LM retiring

June 9, 2022 9:07 AM

Hi Mefites - over the last few months I've been stepping away from my role as moderator here. I wanted to take this chance to make it official and say Thanks for all the fish.

This change has been in the works for a long time due to an evolving family caregiving situation. I haven't been working scheduled shifts for a few months, but have been around in an advisory role. I'm making it official now that the Mefi site transition stuff is on firmer footing, with jessamyn coming on as the new owner, loup better established in their new operational role, the transition team up and running etc.

This isn't a moving-to-Mars situation, so I expect I'll still be around and will help with transition/advisory stuff where I can, and it's possible I might work intermittently in the future covering mod shifts etc. But for well over a decade this place has been the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night for me, and that's not going to be the case anymore.

Anyway - this place has meant more to me than I can say. Thank you all for making the site and the job so unique and worthwhile.

posted by LobsterMitten (staff) to MetaFilter-Related at 9:07 AM (84 comments total)

Best wishes and I look forward to continuing to enjoy your presence as a virtual neighbor. Hope the family caregiving situation goes as well as possible. Thanks for your years of stewardship!
posted by brainwane at 9:11 AM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

Thank you for the work you've done. All the best to you and take care of yourself!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:29 AM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

Thank you for your work here, LM. Good luck with your family situation, and please be gentle with yourself.
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:31 AM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

I just want to say how much I have appreciated your approach to moderation here. Thanks for the years of great work.
posted by grouse at 9:33 AM on June 9, 2022 [8 favorites]

Thanks for what you've done, lomitt, and I'm glad we'll still see you around.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:53 AM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

Thank you for everything, and best luck in the future!
posted by Sparky Buttons at 9:54 AM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thanks for everything! You will be missed! (Sort of, since you’ll still be around…) Perhaps the best profile on MF.
posted by Going To Maine at 9:56 AM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

With all of the changes going on, I'm getting real strong last day of summer camp vibes.

Be well, LM. Best to you and yours.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:10 AM on June 9, 2022 [7 favorites]

Oh gosh. You’ve been great. I’m glad you’re not going to Mars. Best of luck with everything.
posted by eirias at 10:18 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best wishes. And thanks for all the years of thoughtful work. You'll be missed. (Or, hopefully, not entirely, if perhaps in a different role.)
posted by eotvos at 10:22 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

I can't sum up in a reasonable number of paragraphs how much I have appreciated you as a friend and as a coworker on the MetaFilter team the last many years, LM. So much of what I saw get better here over the years came from your diligence and care for the community and the site and your ability to zero in on every detail you could. I feel like we were maybe more than anyone partners in burnout, and that in a lot of ways you had me beat: your capacity to dig in and give beyond what was practical and reasonable out of a love for this place is something that can't be quantified and people won't really ever be able to fully understand and thank you for. First thing in the morning and last thing at night isn't the exaggeration it sounds like. I'm sad for the site but glad for you that that's changing.

But I know people have seen and do know how much that work has accomplished, and the good you've done here over the years from the biggest picture stuff to the individual folks you've helped have a better MetaFilter experience. MeFi would not be as good a place as it is today without you, and I wouldn't be as good a person without your having been right there rowing with me all this time.

Looking forward to long years sitting on rocking chairs and hollering at the young folks. Hugs.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:23 AM on June 9, 2022 [38 favorites]

Chapeau, LM. You did good.
posted by holgate at 10:28 AM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

LM, I’m such a fan. Thank you for being so insightful, levelheaded, and full of heart. Metafilter is a better place because of you.
posted by mochapickle at 11:08 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Request for one-off image tag resurrection
posted by lalochezia at 11:14 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks for everything LM. Did Metafilter at least give you a rocking chair as a retirement gift?
posted by COD at 11:20 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Aw, LM, I'm going to miss you so much! (And HAVE missed seeing your handle recently.)

You are one of my very favorite people here, and I'm so grateful and glad you've been such a big part of MetaFilter for so very long.

I'm so glad you'll still be around a bit.

I am so glad you're doing what's right for you. I hope you can take excellent care of yourself, and I wish you as much health and rest and peace and joy as the world can give you. (And the same for your family member.)

