Survivng the storm.
Today is my birthday. I was born 52 years ago in a hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. I was premature, my mother had toximia. My family did not think I was going to make it.
My uncles did not want my mother to name me because they did not want her to get attached and heartbroken. I rallied and rallied and finally it was clear I was going to make it. I was ugly, wrinkled and looked burned and was very small, but I made it. I fought and survived.
This has been my MO ever since. I am a survivor. I like my life and the way it has shaped me into who I am now. As lives go, it has not been an easy one. It has made me really strong, kind of brave, compassionate and believe it or not optimistic.
It has made me appreciate every single moment of life and is teaching me to see them all as opportunities, no matter what they look like. I am still working on this part. It is so much easier to see and accept the lessons in life when they come packaged all pretty and nice, isn’t it? All wrapped up with a bow, all tidy and easy. It’s the dirty, messy, scary ones that are a little harder to see as anything other than pain and suffering. It is hard to weed through the debris to see that, in fact, there is light and love and hope.
I don’t know about you, but I have found that even though I truly hate these parts of life and would vote for being done with them (really, if there was a place to vote and I missed out, I’m going to be so bummed), they have given me a wealth of knowledge, experience and, yes, even joy. Teaching me to look beyond what is presented to me to see what might lie inside or underneath or maybe is exactly what it is and only that.
I have spent a good chunk of this week doing all of this. And, honestly, I tell you I have needed every skill I’ve picked up along this 52-year journey of mine in order to gracefully walk through it.
But I find myself stumbling a bit. The most challenging part of this for me has been the hate and cruelty directed at Stephanie and I. Personal attacks on our character and threats to our businesses. It is painful, shocking and, honestly, a little scary.
Oh, and I almost forgot . . . undeserved. We do not deserve this kind of reaction, projection and irresponsibility. Actually, no one does. I understand the disappointment and frustration. We both do. We have a lot of the same feelings in relation to this as you do.
Honestly, how could we not? SS09 has taken so much time and energy to plan and implement. Add in the extra time to be taken seriously and, well, does anyone really think we have worked this hard to make something that many could participate in no matter what they chose to do while keeping the costs down as far as we could get them, only to have registration look like this? This was definitely not the plan.
We have run reports and based on what we have found and what we have gotten from IT experts there was no way we could have predicted this and we would be hard pressed to afford a server situation to take care of it. You should see our IT friends faces pale when we tell this story.
Our IT team is running reports and problem solving with us so we can work through this in an efficient and timely manner.
We are rallying.
We are painstakingly going through the emails to solve everyone’s problem and we will do our absolute best to do this.
There were 12,000 signed up on our mailing list. This is the number we went by. Rule of thumb is you count that 10% of that number is your true customer base. Knowing our actual customer base, we took that 10% and multiplied it by four. In the non-knitter world, that would have been more than enough (and actually a bit of a financial risk on on our part and a huge leap of faith). How could we have known that not only would we be hit with more than the 12,000 but over double that? ( that would be at least 30,000) We could not.
Along with the hate has also been a whole lot of patience, understanding, compassion and love directed to us and also knitter to knitter. We have a fair number of emails from knitters offering to give up classes so someone else can have one. We have lovely stories about how people tried and tried and got in or maybe they did not and how they are choosing to deal with it to make the most positive experience for themselves.
There are those that will think I am making excuses or belittling their experience. I am not. I’m just trying to give us all a little perspective. It is easier to problem solve when the problem is clear and not clouded with other issues.
We will keep you all in the loop so keep checking in.
Announcement:
We aren’t going to be putting up the page where you can search for your registration, because it isn’t a “for sure” way of telling what’s going on. When we were testing it, we had a lot of trouble and realized that, if we put it up, what’s going to happen is that people are going to search, not find themselves, figure they aren’t there, and freak out. Meanwhile, they are (in fact) there, they just have a typo or glitch. We’ve decided to make sure that everything is accurate by doing it all MANUALLY, ourselves. That means that, if you have a problem, you should write to us on the “Contact Us” page with as many details as you can and we’ll sort it out. If you already wrote us, we’re on it. The first refunds went out today, and we have all our staff working only on this. Also, we have hired more staff and the IT company is lending us people. It should go quickly, but please be patient. We’ll sort everybody out as best we can, as quickly as we can. The good news about duplicates is that there may be some open slots coming up on the website. Haunt the place, you might get lucky yet!
Answers to most-asked questions and comments:
-No. We can’t make it bigger. It’s already the biggest ever. It’s really big, and there isn’t more room at the Conference Centre, and we actually don’t have a responsibility to make sure everyone can fit. A knitting conference for tens of thousands of knitters isn’t a reasonable thing to ask of us.
-No. We can’t get the bigger ballroom at the Art Museum. It’s is booked and has been since we tried to book it before.
– No. We can’t put more students in all the classes. Class size is dictated by the teachers. That’s industry standard and if the classes were any bigger you would just be sad that the classes were so big you couldn’t learn in them.
– No. We can’t get Barbara Walker to do some extra lectures. She’s almost 80 and a retired and extraordinarily well respected matriarch of our community. We won’t be exhausting her.
No. we don’t agree that we are horrible people because you didn’t get what you wanted. We are very, very sorry you are disappointed. We are even sorrier about the server crash, because it made what we now understand was inevitable – a lot of disappointed knitters, a lot who think that if the server hadn’t crashed it would have worked out for them. The server slowed down for all of you. It crashed for all of you. Nobody got an advantage and we’re heartbroken that you’re sad. Write to us. We’re helping everyone as best as we can. Really. While we don’t think we’re horrible, we know that this feels horrible, and we want to make as many people happy as we can.
ooops P.S. PLEASE, the blue moon staff and sock summit team ask that all the love messages be sent here in comments and to Stephs blog. Thanks ever so much.
