You may have seen some unkind things being spread around facebook and tumblr about me today. I feel like I owe all of you an explanation.
I noticed a little over a month ago that minutes after I posted a Beatles photos on this blog, that same photo would appear on a tumblr blog. I contacted the person and asked her to link back to this blog. She got very upset that was accusing her of taking photos from my blog. Remember that I do not care one bit if people take photos from this blog and post them on their blogs or facebooks or whatever. It would just be nice to link back, especially if it is a photo that I JUST posted. I am trying (like all bloggers) to get more hits on my blog. She tells me that SHE would never take photos off my "horrid" blog and that her friends send the photos to her. I then say that her friends obviously found the photos on this blog and please link back. Well this makes her even more mad than before and I get all sorts of messages from her and anonymous people for being so rude.
I felt like I was in the twilight zone or something. What was I exactly accusing someone of? Taking photos that neither one of us own? Right clicking?
Then I started noticing that she not only was posting my photos, but also the same or similar captions as mine. That was crossing a line. Posting photos that I purchased off ebay or scanned from a magazine or book is one thing. But posting my words or a paraphrase of something I spent hours researching is something totally different. And yes I might have gotten a little rude and yes I got wrapped up in the drama of it all. But I never once used curse words in speaking with her and I never spoke to her or told anyone to be anonymous when talking to her.
Yesterday she told me to stop reblogging photos from her on my tumblr account. That really didn't seem right. She can post the photos I share on my blog, but I cannot do the same with her things? So I told her that I would stop if she also stopped putting the photos from my blog onto hers. She replied that I must be "thick in the head" because she doesn't put photos from my blog on hers. Her friends send her the photos.
So after that I figured there was no use going around and around in circles. I told her that she won and I was done with it all. She could post the photos that she thinks aren't from my blog and I will not post her photos.
Today after work I come home and I comment about how my students helped me click on the link to win Paul's autograph. They didn't really understand what they were doing, just that they were helping Ms. Schmidt win a contest to have the her favorite singer, Paul's name written on a piece of paper. It was really funny how excited they were about helping me. Each of my classes (except for kindergarten) is required to have 15-20 minutes of computer time and I just set up the link and had them click on it one time. It was really a fun experience.
Then I see that this person has done two things. First she has put on facebook that I am rude and that people should not click to help me win the autograph. Then I see that she has taken the post I made about my students and posted part of it on her blog. She had a message about how disgusting it was that I was using students to win a prize and she was asking her followers to spread the word if they wanted to not click my link for the Paul autograph. Wow. That REALLY hurts. And that is bullying. As someone who has been bullied her whole life, I know what bullying feels like. I was done with the whole thing. I never once bad mouthed her or slandered her name. And for her to be telling Beatles fans that I am a bad person, honestly hurts.
I had been clicking on her link several times throughout the day, because I have been trying to help out everyone. When I messaged her to let her know this, she said that she doesn't need my "stupid clicks."
So that is what is going on. I do want to publicly apologize to McLennonlovers (also known as Olive) for being rude a few times. She is welcome to use any and all photos on my blog as long as they are not copyrighted. I will never take any photos from her blog and post them on tumblr, facebook or this blog.
well sara I told you before and I tell you now and I'll tell you forever there's a saying on my country(mexico) that goes more or less like this "to pay atention to an asshole. jerk. stupid (or whatever you call them) is to lower to his/her level". please stop paying atention to these stupid people and focus in your beautiful life. Next week we're gonna have ringo here in mexico for almost a week. 3 concerts in mexico city, 1 in guadalajara Jalisco, and 1 in monterrey nuevo león. I hope to take good pictures to send you. From mexico luis
ReplyDeleteLuis you are always so kind. You know I am an extremely sensitive soul. I take words personally. Nonetheless, I shouldn't have allowed myself to get wrapped up in the nonsense and I should have been a bit nicer in doing it.
DeleteWow, Sara, I'm sorry to hear about all that unnecessary rudeness. It definitely does sound like bullying to me. I'm not a big Facebook or Tumblr person, but I can tell you that your blog is a very real and a very positive contribution to the Beatles community. (Why else would Mark Lewisohn link to it?!)
ReplyDeleteWe love you, Sara... don't let the haters get you down!
SORRY to hear about this.. I LOVE your site here, and I don't use Facebook, so I know I'm missing a LOT of cool stuff.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned, don't let the haters get you down.
You're awesome for sharing so much stuff...!! Please don't stop.
Dear Sara - I am a professional photographer who has invested big money and time into my career. I can't even begin to tell you how many times my photographs have been stolen for unauthorized use on a web page. And, no surprise here, I don't get paid nor do I even get photo credit. It's beyond frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI tell you this because you have to expect the worst behavior possible out of some people on the Internet. They simply don't care. You are posting photos that are either public domain or even perhaps still covered by a copyright. Expect some people to take advantage and do whatever they please with those images. I'm sure other blogs and websites have linked back to you. Hopefully that number is more than those who have not.
How many other sites have been recognized by the dean of Beatle history, Mark Lewisohn? Not many, but you have been. Mr. Lewisohn recognized your talent and sincere hard work on your website. You have well over 1 million hits, that's alot of returning and new fans. Your idea is unique, entertaining, and informative, a go-to site for Beatle fans all over the world.
