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I've put this off and masqueraded under another nic…it’s time to keep with tradition and just DO my landmark. I'm not a fantastic writer. My life story is complex(like yours is), and probably rather boring to read. I've been inspired by your stories and accounts of triumphs and trials. I guess I'm at a point in my life where it's tiring to hash through all of mine. Not that I think they're less worthwhile than yours, I just like reading better than I like writing.
So I'd just like to take my hat off to all of you and say that I've enjoyed you tremendously. When I began lurking 3 summers ago, it was at the prompting of the same friend that got me to read Ender's Game. I remember laughing hysterically at wonderful witty commentaries. I remember always having my hands on the funny stuff FIRST, cause I got it on Hatrack. I remember one of the very few threads that I myself started, asking for reading suggestions from everyone. It was a great thread and I have it printed out, hole-punched and in a binder to this very day...and I have a good reading list that will last me the rest of my life.
After that summer, I left to serve and LDS mission in Brazil. I'll do a landmark about THAT experience when I hit 2,000. When I left, I believe that I had LESS than 100 posts. I remember last summer, when I finally did hit 100 posts, I thought I was a geezer! I remember Pop's first landmark post! I was actually grateful to be a pseudo-lurking jatraquera because I thought I'd never be in a position to do what I'm doing right now. (I bet you all wished I'd stayed a lurker!)
Once I started posting more often, I learned REALLY quickly that I wasn't patient enough, nor informed enough to hold my own in political debate threads. (I LUV you Tom. You are the ultimate teacher!) I learned that I felt much more comfortable in the land of fluff. I wasn't very good at it and I'm not especially witty, but I realized that fluff was my escape from the world and one of the reasons I came to Hatrack every day or so. I also really enjoyed getting to know the separate personalities and keeping up on world events in the least painful way possible...letting YOU guys do all the research.
Last March, I had the extreme privilege to meet some of the Pac Northwest Jatraqueros here in Portland, Oregon. We had an extremely fun day at the brain fair, took some fun pictures, and I had a great time. It was nice. I met great people. Many of you have had the same experience I think of never running out of things to talk about...well. We could have gone on far into the night. I forgot that I had just met everyone that very day. My preconceived notions that all online friendships had to be either fake or unhealthy were dissolving around me.
So I posted some more, quit for a couple months cause of school and travel, but inevitably came back. And posted some more. I’m at a time in my life where my closest friends have slipped into the ‘old friends’ category. Where my family is my network and when I want to pour my heart out, I have trouble finding a place to do it. This is ok, it’s the way my life is right now and I’m extremely blessed. I’m a year away from my degree, studying what I love. I’m an obsessive, nerdy, geeky nutcase when it comes to my studies. (Music Theory/Education and Choral Conducting) It’s a blast. I have a great direction and a great family, my own share of crap to deal with, and lots of fun stuff to look back on at the same time. Hatrack has just become a part of it. If you could see my 'Alvin Maker' life fabric, you’d see the bright sparkly red thread weaving its way around. It sure adds something interesting to that fabric!! I appreciate it and all of you.
So in all cheese and seriousness, I’ll say thank you and “Cheers” to another 1008 fluffy, fun, and meaningful posts!! Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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I had a similar experience at the get-together. I felt as though I had known you all for much more than a few hours. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, and I hope we can have another one sometime!
Congrats on the 1008 posts! Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Cecily - If anyone on Hatrack represents kindness and sweetness for me, it's you. You actively make sure no one's feelings are hurt, and you manage to do so nonconfrontationally. You are the picture of diplomacy. Sometimes it's really needed around here, and I know you have quietly smacked me down a few times when I needed it. :grins:
I loved being able to hang with you at the Brain Fair, and if everything goes right then we shall be doing so in the very near future. I seriously look forward to it.
Congrats on your landmark, sweetie. Posts: 7600 | Registered: Jan 2001
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You're the best. I remember once, when I was really depressed, you telling me I could email you anytime. I never took you up on it, but whenever I was really down, it was something I held with me, the knowledge that I could. Thanks!
Posts: 4655 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Narnia/Cecily: as always sweet. Thanks for your e-friendship. You've kept me company in the mornings when it can be as dead as the grave around here, and for that I thank you.
Have a long posting career here, please. We want to see that 2000th landmark! Posts: 1843 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Hey, I was just looking at your pictures that Ralphie linked in the Hatrack photo album thread and thinking, "Wow, what a hottie. She looks 'theatrical.'" Then I came here, and voila, more pictures of you, still being a hottie!
Congrats on 1,000 and I'm also looking forward to 2,000.
Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Cecily darling, congratulations on 1,008 fabulous memories. It's so lovely to have you here and I really appreciate your wit, wisdom, and common-sense smackdown.
Hugs for my favorite new big sister! Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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Narnia...I enjoyed your post, and the pictures. I can't wait until I can actually make it to one of the Hatrack gatherings. I keep just missing them.
Looking forward to many more of your posts. Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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You know, my 56k modem had revealed the first quarter of the Moderately Amused Dance and I thought, okay, I'll skip this. Then you see the shoe soles...
So, Narnia, do you have any tips for those of us who are struggling toward landmarkdom? Congrats on snapping up a cool screen name :thumbs up:
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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*sniff* Thanks guys. It's amazing how little we really know about what others think of us. Thanks for letting me know, I really appreciate it and it's made my day. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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I always find your contributions to serious threads to be meaningful and valuable. You bring a lot to our community. There is a third kind of thread besides political and fluff that all too often gets lumped with one of the other two, depending on the individual preferences of the "lumper," and that's threads of the heart. You are a key part of Hatrack's heart.
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I'm not a fantastic writer. My life story is complex(like yours is), and probably rather boring to read. I've been inspired by your stories and accounts of triumphs and trials. I guess I'm at a point in my life where it's tiring to hash through all of mine. Not that I think they're less worthwhile than yours, I just like reading better than I like writing. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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take my hat off to all of you and say that I've enjoyed you tremendously. When I began lurking 3 summers ago, it was at the prompting of the same friend that got me to read Ender's Game. I remember laughing hysterically at wonderful witty commentaries. I remember always having my hands on the funny stuff FIRST, cause I got it on Hatrack. I remember one of the very few threads that I myself started, asking for reading suggestions from everyone. It was a great thread and I have it printed out, hole-punched and in a binder to this very day...and I have a good reading list that will last me the rest of my life. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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