Comments are closed.
As I said on Stephanie’s blog, count me in as one who is truly sorry you got hate mail and nastygrams. A huge, big, and deep thank you for having this vision in the first place. May those awful people get knots in their yarn and dropped stitches in their intricate Aran sweaters. And may you keep on with the fortitude that brought you this far (for which I’m sure we’re all very grateful).
– Meg
We are glad you are a fighter or we might not have had the opportunity that you and Stephanie and everyone else invoved has given us. Here is wishing you a very Happy Birthday with the hope that you will take a few moments for yourself to enjoy this special day.
Gosh I just read Stephanie’s entry as well, and I know no one can erase the shock and sadness you are feeling, but I just hope that when the dust finally settles, you guys can focus on the good – no, AMAZING – thing you have done. And I guess this shows us just because we all have a shared interest in knitting doesn’t mean there isn’t the usual population of crazies out there! It is shocking to hear what is being sent to you. Every time you are forced to read one of those emails, or think about one, take a moment and think the following: “May I be happy, may I be well, may I be safe, may I be peaceful and at ease.” That is what the majority of us want for you!
Oh, and Happy Birthday!!
I already posted a reply to Stephanie but I’ll write one here too. First off, happy birthday! Second, thank you so much for even attempting something so amazing. In my limited event planning experience I am in awe of what you are doing. Heck, I am currently planning a wedding for 100 and am finding the logistics of that complicated enough. I cannot imagine organizing an event like this for 4000 people. Wow, just wow.
It sucks, but you can never please everybody. No matter what. If classes hadn’t filled and some had been cancelled, people would have been disappointed in that. In my 27 years I have learned that our disappointments are caused by our own expectations. It is not fair to turn on the two of you because we didn’t get what we wanted.
So thanks again. I will see you at Sock Summit
First, happy happy birthday Tina! I hope you can take a little time to celebrate!! You so deserve it!
Second, you and Steph and Debbi have been in my thoughts and prayers all week. No one expected any of this, and the meanness is just wrong. So wrong. Keep fighting because I know Sock Summit will be absolutely amazing! I know its hard to imagine anything better than Sock Camp, but SS09 is going to be absolutely incredible!! All because you and Steph decided to do something fearless. And for that, thank you!
Big big hugs! And its 4pm, so big birthday toast!!
Thank you Tina. I didn’t know about you before I learned of SS09. Though we have never met (which I hope to change) I now know enough to admire your vision and executive skills without which you and Stephanie could not have created A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENT!
It must be hard to remember that success is a good thing when you are being punished for it. Congratulations to both of you!
Your post and Stephanie’s actually made me start to cry (which I don’t do often)! I’m so astounded people can be so cruel.
I hope you have a chance to enjoy this gorgeous weather we are having and have a wonderful birthday.
I’m so excited about the Sock Summit and thank you for organizing it!
Happy birthday! You are most definitely not horrible—it’s horrible that people would send you hate mail. It’s funny that anyone would think that’s appropriate—I’m guessing that folks don’t send hate mail to Ticketmaster when they don’t get tix to their favorite concert in the five minutes before they sell out. Just because knitters take care of each other when we can doesn’t mean we get to be nasty to one another when something disappointing happens. Thank you, sincerely, for all of the work that you’re doing to put this together.
I think the meanies should have their registrations “lost” someplace in that big ole’ server you and Steph got. Those are the kind of people that aren’t happy, no matter what you do for them, and the rest of us shouldn’t have to deal with their attitude and sense of entitlement. I know you and Steph have taken on a huge job to do this, and voluntarily, I might add; nobody required you two to do this, you did it out of the goodness of your hearts and love of your fellow knitters, for which I am eternally grateful. How dare anyone criticize you! I hope they get moths in their stash. If you need help, of whatever sort, including a shoulder to cry on, please, please, please, do not hesitate to ask. I know knitters (and people who love knitters) who are computer geeks, organizational divas, and all around good eggs who can take some of that load off your shoulders. I even know people who can herd cats and nail jello to trees. Whatever you need, honey, we can do it for you. Just say the word.
I wish you blessings and happiness on your birthday!
I was really sad and honestly a bit angry too – not at you guys, but at the system and circumstance; I know you both would have moved heaven and earth to avoid what happened. I’m so very grateful to have gotten the class that I did and I’m sooooo looking forward to being amongst so many amazing and talented people.
Thanks and {{hugs}} to you and Stephanie for all your hard work.
Hi Tina and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I ,for one, really am amazed at what you all accomplished. Yes, as far as I know I am one of the lucky ones that made it into classes, but even if I wasn’t ,I would still be going to breathe in the wonder of what you guys created! Not everyone is going to be happy with how things turned out, but I know most of us can’t show our appreciation enough. If you need volunteers , I live here in Portland and my time is yours. Thanks again for all you do!!
Happy happy birthday!!
I want to support your business more now.
happy birthday to you,
I want a slow dance with A sock summit. and no I won’t “watch my hands”
Just wanted to say Happy Birthday!! Please know that we appreciate you guys so much! Since the first rumors were out of a “Sock Summit” I have planned on going…just to in some small way be a part of such great vision! Regardless of classes or other scheduling! You guys are amazing!
