STOP THE PRESSES HOLD THE PHONE AND THE HORSES - I AM CRYING HAPPY TEARS BECAUSE...

[red_satin_doll]

1) One of my dear friends gave me a paid account through 2016. (2016, y'all!) AND...

2) A second dear friend here in this fandom offered to extend my paid account and was ready to do so, AND...

3) Another beloved friend would if they could, AND....

I am really just stunned by the love and generosity of my friends here, I hardly know what to say except "THANK YOU." Thank you, thank you - and there WILL be polls, I swear! I will take advantage of that feature! (And I don't have to give up any of my userpics! *flings confetti*)

 When I first got into this fandom a couple of years ago I wished that I was "part of the crowd", or  that I'd been in fandom "back in the day" thinking I'd missed something. No. I'm right where I need to be when I need to be.  It's not about being part of a "clique", it's about clicking with people because we like and respect and love one another. I'm really not sure how I've been lucky enough to find so many wonderful friends here - who are as "real" to me as any so-called "real life friends"; you ARE my friends, full stop.) But I'm ever so grateful to have found my way here.

I wish I could pay this forward to someone else and feel mortified that I'm unable to now. Especially for two of my lovely homegirls kikimay (who has a basic account and would like a paid account) and clockwork_hart1 (whose gift account will be expiring very soon.) Since I can't do myself, perhaps someone else can?

BTW clockwork_hart1 casually mentioned that she wanted to write a meta about the Gift/Chosen and why she prefers Chosen as the ending to Buffy's story - and then posted it today, "The Hardest Thing in this World is to Live in It.". She's passionate and articulate and right-on; and I just want to pump my fist in the air and shout "YES!" As she said to me one time "I don't want Buffy's legacy to be the hole she leaves in the ground." This meta also goes into why female martyrdom as a plot device is deeply problemmatic. Go read it.

I AM ALSO CRYING BECAUSE....

4) I finally read velvetwhip's fic "Soft and Pink and So Very Sad" and it's one of the loveliest things I've ever read. Mr Gordo, post-The Gift. Gabrielle rec'd it to me as one of her own favorites and I'm glad she did. She should be proud of it, it's a heartbreaker. Grief and confusion, the ways our identity is tied up in someone else, but also powerlessness - it's a theme that the show often touches upon but Gabrielle's story takes it to the limit. This is how absolute helplessness feels, in the person of a stuffed pink pig. So ok, maybe not such happy tears with that one but more it feels good to cry, knowhatimean? (Euclid approves as well - he thinks she got Mr Gordon's voice exactly right. He's quite particular about such things.)

It makes an oddly appropriate thematic pairing with beer_good_foamy's S6 fic "Building Character" . Yes, it does. Read them both, then think about it a moment...I'll wait...See what I mean?

Comments

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

Yay!!!! I am so thrilled you are all paid up for years to come!!!!! You are such a lovely person and it doesn't surprise me at all that your friends pitched in.

I've been in this fandom for about a decade and a half and I can tell you that while it's changed and it's smaller, I still think it's wonderful and that's in large part due to new and splendiferous people like you finding and joining it.

As for your rec of Soft and Pink and Very Sad... now *I* am the one who's crying. Thank you for saying such lovely things about my story! *sniffles* It means so much to me that it touched you. Hug Euclid for me... and add a hug for yourself. You're uber terrific and that's a fact. I am glad beyond the power of tongue to tell that you are my friend.



Gabrielle

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

You were friend #3, you know. If you could you'd gift everyone a paid account with ribbons and bows and chocolate and sex and all manner of good things, because that's how big your heart is.

I'm stunned, I'm really stunned and I won't say who my benefactor is but it's someone who is super-duper special.

I still think it's wonderful and that's in large part due to new and splendiferous people like you finding and joining it.

And wonderful people like you who are the wise elders of fandom to welcome us newbies in and give us a home. (A decade and a half? And still writing constantly, still inspired by Willow and Angel? that is truly remarkable to me.)

Rec'ing your story was a pleasure, it's beautiful. I had no idea what I was in for, Truly special, as are you, my dear. I keep saying I don't know how I got so lucky to earn your friendship. I need to not overthink it. I know that when I have such special friends it must mean I'm an ok person.

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

"Soft and Pink..." is so very good. But then I was always a sucker for Mr Gordo fic - one of the very first fics that got me hooked on fanfic was Meltha's "Last Will And Testament", which still gets to me.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I'd frgotten about that one thank you for the reminder!

rbfvid rec'd three Mr Gordo stories yesterday including another of Meltha's Mr Gordo fics
http://rbfvid.livejournal.com/4204.html?thread=25708

Their list doesn't include a couple of Mr Gordo (and Mr Gordo/Miss Edith) fics that I had bookmarked in the Computer That Went Up in Flames (TM) last year and I can't find now, or the Spuffy one where "someone" puts Mr Gordo in Buffy's backpack during Chosen.

I feel a sudden need to make some Mr Gordo art.

[rbfvid.livejournal.com]

And I feel an urgent need to see that Mr.Gordo art)

[rbfvid.livejournal.com]

Oh, "Last Will and Testament" is absolutely fabulous! One of my favs along with Telling Porkies )
Also, I have a question for you, as you are well-established Gordo fan... There was Mr.Gordo fansite, which is still partially available via wayback machine. Do you by any chance know how to contact it's maintainer? I wanted to ask if she/he would like to upload fics to AO3 as part of open doors project, or the permission to do it myself.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

There's a Mr Gordo fansite? How did I not know about this before? *squees*

Mr Gordo is totally the most important fella in Buffy's life. So says I.

