voting is over, thanks everyone

[dizzyfish]

Sarah,
I think the most troubling thing out of all of this is why you guys even come onto our board to say anything at all. So I think scrapbooking is silly... big deal. That's ok. I can think that if I want and it won't affect how you enjoy it. I said it here... I didn't go onto a scrapbooking forum and say it. We all have varying opinions on this board and anyway, my comment was made in jest.
The voting software comment by BreinLa was clearly made in jest as well. She has a good sense of humor. It was a joke. Notice the "lol" when she said it?

Nobody has anything against Norma and I feel confident in saying that everyone here wishes the best for ALL of the contestants. Katrina's mom posts here, so we were voting for Katrina. We didn't go to your board making comments or critiquing your posts. I don't know why you guys feel the need to do that here. We should be able to make comments among each other on here without people who have no real interest in this forum, lurking, just waiting to pounce on comments in this thread. We have NOT done that on your board.

MANY of us know what it's like to lose a home to a hurricane. We're a tropical weather board. A lot of our members have been directly affected by hurricanes, many of whom lost their homes. While I didn't lose my home, Hurricane Rita hit here and devastated where I live and I know a lot of people who did lose their home. And just because some of us don't scrapbook, doesn't mean we don't cherish our pictures, too. We just don't have the added borders and whatnot. I have thousands of pictures that are very dear to me. I left material possessions behind to take them all with me when I evacuated.

It's a wedding contest. Why bring drama into it?

YOU ROCK! O.K. now I promise to shut up- really!

[scrapper]

Sorry for barging in on "your turf"...I guess I was just trying to find a way to end all the name calling and bickering so that the couples could focus on the important things...namely their upcoming life together! I'll go back to my scrapbooks now...

[southerngale]

Sorry for barging in on "your turf"...I guess I was just trying to find a way to end all the name calling and bickering so that the couples could focus on the important things...namely their upcoming life together! I'll go back to my scrapbooks now...

But nobody here is name calling and bickering.

I think you're missing the point. The only bickering that has occurred on here was when Norma voters suddenly showed up in this thread. Before that, it was a just a bunch of Storm2k members voting and making comments amongst ourselves.

[CajunMama]

Sarah, we are not the ones going elsewhere and starting drama. You are coming here and other scrappers are going to other boards and our board and starting things. Y'all are stirring the pot. We're conversing among those on our board. Do you see us on your board? Nope, didn't think so.

As for losing your home in a hurricane...talk to msrobi911...all she had was a slab left. NOTHING ELSE. Talk to ixolib who was in his home while the waters were rising all around him and in his home. Go to the hurricane & recovery aftermath forum and talk to FrankP. He had to totally rebuild his home and everything around him is STILL in shamble.And ask mel about frances, jeanne & wilma.

[Stephanie]

Yes, Sarah. Please go in to the Tropical Storm Archived data for 2005 and 2004 for that matter. We have a thread for each storm. Read through it and see how many of our members have been affected by just those storms. They were just as devastated as I'm sure Norma was.

Southerngale stated it all so beautifully as far as our position goes. We are very supportive and protective of our members, just like your websites are of your members. We, however, did not search for your websites to "set things straight" nor did we post negative rumors about Norma to hurt her chances.

Cajunmama - that is a beautiful thing your friend did for Katrina and Matt.

[Chacor]

With all due respect, mods, I don't think it's fair to accuse the other couple of doing essentially what s2k has been doing. The only difference is that they have been doing it on a much larger scale.

I cannot see how they could be, in CM's words, "overly obsessive" when clearly s2k was, if not "overly", still "obssessive" to a point over this.

Just my two cents.

[CajunMama]

Chacor, do you see us going over to other boards and causing drama? Huh? Huh?

[Chacor]

Chacor, do you see us going over to other boards and causing drama? Huh? Huh?

CM, with all due respect I think everyone needs to calm down a bit.

I'm not condoning their actions coming here to make a big deal out of what s2k is doing when s2k hasn't done the same to their boards, but it's just a competition. Like in any competition, tempers could flare. So far it hasn't — they've generally been civil when they've come here to argue their points, so I think it's good to keep it that way.

[Stephanie]

IMHO, the obsessiveness more on their side since they were the ones that came here to cause trouble. Yes, it is a competition and tempers do flare, but they didn't need to add fuel to the fire.

I'd have to say the one comment from "melzy" - "let the battle begin" was a bit of a challenge and not something I'd call "civil", especially when it was the member's first post.

[southerngale]

With all due respect, mods, I don't think it's fair to accuse the other couple of doing essentially what s2k has been doing. The only difference is that they have been doing it on a much larger scale.

I cannot see how they could be, in CM's words, "overly obsessive" when clearly s2k was, if not "overly", still "obssessive" to a point over this.

Just my two cents.