Thank you for being here among us.
posted by kristi at 11:21 AM on June 9, 2022 [4 favorites]

Kudos, thanks for everything, and good luck, LM!
posted by whuppy at 11:24 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks for all you've done for this community and glad you won't be a stranger!
posted by Twicketface at 11:30 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Godspeed LobsterMitten
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:37 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best to you, LM. Thanks for all the years of service to this (sometimes undeserving) community!
posted by bondcliff at 11:39 AM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you, LM.
posted by RakDaddy at 11:59 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks for being fantastic and steady, LM. It’s been a pleasure to be moderated by you.
posted by janell at 11:59 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

You are one of the best, kindest, smartest people I've ever met, LM, and I treasure you. Anyone who is lucky enough to know you has a gem in their life. I'm not saying goodbye, because I'm still going to @botheryou occasionally. But I'm saying be happy; you are loved.
posted by taz (staff) at 12:31 PM on June 9, 2022 [12 favorites]

Thank you for all you've done, LM.
posted by ambrosen at 1:06 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Those are gonna be some big mittens to fill...

LM, sincere thanks for all of your excellent work here, and safe travels on your path ahead.
posted by vers at 1:18 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you for making MeFi a better place.
posted by Splunge at 1:22 PM on June 9, 2022 [4 favorites]

Things change over time, yes? We don't rule the paradigm. Thank you for being one of the touchstones here.

Best wishes.
posted by mule98J at 2:05 PM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

Thanks for everything, LM.
posted by zamboni at 2:39 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for everything you have done for this place and all of us who love it.
posted by rpfields at 2:46 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Good luck and I hope the caretaking goes as well as it can.
posted by rmd1023 at 3:16 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Wishing you all the best for your caregiving situation, and thanks for your years of work here.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 3:26 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you, LobsterMitten, for all your hard and swell work through the years!
posted by Kattullus at 3:33 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for all your work, and I'm glad you'll still be around.
posted by box at 3:36 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Cat herding is a rough job, and you've done it well. Thank you.
posted by briank at 3:43 PM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

Best of luck with the caregiving. Thanks for all your hard work here.
posted by terrapin at 4:31 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks for everything, LobsterMitten! I have really appreciated you lo, these many years. Be well, and see you round the watercooler.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 5:08 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

LM you're one of the nicest people I've never met. I've added you as a spouse so I can keep up with you.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 5:55 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you so much for everything, LM!
posted by kimberussell at 6:11 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best wishes for future adventures. You'll be missed. Thank you for everything.
posted by Ahmad Khani at 6:21 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for being such a great part of this place!
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:22 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

You’ve put in your time and done good. Thanks for that and don’t be a stranger!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:02 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

LobsterMitten, thank you for all your years of service. You’ve been an excellent moderator and an excellent participant here and I’m just really going to miss you. All the best with your new life circumstances.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:09 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you. I deeply appreciate your moderation and your comments. Best to you.
posted by apartment dweller at 7:43 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you, LM. Don't be a stranger.
posted by biogeo at 9:54 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

LM, thank you so much. All the best for the future.
posted by freethefeet at 11:46 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

So long, LM! You did great work and your moderation will be missed. Hope to see you around as a member tho.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 1:44 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Aww LM I do really hope it's true that you will continue to stick around. You are one of those mefites that make this little website such a great place.
posted by vacapinta at 2:02 AM on June 10, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you for the last decade(!) LobsterMitten, you have been such a lovely presence on the site, and best of luck with the caregiving.
posted by ellieBOA at 2:21 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks so much for all the help you have provided for MST3k Club over the years! We will miss you, and hope that you enjoy your retirement to the fullest!
posted by valkane at 5:27 AM on June 10, 2022 [3 favorites]

Thank you so much, LM, and very best wishes to you and yours. You will be sorely missed.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:39 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

All the best to you and your family, LobsterMitten.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:41 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for all you've done for the site!
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:56 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Happy transition, LM! Many thanks for your service to the community all these years. You rock!
posted by Bella Donna at 10:32 AM on June 10, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you for everything, LobsterMitten - you've been a part of what makes this community brilliant. Good luck with everything and all the best to you and your family.
posted by unicorn chaser at 12:24 PM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Wishing you the best as a family caregiver and sending thanks for all - and I do mean all - of your contributions here at Metafilter. Please don't be a stranger!
posted by Lynsey at 1:33 PM on June 10, 2022 [2 favorites]

I'm not sure if I totally followed, but I think you'd be great at moderating Mars.

