My response to Cosplay Oneesan
So I got an upset/angry email from Lauren, who everyone should know as the lovely planner for all of our Cosplay Oneesan Events, about our "Leader" Lynda.
Here is a copy and paste of Lauren's response to Lynda's "Leadership is a lonely path paved with treachery...."
Lauren:
Lynda, I am extremely ashamed to read this. So much -- that I am actually taking my precious free time to respond. Usually, I would turn a blind eye, but sometimes I wonder if you are purposely giving people the wrong idea about your so-called Oneesan 'team.' If anything, I don't think we should be the ones to sit quietly while you continue to make 'hints' on your journal and through other means that we somehow screwed up and you are the victim of it all.
How dare you infer that the very people -- Oneesan -- who helped you put together the event are treacherous.
Simply because we (and this may not include every single one of us, but I can safely say a GOOD NUMBER) do not want to participate in a next event, it does not make us 'treacherous,' nor infer something about our own character traits.
For one, Lynda... have you ever thought about the whole situation from someone's perspective other than your own?
I worked my ass off for this event. I worked on it nearly every day for the 2 months preceding it whenever I had an ounce of free time. I KNOW I was the only member of Oneesan with these time committments. While everyone else did a majority of their contribution on the few days of the event, I seriously put in my (nearly invisible, right?) time hours and hours before it. Everyone just showed up and it was somehow 'magically' put together and ready. Almost.
And let's see... for me, why would I be partially disappointed? No, it wasn't about the event that fans see. That seemingly went well. However, I was a bit disappointed in our leader. Rather than being the 'leader' figure that you are supposed to, there were various times that I was disappointed in your actions or wondered to myself, "How come Lynda isn't helping me with X?" and I knew you had more free time than I did.
"Why is Lynda not talking to Liz? Why is she simply not being civil for the rest of our group's sake?"
"Why did Lynda come early to the event when she had told everyone she was coming a day later? Is she trying to control what Angelic Pretty does? Who cares! Let them spend time with Liz; it's their choice! Just CHILL!"
"Oh, why is Lynda calling me at 2 am? Oh? AP wants candy? You say you will get it done yourself? Good. Then why do I find out Alvin is dealing with it and I have to play phone tag to give him driving directions + instructions?"
"You couldn't get basic information across to Sumire? Why didn't you just give Koni a chance to try? Better than being so unprepared when they arrived."
"You broke AP's contract with them in that you didn't provide them meals or rooms or whatever the heck you had agreed to? Not our problem. But another reason why AP wasn't in the best mood there, either."
"Asuka is breaking a part your fight? Gee, I wonder why. Maybe not because she's 'being nice,' but because you need to act professionally, even if that means sweeping your own problems under a rug and making sure the show goes on. That was something for you to deal with on your own. Why did you bring it into the spotlight of AP?"
"Yes, life sucks. We all knew about your employment situation. But why do you keep trying to rub it in our faces? It's not like we could do something to solve it at the event. If anyone, that's something only YOU have the means to influence."
"Why is Lynda not acting like our leader and making the necessary decisions and letting us flounder around? Our leader should be concerned with leading, whether that means being your best friend or not."
Some of Oneesan have trust issues with you, as well. It didn't help introducing a bunch of new people in as staff without formally introducing them to the rest of the old team and then expecting us to get along. And then you expect each and every one of us to provide you information transparently to you?
So all in all, you expect us to simply believe you are the victim of this year's event? And then expect us to WANT to return for next year's?
Give me a break.
We all volunteered expecting nothing in return. And literally, from our leader... I guess that's what we got."
----------------------------------------------------
I have stayed quiet about Cosplay Oneesan and our troubles only because I do not believe in going around talking about our problems... but if you keep on going on like this, I feel I should support Lauren and let people know the truth.
Firstly, you go around "hinting" about how you are the victim. I don't understand why? The guests seemed super happy about the outcome of the event. I have asked many people and they loved it and are already looking forward to the next one.
On the other hand, you keep telling people (and the guests of honor) about our "bad communication" skills" in which you REALLY mean, "Koni's bad communication skills" like you want to push the blame on every small mistake on some one else. I admit I am not perfect, but I do my job, and I do it well. I was in charge of Guest Relations and therefore I did most of the negotiations with the Guests of Honor. Contrary to what you believe (or want to believe), I always informed them exactly what you asked of me and I always called you back as soon as I got off the phone to let you know their answers. You say there is bad communication, but how come all the other Oneesan members know what the plan is...minus the leader?
I didn't want to mention this, but since Lauren touched on Sumire... You refused to give me their contact, even though all of the staff thought it was for the best that I contacted them directly, you told me that it was not needed and you had everything under control. Obviously everything was not under control. They had NO idea what was happening, no one even knew what the schedule was until they were here in America. I don't even think their concert would have been possible if Lizzie didn't go out herself to find a sound system and Lauren negotiating with the event planners at the hotel.
