust and faith in them. I am showing my respect by quitting while I'm ahead, as they say: ''It's better to burn out then fade away'', right?
A large MSN conversation was held today, and for those who couldn't be there, this was established:
A new leader will have to be elected, as Daniel himself admitted that he could not hold the position by himself, so we needed a new leader that could be active, help Daniel, and many more. This is a BIG responsibility. We decided this: Only MEMBERS can vote, by sending a PM to Daniel with simply the name of who they think is good for the job (no voting for yourselves :/) and they will be counted (sounds like some sort of game show), the person elected will be announced tomorrow, I believe.
This is not a personal issue with anybody, this is not because Denny left, this is not because I don't want to bother, this is simply a case of my care for the mafia I have built and had help maintaining.
My sincere thanks to EVERYBODY who has helped me along the way, I guess the least I can do is thank them individually, right?
Billy - Left =AV= to join us. I have always been grateful to someone who can give up a amazing clan to try out a small time mafia, but he did, and as far as I can see, he didn't regret it.
Dirk - Been with us since the first week. Started out by doing little jobs for me, and ended up joining. Rose up to LS division leader. Great guy.
Prosac - Funny, fun to be with, always listens to orders. Another veteran member.
Pank - PANKSTER! You've followed my tracks when you heard, but respects to you nevertheless, eh?
Art - Basically like Billy combined with Dirk, left the Dragons to join us, while doing jobs for me, decided to join. Still with us.
Lau - Always funny to be with, always getting PMs asking for jobs, haha. Really loyal member, hope you always will be.
Dome - Another veteran member, we've had our arguments, but he's come back and is a true Corleone. People like him were the reason I stayed this long (( >.> ))
christ - =CM=Chris. Always FBI. Always in the SAPD chopper. Changed alot now, still great, though.
Luke - Always makes an effort, makes great events, hope the Olympics will work out, looks like a great event!
Stu - Sadly, I never got to really know Stu. Helped me a few times and was great, always followed orders. You gave me a speeding ticket once, though >:(
Andy - Never met him. Shame.
Sjap - Always great to have around, always got to places on time, always did jobs, always great.
Batso - Rescued from [EM] :O Kidnapped you and your boss. Good times.
Grov - As you would say: ''omgwtfbbq''.
Jan - ALways loyal, did some great jobs and contributed at meetings. Passed his trial well.
Brad - Thanks for all the compliments, mate. I'm glad you have a great time with us, and hope you will for a long time.
Panda - Never expected him to join us after a little mistaken identity 'kidnapping'. Been a great addition since. Great movies too.
SVT - safe, yo.
Storm - Amazing limo driver, overall great guy.
Clvin - WU TANG
Jolt - Joined in the days of having RONs house as a HQ along with ColtBoi (Vinny). Always been loyal, and hope he'll carry on that way.
Bugy - BUGMAFIA! LSPD corrupt cop ready to do whatever we told him :P
MoLD - Endless fun, especially on his server (Put it online! :/)
Vinny - ColtBoi, Slick, Vinny... Had more names then that. Always great to work with, but I still want my money back from that Feltzer in SF >:(
Zero - Never met him, I don't think. Best of luck anyhow.
Quad - Quadman? Remember the [ S ] days? Great gang, he was a great member. Good to see him with us.
Samaron - I used to not like you (the whole [MBM] thing), you're a really nice guy now I've really seen what you're like. Keep up the good work.
Candy - How many husbands now? O_o Anyway, wish her the best of luck. Stop PMing me with 'hey'! :P
Chain - TOVE! I'll never forget it, ever.
Ethan - Never met him, I believe. Best of luck again.
Carhartt - Wow, Carhartt. That was a weird day. GVU collapsing and you join us. Always a great guy, don't change.
Slay - NRG creep :P
RiX - Thanks for the great times, you still with Candy? O_o
Indo - ''Grove by day... Corleone by night'' :O
R4Z0R - Strange, never really talked to you or got a chance to. Best of luck.
Fraser - Again, never met O_o
John - Thanks for fixing my SEGA :P
Abe - Where do I start?! Gambling crazy vicar guy who owns a tractor and forces Brad to sue him. Never seen anythi... anyBODY like him.
Justin - Great times on VCMP. Stop drowing me :S
Yihka - Helped me with a few kidnaps, great contributer, hopes he stays.
Metropler - Never really met. Shame again. Nice Infernus in LS, though.
Dice - Abe's already ''teh freak of Argonath''... you win second prize though! :P
Daaan - Take that sheep off your profile... It still freaks me out :(
Dark - I can't say much, you've only been with us for a small time. I know I keep syaing this, but best of luck in the future.
Ignazio - 29 year old guy who smokes pot while playing on SAMP... Brilliant.
Shifter - Never met Shifter, wish him luck, though.
Tiderman - Funny guy. [AV]Sharkbait and COCS ftw
Aura - Sorry about the wait, I wish you the best of luck, though.
Sh4k3r - Same as Aura. I still feed bad. :/
And of course, Daniel. The guy who started it all. The =CM= in MTA:VC, he stayed there after recruiting me, I went to SA, and built everything from scratch. He came to SA too and helped me maintain what I had built. We would not be here today without him, and wouldn't have the loyal members we have now. We all owe a lot to him.
Also thanks to Dave and Hell, who have supported us from the start... :/
PLEASE don't leave because I have, it'll only make me feel worse. This is no personal reason against anyone etc, this is mearly a time matter.
I hope I have been a leadership inspiration to people, and for this mafia to keep running strong. It's going to be hard taking this tag off.
Peace out.
- Tice.