I Love This Fandom!

I can't say that I remember exactly how I came across folcdom, but I'll be forever grateful that I did. In the last year, I've come back to this fandom to find a group of people whom are indescribably wonderful, witty, humo(u)rous, kind, generous, intelligent, resourceful… well the list goes on and on. In my hometown, I can count the number of close friends I have on one hand… well, I'd actually only need one finger for that. I really cherish the fact that I can sign online night or day and have a friend to talk to.

How weird is it that some of my dearest friends are people I've never met? It saddens me sometimes to think about how far away they are, but all I have to do is sign on to IRC and have Rachel bock at me, Julie throw a moose at me, Paul make a joke to cheer me up, Sas nag me to write something else… and they put a smile on my face.

And where else but folcdom, can you talk to your favorite author… even call her your friend, find the answer to the computer question that's been plaguing you, find someone from just about any profession or life experience if you ever need an answer, find a wealth of fiction of quality that far surpasses any of the published authors you've read, take a poll on how you should redecorate… the list goes on again…

I've never met a more fantastic group of people. I've never felt more at home. And I've never felt more loved.

Sara

Awwwww, I feel the same way hon!

Rach

Oh and just for you! BOCKAAAA!!!!

Havn't known you'all very long but you guys have been what I've needed so many time to escape my "normal life" awesome :-) - Katie

Awwwwww -right back at ya, kid!

I'm delighted to have you back - your stories brought a smile to my face waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back when I first joined this fandom and I enjoy your company on irc.

I count myself fortunate to have this playground where there is such a great bunch of people to hang out with. Give yourselves a pat on the back for making this such a fun place to be.

And the best thing of all about it, is that every year I make more new friends.


LabRat

Me too!

AnnaBtG.

I love this fandom too!!!

I love being married to a psychofurball who bocks people. I love being corrected by a Rat. I love reading stories written by a queen and I love being called Mad Dog.


Whats there not to love???

MDL

Oh, me too... Folcs, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Fandom has been a big part in my life for almost ten years now... I met my best friend & acquired a social life.

When I had a screamy baby in the middle of the night I could go on IRC and interact with adults.

I've gotten e-mail from many many countries, and I now send international Christmas cards

I love that people here really care about quality writing. (As a new e-mail friend put it: "it's been refreshing to see so many GOOD writers--people who know the difference between "to" and "too" and "your" and "you're", and who actually know what proper punctuation is. Not to mention the ability to construct realistic dialogue.")

I've met other parents of autistic kids.

A year after my son was diagnosed with autism, a fan group dedicated their charity auction proceeds to autism research. More recently, FOLCs donated to a scholarship fund -- a friend was cleaning house and letting go of some of her huge collection of L&C stuff. Some of them bought the L&C stuff, some of them simply sent contributions.

I love that people on these boards are all ages & stages of life, and all respect each other, and are able to have discussions and disagreements without descending into flame wars.

I love the way people volunteer their time (and sometimes money) to put together our archives, message boards, mailing lists, awards programs... this fandom wouldn't be anything at all if it weren't for people working together, just out of love for the show.

I love that we have such a variety of writers & styles -- again, very high quality writers!

I love the way FOLCs get goofy on IRC Y'all are *nuts* and great to hang out with. I love the official channel ficus, and I love throwing lightning bolts, all goddess-like and everything

I love that one of my stories was translated into French!

I love the way that I can simply assume that every FOLC I meet is going to become a friend.

And there are many many more things, I'm sure, that I can't think of at the moment...

But now, I'd better get to bed before my husband comes down and starts listing all the things he *doesn't* love

PJ