I just sent you birthday wishes via e-mail before I realized you just posted. Wishing that your day and week is much happier than Terrifying Tuesday.
Hugs!
Tina,
Let me just say thank you. You and Stephanie have done something absolutely amazing for the knitting community. Seriously. I cannot tell you how sad it makes me that you are getting hateful treatment when you have worked so very hard to pull this all together and taken such personal risks to do so. I booked airfare & hotel knowing full well that I might not get classes because I knew that the knitting community is a wonderful one, that the program was going to be fun no matter what, that Portland will be a wonderful city & that the whole thing would be fun. If there was anything I could do to make it better for you guys I would. So I’ll simply say thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I never imagined that I would get an opportunity to see the kind of knitting rock stars you have pulled together and the opportunity to just be in the same city at the same time as all of you, well, I’m sort of expecting that I’ll have trouble talking to you since I’m in such awe. So if there’s an awkward 50 year old woman sitting in the back of your class with her mouth open? Have pity, that’ll be me
Tina–
Bless you for the countless hours you have put in for the knitting community. For the bad comments, in my mother’s words, “Consider the source.”
My daughter and I have planned from the first time we heard about the event that we would be there. We booked our flights and hotel over two months ago. If we didn’t get classes, we were still going to come since neither of us has been west of the Rockies.
As a former in-home yarn shop owner and a 60 yr. old that still learning more about knitting I really appreciate all you have done to further the cause ….. knitting that is.
God bless and happy birthday.
Vicki
My husband and I were some of the lucky ones, and we fully appreciate how lucky. You guys have done a wonderful job dreaming up Sock Summit and trying to make it great. You did the best you humanly could. Sometimes that isn’t enough to be perfect, but, it just proves you are human. Even if we didn’t get our classes, we would still come. In fact, I am so much looking forward to this that I can hardly wait. My DH is a newbie knitter and he got into the 6-hour class for beginning socks. I got into Creative Mosaic Knitting and Color Stitches (I’ll see YOU there!). I will be able to attend Barbara Walker’s lecture and the Luminary Panel. I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, even if you decide to do it again. Thank you so very much for making Sock Summit happen. You need to hear this from people. We appreciate your efforts and understand your tribulations. I hope you will be able to enjoy the Sock Summit and have a chance to relax soon. I can’t wait to meet you in person.
You guys are amazing. Really amazing! Thanks for all your hard work.
I have already emailed regarding my registration problem but just wanted to say that although I will be mightily disappointed if all my info flew out into the ether (hence, no confirmation) and I am left with no Sock Summit classes – I am more than sympathetic with what you and Stephanie must have been going through the past few days – I am totally amazed that Stephanie even has energy to do her book tour. Kudos to both of you – and Happy Birthday to you!!
Tina! Happy Birthday, hon.
I hope…you got some wonderful cake today. (and a beer, tho’ were it me, it would not be at the same time!) *wink*
I’m appalled you two got hate mail. It makes NO SENSE…we are human beings not insensitive dolts. It makes me, once again, shake my head and wonder what is going on in this world!
Please take care of yourselves, both of you…we love you!
(((hugs)))
Happy Birthday and I wish I could wave a magic wand to make it all better. Disappointment is OK; rude and mean is not. It’s painful to know that there are people in this lovely craft that could behave that way. I loved Stephanie’s comparison to not getting tickets to a Prince concert! That those knitters have a sense of entitlement is boggling. As some great group once sang (and yes, I KNOW which great group!) “You can’t always get what you want….” If the people behaving that way are behaving that way because they didn’t get in, frankly I’m glad they won’t be bringing their angry spirits to SS09!
You two rock! (BTW, does CNN know about this massive event last Tuesday? The world would be amazed!)
I’ve got NOTHING but love for you all for putting SS09 together. Thank you! And happy birthday!
First, happy birthday, Tina, and thanks to both of you (actually, make that ALL of you)!
Thanks for sharing those numbers – I knew it had to be crazy, but that’s just wild!
Do you think that maybe IT people, banks and all other muggles out there will now start believing you?!
And finally, thanks again for taking this on! No matter what happens with our classes – it’s going to be absolutely incredible..
It makes me sad to hear there was such a lot of hate mail. My guess is the ease at firing off an angry email didn’t give folks a chance to calm down and think about what they were saying and who they were say it to (seriously, you’re going to bitch out two of the most awesome of awesomist yarn people on the planet?!?!?). Not that I’m excusing their behavior by any means. No yarn for them! I hope some day you and Stephanie will be able to laugh about all this or at least not twitch noticeably when thinking of it.
And now I turn to happy birthday wishes and lots of LOVE. As matter of fact, I love you guys a bushel and a peck… click here for the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KrMDqTw1Bc
Raising my beer to ya here in Colorado! Happy birthday Tina!!!! And many more…..
I sent a note but I’ll post here too – I’m a knitter and a software engineer with lots of really big database and convention-running experience. I’m not attending SS09 (got laid off in jan and though I’m employed again now, I can’t afford the time).
I am, however, willing to volunteer to help with the mess if you need me. Just drop me an email and let me know. I love my new knitting hobby and am willing to pay forward right now. People really need to understand that, frustrating as problems can be, things like this are very difficult to predict in advance (especially for year 1) and guard against – even with a lot of precautions that *should* have been more than adequate.
My sympathies on the email tempest – been there too.
Happy Birthday!
– Maura
Love message: Thanks for all you’re doing. I don’t know if I got classes or not, but we’ll work that out later. I confess, I sent a stressed out whiny email in the middle of registration… please forgive me. I’ll be there in August no matter what. Hugs, love and peace,
Hi Tina (and Stephanie too).
