Merry Christmas and My Thanks · 7:34pm Dec 25th, 2013
Hey there, everybody!
I just wanted to poke my head out of the ground to wish you all a very, very merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays.
I would also like to take a couple of minutes to send a message to all of you, the 139 of you that thought me worthy enough to follow, and to all of the friends I have made this past year here on this website.
Thank you.
Thank you all for making this last year truly a wonderful year, for making it possible for me to get through what was possible the most difficult and hardest year of my life to date. You see, Christmas, at least for me, is a time of reflection as much as it is about being together with your family and friends and loved ones. For me, Christmas is the end of the year, and as everything winds down from Christmas to New Year's, the year itself winds down and I look back on what I've done for the last 365 days, and this year I've come to a realization.
I could not have done it without you guys.
This year has been... difficult, to say the least. My family has still been dealing with the passing of my grandfather a couple years ago, and it's still hitting my mum hard, more than she'd care to admit. On top of that, I've had grueling semester after grueling semester, the passing of my great aunt, my grandmother getting frighteningly ill, and the passing of my beloved cat. It's strange to say, but my cat's (Tina's) death hit me the hardest. She lived a long life, and was 23 years old when she finally left this world. Needless to say, she's been there at my side for every day and for every challenge I've ever faced in life. I grew up beside her, she sat on my lap as I studied for diploma exams, and was there to comfort me when things got rough. So, of course it's been kind of empty ever since she died. Even typing that is hard for me to do, and I find myself pausing for a few moments every time I have to type it. I know other people have had it a lot worse than I have, but this year has been... horrid. I'll be glad to see it go.
If it weren't for the friends I've made here, and for the near 140 of you that follow me, I don't know where I'd be now with all that's happened. The friends I've made here I consider to be real friends, not faux "internet friends," but in many cases as important to me as my "real life" friends. So, again, thank you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
There are a few people in particular I'd like to mention here (warning: things get a tad sappy from here-on out).
Incredible Blunderbolt, Blundy, you are without a doubt one of the most supportive, caring, funny, and interesting people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. You encourage me to continue writing when I feel my writing skill aren't up to snuff, and are one of the most fun people to talk to, whether it's about story ideas, what-if scenarios, or even something as mundane as weather or geography. I even got the idea to write this blog by reading yours, and just as you said, I'm grateful to have a friend like you. You inspire me to keep on going with my writing, be it through words of encouragement or constant nagging, and even though I know what I put out isn't nearly as good as you make it out to be, your support means more to me than you'll ever know.
Vertorm, my internet wife, also one of my editors and one of the many criminally underfollowed writers on this website. I find myself facing a lack of words, other than to say thank you. You helped me get through losing my cat and to get through the semester. Without your support I don't know if I'd still be here, or even writing this blog. It sounds dramatic of me to say, but it's true. There was a brief time when I considered stopping writing altogether because I couldn't handle the stress. I'm glad to say you backhanded that notion out of my head, and that's a debt I don't know if I can ever repay.
Nuukor, my only "real life" friend that I've met through this website. Forgive me, but I seem to again and again be faced with little to say other than thanks. Every day I look forward to chatting with you about whatever. When we aren't prattling on about our latest story ideas or complaining over our inabilities to write, we're jammin' in the DJ booth or havin' a laugh at something or another. Thank you for being there, and thank you for being my friend.
bats, as Blundy said in his blog post, you are without a doubt one of the greatest people I've ever had the pleasure to meet (and are also probably the writer I respect and look up to the most on this website). You're patient and thoughtful, entertaining and intelligent, and always a pleasure to talk to. Y'know you were one of the writers that inspired me to try my hand at writing poni? You've helped teach me so much about writing and about life in general. I don't know if you'll ever read this, but I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for your stories, thank you for your support, and thank you for being a friend.
Peroth E., known by many names, including Peroth, P, Pedobear, and (my personal preference) Pesus. You are one of the wittiest, craziest, and at the same time most intelligible, caring, and all-in-all one of the most enjoyable people to talk with that I've ever met. Your comments and antics always bring a smile to my face, and you give some of the best Magic advice that I'm ever likely to receive. My friends hate your guts because of the tips you've given me. And for that (and of course for other reasons), I thank you for being my friend.
DarqFox, my co-captain of the TwiShy group. I know this year's been harder on you than it has been for me, and I can't begin to understand what you've gone through, but know that I'll be there if you need someone to talk to, just as you've been for me. I am proud to help you lead the TwiShy group in any way, and I'm proud to call you my friend. Stay strong, Darqy. Things will get better, and I'll be there to help you, whether you ask me to or not. <3
The Abyss, my first editor, and the reason I got into writing in the first place. If it wasn't for your insistence and your encouragement, I doubt I would have started writing in the first place. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be thanking all of these other wonderful people in this blog, and for that, I thank you. I thank you for your continued support and interest in my shoddy writing, and for making me dive head-first into the world of poni writing. It was one of those scenarios where you either sink or swim, and I'm glad to say that (with your help), I swam. Well, I doggy-paddled. Close enough.
And last, but not least, I want to thank all of the other friends I've made here. Tom, Tchernobog, Dr. Insanity, Shikilicious, Losty, Ech, CalmNQuiet, Skeeter, Feather Sigil, Jake, Somepony (Kyle), and everyone else in the TwiDash chat.
To all of you, thank you so much.
Have a merry Christmas, and I can't wait to see what the new year will bring.
Merry Christmas bud! You need to write something for me to edit! *AHEM* I mean, write something for all of your fans!
Merry Christmas buddy!
Glad to hear your having a good holiday!
Merry Christmas, buddy!
You're a very close friend to me too, Tim. You know I'll always be here for you, and not just cause you're my internet wife. Christmas time is the best time for sappy sentences so I'll say it here too; you're very special to me and I'm glad to count you among my closest friends. It's an honor and a privilege.