I have nothing to show for the last 19 years of my life.
Happy 3 year anniversary! · 12:46pm Oct 15th, 2015
For me anyway. 3 years ago today is when I first watched the show, and my story is probably very similar to everyone else's. I just heard about it and though it was strange, but I wasn't a dick about it so I just ignored it. Eventually though one of my friends send me a link, and its to Party. Mov you all know the video. So I say screw it and watch it, and by the end I'm like 'what the hell did I just watch' and my friend says that wasn't it. He then sends me Shed. Mov which I'm certain more of you know about (Stay outta my shed!). Again, I watched it and was speechless until I asked him what the hell it was and he told me. This is what got me interested in the first place since someone in the fandom could make something so ridiculously funny and messed up at the same time. I forgot to mention my friend isn't a brony; he just stumbled upon the videos.
I forgot about the videos after awhile until I stumbled upon a creepypasta reading (yes I was one of the people that liked those). Anyway, the creepypasta was from of my favorite readers, and the story was...Cupcakes. Admittedly, when I look back it was pretty just shock and awe rather than scary. Anyway that was only one of the readings that got me in; the other one was of rainbow factory from another reader. So after listening to those I remember the .Mov series and go back to them. So I'm thinking 'this show has to have something to attract crazies like this', and I decide to give it a try.
I waited till 10 at night before pulling up youtube, and saying I'd watch the first five episodes before deciding on anything. As it began I was really embarrassed for even thinking I could try such a thing, and it only furthered as I watched the first two episodes. Well first three, as the whole sharing episode followed exactly how I expected it to though it wasn't the worst thing ever. That was the only thing going for it as of that point, it wasn't bad. Then I hit episode 4 and 5 with Applejacks accepting help episode and Gilda's arrival in ponyville. As the fourth episode rolled I started to think 'that isn't normal for a kids show to have these types of morals' and what I mean is the whole accepting help thing. That was just strange and made me start to change my opinion from never watching again to give an extra episode a try. Then I got to see Gilda the griffin with an attitude problem. She was actually the character that brought me in though I didn't like her. It's how she was written that made think that maybe the show wasn't that bad and got me to decide to try the first season, and well the rest is history. I watched all of season one and 2 in about 3 weeks of binge watching to catch up with everything.
That leads me here today where I write horse words for you all, and I wouldn't change a thing. I still haven't told many people that I'm a brony, but that's more my insecurity speaking than anything. That's actually part of the reason I wanted to post this blog, it's a thank you. Since I started writing on here a few months ago it's helped me with my confidence issues, and I've been able to be more open when I need to be. So happy anniversary everyone, and thank you all for reading with me. I hope to see you guys and gals later! 
So THAT'S why your username is One Of The Crowd!
I started watching MLP as a way to bond with my sisters, and after the 6th episode, (Boast Busters, the first one with Trixie) I was hooked. What brought me to this site was episode 23. (The Cutie Mark Chronicles) The title and storyline made me think I could write stories based on this. So I went to Fanfiction.net but the regulations were too strict, so I searched MLP fanfiction and found this site. My username reflects the Crusaders for somewhat obvious reasons: I wanted to write stories like the Cutie Mark Chronicles (maybe even one with that title) and a new character who becomes the 4th CMC. Then I saw Babs, so I changed it to 5th. Then this happened. We're still the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but now the main ones are helping others discover their talents, and so shall I.
3471784 Actually that's only part of the reason for the name. The other reason is to kind of say that I'm just like everyone else here so they can come talk to me whenever they feel like it. In case you haven't noticed I'm almost always in the comments with you guys.
My jerny to become a brony, at least to be interested in the fanbase, I had heard a little of mlp about four years ago but I only got interested when I discovered that there was a character called Doctor Whooves and that I discover the Doctor Whooves Adventure Animated Episode one that actually got my attention. So I started to look around Youtude and discovers my first episode Dragon Quest with I fond hilarious, and the story did not follow the conventional resapy that weekend that followed coincided with A Canterlot Wedding and I did a marathon of the show with my friends with blow my mind away. But what drew me into the famdom was when I was studying in Belgian, I discovered the audiobook reading of Fallout: Equestria, that I discovered that I understood fans of a tv show could actually write a good story with out being a professional writers, that they could do this for FUN.
