My first CES, in 2011, I had no idea what the heck I was doing or where I was going. LMCD organized our meetings, and I was periodically getting shirpa'ed around by various members from meeting to meeting.
At one point I was handed off to Cara...I can't even remember which vendor I'd ticked off prior to the show, but we met with them, and she graciously let me try and work things out (I think I was successful). After that she talked to me for a bit about how the meeting went, and she was very encouraging. And then, when I started bungling the next meeting, she righted the ship.
I was extremely green when I started at AnandTech and not at all used to handling meetings with vendors. It was a tremendous learning experience, and she was a big part of that.
Her spirit and talents must've been needed elsewhere very desperately to be called away so suddenly..looks like she had the whole being an "awesome human being"-thing mastered, ..judging by this pic and the effect she had on you.
If I sound certain that this isn't the last you or her family will see of her..it's because I am.
Thank you for sharing this story. All too often the human side behind tech and business gets ingored, particularly by we keyboardists in the comments. It's good to know that the site has, and had, such ardent supporters behind the scenes.
News of Cara's passing last year shook me deeply. It was always a delight whenever I ran into her at events and she'd flash that big Cara smile and give you a big hug. Even though I hadn't been in a position that manages an ad budget for years, she would still stay and touch and always offer to take me Skiing with Larry in Nevada. Sorry I never took you up on that ski trip, Cara.
Death of one you care about helps you understand how your own life is short. Even her passing has impact. In this, she lives on, though not in the way we might wish.
Thank you Anand for honoring Cara. Her big smile and heart of gold is missed by all who love her. You were the brother she never had. Cara fiercely protected those that she loved. She demonstrated strength, courage and a willingness to go the extra mile at all costs. I had the special honor of being her Mom!
I knew nothing about this side of Anandtech, but clearly Cara made a huge contribution to the success of the site, and was greatly loved by those who knew her. Her spirit lives on.
It's the first time I've heard of Cara, but it is very touching and quite encouraging that her kindness and her positive approach to life still influences those who knew her. It seems like she was a wonderful person. I hope her sons will turn out to be as exemplary as she was.
I too worked with Cara and the LMCD team. They were a delight, always professional, already kind. I'm sure her family appreciates your public acknowledgement. Thanks for writing this lovely tribute, Anand.
I had to click on Anand's name to see this post, else I'd have never have known of Cara. How about ya'll change that, please?
I know Anand has parted ways with Anandtech, but this remembering Cara deserves front page status imo. I've been reading Anandtech regularly since 1998 (I've gone through a few accounts over the years), and never heard of her till now. She sounds like a wonderful person, and a huge reason this site is still in business while also being able to remain relatively impartial for proper journalistic integrity.
Over the years, a lot of other valuable tech sites have fallen by the wayside (ask Johan De Gelas about how great Aceshardware boards used to be), but ATech is still here and thriving. According to Anand, Cara was a key reason for that, and she should be remembered on the site she helped survive. People behind the scenes often stay hidden all the way through retirement, but this seems an exception in which the community should be given the opportunity to remember someone who contributed so much to our little neck of the woods.
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Dustin Sklavos - Saturday, August 30, 2014 - link
My first CES, in 2011, I had no idea what the heck I was doing or where I was going. LMCD organized our meetings, and I was periodically getting shirpa'ed around by various members from meeting to meeting.At one point I was handed off to Cara...I can't even remember which vendor I'd ticked off prior to the show, but we met with them, and she graciously let me try and work things out (I think I was successful). After that she talked to me for a bit about how the meeting went, and she was very encouraging. And then, when I started bungling the next meeting, she righted the ship.
I was extremely green when I started at AnandTech and not at all used to handling meetings with vendors. It was a tremendous learning experience, and she was a big part of that.
at80eighty - Saturday, August 30, 2014 - link
Peace to you Cara. and thanks for making this possibleTETRONG - Sunday, August 31, 2014 - link
Her spirit and talents must've been needed elsewhere very desperately to be called away so suddenly..looks like she had the whole being an "awesome human being"-thing mastered, ..judging by this pic and the effect she had on you.If I sound certain that this isn't the last you or her family will see of her..it's because I am.
HusseinH - Sunday, August 31, 2014 - link
Rest in peace, Cara.Hairs_ - Sunday, August 31, 2014 - link
Thank you for sharing this story. All too often the human side behind tech and business gets ingored, particularly by we keyboardists in the comments. It's good to know that the site has, and had, such ardent supporters behind the scenes.CameronR - Sunday, August 31, 2014 - link
News of Cara's passing last year shook me deeply. It was always a delight whenever I ran into her at events and she'd flash that big Cara smile and give you a big hug. Even though I hadn't been in a position that manages an ad budget for years, she would still stay and touch and always offer to take me Skiing with Larry in Nevada. Sorry I never took you up on that ski trip, Cara.HisDivineOrder - Sunday, August 31, 2014 - link
Death of one you care about helps you understand how your own life is short. Even her passing has impact. In this, she lives on, though not in the way we might wish.Caramia - Sunday, August 31, 2014 - link
Thank you Anand for honoring Cara. Her big smile and heart of gold is missed by all who love her. You were the brother she never had. Cara fiercely protected those that she loved. She demonstrated strength, courage and a willingness to go the extra mile at all costs.I had the special honor of being her Mom!
maximumGPU - Monday, September 1, 2014 - link
She seems like a truly genuine person. They're rare these days.Rest in peace Cara.
sheh - Monday, September 1, 2014 - link
Didn't know her but it's always sad. All the best to her friends, and family.darkich - Tuesday, September 2, 2014 - link
I second thatKlug4Pres - Monday, September 1, 2014 - link
I knew nothing about this side of Anandtech, but clearly Cara made a huge contribution to the success of the site, and was greatly loved by those who knew her. Her spirit lives on.Mk4ever - Tuesday, September 2, 2014 - link
It's the first time I've heard of Cara, but it is very touching and quite encouraging that her kindness and her positive approach to life still influences those who knew her. It seems like she was a wonderful person. I hope her sons will turn out to be as exemplary as she was.May she rest in peace.
Mugsbuckley - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link
I too worked with Cara and the LMCD team. They were a delight, always professional, already kind. I'm sure her family appreciates your public acknowledgement. Thanks for writing this lovely tribute, Anand.coconutboy - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link
I had to click on Anand's name to see this post, else I'd have never have known of Cara. How about ya'll change that, please?I know Anand has parted ways with Anandtech, but this remembering Cara deserves front page status imo. I've been reading Anandtech regularly since 1998 (I've gone through a few accounts over the years), and never heard of her till now. She sounds like a wonderful person, and a huge reason this site is still in business while also being able to remain relatively impartial for proper journalistic integrity.
Over the years, a lot of other valuable tech sites have fallen by the wayside (ask Johan De Gelas about how great Aceshardware boards used to be), but ATech is still here and thriving. According to Anand, Cara was a key reason for that, and she should be remembered on the site she helped survive. People behind the scenes often stay hidden all the way through retirement, but this seems an exception in which the community should be given the opportunity to remember someone who contributed so much to our little neck of the woods.