I'm Retiring But the Site is Not in Site Updates
- March 29, 2018, 1:34 p.m.
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- Public
I already see word spreading through the grapevine, so I might as well make it official. Things are moving forward towards new management very quickly. You are probably going to be seeing a lot of Site Updates showing up in your feed soon, and many of those will be from someone new. He’s awesome and has this community’s best interests in mind, but I will not steal his thunder. I’ll let his own introduction speak for itself. As with everything, there’s going to be a transition period. He (and his very capable engineer partner) will have plenty to learn so I’m hoping everyone can be patient and offer a warm welcome.
I know this has been a mess and most of you are sick of my “waffling”. Sorry about that. But as a couple of people have already pointed out, we probably would not have reached this point without a slap in the face, if you will. If I had updated with, “Everything is great. Oh but I could use some help.” - I really don’t think we would be where we are now. Sometimes you have to hit bottom to get back on course. We are on a really good course now. Prosebox has been in need of some fresh ideas and energy for a long time anyway.
Edited to remove the final bit and clarify: I’m sorry to have caused any unnecessary pain. I’m not sorry about the direction things are now headed.
Last updated March 29, 2018
sassafras ⋅ March 29, 2018
Ha! Right on.
Thanks for sticking things out. You did the right thing.
raeven ⋅ March 29, 2018
I am in awe how you have handled this. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for what you have done .... from the beginning of creating Prosebox until now.
Lyn ⋅ March 29, 2018
Great news and thank you for all you've done! 👏 You created a great place and managed it well. My best to you.
Firebabe ⋅ March 29, 2018
Well, you know all my thoughts on the journey so I won't melt anyone's brain rehashing it here. But if the cardboard cut-out of you I keep in my living room, and sometimes sacrifice a twinkie to, doesn't tell you how much I appreciate all your efforts, then let me just say straight to your face: I appreciate all your efforts!
TellTaleHeart ⋅ March 29, 2018
But as a couple of people have already pointed out, we probably would not have reached this point without a slap in the face, if you will. If I had updated with, “Everything is great. Oh but I could use some help.” - I really don’t think we would be where we are now.
Heh, I just said almost this exact thing to someone I was leaving a note for. I'm glad to hear that things are moving along, and that you've found a team that you can trust. As many have said, I am forever grateful that you created this space for us. Enjoy your retirement!
EchoSeven ⋅ March 29, 2018
YAAAAAAAY! Thanks so much for hanging in there and really considering other options. Also, I hope we still see you around as a regular part of the community (If not, that's cool too, I totally get it). Thank you again, SO MUCH, for everything and for creating such an awesome site. Take care of yourself!
ConnieK ⋅ March 29, 2018
Look. You have every right to close your shop at any time for any reason, just as I have a right to close up shop when I retire in a few months. I don't think you waffled. You announced you were closing your doors. When the idea of passing the baton was introduced, you kept an open mind (hey! Your next diary name!). You didn't ask for money so you aren't cheating anyone on a financial level.
Everything has a life span.
I get that people are disappointed but the level of hate-filled comments shocks me, ESPECIALLY from those open-minded, peace-loving middle-aged women writers.
I don't think you are part of a conspiracy.
I think your critics are way out of line. Their free site is changing. Life is a series of changes. They really need to get over their self-important stuff and they need to stop believing every wild theory they think up unless they can back it in hard fact.
Thank you, Simple Mind. If I had read some of those notes, I would have kicked those nasty witches off without another word. You rose higher.
I am delighted that PB remains. If others want to go, I doubt I'll miss them.
SweetMelissa ConnieK ⋅ March 29, 2018
yeah! What she said. :)
Silverstar46 ConnieK ⋅ March 29, 2018
Agreed!!!!!!
Narrator ConnieK ⋅ March 29, 2018
Yes, this.
Witchy Woman ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thank you for everything! I hope this works out for all of us and your stress is relieved as this moves forward.
💞
Bee Girl ⋅ March 29, 2018
Good news! I'm glad. :) "Your death therapy cured me, you genius!"
Camdengirl ⋅ March 29, 2018
Wonderful news and I'm really looking forward to welcoming the new team on board... Thank you for all your work, and the handover rather than just shutting everything down.
dickson. ⋅ March 29, 2018
If I had updated with, “Everything is great. Oh but I could use some help.” - I really don’t think we would be where we are now.
I disagree an alarming amount. If you had written an updating saying you wanted to step back and give up the site, and were looking for people to take over, you would have gotten the same response only without everyone scrambling for their fucking lives. CLEARLY people don't want Prosebox to go down in flames. I think this was handled incredibly poorly, man.
But I'm happy the site is staying so thanks for passing it off to others.