The show also help me to analyses and understand facial and body features in communicating the state of emotions of cartoon characters to make them more compelling. I have taken the lesson at heart and I try to put as much emotions into my characters that I draw.
This was the first time that I actually started to truly understand the impotences of sharing/ communicate ideas and how my art and writing skills could actually grow thanks to that.
I don't regret bieng a brony now, but I don't like being labeled as such, or being anything for that matter, but
3471848 I'm glad that you were drawn into the fandom even if you don't want to be labeled as such. You're a good person, and have helped me with both my confidence issues and my writing. Thanks for being the awesome person you are.
3471966 Na, it is just that I don't like being labeled to anything period; at the very limit I would like do defined as an artist of sorts, but little more. I just don't like being associated to anything that can have a derogatory sense to me or that make me stand apart from others and being told that I am this or that, and that my self identity is limited to what others think of me. I have been called many things in my life It is more a question of feeing confined to just one role or function in life judged and determined by others. Similar to the question of the meaning of the cutie marks, that I believe that it's meaning is strictly personal in nature, and should serve to know and define one's self identity and how they pensive them-selfs.
3472010 I have never read anything that is as true as this. Have you studied philosophy or something along the lines because you definitely seem like you have, and it brings up questions that make me think.
3472024 I have studied philosophies a little, I had mandatory classes( I wish now that I had studies it more) on the matter I has help me a lot to better vocalize my thoughts and how to ask question to myself and have a better view on things. I think it is interesting class as it showed me that that their is alway more then one way to view a situation and always ask myself the why, the where, the who, the when of any given situation and how it's relate to you. I find that it is a step above the common them of Right and wrong ( witch is always subjective ), helps to understand and explain the dynamic of a given situation, how to prevent it or encourage it and helps me to avoid being manipulated by rhetorics. It also have help me make a better picture of myself and of how I am and to acknowledge both my strength and weakness as well as to know how I think and how best to go about using them, to compensate or even correct them.
Sartre is a big help for self identity issues as it help to understand the relation of the person to others and society.
But the subject matter is not for every one, but it does help your critical thinking a lot
Happy anniversary! And since everyone else is sharing their stories, I might as well, as well. Sorry for the wall of text by the way, but it's (as you probably gleamed) a long story.
A bit of preface before I get into the meat, back when I was in eighth grade (which was when those zany .MOVs appeared) if you where a brony you where instantly on level with the literal two most popular kids in school (which, funnily enough did a 180 when they moved away freshman year). While I had little interactions with the stars myself I often was around them as my friends frequented their company. And that dear friends is where I learned about that infamous fic, "Cupcakes". Fast forward to later that year, I found myself on an image sharing site with "Cupcakes-Fully Colored", as the name rang familiar I figured I'd check it out. I was instantly drawn in by how bizarre it was, I was honestly shocked. The big question on my mind however was, how will it end? A question the pictures did not answer as the image set was incomplete. I though, "There's no way that's how it ends. I mean, all that horror and she's not rescued in the end? What would be the point then?" So I endeavored to discover how exactly it panned out. And while I could not find the original fic, I did find it's pseudo-sequel, "A Dash of Insanity". And I from then on I was sucked into reading pony fanfiction. I eventually found myself on this site after reading the "A Dash of Insanity" remake by the now abandoned "Don't Wake The Neighbor", and here I've stayed since then. Not truly a brony having not seen the show, but definitely knee deep in the fandom.
3473222 Good enough in my book. Well since you made an account anyway. One thing you need to know about thee fandom though is
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3473244 But of course!
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3473277 To commemorate this moment Derpy had brought you something.
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...Never mind.
