Though slightly overdue, this entry marks my first year blogging with Hyperspace. I've been a member of the site since *checks* December 1999, but sort of held out in silent protest when Hyperspace (aka $39.95) came along a few years ago. Shortly after my 21st birthday last summer, I splurged on it as a present to myself, thinking ahead of all the benefits I would receive at Celebration IV. After testing the waters of my new-found powers, I "started" a "blog." Hopefully since then, I've done a better job of portraying who I truly am as a fan and as a (proud!) sw.com community member. I joined these blogs to dig into issues and questions that other members were writing about and got the poodoo scared out of me by something about Order 66...but the best part by far has been the members themselves. I freakin' love you guys! All of you! Yep, even you there. Well maybe not you...yeah, you're OK, I guess. Aw, come on over & give me a hug, you!

This is all quite interesting, because I had some of my own ideas as to "internet communities" and was soooo not that sort of person. Definitely not the sort of person to actually meet up with people I met on the internet...

...My first IRLs being highlights of my experience here in the blogosphere. Amazingly, none of them turned out to be axe murderers (not even me!) and each one of these early meetings showed me just how supportive our little group was. The community was strengthened even more as we anticipated all of the 30th Anniversary events, culminating in the ultimate IRL for a lucky bunch of us: C IV. I signed up for Hyperspace thinking that I would possibly make some contacts that I might run into on my solo journey to LA, but certainly wasn't counting on it. What I actually got was an amazing Crew of ladies willing to let me crash their freakin' awesome hotel par-tay and a dozen other people I squeed at the thought of finally meeting. I felt like one of the gang for the first time in my life...because I was actually one of the gang! Imagine that. (Never mind that I kinda sorta skipped out on them for a boy.) Even on my flight out there, I wasn't alone...I just happened to be seated next to a fellow blogger & his mom! What are the odds?* When I got to LA, I felt nothing but love and excitement. The support I received for my silly musical adventures was astounding and the memories will remain with me forever.

My intention was to break out and do something uncertain yet wonderful on my own, but this community simply wouldn't allow that. I was never, ever alone. (There were freakin' stormtroopers around every corner.) I cannot thank you all enough for sticking by me, whether IRL or here in the blogosphere. I've been welcomed into some amazing circles of friends and collectors (happening to be both) who constantly help me fill my heart and empty my pocketbook. If I could bake Wookiee Cookies for you all, you know I would. And I'd top them with a McFiggle each.


Now, perhaps you are wondering: where in the world was I? Scotland, that's where. I had a three-week break in July and a savings account, so jute, jam, & journalism if I wasn't going to hop on a plane to the land of my heritage while my best friend could offer me a place to stay. (The account is sadly no longer with us.) Saying that the journey was "great," "beautiful," "fun," "exciting," etc. is ridiculous; words simply can't describe what was seen and experienced there. (Whew, that gets me out of writing a blog about it!) Throughout my stay in the land where daisies rule the ground and chocolate bars come in kilos, I was in Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Falkland, Cramond Island, Dundee, Edinburgh, Sterling, Glasgow, Rosly n, St. Andrews, the kitchen, Toys-R-Us, and Edinburgh. But mostly, I was in love.




Every once in the setting suns, I make a decision that changes the course of my life. What I did, shelling out the big bucks for a few bonus features through Hyperspace, or even the big bucks to travel to distant, Force-filled lands, was certainly none of that sort. The decision to open my heart to new possibilities, on the other hand, was. Is. In the past year not only have I graduated with honors, completed an honors thesis, left my wallet on a city bus, preformed original music in both New York & LA, landed a job (which actually uses my degree), rented my first solo apartment, witnessed a crime outside my window, and traveled to the land of my fathers, I have pushed my personal boundaries. In short, I've grown up. (Shhh! I'm just pretending.) Sure, most people here have been nice, but more importantly, they've supported me or even questioned me when I needed each most, seeing more of my faults than I would like. Allowing me to grow. The girl who sooo was not one of those "internet people" is now completely in love with loads of them (one more so than the others) and can now open her mind to the possibilities of traveling a different path. The unthinkable not only happened, but I learned to embrace it. There is a constant ache in my heart for many of you, but also delight, because only we know how sweet the reunion will be.

One year down; loads of hope for the horizon. This year has been somewhat like traveling .5 past light speed, perhaps. Racing to an unknown destination across time and space and finding love in the journey.

Forcefully,
JP

*Never tell me.