The Rocky Mountain dickson. ⋅ March 29, 2018
I agree
simple mind dickson. ⋅ March 29, 2018
Yeah, I could have handled it better. I'll own up to it. Firmly but less alarmingly.
ConnieK simple mind ⋅ March 29, 2018
I don't think you have to "own" how you closed your doors. If others scrambled, it was a self-made uproar, since you clearly stated that you'd give ample notice. I think those who are still trying to heap ashes on your head are being overly-dramatic.
Question: how much is an alarming amount?
simple mind ConnieK ⋅ March 29, 2018
I don't even know at this point. I'd have to go back and reread my entry from Monday. As I recall, I mentioned that I was open to the possibility of handing it over to an interested party. At this point it feels like arguing semantics, and honestly I'm done arguing. I need a nap.
dickson. simple mind ⋅ March 29, 2018
What's done is done and we shall all move on.
Mrs.H dickson. ⋅ March 29, 2018
Agree. I went ahead and downloaded my stuff and started at another site. I mean, it's easier to stay here but, the waffling definitely wasn't cool. Could have been handled better than a panicked entry saying we had 2 weeks.
Finn ⋅ March 29, 2018
I'm really happy to read this. Thank you.
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
Great - I didn’t hear anything back from anyone about assisting in the new PB, but I can definitely help if it’s needed.
NeonLady ⋅ March 29, 2018
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for accepting help and keeping the site alive. I refuse to return to OD after the screwing we all got, and I've been journaling online for more than half my life at this point, so I was pretty concerned about what was going to happen if this site disappeared.
Waterfire ⋅ March 29, 2018
Hooray!
Hopefully you'll have a well earned rest now. You deserve it!
stargazing ⋅ March 29, 2018
I'm sorry people reacted so negatively towards you with your first announcement. I was so sad to hear the site was closing because I have grown to love this community. And I'm so happy to hear that it will not be closing after all. Thank you for creating this place, and thank you for being open to someone else running it instead of just closing it. I appreciate you.
ConnieK stargazing ⋅ March 29, 2018
I agree with stargazing's view!
sparkli ⋅ March 29, 2018
you will still write here, right? :) im glad it all seems to be working out for everyone. thank you for taking the steps to see if someone could take it over!
Vivienne ⋅ March 29, 2018
I've loved my time here, and completely understood your reasons for wanting to give up running the site. I'm glad it will still be around.
Thank you for giving me a home when OD collapsed. xoxo
wintergrey ⋅ March 29, 2018
Yay! Best news ever! Thank you!!
Adira ⋅ March 29, 2018
Oh thank you so much! I'm so relieved, and happy things are turning out this way.
Azrael ⋅ March 29, 2018
Yay! Thank you for your YEARS of taking care of this site and keeping some of us sane!
Jeanine ⋅ March 29, 2018
You've done us good over the years, so we can forgive the waffling now. Looking forward to the future of sharing my feels.
Silverstar46 ⋅ March 29, 2018
THANK YOU for all of your hard work and I'm glad someone will be taking this creation of yours over, but I'm never going to forget that you're the one that helped to give us all safe harbor when OD crashed and burned. hugs!!!!
NorthernSeeker ⋅ March 29, 2018
The benefit of ripping the bandage off is that it's over in a moment even if it hurts. I didn't begrudge the way you let everyone you were going to retire. It is your right to retire and feel good about the community you started here. I'm really happy to see someone else will carry on with the site.
edna million ⋅ March 29, 2018
That’s great news! I am so glad it will all work out for everyone.
Stephably ⋅ March 29, 2018
I know I have very similar breakdowns like this. As in everything is over and I can't go on. So I understand. I am very glad you were able and willing to find a replacement. Good luck to you!
Stephably ⋅ March 29, 2018
I know I have very similar breakdowns like this. As in everything is over and I can't go on. So I understand. I am very glad you were able and willing to find a replacement. Good luck to you!
•kitkat• ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thank you. Thank you so much. This place is home.
Cat Mommy ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thanks for the last five years, they've been really great here and you were an excellent site admin. I hope you find nothing but peace and happiness. And thank you for NOT being Bruce and actually handing off the site. That took serious balls to not have an ego about it and realizing this community deserves to stay afloat. Rock on.
Nash ⋅ March 29, 2018
Yer a good egg. Don't let anyone tell you different.
simple mind Nash ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thanks Nash. :)
Lobbastah ⋅ March 29, 2018
I recently had a dream where everyone had waffles instead of heads. Perhaps it was foretelling!
TruNorth ⋅ March 29, 2018
This is all ass backwards - you don't owe us, it's us that owe you a deep debt of gratitude for saving us when OD went down! Can't thank you enough for this selfless effort. I hope the new guy does well with the site - because of you, he has a lot of goodwill surrounding him.
