The Talisman sang out from somewhere above in its clear and sweetly triumphant voice

[splix]

A year and two days ago I wrote this:

Now I have the first disc of Sherlock Holmes from Netflix to watch, the one with Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch [can that really be his name, Benedict Cumberbatch? It sounds like a Victorian Calvinist vicar or something].

I mixed up the name of the show, I see. But it made me smile, for from such small seeds are mighty obsessions born, or something like that.

I have been fannish all my life. I can't imagine a life without my fannish adorations, from being dazzled by the first burst of music and text-crawl in Star Wars to posting Sherlock vid links on El Jay, and while I'm not much of a fannish butterfly or early adopter, I'm grateful for all the myriad shinies that have sparked my imagination and very often, my heart.

And I'm even more grateful for the lovely people I've met through fandom. Twenty years ago I never would have dreamed it would be possible to connect with so many other like-minded folk, and not just on a fannish level. Another LJ friend, awhile back, said anyone who mocks friendships made on the internet hasn't a clue. That is purest truth. You are some of the most interesting, creative, intelligent, witty, sparkly people I have ever met.

You are marvels.

*

And to make you smile, another pic I snaked from killerweasel.

Comments

[asatomuraki.livejournal.com]

I think you're right. People who dismiss online friendships and friendships that started online are simply people who don't get it. You hear about all the stories of people defrauded or something by people the 'met online.' The reality is that most people online are just like anyone else, possibly more so, because of the lack of inhibition that comes with the layers of anonymity.

Actually, I think that when it comes to finding people who are compatible with you, especially if you are an N personality or simply think differently than most, the internet can be very valuable. I met my very best friend in the world online ... nearly fifteen years ago. Screw the naysayers.

[sneezer222.livejournal.com]

Cumbersmaug! Love it!

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

Well, I do so agree with your remarks about people on the Net. and for me, El Jay. The wit, intelligence, kindness, humour, gentleness and openness - plus talents - are incredible. The trouble with modern man is he uses his eyes too much, and not his heart/mind/head. He sees, but hears not!

And may I say that you, dear Alex, are one of those whom you thank - fabuloso! Thank YOU and blessings be upon you and your beloved BC (while he lasts, but he seems pretty set solid! teehee)

[elis.livejournal.com]

I remember telling my grandmother that I was going to a Highlander convention in Denver in 1990-something and her telling me that I should stay with my cousin because there was no way that all these internet people I was going to see were anything but low-lifes and axe murderers. The irony in that is that said cousin, though not an axe murderer, has always been a somewhat marginal low-life and a drug addict and, at the time, was living in a proto-crack house.

[evocates.livejournal.com]

CUMBERSMAUG. That name amuses me amazingly. I think it's just how it sounds.

I found my best friend through online. People just have to be discerning, and really, acknowledge that people are people everywhere, and just because you see only their words doesn't mean that they don't feel.

[killerweasel.livejournal.com]

My mother refers to the people I know online as my 'invisible freinds' even if I've met some of them in real life or even if I talk to them on the phone on a regular basis. The majority of my friends are online because I'm much better at dealing/interacting with people when I'm not face to face.

[lauramcewan.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is also brilliant.

[the-little-owl.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the marvellous compliment. And the picture: LOL. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and more of BBC's Sherlock. (I know only the episodes of the first series.)

[green-key.livejournal.com]

It's so amusing how we're drawn into fandoms, isn't it? I also had posts about Sherlock in 2010. I was really drawn in this time because of Reichenbach (wahhhhhhhhh) and also when keelywolfe posted to her LJ, "Great show, but it's so slashy I don't really need to write about it." Which sparked a conversation online and off, and then we rode the slippery slope together. It's been awesome. *G*

Another LJ friend, awhile back, said anyone who mocks friendships made on the internet hasn't a clue. That is purest truth.

I've met so, so many people via fandom, online and off, and I've come to realize that I don't really differentiate between RL and fannish friends all that much. In fact, I probably should more. But I tend to think of those I know via LJ, etc. as friends just like any other, with certain communication limitations. :)

That pic is fantastic. :D

[inyadreems.livejournal.com]

They're teasing us over The Hobbit way too early. It's not faaaaair.

My mother gave me stern warnings not to go when I met online friends for the first time. It was just after a teen girl had disappeared with a US marine she'd befriended. Chance would be a fine thing!

You are so right. Fandom widens our world.

[silsbee329.livejournal.com]

Aww. :)
So true. I have 'met' some of the most wonderful people through fandom. I really feel like we are a support system for each other, and just a whole lot of fun for one another. *hugs*

[honscot.livejournal.com]

Cumbersmaug. *snort* Too funny.

To tell you the truth, I still can't really wrap my head around the fact that the man's name is Cumberbatch...

[mooms.livejournal.com]

Love Cumbersmaug! *g*

I agree with what you say about online friends. I have made friends through fandom and forums, who will be in my life for ever and when I was really sick in 2007, I cannot express the level of kindness and support many of them provided. As far as possible, I have tried to meet them in real life too, because I am a face to face person and have been quite successful, although there are some I wish I could meet and haven't managed to yet (including you!).

Of course, although I have been lucky, I have heard about people, who have been deceived by cyber friends with a whole alternative identity and there are definitely some very strange people out there. Not us, of course. *g* *Whistles innocently and scrapes toes along ground*

[angel-gayla.livejournal.com]

I have missed the Sherlock fandom train, but I've been with you since Star Wars via the Ewan board and Viggo & Sean (me via LotR) and I do consider you a REAL friend, even though we have never met in person.

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

I'm always grateful for finding Rings fandom on LJ because it's where I met so many lovely people.

[twinkelbelpeach.livejournal.com]

I've met so many of my friends through fandom that life would be totally different if I'd never fallen down that rabbithole. And I wouldn't trade those friends for anything.