3473283 YOU FOOL! YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO EATED MUFFINS DURING SPOOKTOBER! YOU'VE DOOMED US ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
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3471848
ha ha, no way
I got in because of the Doctor who thing to
alright, maybe a little late but...whatever, I can do "wall of text" too
so i was a bit late (again) in the fandom. it was around the start of season 4 I believe and things where weird. a few months back i went to a small convention with a friend. said friend was picking up some comic and cool gadgets and things when he did something weird, he got a pony thing. i was like "what?" and he was like "it's for my sister" or something, anyway fast forward later and he says to me "i got something doctor who to show you". at the time i was a pretty big doctor who fan and he knew it. he says its a radio program, like one of those old time-y Radio shows, i thought "huh, never heard any thing like this before" and decided to give it a go. so we get all set and he stops, turns to me and says "now, this is doctor who but theres this thing about"
"...what thing?" i replied
"it's, kinda of, a crossover"
"...ok?"
"with My Little Pony"
"..."
"..."
"...are you joking?"
"no"
so we talked for a while and he eventually got me to try it. it being a crossover i only got half the references. but he was smart he started with this
a perfect way to get someone to want to watch the show, being an introduction episode and all. seriously it was smart of him choosing a show i already liked and getting me in by have it slowly introduced to the world of MLP. so after that he said that there are more episodes and i'll get more of the stuff if i watch the show. after a few more weeks i finally broke and watched an episode
my first episode was Pinkie Pride the Cheese Sandwich episode. "it was ok" i remember thinking but decided to just watch the show, seeing as, at the time, I had nothing else better to do.
words can not describe how bummed i was to find out that Weird Al was, in fact, not a part of the show and just a guest star.
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so i watch season one and, well, here I am
now i'm a bigger fan of Ponies that i am of The Doctor
3473283 Where do you get all this stuff anyway?
3474152 Good, good Radio, So you were converted into the light almost the same way as I did; I am please to hear this. So, what tribute have given too the Holy Shrine of Faust, to compensate for your lateness into the fold? Have you worked tirelessly continue to spread the word seen your inception? have you offered a virgin sacrifice, you first born son yet?
3474235 internet... That's literally how I just type 'mlp memes' into my google search and boom I find all these pictures.
3474152 Would it shock either of you if I say I've never watched doctor who? I've always heard good things about it, but have never been able to watch an episode. My friends have tried to get me to watch it, but again I haven't been able to watch it. What's so good about it anyway, and if I did find a way to watch it where should I start? (Note I watch things from season 1 onward so I understand everything)
3474263
generally if you have a Netflix account then you can start from there. the show started out (at least in the reboot of the series) as a low budget show with no real direction and it stayed that way until season 2 when David Tennant took over as the new incarnation of The Doctor, that's when the show really took off. i say watch a few episodes (five seems to be the magic number) to see if it's something you can get into. or you can watch this as an easy way to ease into the series. like a reverse what me and Mix-up did
3474244
I gave the Holy mother Faust, spirit of creativity, keeper of Continuity, the greatest gift of all
the gift of a child's laughter
...and the blood of my enemy's
PRAISE FAUST
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3476184 I've watched the doctor hooves series and I did enjoy it. I don't know why I don' just watch an episode, but something keeps stopping me.
3476336 I have known Doctor Who well before its reboot, I still can't believe that they could make such an engaging show with so little budget, even for the time. The first season was so so, still good doe and you should see, but I think second was a massive improvement. What you have to understand is that it is heavily story driven and there is a lot a taking on the fly, and a lot of gratuitous deaths (at least the first few seasons). They present new story Ideas and concepts in a different life than what we are normally used to and they don't follow the normal rules of story telling that we are used to. What I suggest is that you see it but don't make any expectations and just take he story as it is. It's always better to see it with good company doe.
3476559 That's part of the thing though. I enjoy stories, but almost no one I know are interested in the same stories I am. By that I mean I live in an area where it's sports and nothing else. I never got interested in any sport so I can't hold a very long conversation before I lose track of where it's going. Why did I go off track like that? I apologize.
3476569 What do you meant that their is only sports in your area? Do you mean that people almost only talk about sports team in the area and on television or do people actually play a lot of sports in their free time?
3476586 Talk about them constantly. If you don't know anything that's going on in the sports world then you can't hold much of a conversation.