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
Well, you know how I feel about things and I do understand about you giving up the reigns. You will be missed. Thank you for not closing the doors. I was actually thinking if you had I would have had to search for a site that would turn out to be lacking in many ways. Thank you for being here for us from the beginning and giving us a place to write and make some really awesome friends.
woman in the moon ⋅ March 29, 2018
I wish us all the very bestest of luck.
Blue Echo ⋅ March 29, 2018
Hope they're up to it! It's good to hear there's two of them though; maybe two can handle what was too much for one. Best of luck to them, and you!
Seriously, as soon as you're free, I hope you have a vacation scheduled.
Marg ⋅ March 29, 2018
Couldn't be happier at the news! Thank you so much for providing such a fantastic place for us all to be part of and for being open to passing on the baton!😊
Park Row Fallout ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thank you. I think this is the right choice and hope that the new management team feels encouraged and energized. I hope that in your retirement you find your happiness and revitalization. Thank you for creating this site. Thank you for making it unique. But most importantly, thank you for realizing it did not need to die.
Anaiss ⋅ March 29, 2018
It's been sad and stressful this week (First World problems and all that) but I truly am grateful to you for starting this site and keeping it running, and I'm glad that a hero has flown in to save the day. I am sure your life will be happier without carrying all of us on your shoulders and I wish you the best.
Zappel ⋅ March 29, 2018
Really pleased to hear this. Thank you for lending your experience to the new team and hanging in there to help with the transition!
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
You have no idea how relieved I am to hear this. Thank you so much for your transparency.
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
<3
Odd Socks ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thank you so much for everything :)
Nin ⋅ March 29, 2018
You are amazing! A true gentleman and a one of my favorite humans. You should know by know if you ever need to be slapped, we are happy to help. 😁
Leanne 🌈 ⋅ March 29, 2018
Week shit....Yeah ya fumbled the ball such is life man. Indeed glad this place is staying plus grateful for you cause ya gave birth to it.
Leanne 🌈 ⋅ March 29, 2018
LOL meant well .... :)
Leanne 🌈 ⋅ March 29, 2018
LOL meant well .... :)
SilentEcho ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thank you
Narrator ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for us - you put an amount of time and effort into this that I am probably underestimating, and I profoundly appreciate you doing it. You gave us a place to go and stay connected to each other. You took it on when you didn’t have to, and I can’t imagine it was an easy task. It has been wonderful. I’m sorry that so many unappreciative, entitled blowhards gave you grief over stepping away.
MageB ⋅ March 29, 2018
Sounds good to me.
pskettios ⋅ March 29, 2018
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pskettios ⋅ just now
I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to you but I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for everything you’ve done. You provided PB as a life raft when we needed it. I’ve loved this site, it’s so much more modern and good than what we’d been used to. I’ve been comfortable here and it allowed me to keep reading my circle of friends, some of whom I’ve known since I was a teenager.
Thank you for your time, passion and commitment. It’s okay to admit you can’t do it anymore. Thank you for passing it on. I truly wish you the best! I’m sorry I didn’t thank you sooner, we owe you a lot.
Serin ⋅ March 29, 2018
I was hoping that being reenergized would keep you in the chair, but I'm glad you found a way to get off the hotseat without taking everything down with you. All the best.
And thank you.
Serin ⋅ March 29, 2018
I was hoping that being reenergized would keep you in the chair, but I'm glad you found a way to get off the hotseat without taking everything down with you. All the best.
And thank you.
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
Very happy talks have went well and a transition is in place. Thank you for being open to considering it. I don't think it was handled poorly, you had a very human reaction to an overwhelming situation.
HappyMusician ⋅ March 29, 2018
I don't think you're "waffling." I think you're handling things well.
janeanger ⋅ March 29, 2018
I personally don't love how you handled this, but I do appreciate your willingness to change course and do what's best for the community. So thanks for that.
Bullwinkle6 ⋅ March 29, 2018
Sad that it wasn't us you went with, but excited for things to come! Happy retirement.
bobbi01 ⋅ March 29, 2018
I am extremely grateful for the wonderful gift that is Prosebox. Thank you so much to you SM. You have created a fantastic legacy.
Etoile Filante ⋅ March 29, 2018
Sending you love and hugs and big slappy high fives xXx
love.me.for.me ⋅ March 29, 2018
I'm so glad!!!
Rhapsody in Purple ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thanks for creating this corner of the internet for us.
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
Whatever is happening behind the scenes, I'm glad you've been able to reach a spot where you feel confident and comfortable with your decision.
