Leading up to the first Regionals summit in 2006, some of us regional leads had been bitching on the email list about some or other issue I don’t remember well now. I recall that my own positions were about as flamey and self righteous as I’ve ever been in an email. At the summit, Larry discussed the matter with us, and particularly the attitude evident in some of us. I’ll never forget him pointing out “the vitriol” in some our responses and led us through a reasonable discussion that allowed us to come out of it feeling more human and connected than ever, even if we disagreed. That one statement about vitriol stuck with me even today when I’m considering sending another bitchy email. That summit was life changing for me. As a result of it, I decided to move to San Francisco. Though I didn’t want to work for a big company, I ended up interviewing at Google. One of my interviewers asked me about my Burning Man experience, and if Larry would know who I am. I said he might. Turns out the guy called Larry. I didn’t find out till years later what had happened, but Larry gave me an emphatic referral that likely landed me the job (which I still have). Despite my vitriol. Thanks for having a bigger view, and thanks for the big push, Larry. We will celebrate you now and always.
Larry called me out on my shit