Is a sap

[turps]

The last challenge at pop_appreciate was to write a love letter to your fandom, which basically is showing appreciation to the popfandom. I can do that.

I've often said that the popfandom feels like home, and it does.

I know it's not all happiness and joy. I know a lot of bitching goes on and just plain hurtful behaviour. I know people who've left fandom because of that, and I saw the pain that damn hate meme caused. Yet you know what? As bad as those are, it's more than balanced by the good.

People share so freely. Say you need something and you'll get offers of discs and downloads. It's something I don't really see in my other fandoms, yet in pop, pictures and media is freely circulated.

We've also got damn talented people in this fandom. Writers and artists and people who write posts that make you think. I'm surrounded by brilliant people, and believe me, it's nice to be in their glow.

At the same time, popslash is also utter crack. Lamps, Couches, Fish, wings, unicorns, the list goes on. I know everyone doesn't like that kind of stuff, but there's no condemnation if you do. At least I don't see it. I have fun with popslash. Knowing I could say, hey would Justin make a good kitchen table? And have people discuss that with me. Just, whoa!

I love that little pairing bashing goes on. I know it does, but I've been in fandoms that tore themselves apart due to pairings. Yet in popslash, where the pairings are many, most people get on just fine. It used to be different, but thankfully the conflicts between fans of various bands/people seems to have simmered down, and I hope it never boils up again.

I could go on forever, but for me, what I appreciate most about the popfandom is it's brought me good friends. I've surrounded myself with smart people, people I love to read about. You guys are so talented, so funny and just amazing. I've people on my flist who've left the pop boys behind, but that doesn't matter, because as much as it was Nsync/BSB that brought us together, it became so much more. I want to read about people's lives, and that includes their new fandoms. I might not get that fandom, but I get fannish love.

I've gone beyond names on the screen to people who'll listen when all I can do is cry down a phone, will email when I sound down and keep on asking me places when I'm an anti social idiot. Which is the most important of all. Because in a way, pop fandom helped change my life. If it weren't for people who threatened to kidnap me and take me to my first slash conn, who constantly invited me places, who asked to meet and were lovely when I did. Well, that helped drag me from a downward spiral.

I've got issues, in reality I'm different to what I am on here. Mainly because no one sees me when I'm writing on a screen. Yet despite the fact I'm not a good guest.( Honestly, more than a few people in a room and I go into vocal lock down ) and the fact I often don't know what to say or do, and am boring as hell in reality. Well, they still want to see me, and you don't know how much that means.

I haven't met some of my closest online friends, I may never do so. That doesn't matter at all. Because you're there, and for that I'll love the pop fandom forever.

Comments

[saba1789.livejournal.com]

*cries and is a sap right along with you* Beautifully said, Terri. And just YES! Best fandom ever with the most amazing people ever in it :D .

[turps33.livejournal.com]

*hugs fellow sap*

I love our fandom so very much.

[ephemera.livejournal.com]

love you, lady.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

And I love you, too. Very much.

[tara]

That was really wonderfully said, hun.

As far as I can remember, the only friend I actually gained from the Popslash fandom was you. However, that's more than enough to make me grateful to it, long after I wrote my last fic ♥

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Oh man, you've just made me teary now.

*hugs tight*

[hakeer.livejournal.com]

Awwww. I admit, I may have cried (just a little!), because it's people like you who make fandom, any fandom, such a fabulous thing. ♥

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Thank you, honey.

You know that's right back at you. &hearts

[geneli4.livejournal.com]

*sniffles happily*

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Said I was a sap *g*

[sassyrose88.livejournal.com]

what a beautiful sentiment. Lady, you are quite a keeper.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

*blush*

Thank you, honey.

[turloughishere.livejournal.com]

That was lovely, Terri!!

I sometime lament that I came so late to popfandom but when I hear about things like the hate meme I'm very grateful that I did. The fandom is a much happier place now I think.

[milosflaca.livejournal.com]

if you don't mind my asking, what's that hate meme you keep referring to?

[turloughishere.livejournal.com]

I'm not really sure since it was before my time in the fandom but from what I've heard it was the usual kind of anonymous hate meme thingy and led to a lot of anger and hurt feelings. (Please correct me if I'm wrong, Terri.)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

No, you're right.

It happened years ago. Someone started an anonymous hate meme for the popslash fandom. There were a lot of nasty bitter comments posted about a lot of people.

It led to a lot of people stopping writing, and went far too far in what was said. For example, one girl was said to be such a bad writer the commenter wished her computer be hit by a truck.

It led to a lot of pain and bad feelings which have taken a long time to repair.

[turloughishere.livejournal.com]

Ugh! I hate anonymous memes like that, they can do so much damage to a fandom. I know some people say that they never care about what some anonymous person says about them but I don't think that's really true. Even if you do your best not to feel hurt I still think there's a tiny part of you that are. And what if they're someone on your flist? Since they're anonymous you can never know for sure and just the suspicion that they might be would be devastating. No, I'm very, very happy to not have entered the fandom until well after it happened!!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

A lot of bad stuff went down a few years back, but thankfully that seems to have changed now. I hope it stays that way.

[milosflaca.livejournal.com]

you know what I like most about you? that you are sincere (I hypocrites. I hate ass kissers). Even when you say that you are nothing like the way people see you on the net, I think you are pretty much...the same.Here at lj and at real life. (don't know if this sentence means anything to you. I'm a bit stoned from painkillers).
Not many people would admit having issues with their social skills or that they do behave differently because they feel shielded by a monitor and they don't have to be dealing with 3-dimensional people.
Believe me, not many people accept that.
I have a lot of respect for you, for your sincerity and in general I feel very thankful that you gave me a chance to know you better. :) *hugs*
you rock.

[milosflaca.livejournal.com]

I meant "I hate hypocrites") I'm sorry...

[turps33.livejournal.com]

That's such a lovely comment. Thank you.

I guess, I know I'm different off and on line and I want people to know that. I mean, I'm still the same person, just I'm able to express myself better through words on a screen. Face to face is much more difficult.

*hugs back*

[frausorge]

♥

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Thank you &hearts

[vaudevilles.livejournal.com]

I'm sappy right along with you. And I'm glad this fandom has helped you find the strength you have inside (because it's all you honey - fandom may be an impetus but it all comes from you in the end).

[turps33.livejournal.com]

*clings*

Thank you. You're a sweetheart.

[withdiamonds.livejournal.com]

Someday, Terri, you and I are going to spend some time together. I mean it. You are one of the joys of my life.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I hope it does happen one day. That would be fantastic.

[ihearthings-ii.livejournal.com]

*smooches* pop fandom gave me the best people, including you. and that means the world to me.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

You're such a sweetheart.

[ihearthings-ii.livejournal.com]

^_^ so are you.