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

[turps33.livejournal.com]

*hugs fellow sap*

I love our fandom so very much.