You did an awesome job. Don’t let anybody suggest otherwise. I wish I was going to be able to go, I wish I could have battled with the server over registration. But even though I won’t be there, my heart is with you guys. You’ve pulled together one of THE coolest knitting events ever. Ever! Awesome job. Congratulations!
Happy Birthday.
And thank you for being a survivor and a fighter and getting a sock summit organized.
Happy Birthday dear heart! Sending you hugs, love, TONS of appreciation, and (of course… virtual) beer.
– Denise (aka dlotter on ravelry)
Happy, happy birthday Tina!! I know it’s been a completely miserable week for you but I hope that you at least have an opportunity to enjoy yourself and feel the love on your birthday.
You and Steph are amazing women and are doing an amazing job. I am in awe. I can imagine how horribly distressing all the hate mail must be for the team and I am incredibly sorry that you have to suffer through it all to fix what needs to be fixed. Through it all, just know that most of think you rock. And I leave the same suggestion for you that I did for Steph: Tell the haters to pound sand and go have a beer to celebrate the fact that the muggles were wrong and YOU WERE RIGHT AND HAVE THE NUMBERS TO PROVE IT!
Can’t wait until August! 4000+ knitters all in one place! And the vendors, HOLY CRAP, the vendors!!! I’m flying up from Oklahoma and my sister and I are only taking one class just so we have plenty of money to BUY YARN!
I’m hoping to get the chance to kinnear you and your walkie talkie.
Happy Birthday!
And thank you – for all the difficult shoes you have walked in to put together the Sock Summit. It is hard to put it all in perspective when you are in the middle of everything – running a business, putting together a super knitting event as well as always being a mom – but there are really more people out there that would rather give you a hug than give you hateful gestures and comments.
P.S You and Stephanie have put together a line up of teachers – well -that can’t be beat. It’s like Madrona on sock crack.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
I hope that, despite the detractors, you know that there are many, many more of us who are so very, very appreciative of what you’re doing. And I hope that you have a wonderful, fantabulous birthday, ‘cause you more than deserve it!
I posted some thoughts on Stephanie’s blog and then posted more on mine over here: http://knitforjoy.blogspot.com/2009/05/open-letter.html
Can’t wait for August!
happy birthday!
just wanted to add my voice to the chorus that’s singing your praises. you and steph (and all of your ss09 helpers) are doing something amazing and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise!
I’m so sorry that some folks are being mean-spirited when all you’ve been to us is kind, thoughtful, and hardworking. I appreciate all the hard work you and your team is doing, and no one, no one, can get everything perfect in this sort of endeavor. I’ll be honored to buy you both beers in August!
Happy Birthday!
LOVE (eleventy billion) (again) to each and every member of ST-1 and ST-2. And once more to you and Steph. At registration time…I was frustrated. I have a double-payment on my (husband’s) credit card. I didn’t get my first choice of classes. And I never, ever doubted that you – all of you – had done anything less than your extraordinary super-human best…or that the registration mess would be untangled with grace, wisdom, and class. You rock.
Also – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday! And thanks so much for all your hard work. Looking forward to SS09 and my very first trip to Portland.
Love, love, love—since you said to send it here !
I’m one of the lucky ones too – the system, once in, worked exactly the way it was designed to. And I’m thrilled beyond belief!
But I had already paid for my flight and booked my room – not assuming about classes, but because I was coming regardless, just to be in the place that you and the teams were creating. A crazy, creative and colourful venue that I would never have imagined myself.
Thank you for creating this opportunity for us knitters, and the beautiful yarns that inspired so many of us to ‘follow’ you in the first place.
Happy Birthday!
Try not to let the nastiness get to you. It’s going to be a fantastic Summit, and I absolutely cannot wait to meet you in person!
You are most loved, admired and treasured for your talent, vision and inspiration! Please remember . . . . . . . you are APPRECIATED by so many more than the viscious!
I said it over at Harlot’s blog, but I’ll say it here too. The work you’ve put in is amazing to anyone who’s tried planning anything with a registration and a selection of classes knows the massive amount of time, effort, planning and prayer that goes into it. I didn’t realize that you had 4K spots for classes, but my mind, it boggles at that number. And I had a feeling, no matter how much you planned or had rollbacks, it wouldn’t be enough.
Like any “celebrities”, no matter what the market, or “fandom”, there’s a point where the base begins to just love the object of their affections to death. I think that may be happening here with the Sock Summit. And no matter how much you give, for some people it will just never be enough. Reasonable limits? Reasonable expectations? Don’t enter the equation – the sense of entitlement takes up too much room. Steph’s concert analogy was perfect, as is my friend’s mention of the waiting room for Boston Red Sox tickets. Mass amounts of people are disappointed when they don’t get in, but for most folks, it’s expected that they just may not get in.
For what it’s worth, I am thinking of all of you, but especially you and Steph, as you’re dealing with the worst of the lot. I truly hope that at some point, you’ll be able to actually ENJOY the creation you and Stephanie have birthed, and not just look upon it as a duty to see through to the end. It’s truly an amazing thing you’ve put together here, and I send you, Steph and everyone involved lots of good vibes, healing energy, and a sincere expression of positivity.
Please let me know if you need any further help.
Dear Tina,
I do not follow your blog. I only rarely look at the Blue Moon web site and in spite of much temptation have never purchase yarn from your company. I only started looking at your blog on that fateful day of registration. This is the first time I have ever communicated with you.