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love that site! (And thanks!)

I don't think I've had much direct interaction with whoever managed it, but have you tried the Mr Gordo Yahoo Group? It's not very active anymore, but it's still working so if you ask there someone might know.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that you had friends that rallied around you and supported you. I'm excited to have you continue your role in fandom and look forward to more gleeful posts like this one. :)

velvetwhip's story is gorgeous and angsty and wonderful. It's amazing how much feeling she can instill in a little stuffed pig.

:)

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I'm a very, very lucky girl - and you are a very precious pearl.

Let the gleefest continue!



It's amazing how much feeling she can instill in a little stuffed pig.

She's amazing all round. I'm still thinking about that story a day later - crying over is more accurate.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

*Squishes*

[teragramm.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad someone gifted you with additional paid time! You were so happy to get that original paid time and I was sad it was expiring because you were sad. I just have to say, you have some lovely friends. ~_^

[quirkytizzy.livejournal.com]

I love it when friends are able to do this for each other. And it's important for us to remember that we really do care for each other. *HUGS AND HAPPY THINGS* This was a beautiful post to read!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much hon! And I see that tomorrow's your birthday - is it ok to wish you happy birthday a day early?

I saw your post critiquing the body positivity movement but didn't have time to leave a comment. Genuine food for thought there (pun intended) because I know what you mean and I think it needed to be said.

[debris4spike]

I am so happy, like others I had wished I could afford it, but having had to cut my hours it's hard (as a single) to pay bills. But am bouncing here that someone has done that.

You wanted to be part of fandom, to me you have given my fandom a new bounce ... so, thank you very much.

That is an amazing conclusion - that Buffy's legacy was that hole in the ground. Sadly so true in much of those final 2 seasons.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

you have given my fandom a new bounce ... so, thank you very much.

Oh my gosh thank YOU so much for the compliment and the kindness! *hugs you* And I'm sorry about your hours being cut, very sorry. That's horrible when you lose income (so someone else who is already well-sorted can keep more money in their pocket? I have feelings about this.) What is your job/career?

That is an amazing conclusion - that Buffy's legacy was that hole in the ground.

I apologize if I wasn't clear with my meaning. By "hole in the ground" Lucy meant Buffy's grave in the Gift, not Sunnydale; it's about why she prefers Chosen to The Gift as the end of Buffy's story on a personal level as well as a feminist one, and the history of martyrdom being the ultimate purpose of women in culture and narratives, and how Buffy is meant to subvert that, not support it. She acknowledges the problems of the later seasons esp S7 and then explains why she doesn't want them erased or disregarded from canon. http://clockwork-hart1.livejournal.com/24601.html

Wednesday, July 9

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User rahirah referenced to your post from Wednesday, July 9 (http://su-herald.livejournal.com/733465.html) saying: [...] [Short Fiction] Fic and meta recs [...]

[clockwork-hart1.livejournal.com]

YOU STILL PIMP ME TOO MUCH (and thank you, bless you, i love you)

I need to read Gabrielle story right now. Right now. I love her and her wonderfulness. She is a shining star in the fandom.

Also, OMG congratulations on the account! People are wonderful, aren't they? But I'm fine with a basic account, honestly. I didn't know what to do with the paid one when I got it - though the pic space was pretty. Kiki though? I'd love her to get a wonderful gift like this. She's awesome and deserves it.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I don't pimp you enough - I've been meaning to pimp the Buffy/River stories for over a month or more?

She is a shining star in the fandom.

ABSO-TIVELY. She exemplifies what's best and greatest in this fandom.

People are wonderful, aren't they?

they can be - I certainly have wonderful friends here!

And I admit the only thing I really used much was the pic space (I have spaces for 40 now - 40!OMG!) I liked checking the user stats a bit now and then but it's not something I do much. I really shall have to make use of the polls - silly polls if need be.

She's awesome and deserves it.

She does, and she would like it. I'd do if I could. Here's hoping the universe heard me (planting a seed, letting it take root...)

[rbfvid.livejournal.com]

Glad to see that you don't have to commit that horrible userpicticide anymore) And huge thanks for the recs!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

you don't have to commit that horrible userpicticide anymore

There's a word for that? coolness. Has anyone notifed the folks at webster's dictionary?

huge thanks for the recs!</i. You're very welcome, and the same to you!

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

So, yay for having your future on LJ secured for the next few years. The Gift vs Chosen meta was quite good an interesting. So true that the Buffy who survived the Hellmouth seems much more ready for a future than the one who saw no way out but to die.

There needs to be more Mr. Gordo fic. Funny or sad, it's always fun to read. This one was amazing.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

There needs to be more Mr. Gordo fic. Funny or sad, it's always fun to read. This one was amazing.

Did you see the recs upthread from beer good foamy and rbfvid?
http://red-satin-doll.livejournal.com/48989.html?thread=1600093#t1600093
Including a Mr Gordo fanfiction website (!!!)
https://web.archive.org/web/20080515152101/http://www.channelingboards.com/Fanfiction/Gordofic.html

[kikimay]

Thanks for thinking about me! (I don't know how put gifs into replies but just picture a big hug here) Plus beautiful large atwork with Tara, Willow and Dawn. I adore The Real Me.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

You're welcome sweetie! You deserve whatever blessings come your way.

(I don't know how put gifs into replies but just picture a big hug here)

Got it!

As to inserting gifs or any still images: if you're using photobucket or an outside storage site: cut and paste the DIRECT link to the image. Here's the directions from LJ's FAQ page: Adding images with html http://www.livejournal.com/support/faq/6.html

So when you do that you that you get:

A warm hug in return!