For the latter part of 2001 there were not many changes in Toronto in terms of new machines and other changes. DDR MAX eventually released with 40 songs but players in Toronto did not have a chance to play it yet.
In the same time, more people were using Team Gwai Lo, and the administrator, JetGirl needed some help. She posted a message on the board that she is looking for some people willing to moderate the message boards. Being curious, I talked to her over ICQ in an evening about it.
"So how many have applied?"
"Six." JetGirl typed. "I need one each from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto to moderate message board for their respective area and I only received one for Toronto. That person seemed okay, but I hope there will be more applicants since that area is the largest. I don't know if anyone else is interested."
"I talked to Karmen about this and she refused. Tim may be interested on it, but I highly doubt it. Other than that, I do not have much to say. You know, one should know a person very well before he says anything about this."
"How about you?"
"I must admit that it looks odd to have a Chinese to moderate a Gwai Lo board, even though there are many Chinese users, including myself. It is somewhat ironic to have a Chinese staff."
"Based on your posts on the board, you are qualified to be one. You responded to many incidents very well. Give it a thought, SYSS Mouse (She did not know my real name yet). I will make the decision in a few days."
I looked outside. I knew that being a moderator did not mean one is superior but rather a kind of responsibility to all people he knew. It could be a lot of pain to moderate a board. Weather report said it would snow sometime that week. Maybe this meant something.
"I am serious, Mouse. I will be very appreciated if you consider this position."
* * *
The weather is getting cold and it started snowing. Several days later I walked back to my dormitory with several inches of fresh snow the night before. I received a message from Katy that she wished me to take the position. After giving it a thought, I accepted. Other moderators were Nebu from Montreal and someone from Ottawa with a nickname "Wheel Chair Ninja".
I was aware that being a moderator could mean the doom of a person¡¦s reputation as I had seen examples before. I did not know whether being a moderator was good for me. Only time would tell.
