My message to BWW on my one-year anniversary

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 3:23pm

Funny how i read something at like 1am to make me think, hmm my one-year anniv should be coming up and then was like oh wow, it's today! lol

So, realizing that made me dwell a bit on the past year. I first discovered BWW through finding a small article that the Rent OBC may be doing the movie, clicked on imdb which lead me to Anthony's post here. I am so happy this all worked to lead me here.

At the time, I was in a very different state. Long story, some of you here know it, but I was struggling through a very difficult situation that lead me incredibly anxious and depressed. It has been a long way back, but I made it. Through rest, relaxation, therapy, happy pills, broadway and broadway world I am a totally different person than I was even before that situation--happier, more confident, stronger, more mature, etc.

So though many of this can't go uncredited the effect of BWW cannot be understated or overlooked. For a couple of months early on, I essentially lurked, maybe posting here or there, but really enjoyed reading discussion on the main board, as I never had close friends who cared or were into broadway as much as I was, it was great to read these discussions.

And eventually, I began to get more vocal, started going into our classic BWW aim chats(I miss those w/ the originals) and started making some very good friends on this site. In February, many of my days I would spend in anticipation of our nightly chats; they were the highlights of my day.

So that was the start of my socializing and friendships on BWW and to think how they've grown now...wow. There are so many of you on here who I consider to be some of my closest friends. I know either through IMs or threads I could always vent and get a lot of support. Many of you I've had the honor of hanging out with in person quite a few times and it has been so much fun. Like I said, never having friends so into Broadway, it's been a dream always having so many people willing and wanting to attend shows/concerts with me.

And my friendships here are still growing. My mom always gets pretty amazed when she asks who I'm meeting in the city when I just respond, "oh a new Broadway friend." The number of people I know I can befriend here are infinite, and that's wonderful. Especially recently, I've just had wonderful oppertunities to meet other BWWers through my friends here or even just by knowing they were at the same events. And other people my friendships are growing even more, and I get closer to them everyday.

And even to those of you whom I may not consider my friend, that does not mean you haven't had a profound effect on me. Since my lurking days, I still enjoy reading intelligent discussions and learning things about theatre that I could never fathom people knowkng. Then there are some of you I may have had a couple quick PMs with or just chatted w/ a bit on a thread that died, or got into a discussion/debate with. even these little interactions are all part of the bigger interaction and effect this site has had on me.

I've gotten to chat with and meet people from all over, from NYers like me, to upstate(Western, whatever you wanna call yourselves) NYers to southerners to chatting w/ people in other countries. It gives me such a wonderful frame of communication and with that, no matter the day or the hour, I know if I really need to talk, there is always some one around.

So I know there's been several other threads on this before but on my anniv. I felt the need to start my own, i just wanted to say thanks to...essentially everyone. To Rob for starting such a wonderful site. To my close friends whom I speak w/ all the time who I can talk about anything w/. To my "buddies" who I often attend shows w/. To the wonderful knowledgable posters on here who have taught me a lot. To friends/acquaintances on here whom I speak with from time to time. To people I briefly chat with at events or shows, even to people I have met who didn't realize they were on BWW at the time. To anyone that contributes anything at all useful to the board and makes time here worthwhile.

So a big thank you and I love you...almost...all (Yes an all would be nicer but I'm sure you guys know from experience here you can't say you love every single person on here...but w/ me it's almost everyone I swear).

[442namffug]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 3:27pm

I love you too!!!

[zepka102]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 3:38pm

it's definitely been fun



western ny... you got that right... finally

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 3:56pm

*cries*

What a lovely, lovely post. Not to mention, you write very well. I've never specifically talked to you, met you, PMed you, argued with you (that I know of) but never-the-less, I do enjoy reading your posts. You are a special person on BWW and I, personally, thank you for being part of such a wonderful Broadway community. Your presence here is wonderful to have around. I am glad BWW was a place where you could find your niche and make friends who enjoy the love of theatre/Broadway as much as you do. Congratulations and have antoher great year on BWW!

[Dre2387]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 4:26pm

hells yay amanda! congrats! and hope you continue to have a great career as the "DRS whore!"

~Lawrence~

Updated On: 11/6/05 at 04:26 PM

[theatrebabe]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 4:30pm

Congradulations! That was a very well told post and thank you for it.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 5:01pm

Why, what a great time to post a nice picture of you enjoying the company of your BWW buddies at the Central Park Picnic this summer!

Now let me see.....where did I store those.......

Posted: 11/6/05 at 5:04pm

Thanks wrq,

It's been a great time getting to know you, and I hope we become closer as time goes by.

I hope that didn't sound corny, becuase it really was sincere.
--Jkor

[hypertruffle]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 5:29pm

I have the honor to IM dear WRQ for some time, and she's such a dear. Thank you dearie. I've learned a lot from you. You showed me that there are other pit geeks out there besides me and a few others in this town.

Pit geeks unite!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 7:58pm

Gosh, that reminds me... I need to dig out my pictures from the summer picnic as well. I promised to send copies.

WRQ, that was a lovely post. BWW has become a special place for so many of us. It's nice to take an event like an anniversary to celebrate how much it means to us.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 11:22pm

Zeppie-of course it's fun, how many times do I tell you how no one can ever say I'm boring? And upstate, western, it's really all the same...farms, grass, cities that pretend to be cities but really aren't at all relatively...

SweetQ-I think some of the best compliments come from people you never have interacted with--it gives perspective on how you come off without explaining yourself and also shows one affects more than just the people she speaks with on a daily basis around here, so thank you, that means a lot. (I'm sure we never argued, I'm not a big arguer, only if I have a big reason, plus I've been told I suck at it)

Bluey, please feel absolutely free to post that wonderful picture of me gross, sweaty and with bad hair

::Adds Bluey to the approximately .001% of BWW that she does NOT love::

Kor, I've been called a walking hallmark card by some of my friends, you never hafta worry about sounding too corny to me. I wish you were coming on the 17th so we could meet, but I'm sure I'll see you somewhere along the way.

Hyper-you know I love my fellow pit geek...hmm...pit geeks united...we could start a club...co-presidents...and you need to see Sweeney w/ me!

Addy-thanks, it means a lot coming from you, you're definitely up there as one of the posters who I admire and like whom I never got to interact w/.

Thanks for a great anniv. and year everyone!