Shot By Both Sides

Introduction

When I first heard the song "Shot By Both Sides" by Magazine, I was captivated by the riff and the lyrics, so much so that we had the song in our set with the Bok, and I loved the effect the riff had on the audience when we played it.

I was then surprised to find that Howard Devoto had borrowed the riff from Pete Shelley, which he introduced on the Buzzcocks' "Lipstick".

But this is not about the music, although give both songs a listen, by all means.

This is about my current situation on Vocal.

⚰️☠️💥🧨🔫Shot By Both Sides🔫🧨💥☠️⚰️

I should not have to be writing this, but I have been unable to publish a real new story since the 23rd of November. This means I am having to recycle placeholders from old pieces.

This causes me a lot of work, as I need to identify stories that are maybe not 100% and are unlikely to be read again on Vocal.

I think a side effect is that I am blocked from any Bonuses on Vocal, that is, Challenges, Top Stories and Leaderboard.

They did give me a year's V+ after admitting that the problem was theirs and they were working on it. They are still blocking me from being able to make comments with my backup account, although they emailed to say that it was fixed. It wasn't.

So while I am being put under pressure by the Vocal situation, many Creators seem to have just stopped commenting on my work. Some have told me I have done something wrong, and that's why Vocal has done this to me. The implication that it is my fault because I have criticised and pointed out faults on Vocal, and I deserve to be in this position.

Some just mean it as a joke, but as the situation doesn't change, it starts to hurt. I should be able to take a joke, but when you see these people awarded another Top Story, you start to feel not valued.

Having said that, the comments on my stories, by the few who still comment on my work, are incredibly supportive and help me keep my head above water.

Then there are so many that leap to Vocal's defence, saying they have to work hard, or they need a holiday. Vocal is not one person; it is a professional company.

Imagine if you went into a shop, paid for a coffee, and then it never came, and when you asked bout it, you were ignored, and the other customers told you to keep quiet.

That is the "Shot By Both Sides" analogy that I feel I am under.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading, and don't worry about me, I am sure it will be sorted out one day, and I will keep recycling stories like this one.