As a professional photographer, let me thank you for at least giving the photographer or writer proper credit when that information is available. It shows a professional courtesy that is rare in the Internet world.
It was my fault that I got myself wrapped up in the drama. What started was those beautiful photos Massimo posted. He sent those to me to post. He owns those photos and he deserves the credit for them. I just hated to see his photos posted without a care in the world of who took them. I do TRY my best to credit back whenever I can. I can't always know, but I think knowing the photographers and writers makes the story even better.
DeleteI don't use Facebook either! Does this mean I'm missing even more great pics??!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been saying it for a couple of years now, the internet has "jumped the shark" (this blog notwithstanding!). Great to see so-called "McLennonlovers", or Olive (there's a name you don't hear anymore), is so in touch with the "all you need is love" spirit of MacLen.
It's annoying, but don't let it get you down, you're above it. "horrid little blog", hahaha......I think everyone knows who the "real" blog is. Otherwise you wouldn't be guesting on panels at Beatlefests, and getting name-checked by St. Mark (Lewhisohn)
A few more things
ReplyDelete1. I stated her name on this blog because she stated my name first on her facebook and tumblr. She used my name and said unkind things to me. I only spoke the truth.
2. If anyone who is a visitor is going to this person's blog and sending her messages that she needs to kill herself, I have a real problem with you. Suicide is nothing to joke about. I am shocked and disturbed that any Beatle fan would send such a sick and horrible message to another fan. I honestly hope this isn't true. You don't make things right with a bully by telling them to kill themselves. That wasn't the point of me posting this.
3. I never would have felt the need to post this message if my name wasn't being dragged through the mud.
You ruined her life by posting this. I hope your happy now.
ReplyDeleteYou ruined her life by posting this. Just so you know: She suffers from severe depression, stress causes her to have panic attacks and sends her to the hospital when the attacks are severe. I hope you're happy now. You not only ruined her life but possibly her health too.
ReplyDeleteWell I suffer from extreme high blood pressure, have depression and anxiety attacks as well, but that doesn't matter. I wanted to drop this whole mess. I told her that she won and I was done and then she started telling people not to click on my Paul link because I was rude. I needed to defend my name. I never told anyone to send her insane messages. I just wanted to clear my name.
Delete.
ReplyDeleteNot to be rude, but that's pretty normal for someone your age. She's barely 17. She's gone through so much that you've most likely have never gone through. She doesn't need people telling her to kill herself when she already has thoughts about doing it. And seriously, not every teenager is a liar. She was telling the goddamn truth. I was one of the people who sent her the photos and I swear that I found them on flickr, I can't exactly remember the profile I took them from, but I never took them from this site. And now I'll never even look at it since you caused people to send her hate.
ReplyDeleteI have had very bad anxiety since I was 13. I have also gone through a whole heck of a lot. I agree that NO ONE should tell her to kill herself. That is sick and awful and it honestly makes me extremely angry. Whoever is doing that needs to stop it forever. You should NEVER EVER EVER EVER tell someone to kill themselves. I never said she was a liar. All I know is that I would post a photo at 10:45pm. and at 10:48pm that same photo was on her blog with basically the same caption. This happened over and over and over for a month. When someone who takes the photo e-mails it to me to post on this blog it needs to be credited. 17 year olds need to learn to sight their sources. Uhh....I am getting wrapped up in the drama again, aren't I. What does it matter...you will never come to this blog again anyhow..
DeleteI am not posting a post by an anonymous person because it is rude and disrespectful to post personal information about someone else on the internet.
DeleteAnonymous are you stupid or what? you're one of the people who sent her the photos and can'tremember the profile you took them from? no way
Delete2nd Anonymous person....do not get sucked into thinking about this because it just drags you into the drama. That is what caused my issues. I thought too deeply about what was being said and how it logically did not make any sense to me. Then I was sucked in and acting like a fool.
DeleteEverybody knows that. She confessed all those things. You're just avoiding answering and sounding mean and such. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI am staying out of the drama....staying out of the drama....staying out of the drama.....
DeleteI am sure not everyone on my blog knows this girl's personal business.
Hi, it's Anonymous, the one who always uses a million exclamation points....I have to say how funny it is to read "congratulations you just ruined her life", give it a break " Anonymous, or Olive, or whoever you are.
ReplyDeleteThis is the internet, if you think anyone is going to feel sorry for you because you "suffer from depression" or anxiety, or whatever malaise afflicts you, then grow up already.
And Sara, don't even reply (or approve) these comments. Don't you have to approve every comment? Just don't. Let the little child go babble on whatever her own forum is (be it blog, or facebook, or whatever....), this blog is for serious Beatle fans, not immature internet babies.
-!!!
Oh this is silly. Maybe all the anonymous are her, or a big part of them. Don't worry, if she done something wrong, then she knows it, and in the end she will feel bad for it. I hate people who try to play the victim just because they have problems. I have problems too and never use them as an excuse to win arguments or anything like that. And she's 17, she's not 12, she's not adult but i'm 16 and i know that what she did is completely stupid. I don't mean to be rude but that's how it is. I hope you don't have this kind of problems anymore. And i apologize for my bad english.
ReplyDeleteDear Sara,
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of class. Its one of the many reasons I enjoy reading your blog. Do let the head cases make you crazy. Keep the course and keep doing your thing. j0j0