I can only imagine the difficulty in organizing an event such as the Sock Summit and in that regard I suspect my imagination is severely limited. I’m sorry you had a difficult week. I was sad to read some of the griping over at Ravelry.. try not to look. But some posters have tried to put a positive spin on things. I did have a bit of trouble with registration but not enough to spit fire over. I want you to know that I’m really appreciative of your efforts in putting this together. Aside from technical server difficulties I think your biggest problem, if you want to call it that, was that you had really great advertising and promotion for this event. Sometimes the power of the Internet is more than we think. In a small scale comparison I am reminded of the deluge of scarves collected for th Red Scarf Project a couple of years ago due to Now Norma Knits blog.
In terms of advertising I’m only vaguely aware of other knitting conventions and wouldn’t consider flying to any of them. I am so excited that this is going to be close to home in Oregon! I am looking forward to attending the event and I hope everything goes calmly and smoothly.
Thanks for all your hard work.
Amy
Hey! Happy Birthday… and thanks!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Thank you for all that you do and all that you are.
to quote a bumper sticker: Mean People Suck.
Happy Birthday and know I’m looking forward to the SS09 even if there are bumps, glitches and problems. Hey, we’re all human. Now I just have to figure out babysitters. My DH and I both scheduled big events for the same day, me the Sock Summit, he a concert in Seattle. Granted, he paid more for his tickets
Anyone want to babysit 3 very energetic children? I’ll supply the duct tape….
Keep up the good work. As hard as it was for we who were trying to get into classes, I know it has been really hard for all of you to try to straighten out this mess. You guys must have been flabber-gasted. I don’t envy your job and appreciate that you are trying to keep it together and do right by us. Don’t let the turkeys get you down (70’s flashback).
Happy Birthday! I’m so glad you’re here and doing what you do and are who you are! You and Stephanie deserve a ton of credit for organizing a Fun and Enriching event—which it will be, no matter what the yucky emails say.
Wish I could be there, but summer schedule dictates that I just look longingly at the website (and keep working on my family’s STR socks that were supposed to be last year’s Christmas presents!)
Enjoy, and thanks,
Barb
Happy Socky Birthday!!! I liked you guys before, but now I am in awe, and have nothing but the greatest admiration for how you have been handling such hurtful assaults, in the midst of doing SUPERHUMAN feats of organizational magic.
I can’t wait to meet you. I have your colorful stitches class Saturday morning. It is going to be so GREAT!!!
Much love and hugs,
Michele
Maybe you can get somebody to screen your emails for you so you can just read the helpful and positive ones. That’s what I do at work sometimes. Thanks for taking on this big project. It will be stupendous!
I am so sorry that you and Stephanie have been subjected to such awful treatment. I’ve seen some of the griping on Ravelry, but evidently they’ve saved the true vitriol for you directly. It is most certainly undeserved and truly inappropriate.
You both, and your team, have been doing an amazing job! This is going to be a fabulous event and I’m so happy that it’s here in Oregon. I am thrilled with the classes that I did get and certainly don’t blame you for the one’s I missed out on (I understand the concept of 30000 vs. 30 class spots!) and can’t wait until August.
I hope that you get some comfort from the support that’s out here for you all.
Thanks so much and Happy birthday!
–Dawn
Congratulations, many times over, on planning an event that has attracted all the best and the brightest teachers and vendors! The 30,000-simultaneous-connections response is amazing, but perhaps not so surprising, when you consider the class offerings.
Although I didn’t plan to attend, and reconsidered when I got your email announcing registration, I never visited the registration site at all on Tuesday morning. When you’re planning your next event, I guess that you need to take into account the additional fact that not everyone on your list of 12,000 actually responded!
Again, congratulatons.
Thanks to you all for your hard work, and for not giving up. And Happy Birthday!!!!
Oh, by the way – I work for a company that processes millions of transactions (bank) and has a huge and highly competent IT staff, and I don’t know that we could have kept up with that kind of traffic on our main webpage.
So sorry about some people being so mean .I myself am waiting to see what I got as I did not get conf as of yet, but even if I don’t get any classes I am still going and think you guys are doing a wonderful job . Just know that some of us think and know that you guys are wonderful and doing the best that you can and we appricate all the time and effort you guys are taking to fix everything.
First – Happy Birthday! Hope you are able to take some time to enjoy/celebrate your special day.
No matter what you did or could have done there were going to be those who would not/could not be satisfied. Entitlement seems to be our newest and biggest social illness.
I’m truly sorry that you and Stephanie have seen the ugly side of so many people. I was lucky and got through but I am one of those who have issues, which I know it will be taken care of in due time.
I hope I’ll get a chance to thank you in person. Thank you for all your hard work, time and energy – please know that they are greatly appreciated.
Although the computer issues were frustrating, I don’t think that it is your fault. I plan on at least going to the market even if I did not get into the class I may have signed up for. Thank you and Steph for all of your hard work organizing SS09.
Happy Birthday, Tina. I am so very sorry to hear that there have been nasty people who directed their venom toward you guys. I can only say thank you for having such a wonderful dream and applaud your every effort. It will be a wonderful time for us all.
Thank you again….hugs now and when I see you in Portland!
Happy Birthday!!! Thank you so much for all of your hard work it is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for planning something that is going to be the most amazing knitting event ever. Big hugs and lots of love to the entire BMFA & SS09 crew.
Mwah! Sending big hugs and kisses and rainbows and clouds of fairy dust your way. I hope I get the chance to meet you in person in Portland!
love
I’m glad the people who sent hate mail aren’t coming to Sock Summit. They don’t deserve to be there.
