I don't mind valve taking their time to make sure we're getting quality content. I'd rather wait as opposed to rushed / half baked content.
BUT
there being literally 0 communication INFURIATES me. All you have to do is a blog post saying "were cooking, expect a patch/pass around x date"

Not only would it shut up all the whiny people asking for the pass every single week, but it would build hype.

I don't get it man, I think they actually like watching everybody squirm for the even every year