I think you're confused. First of all, who accused the couple of anything?
Also, you don't know what all had to be removed from this thread and I assure you, we've done nothing remotely similar. Did you read our posts? All we have done is vote and post here. What's wrong with that?
I assume you're unaware of all the rumors that have been spread about Katrina and Matt. Because they're in a contest? How sad.
Not to mention, all the name calling on several different boards about the "enemy" (aka Katrina voters), joining a bunch of boards just to stick their nose into other people's conversations and make rude comments, etc. None of that has been done by us. We saw that after they started showing up here. So how exactly are we essentially doing the same thing? And how are we being obsessive?

[southerngale]

Chacor, do you see us going over to other boards and causing drama? Huh? Huh?

CM, with all due respect I think everyone needs to calm down a bit.

I'm not condoning their actions coming here to make a big deal out of what s2k is doing when s2k hasn't done the same to their boards, but it's just a competition. Like in any competition, tempers could flare. So far it hasn't — they've generally been civil when they've come here to argue their points, so I think it's good to keep it that way.

I don't know about you, but I'm perfectly calm... in a pretty good mood, actually. After a very busy spring and many months of getting my house ready to go on the market, I'm enjoying the calmer days of summer.

Again, you haven't seen all of their posts, so you don't know what they said. I am truly surprised that a nice wedding contest turned so ugly. It's sad, really.

[Chacor]

Allow me to respond to each of your points individually, sg.

I think you're confused. First of all, who accused the couple of anything?

People accused them of being "overly obsessive", and of cheating (although the latter probably in jest). Questions were raised over whether what they were doing was legal. My point of view, as someone who doesn't care about the competition on either side and has been observing from afar, is that it's legal, and both them and s2k have canvassed for votes.

Also, you don't know what all had to be removed from this thread and I assure you, we've done nothing remotely similar.

As I mentioned above, I've been observing the thread from afar since it started. I've seen the posts, some of which I felt were pretty tame. To be fair, s2k does protect its members, so I have no issues with those posts being removed.

Did you read our posts? All we have done is vote and post here. What's wrong with that?

Nothing is wrong with that, just as nothing is wrong with the other side voting in numbers too. The only difference is that they felt the need to come here and post to. I have no knowledge if anyone from s2k might have done the same, but there have been no such reports, so I can only condemn the acts.

I assume you're unaware of all the rumors that have been spread about Katrina and Matt. Because they're in a contest? How sad.

Granted, there hasn't been as vile vitriol shown towards the other couple than shown to Katrina and Matt, but there have been posts here that have not been kind towards them either.

Not to mention, all the name calling on several different boards about the "enemy" (aka Katrina voters), joining a bunch of boards just to stick their nose into other people's conversations and make rude comments, etc.

Cannot be condoned.

None of that has been done by us. We saw that after they started showing up here.

No arguments, I never said s2k did anything of the sort.

So how exactly are we essentially doing the same thing?

I should've made myself clear. They're canvassing for votes; s2k is canvassing for votes. In that aspect, it's the same thing.

And how are we being obsessive?

I think both sides are too obsessed over it already. When it gets to the point where everything has to be argued and defended, you know you're too far in, and sometimes it's good to take a step back.

Again, just my thoughts from a neutral observer standpoint.

[mel38]

please don't get too upset with each other on our behalf. we really appreciate all that you guy's have done. we don't understand all the drama that has come of this. all we ask is everyone who cares to , vote for our kid. thanks for everyone's votes and if you choose to vote for someone else we understand. mel38

[BreinLa]

Want to clear one thing up here my comment about voting software was certainly a joke and I will not change having a sense of humor on this board or any other board, so whoever comes over to this board and reads one of my comments and has a problem with it , oh well!!!!!!

[caribepr]

Wow. Just saw this. What a strange thing. Hope that regardless of the outcome of the contest, the day of affirmation goes well for Katrina and Matt. It's a day...that signifies the beginning of a lifetime of hopefully hundreds, thousands of days.
Outward symbolism of an inward decision and commitment, shared with family and friends. Doesn't seem to need a fortune or a contest or a debt...but then, my wedding dress was made by my sister in law, flower arrangements made by a florist friend, reception in a friend's restaurant...all of which my father found low key from his world perspective, but intensely charming, nonetheless. And I know the other kind of wedding as well. Same goal accomplished - but what IS the cost?

It all seems a little strange to me, this whole contest thing. But...yeah, I'm like that. Island people (not St. Barts!), go figure!

p.s. Oh yeah...I did vote for them (note: you need to put up the voting link much more often with so little time left - newcomers to the topic are lost unless they go back way far)

[dizzyfish]

Good idea!

direct link

http://photocontest.freedom.com/cbs12/dream-wedding/

[mel38]

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK GOODNESS!! we only have until noon and then the madness will be over. thanks for everything guys.

[Chacor]

mel38: I wish your daughter and son-in-law, and your family, the happiest of times. Congratulations.

[mel38]

voting is over. thanks for everyone's support. i could go on for days how much we appreciate my fellow storm2k'ers for your help. i'm sure katrina will have a message for you later. we are just glad this is over. mel

[Stephanie]

It was our pleasure to help.

WE WANT PICTURES OF THE WHOLE WEDDING!!!! They have an extended family here now.