Greetings SFI,

‘Tis I, Jeremy “Sideshow” Carsten, and I’m here to say I’m sorry. I’ve been pretty absent lately. Had a lot of stuff in ‘real life’ just beating me up (Work/contract chaos, Death of a dear friend, the various complications of leadership in a camping/renn faire group, potentially new quasi-professional opportunities, my health, both physical and mental, computer issues, house stuff, finance stuff…etc.). I wanted to get caught up, but every time I logged into email, or discord, the sheer number of things waiting for me just became its own source of anxiety. It has not been great – but I also didn’t communicate all that very well, and so I apologize.

I wear a lot of proverbial hats in this organization, and thus a lot of you were trying to reach me, and/or depending on me for something. I let you down, and I am sorry. While nothing likely caught fire, and the world went on, some communication from me would have probably helped. And I meant to. At first I would log in on Mondays, and try to sort things…then I was more worn out so Tuesdays became the day. When it became Wednesday to get caught up from last week (now a week and a half…) the wheels came off. Then it became the sheer number of people I had to talk to… and again with that anxiety thing. Turns out I needed a new medication…so I got that addressed (finally…don’t get me started about insurance and the American Health -they-don’t-’care’ system). Now, well there are so many, I figured I’d just blast it out like this.

While I did not handle it well, I think an opportunity has presented itself. Don’t be me – reach out, let folks know before things get ‘too big’ and the various demons that plague us take hold. This organization is about social interaction and finding fellowship about Trek. I should have used that fellowship better. I should have trusted you all more. So please – if you are out there, now or ever in the future, feeling the weight of things that you signed up for, please remember me, and this. Nothing burned down, but it’s better for everyone else – and THEIR anxiety and issues, if you reach out and communicate. It is OK to talk about this stuff!

All that said, it’s time to get back to work (on SFI matters)! Behind the scenes I have been doing a bunch actually – packing up, both literally and digitally, 8 years of being RC, to pass on to my successor. Region 3 has an enormous electronic footprint. Something Poor Jason will have to address and decide what to keep, and what to consolidate. With SFI InfoServ growing and professionalizing, that may be more possible than my ‘wild west’ days allowed. Come 1 June… that chapter of my life is closed… and I can really sink my teeth into these other roles and projects.

FORCECOM – I did you all wrong, and I am the most sorry, and apologetic to you. You are an amazing team, and David Ferber is going to take you to the places that I got too bogged down to get to. I’m really looking forward to working with you in my new SFMC capacity.

INFOCOM – rest up! I need to go around and meet with you all, and see what irons you have in the fire already; but I am bringing with me a whole lot of tech work that is now in our department! SFAS/DAS – All you Auxiliaries out there – you are awesome! You all survived without me before, and did so again, that was never in much doubt. However, with the needs and modernization of SFI and its infrastructure, we will all have plenty of work to do to get each and every Service truly sustainable.

To the AB – I’ve not seen a lot on the mailing lists, those I did keep up on. Today will be my last AB meeting as RC. Just weird to think about. You all got my letter/plea of what to consider to move SFI forward. Please think on it. I’m still certain that is the path, the way to achieve things – but I’m not going to be in that role to drive it forward. I hope you all will.

To all of SFI – remember each other. Check in on each other. Many of you have checked on me, and I thank you. Many of you have helped with the stress, and the chaos. Game day people – you all kept me functional. Regular scheduled reliable fun… you have no idea. Even if it’s just an hour or two, Mondays and Wednesday nights are times I KNOW I’m going to get a recharge. You all rock! Those not gaming with us… you should! Region 3 Discord server!

To all, please do not reach out in support or anything…that will just make those red numbers spin faster, and drive the anxiety up. I’ll get around to folks, I promise. I’m also just going to assume (and I know that I can, that is why SFI is great!) that you all understand, and support me, and others in similar situations. It’s pretty easy to assume compassion in our Trekkie family, and that is our Fanclub’s greatest value.

Again, and now about as long as anyone would expect out of me, I am sorry. Thank you for taking care of things while I was running silent. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for being SFI – the place we fiercely defend and work for, because it does give us so much. It gives us each other. Thank you. I’ll be starting off slow – carving up this space-pachyderm to have one bite at a time. Don’t expect all my backlog will be magically cleared by the end of the month or anything. INFOCOM/FORCECOM hold overs have 2nd priority (after passing on Region 3 to Jason). The rest…hold tight.

We are SFI!
Jeremy Carsten, 60142
STARFLEET International