Mystery ⋅ March 29, 2018
So SO, glad to hear the site will be saved!!! My only concern is that your friend may make drastic changes causing the site to become radically different. Ever heard of kiwibox.com? I joined in 2008 and loved it. Two years later it was sold to someone else and they completely changed everything and I mean everything. It became everything it didn't use to be. I hope the guy will keep in mind that if we didn't like PB as it is, we wouldn't be here in the first place. Also, I'm sorry if I came off as rather harsh but yeah, you did need that slap in the face, LOL. It was frustrating for a while but I'm glad to hear, like I said, that there is hope for survival. :-)
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
I hope you feel the love here. You built such an amazing site for us. Thank you for seeing the need and working so hard to maintain it. Most of all, thank you a million times for caring enough to pass the torch, even though just shutting the site would have been easier for you. Your legacy will live on. May we all grow old together on PB! Congratulations on your new freedom!!
Neogy Titwhistle ⋅ March 29, 2018
Okay, so we're not riding on a Deathstar! Good on ya man! If Emily is on the new team you've chosen well!
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
Yes. Sometimes you have to hit bottom to get back on course.
I am glad you are doing what is best for the site and the community.
GypsyWynd ⋅ March 29, 2018
I have nothing but respect and gratitude for all you've done. You gave us a place to go when OD was closing down, you've kept it going, and I can only imagine how much work and time it has taken. Thank you for all of it.
Krud ⋅ March 29, 2018
Hey, sorry we all freaked out on you earlier.
We are fragile, passionate sorts... the kind of people who will, without provocation, dump our brain feed right onto the internet for people to read. You know the type.
Anyway, kudos for passing on the torch, or baton, or colorfully festooned Talking Stick, or hot potato, whatever you want to call it.
Also, disregard any rumors that someone was going to hire Simon Pegg to infiltrate your domicile and start impersonating you in order to keep things running, that was a joke, I'm sure, and nobody can prove anything, ya hear me?! o_O
simple mind Krud ⋅ March 30, 2018
I just hope if anyone decides to make a film out of my life story that Simon Pegg gets to play me.
KissOfLife! ⋅ March 29, 2018
seducing me made me burst out laughing.
Lord knows I've had enough some days and thought 'Fck this $it!' I always felt better after a nap.
This is exciting! But like any sort of management, I'll have to see how the new folks are. I hope they are as swell as you, and thanks for all your hard work :)
Anit ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thank you. Thank you! I can only imagine what one iota of the work involved in this site is for you, so thank you for everything you've done, thank you for supporting this unique community so mightily, thank you for getting this torch passed on. Thank you.
donut ⋅ March 29, 2018
I wasn't one of the people that freaked out (okay, I might have freaked out internally a bit), mainly because I prefer to wait until things are final before REALLY freaking out. I think people forget that not only are you, you know, HUMAN, but you have also been doing this in your spare time, FOR FREE. I've known you a long damn time, and I knew you had to have been just done to even think about writing that first entry. It was super out of character. Sometimes, things just get to be too much. ❤
simple mind donut ⋅ March 30, 2018
Yeah, losing track of people like you would have been a blow for me as well. I'm invested here as more than a creator. :)
Mr. Mofo ⋅ March 29, 2018
Thanks much, will you be sticking around as a diarist?
Deleted user ⋅ March 29, 2018
I will just say : Thank you ! You gave us a home and it still stands. :-)
BlueEyes418 ⋅ March 30, 2018
Now this is the proper way to extract yourself from a situation while still fulfilling your obligations.
Well done, Sir. I'm very glad to see you exit on a high note by doing the right thing.
simple mind BlueEyes418 ⋅ March 30, 2018
I'm feeling more at peace again already. Thank you. :)
masquerade~ ⋅ March 30, 2018
While I, too, am sad about the way this happened, I am glad that a positive outcome has been reached and you've found some good people to hand over the reigns too.
I also want to say thank you for all that you've done. You created this site when we needed you and it the most, you gave us a place to call home when we were all lost. I could never thank you enough and while I'm sad that you're stepping away from the role you have, I hope you stick around here, in general. If not, all the best going forward <3
simple mind masquerade~ ⋅ March 30, 2018
:)
colour of water ⋅ March 30, 2018
You're still the best for rescuing us from OD! Ha. Good luck for your future. And thanks.
middle age pearl ⋅ March 30, 2018
You were the one who threw out the life jackets when OD died and for that I am eternally grateful. And now I see/read that you are turning your "ship" over to a new commander and their staff. Again your heart, soul, body, and brain are thinking of others. Thank you Simple Mind and hope to see you as a regular writer here. God Bless you and yours and again thanks!
cariad ⋅ March 31, 2018
Best news!!! Thanks so much for all your (continued) hard work!!
crystal butterfly ⋅ March 31, 2018
Thank you for starting this site and I will be here to see new management take over and for PB to continue to flourish.
Rhapsody in Purple ⋅ April 04, 2018
Thank you for all the work you have done for us.