You and Stephanie are massively appreciated for even attempting this event. Clearly you’ve been proven right that there is a serious demand for what you are creating. I will make it a point to save some extra money to spend at Sock Summit. I want to do what I can to help you achieve financial success, in addition to the spiritual success you have already attained.
It definitely sounds like it’s time for a beer. After what you two have been through, not just any beer will do. You need something like a bourbon barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout. Old Rasputin XI comes to mind as a beer that might be able to help put things right!
Good things will come out of this! Have faith in that.
Yes there were problems, and I did not get into the classes I wanted but I got into a couple of classes. I thought this is a great way for me to take a class I normally wouldn’t take and maybe it will end up being something wonderful.
The SS09 is a gigantic undertaking and it will be exciting just to be there with so many knitters and instructors. No matter what it will filled with fiber, fun and a chance to make new friends.
I was taught that you cannot always get what you want and I have not made it into sock clubs or workshops I wanted. When that happens I try to find another that will make me happy.
Thanks for organizing this. I know 1 bad email can ruin your day but think of all the others that are positive.
Love message!!
I did not win the lottery and I am *still grateful* for you having the vision and doing that mind-boggling amount of work to bring SS09 into the world. I enjoyed every minute of pouring over the teacher list and later the classes, writing my wish list of classes, paring down that list to a realistic number.
Please don’t let the mean-mouthed nutters get to you. I am hoping for a SS10. Maybe the fates will smile on me then.
And Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! We are just a few months apart.
I am glad to hear of the good-hearted people who are trying to help. Thank you for sharing that. I hope I can rub elbows with some of those good-hearted knitters at the SS. I am very disturbed by the venom of the others. It is obvious you don’t deserve that.
What you have accomplished is making history in the knitting world. You have created something new, something never done before. I hope you find that the sacrifices you have made fade in comparison to the joy of the success. I believe your business contacts will have to take the slack out of their attitudes.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY……you turned 52 the day after my youngest daughter turned 16 and I survived allowing her to drive home from getting her learner’s permit. PHEW!!! So sorry for the negativity being sent your way by a small fraction of small minded people. The amazing flp side is you have a following of supportive fans who truly appreciate the gift you and Stephanie have chosen to share with us. Knit on!!!
Happy Birthday! Please enjoy what’s left of it!
THANK YOU and Stephanie so much for going out on a limb and creating what I’m sure will be a fabulous event! Can’t wait!
happy day to you! happy to call you friend!
A few birthdays from now you will hopefully full out belly laugh at the magnitude of what you and Steph have accomplished and even the bumps along the way.
did you get a piture of the IT guys’ faces when they saw the number of hits….from knitters? if you did, could you post it!!! hehe when will non-knitters ever learn?
what time does beer o’clock end, cuz i might pay for it tomorrow!!!
hugs girl,
m
you are not just loved, but adored by many many MANY people, some of them not even knitters (shock!gasp!). what you and steph have given the knitting community before SS and since will not be damaged by servers and IT people and certainly not those who are so unhappy with life in general that they find it acceptable to attack good people who are only trying their hardest to enrich lives throughout the community.
i hope you were able to have a wonderful birthday, filled with cake and wine and all of the love being sent to you.
Please accept my sincerest apologies on behalf of those individuals who behaved in such a reprehensible manner on registration day. Never before have I been ashamed to be a knitter. However, this sort of ridiculous insensitivity makes me begin to wonder. Alas, I cannot attend SS09 because of my work schedule, but I am an avid user of your yarns and gorgeous colors. Always will be. Please do not get discouraged. You are on the top of your profession and deserve to be there. So is Stephanie. The two of you have put your heart and souls into this project and deserve all the accolades one can muster. Those who behaved in such a boorish manner deserve nothing but an old store bought sock. With holes, no less.
Tina,
First, happy birthday!
Second, thank you so very much for all the work you and Steph have done for this conference (and for having the stones to make it all happen!!). I’ll be there as a vendor and while I didn’t get the one class I wanted to go to, I DON’T CARE. Because I’ll be among friends and knitters and some of the most wonderful folks on the planet. I’m thrilled to be involved, I’m thrilled to be going to Portland (first time!) and I’m beyond thrilled to be able to meet some of my knitting heroes. Thank you so much for putting this together.
I’ll be giving you both a big fat hug come August!
xoxo
Melanie (melaniedc on rav)
Happy Birthday Tina! I have so much love, admiration and appreciation for you. Your vision and spirit are incredible and Sock Summit is going to be an unforgettable event. In the words of Cockeyed, “Buck up little campers!” Hopefully the worst is over and it will be smooth sailing from now on.
Tina I love you. This too will pass, and when people remember Sock Summit, they will not remember the nasty stuff. They will remember the awesome stuff. Just think how reviled Abraham Lincoln was in his day.. both by North and South. Greatness takes risk. You are out there on the edge, and believe me, it will be worth it. Soon..
I hope your birthday is a happy happy, and I wish I could come over and give you a big smackeroo! altho I would probably just cry instead…
xox, Sivia
Hi ST-1 and ST-2,
Thank you for being awesome. You all have handled this crisis with grace, compassion and wisdom.
I’m so sorry so many people are sending cruel, hurtful, hateful and threatening messages to you all. None of you deserve this. You all work so hard, and this kind of response (30K!!!!) is amazing. Thank you for everything you do.
For the record I (thankfully) was able to get into a few classes, but none of the ones that were at the top of my list.