Also, you seem to think you "possess" these guests once they come here, like you can control their every move. You need to remember to be more Boss-like. At the other events I help, the top boss NEVER socializes with the main guests unless it is work related. They are too busy trying to get the event perfect. On the other hand, you were too worried that the guests were spending more time with other people and not yourself, than worry about the outcome of the event itself.
You seem to forget who got you these guests. I give you full credit for Novala, and I saw your passion for the event, I really had respect for you. I felt I could work with you to make an even greater event for the Lolita's overseas. I used my resources and contacted with Angelic Pretty and Sumire...and in the end they agreed (although Sumire agreed a year later). In the end I figured out that your passion for these events is not for the joy of seeing lolita's happy, but for your own personal gain and merit. (and I am not talking about money-wise here)
Actually,I am totally fine with you getting all the credit as our leader. I work behind the scenes in many other things for many other people and I enjoy it that way. But for you to keep on referring to "us oneesan" as people who are NOT capable after all the work we did (for really NO personal gain), I can not accept that. You need to give your staff more credit, let people know what we really did to make this event succeed. Especially Lauren, without her we wouldn't have food,a boutique, or Tea Party. Without Liz, I don't know how you would have managed all the guests wanting to site see. Beni is such a gentle girl, GREAT translator, LOVE. The new staffers were all lovely and great workers! I think these are the things you should be writing in your LJ.
Finally, I have heard that you call me "unprofessional" and I am only a "fangirl" of AP. I do not understand where this is coming from. It is not my fault that I speak Japanese. It was easier for me to get close with the guests, especially when sharing a hotel room. We had many things in common and so became friends. I keep in contact with them on a casual level, and I do not think I need to report to you about these mails. Maybe you thought this would happen with Sumire and that is why you didn't even introduce me to them during the event...who knows... anyways I think most of us Oneesan staff knows that I am not the fangirl, but in reality it is you.
Like Lauren said, you need to see things under a different perspective. Please stop going around hinting about things that are not true and stating things about us that are bias. I believe Lauren and I-- and all the other cosplay oneesan staff have a good head on our shoulders and we tried very hard to help you achieve a great event for the past two years, events that I am really proud of...but all we got in return is your hurtful and deceitful words. Please do not try to ruin our reputation, when all we did was help you gain yours.
Here is a copy and paste of Lauren's response to Lynda's "Leadership is a lonely path paved with treachery...."
Lauren:
Lynda, I am extremely ashamed to read this. So much -- that I am actually taking my precious free time to respond. Usually, I would turn a blind eye, but sometimes I wonder if you are purposely giving people the wrong idea about your so-called Oneesan 'team.' If anything, I don't think we should be the ones to sit quietly while you continue to make 'hints' on your journal and through other means that we somehow screwed up and you are the victim of it all.
How dare you infer that the very people -- Oneesan -- who helped you put together the event are treacherous.
Simply because we (and this may not include every single one of us, but I can safely say a GOOD NUMBER) do not want to participate in a next event, it does not make us 'treacherous,' nor infer something about our own character traits.
For one, Lynda... have you ever thought about the whole situation from someone's perspective other than your own?
I worked my ass off for this event. I worked on it nearly every day for the 2 months preceding it whenever I had an ounce of free time. I KNOW I was the only member of Oneesan with these time committments. While everyone else did a majority of their contribution on the few days of the event, I seriously put in my (nearly invisible, right?) time hours and hours before it. Everyone just showed up and it was somehow 'magically' put together and ready. Almost.
And let's see... for me, why would I be partially disappointed? No, it wasn't about the event that fans see. That seemingly went well. However, I was a bit disappointed in our leader. Rather than being the 'leader' figure that you are supposed to, there were various times that I was disappointed in your actions or wondered to myself, "How come Lynda isn't helping me with X?" and I knew you had more free time than I did.
"Why is Lynda not talking to Liz? Why is she simply not being civil for the rest of our group's sake?"
"Why did Lynda come early to the event when she had told everyone she was coming a day later? Is she trying to control what Angelic Pretty does? Who cares! Let them spend time with Liz; it's their choice! Just CHILL!"
"Oh, why is Lynda calling me at 2 am? Oh? AP wants candy? You say you will get it done yourself? Good. Then why do I find out Alvin is dealing with it and I have to play phone tag to give him driving directions + instructions?"
"You couldn't get basic information across to Sumire? Why didn't you just give Koni a chance to try? Better than being so unprepared when they arrived."
"You broke AP's contract with them in that you didn't provide them meals or rooms or whatever the heck you had agreed to? Not our problem. But another reason why AP wasn't in the best mood there, either."