Well wishes! Thanks for all the time you've put into the site.
posted by michaelh at 2:30 PM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best wishes and thank you for all the hard work you've done here! Hope to keep seeing your contributions!
posted by annieb at 4:09 PM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for everything and I do hope you stick around!
posted by blurker at 5:40 PM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best wishes for the future!
posted by Dip Flash at 9:23 PM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

All the best. I hope you can be around MF sometimes with your mod hat firmly off.
posted by away for regrooving at 10:03 PM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Many thanks for your work here. You have been consistently thoughtfuln helpful and even-handed, and I’ll miss your touch on the site. Best of luck.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:21 PM on June 10, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you so much for all you've done here. I have really appreciated all your help, and wish you all the best for the future.
posted by essexjan at 6:01 AM on June 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best of the best of the web. Thank you, LobsterMitten.
posted by tonycpsu at 6:41 AM on June 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you LobsterMitten. Thanks for all the fish!!
posted by riverlife at 4:26 PM on June 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

You are one of the best, kindest, smartest people I've ever met, LM, and I treasure you.

I am honestly not sure I could have said this better. You have always been so very good at what you do, so very caring as a person and so very thoughtful about how you have done moderating here that it's really elevated the entire idea of what moderating and managing a large community could be. Thank you so much.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:42 PM on June 11, 2022 [9 favorites]

Thank you for your service!
posted by Lyme Drop at 6:32 PM on June 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you so much, LM, and all the best for what follows.
posted by tangerine at 8:06 PM on June 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks for so many years of patience with us rambunctious MeFites! 🦞🧤🎉
posted by wenestvedt at 5:09 AM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks, LM, and very best wishes to you
posted by Zonker at 5:09 AM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for your hard work and best wishes!
posted by mundo at 5:41 AM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

So lovely to stroll into this lovely parade for a wonderful person: thank you LobsterMitten, for everything you've done and everything you are, and all the best for everything you'll do and everything you'll be. All your care-receivers have and will receive care from a great heart and a great mind, and may the whole world care for you too!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 6:36 AM on June 12, 2022 [4 favorites]

over a decade

A what the what now!!?? Where the hell does the time go!!!??

Thank you very much for all your work here. Your mod comments have always been so impressive in their clarity, kindness, and compassion. You'll be missed as a moderator, and I do hope you continue to stick around as a member. All the best in your new life circumstances, and please make sure to take care of yourself, too.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:01 AM on June 12, 2022 [4 favorites]

Thank you for your work, LobsterMitten.
posted by doctornemo at 8:50 AM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Good luck LM. As you can see, you will be missed.
posted by Windopaene at 8:53 AM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you all for these kind words - it means a lot. <3
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:44 AM on June 12, 2022 [14 favorites]

Thank you for all you've done here, LM. I'll miss you and hope to see you around when you have some time.
posted by Quietgal at 1:52 PM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

With the deepest thanks.
posted by jadepearl at 5:11 PM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for work here and best wishes LM.
posted by clavdivs at 9:13 PM on June 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks for all you've done in your time here. You've always been a steady voice. Best wishes going forward.
posted by OHenryPacey at 8:24 AM on June 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thank you for all the work you’ve put in as a mod, LobsterMitten.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:52 AM on June 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

Yo dawg keep it real.... (what does that even mean?) (gratuitous extra parentheses)
posted by sammyo at 9:52 AM on June 14, 2022

Thanks, LM. Appreciate you.
posted by Corinth at 11:23 AM on June 14, 2022

Extremely sad to see you go. May the transition be a good one for you, and I'll be hoping to see you around plenty.
posted by Bottlecap at 3:44 PM on June 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks for all you’ve done and see you in the blue.
posted by dr_dank at 11:46 AM on June 23, 2022