I am so sorry to hear about the tears and hurt. Know that far more of us love you, and appreciate everything you have done and the optimism you have shown in the face of adversity and pessimism.
Wanted to wish you a very happy birthday!! I am very thankful for all you have done to bring this event to life and it’s tragic that some disappointed people are ragging on you and Stephanie. Very not cool.
I was one of those that tried to get registered right away, wasn’t surprised at everything being sold out. I was sad, but that is life, sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t.
I tried again a bit later and was pleasantly surprised to get a couple of classes, not first choice, but at least something on my list.
Thank you for all your hard work, putting this thing together. Know that you are appreciated and the majority of people truly appreciate all your efforts. Those that send hate mail or make threats should be reported to the authorities, hurtful as it is, they need to know how wrong it is to behave in that manner.
I can hardly wait for August, you have made my summer!
Happy birthday! Much love and sympathies and I hope it has been a happy one despite such stresses this week. If I could send cake through the internet I would.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for all you do, it’s going to be a grand event! xo
I think to receive unjustified hate mail is different than someone being mad and complaining. I wish you would reply back to those terrible ones and say: “Shame on You…you should say you’re sorry”. Think what miserable souls they must be. What must it feel like to live in their own head and hearts? As much as I feel bad that you got hit with their spew, I think I feel more sorry for their obviously tormented lives. Be glad you are not them. Try to find a way to neutralize their hate and don’t let it dwell in you for even one more minute.
I believe that 99.99% of us are so happy and excited for Sock Summit and we just can’t wait. Everyone recognizes that you and your teams have gone over-the-top on all the fabulous things you have planned and it’s coming together beautifully. Happy Birthday you little whipper-snapper (I’m ten years older than you)
I hope you had a wonderful birthday. {{{{{hugs}}}}
I am so sorry that you and Stephanie are getting hate mail. I’m on the wrong coast to offer personal assistance in sorting this out, but if there is anything I can do to help in addition to sending my good thoughts your way, please don’t hesitate. You have both done so much work to create a magical event – I hope that the trials, tribulations and lack of respect offered to you both don’t put you off of the knitting community.
First, Happy Birthday. I hope it has been a good one–whether good=happy or not.
You and Stephanie have shown so much class through this whole thing. I just wanted you to know you have earned my respect a hundred times over.
It’s far too easy to be cruel and persecutory in email. I wish everyone really and truly understood that. And that people weren’t so free with their rage.
Thank you so much for making the honest miracle of SS09 happen. Here’s to many more Sock Summits, and at least another 52 years of living and learning. :o)
I am in awe of what you two have been accomplishing with this whole thing, I am in awe that you had the creativity to think of it and the courage to go do it, and I am thrilled at the outpouring of people supporting you and cheering you on and wanting to come do so in person.
And hey, I knew the ER at that hospital, growing up, really well–you know you’re from a large klutzy family when the receptionist looks up and smiles, “Oh hello, Mrs. Jeppson, what is it this time?” (Hit by a car, ran through a storm door, a foot in the bike spokes…and that was just me.)
First – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Second – I love the new RSC kit and hope to start it this weekend.
Third – Dump those emails and don’t allow such negative people to invade your thoughts.
I cried when I read yours and Stephanie’s posts. How dare people send such awful messages to people who have given of their time and talent to put together an event for thousand’s of people they don’t even know.
Many hugs and best wishes to both of you. I was fortunate to get most of the classes I wanted but only after the initial crash was worked out. I sent an email about some classes I need to cancel and heard back already. I have to say I was very surprised at the quick response. I had told my husband I didn’t expect a response until the end of next week, with all the issues you have to deal with. What a great team you have working for you. Have a group hug and pat each other on the back. You all deserve that and more.
Now go play with some nice light playful dye and let the uglyness melt away.
Lil
Happy Birthday Tina!
I’ve been thinking about you and the team. I’ve been there-ok, not exactly there but I’ve had some hairy experiences implementing financial systems.
I don’t care what community we are talking about, hate doesn’t belong anywhere. I am saddened to hear that you are receiving this kind of response. You guys have worked your fannies off(do you still have one?).
Please remember that it is because of you and Stephanie(and all your freakin’ hard work) that you had such a huge response. Knitters love you, they respect you and they want to be a part of anything you create. You guys are pioneer women. Strong, hard working and inspiring.
As with childbirth, there is pain in the process and you guys are birthing Sock Summit. You guys are doing a fantastic job and sometimes life lessons are painful for you but it looks like some people out there need to learn some life lessons – such as patience, gratitude, love, appreciation and kindness.
Please, please, please, do not let the petty people get you down. They aren’t worth the energy!
I was stunned when I read that people were sending nasty emails to you and Stephanie. I must admit it tugged at my heart. How could anyone have known what an amazing turnout (30,000…WOW!!) and demand there would have been? Just because you want something doesn’t mean you are entitled to it! Aren’t we all adults here? SHEESH!
I want to thank both you and Stephanie for the amazing job you have done so far on this extraordinary event and what I’m sure will totally blow my mind when I step through the doors of the convention center. PLEASE don’t let these nasty people rain on your parade, they are not worth it. You deserve nothing but praise for what you have accomplished. See you in August!
“Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.†David Lloyd George
Bravo for your courage to dream big and kudos for a job well done. Yes, very well done! You pushed the boundaries and succeeded with grace and over-the-top integrity. Gratitude to you, Stephanie and your whole team.