"Asuka is breaking a part your fight? Gee, I wonder why. Maybe not because she's 'being nice,' but because you need to act professionally, even if that means sweeping your own problems under a rug and making sure the show goes on. That was something for you to deal with on your own. Why did you bring it into the spotlight of AP?"
"Yes, life sucks. We all knew about your employment situation. But why do you keep trying to rub it in our faces? It's not like we could do something to solve it at the event. If anyone, that's something only YOU have the means to influence."
"Why is Lynda not acting like our leader and making the necessary decisions and letting us flounder around? Our leader should be concerned with leading, whether that means being your best friend or not."
Some of Oneesan have trust issues with you, as well. It didn't help introducing a bunch of new people in as staff without formally introducing them to the rest of the old team and then expecting us to get along. And then you expect each and every one of us to provide you information transparently to you?
So all in all, you expect us to simply believe you are the victim of this year's event? And then expect us to WANT to return for next year's?
Give me a break.
We all volunteered expecting nothing in return. And literally, from our leader... I guess that's what we got."
----------------------------------------------------
I have stayed quiet about Cosplay Oneesan and our troubles only because I do not believe in going around talking about our problems... but if you keep on going on like this, I feel I should support Lauren and let people know the truth.
Firstly, you go around "hinting" about how you are the victim. I don't understand why? The guests seemed super happy about the outcome of the event. I have asked many people and they loved it and are already looking forward to the next one.
On the other hand, you keep telling people (and the guests of honor) about our "bad communication" skills" in which you REALLY mean, "Koni's bad communication skills" like you want to push the blame on every small mistake on some one else. I admit I am not perfect, but I do my job, and I do it well. I was in charge of Guest Relations and therefore I did most of the negotiations with the Guests of Honor. Contrary to what you believe (or want to believe), I always informed them exactly what you asked of me and I always called you back as soon as I got off the phone to let you know their answers. You say there is bad communication, but how come all the other Oneesan members know what the plan is...minus the leader?
I didn't want to mention this, but since Lauren touched on Sumire... You refused to give me their contact, even though all of the staff thought it was for the best that I contacted them directly, you told me that it was not needed and you had everything under control. Obviously everything was not under control. They had NO idea what was happening, no one even knew what the schedule was until they were here in America. I don't even think their concert would have been possible if Lizzie didn't go out herself to find a sound system and Lauren negotiating with the event planners at the hotel.
Also, you seem to think you "possess" these guests once they come here, like you can control their every move. You need to remember to be more Boss-like. At the other events I help, the top boss NEVER socializes with the main guests unless it is work related. They are too busy trying to get the event perfect. On the other hand, you were too worried that the guests were spending more time with other people and not yourself, than worry about the outcome of the event itself.
You seem to forget who got you these guests. I give you full credit for Novala, and I saw your passion for the event, I really had respect for you. I felt I could work with you to make an even greater event for the Lolita's overseas. I used my resources and contacted with Angelic Pretty and Sumire...and in the end they agreed (although Sumire agreed a year later). In the end I figured out that your passion for these events is not for the joy of seeing lolita's happy, but for your own personal gain and merit. (and I am not talking about money-wise here)
Actually,I am totally fine with you getting all the credit as our leader. I work behind the scenes in many other things for many other people and I enjoy it that way. But for you to keep on referring to "us oneesan" as people who are NOT capable after all the work we did (for really NO personal gain), I can not accept that. You need to give your staff more credit, let people know what we really did to make this event succeed. Especially Lauren, without her we wouldn't have food,a boutique, or Tea Party. Without Liz, I don't know how you would have managed all the guests wanting to site see. Beni is such a gentle girl, GREAT translator, LOVE. The new staffers were all lovely and great workers! I think these are the things you should be writing in your LJ.
Finally, I have heard that you call me "unprofessional" and I am only a "fangirl" of AP. I do not understand where this is coming from. It is not my fault that I speak Japanese. It was easier for me to get close with the guests, especially when sharing a hotel room. We had many things in common and so became friends. I keep in contact with them on a casual level, and I do not think I need to report to you about these mails. Maybe you thought this would happen with Sumire and that is why you didn't even introduce me to them during the event...who knows... anyways I think most of us Oneesan staff knows that I am not the fangirl, but in reality it is you.
Like Lauren said, you need to see things under a different perspective. Please stop going around hinting about things that are not true and stating things about us that are bias. I believe Lauren and I-- and all the other cosplay oneesan staff have a good head on our shoulders and we tried very hard to help you achieve a great event for the past two years, events that I am really proud of...but all we got in return is your hurtful and deceitful words. Please do not try to ruin our reputation, when all we did was help you gain yours.