A Big Happy Birthday Tina! Thank you so much for you and Stephanie’s strength, courage and endurance to pull off such an incredible event in such a short time for so many to enjoy and be a part of yarn history in the making. After a storm the sun shines bright and flowers are radiant! So SS09 will be! Consider yourself hugged today!
Happy birthday, dear. I wish it was going a little better for you.
I have nothing but admiration and love for you and Steph both – you certainly don’t deserve this abuse. For what it’s worth, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your passion and hard work.
Much love for what you’ve done! I will not be at Sock Summit but I know it will be amazing.
Happy birthday Tina! So glad that you hung in there at the beginning and grew up to be the wonderful artist that you are today.
I there is anything I can do to help sort through mail, email, reply to people, confirm their registrations, answer questions or anything, please let me know. I’m willing to volunteer some hours if there is anything that would help.
Also, if you would like to reply to some of the evil emails but don’t have time, just tell me what you’d like to say and I’ll send ‘em! Maybe something like…. “Dear Disgruntled A***, We are sorry that we will be unable to accommodate you at this year’s Sock Summit. Although we have booked the largest space available for this event, we just don’t have room for an ego of the enormous size evidenced in your recent missive. Sincerely yours, …”
*hugs*
I’m usually a lurker but I wanted to say that I hope this undeserved anger doesn’t mar this amazing event for you.
Happy birthday too!
Bought my first STR yarn on Tuesday in honor of all your hard work – consider me another convert to the STR fan club. I’m sending you good wishes with every stitch and am really looking forward to August.
My last thought when I went to bed Monday was “I really hope things go well with registration tomorrow” because I knew how hard it would be on you and Stephanie if it didn’t. Sure, I had problems with my registration, and no, I didn’t get my dream schedule, but I didn’t expect to. I didn’t get main floor Springsteen tickets for his most recent tour, either, but that’s what happens when demand outpaces supply. Some people were going to be disappointed no matter what, and it is so unfortunate that the server issues muddied the waters and heightened emotions. From my experiences with you and Stephanie, I know how seriously you take your business and how deeply you care about what you do. I respect you both a great deal. Looking forward to seeing you in Portland. Oh, and warmest birthday wishes!
Hi – I just wanted to tell you that, right there next to the “little me” who was disappointed that I didn’t get in the classes I wanted, there was “another me” jumping up and down and applauding what you did!! WOW! You should have seen my husband’s jaw drop when I told him it’s all SOLD OUT!!! I hope you can remember to be proud of what you have birthed! Like all birth, there’s a bit of a mess to clean up, but what a magnificent baby this is!!!!
oh, and I bought tickets to the Luminary panel just because I want to look at your bright shiny faces at the end….. of the first Sock Summit
You are Blessed, and a Blessing, Beyond Compare.
Much love and see you soon!!
-Robbin in Montana
Hey guys – just wanted to leave a note: I am not involved in anything, except my mom is going and is PLEASED AS ALL HECK to be getting some classes, and hanging out with y’all. I have some advice that was given to me (for free) and I pass it to you: Free advice is worth what you pay for it (I do recognize the pointed finger in this).
Despite this, I send you my congratulations on putting together an amazing event, and I wish you all the best in moving it forward. Breathe, and send the bad children who whine and complain and say bad words to the corner with a bar of soap! Have fun and know that you’re doing something they couldn’t do – and a heck of a lot better.
Peace to you, and cheers, m
Happy birthday!!! Both the 3 yr old and the 6 yr old send you hugs and kisses!!!
I’m sorry you’ve had such a crappy week and that we knitters have compounded the problem. I hope that your birthday marks a turnaround and that things bounce back the other direction starting today.
Sending lots of birthday wishes and good vibes your way…
Thanks for all your hard work and I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing birthday. Between SS09 and RSC I don’t know how you have the energy to stand let alone give us an explanation of the events of last week. I’m sorry there were hurtful words thrown at you and Steph. Last Tuesday the knitterly community released an ethernet tsunami. I think it is important to note that the SS09 team now has quantifiable data on just how powerful (physically and economically) this group is. This can only be a good thing for the future. You guys rock like no one else ever has.
My jaw is on the floor and I’m not sure what to say or what to think about you receiving any negativity about SS. To read that there were negative emails towards you and Stephanie about SS makes me sick to my stomach. I am grateful beyond belief that the idea of SS was put forth to action and that I in some small way get to participate in the brilliant event created.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please continue to pursue your brilliant ideas and keep being the amazingly creative woman that you are. I hope that you were able to put some of this behind you and have a true celebration for your birthday. I wish you many many many many many more years filled with all the joy you deserve!
When I consider how many people it takes to put on the American Rabbit Breeders Association National Convention…that’s about 10,000 folks and anywhere from 10-30,000 rabbits….
All I can say is WOW. You guys are the BOMB! (the good bomb, not the bad one!)
Howsomever…may I suggest that your original calculation error just MIGHT have lain in using your mailing list as a base, rather than Ravelry as a whole?….that would account for the 10%=30,000 thing….
Either way, you guys ROCK. Kick me the emails that need…ahem…’attention’ and I’ll be quite happy to reply for you. Politely. Even kindly. But not very nicely, I’m afraid, that’s what PMS can do for ya.
Hang in there and the next time some fool doubts what you are telling them, SHOW THEM THE BLOGS. Firmly tell them that knitters are like cockroaches (sorry folks)–we come out of EVERYWHERE when someone dangles a chance to get together and talk yarn, much less BUY yarn…
Thus, they are WRONG and should bow and scrape just like they would if ‘twere a StarTrek convention.