To all those reading, skimming, perusing, browsing, or glancing cursorily over this thread: Today, June 1st, is Melda’s two-year A-U anniversary, so if you’re doing anything other than earnestly perusing, you’d better start doing just that, right now.

Well, now we’ve established that (and you’re all staring at the screen completely and utterly immersed in what you’re about to read, right?), I declare this anniversary speech officially begun.

So two years really doesn’t seem like much of a length of time, at all. However, as I’ve said before, it is much longer than Melda’s attention span has lasted in any other circumstances, and my infatuation doesn’t look like waning any time soon. Two years may not seem like long, but I think I’m definitely a different person, in some ways, than fourteen-year-old Melda was when she joined. (I know I’ve mentioned myself in third person twice in this paragraph so far. See? THIS IS THE EFFECT YOU GUYS HAVE ON ME.) Among other things, A-U and the people I’ve met on it have made me discover more about what I believe, not only in a sense involving religion – though that’s been a big one – but about myself and the world. You’ve helped to coax out my passion for writing, which you in the RPG section can congratulate yourselves on, and you’ve even gotten me dabbling in graphics. I kid you not, the other day my mom says thoughtfully that she thinks I should take some sort of graphic design in university. I’m pretty sure my major’s already English Literature, but see? It’s a conspiracy, I tell you, to A-U-i-cize Melda. (That’s three.) And it’s worked wonderfully.

I may or may not have said this before, but A-U is a place where I feel normal. This is indeed a scary thing, but bear with me. From a pretty early age I’ve felt a certain sense of being…removed. Not different in a bad way, and not even really different, but on the outside of people and things. For a long time, I tried really hard to be on the inside. The last couple years have helped me realize that I am exactly who I’m supposed to be. I don’t think A-U is entirely responsible, but the people I’ve met on here sure have a big part. Two years ago, I was a nerd. I’m even nerdier now, but the difference is that I take a very large amount of pride in it. Be afraid.

Okay, serious stuff done with. Hope you made it through that and are still perusing earnestly. Now for the fun. These aren’t in a very particular order, I promise. So:

[These four + Melda = utter insanity]

pirateoftherings – I feel redundant doing this. You know how much I love you. You’re responsible for many things, among them the significant amount I now procrastinate that I didn’t before I knew you. Just so you know, though, your pros definitely outweigh your cons. Thank you for accosting me, whenever it was, and teaching me about the awesomeness that is potr, and thank you for putting up with my crazy obsessions, and teaching me new obsessions, as well as how to talk about myself in third person, and the all-important equation Phantom Grey = (fantasy + Robin Hood)^10. When I come down to see you someday, it shall be insanity incarnate. Sound fun?

Lady Dark Moon – otherwise known as The Violent One and the Fudge Muffin. And Raistlin. But the other two are better. Without you, there would be no crystallizing, considerably less falling off chairs, the Kitty of D00m would likely not exist, and Melda (four) would have been deprived of a whackload of things she’d much rather have, you being at the top of the list. Thank you, so much, for the hours of spreeing and making inarticulate noises, and random discussions about the world and books and whatever happens to come to mind, and discussing ways to make M/K do it even better than they already do. I promise to continue stealing your chainsaw until you can no longer steal it back. And when I come down THERE, there will be no sleeping, and we will be completely and utterly antisocial together. Heaven.

[s]Aerandir[/s] – you have officially become The Reindeer. If I ever meet you, I shall yell “REINDEER!” at the top of my voice. I know you don’t come on here any more, but you still count because I met you on A-U. You know, I can’t remember how we first met, actually. I suppose it shall forever remain a mystery. Suffice to say that I’m extremely glad to have been in many crazy powwows with you, and I also think you can count yourself at least partially responsible for getting me into Wheel of Time. Drow will always be better than Aiel, however. Don’t change, okay? I like you exactly how you are.

Elegost Eruaphadion – otherwise known, more succinctly, as Ellie. You also don’t come here much anymore, but I do remember exactly how we met/started talking. I think it was your first anniversary post celebration, and we agreed that we needed to talk more, and that was that. I’ve really enjoyed all of our conversations, and whenever I see you’re online (too seldom) I squee a little inside. You’re also responsible for the Kitty of D00m, a fact which shall follow you down in history. Mwaha. I hope we keep on talking for a long time to come, and perhaps someday one of us will hop on a plane and we can talk in a literal sense too. Much love!

[the Phantomizers]

PotR + Melda + FM + Nurr + Lenya = (fantasy + Robin Hood)^10

So firstly, I think we can pretty much all thank PotR for keeping Phantom alive and kicking. It certainly wouldn’t have been resurrected if not for her. Here’s to long life and happy days (and nothing even minorly problematic) for our beloved PG.

Fencing Maiden – otherwise known as FM, and I seem to keep recalling Mencing Faiden and wondering if that was only a figment of my imagination, or if that was actually your user name at one point. Anyway, you’re one of the most unique people I know – you know what you like and what you believe, and you don’t care who knows it or how cool or uncool it is. It’s been amazing getting to know you better, and I hope we can keep fangirling our fictional characters for a long time to come. Yay for Dante the pessimist!

Nurrantiel Mashiara – or Nurr. I think I may have typo’ed you Hurr one time, too. I was probably playing Zelda at the time. In any case, it’s been really neat to talk to you over the last few months, and fangirl Jate and Tristan, and watch Stardust. I think we’re all thrilled to have you Phantomizing with us. Best wishes with your summer and going into zeh scary world of university! Don’t let real life eat you or I’ll have to come down there and vanquish it. The RPers’ Guild has long agreed that cool people have no lives – stay cool!

Elenya – fondly known as Lenya. I can’t believe I didn’t get to know you sooner – you’re such a fun person to talk to and an even funner addition to our Phantom powwows. May we have you and Ash for much longer – we’ll see Kytana rid of those ph33rsome elves yet! Thanks for being another of my fangirling-fictional-characters buddy. It’s much nicer to be crazy if you have someone to be crazy with.

[All of you responsible for the rest of my crazy dysfunctional-ness]

Valera Elenhathel – Okay, I didn’t know where to put you. I suppose you technically are a Phantomizer, so if you like you could pretend you’re up there, too. Anyway, I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much I enjoy RPing with you. You’re a brilliant writer and an extremely unique, neat person – I always enjoy our conversations, as well as reading your stuff (yes, I will be waiting on the rest of that novel) and your RPG posts. Go kick-butt females! A little MS is no bad thing.

Aerlinn – okay, I admit it. You make my craziness look trifling. Every time I talk to you I come out of it more amused than I was before, and feeling decidedly less insane. You’re amazing to debate with, and I hope to connect with you more over the summer – we don’t talk enough. You’re definitely an invaluable addition to A-U, and I can’t imagine it without you.

Dark, Queen of Angmar – yay dragons! And Albertans! We don’t talk enough either, and I think we should, because we obviously have two of the best traits EVER in common. Dragons are definitely the best [s]mythical[/s] beasts in the history of the entire universe.

EDIT to add Starlight, who I was stupid and managed to not put in despite her being securely on my list. We used to PM back and forth a ton, and even though I know we don't talk much anymore, I wanted to let you know how much I did enjoy your company. I think the reason I started talking to you was a recipe for lembas, strangely enough - I've actually use it a couple time since then. Much love!

And while I’m at it…Star Crystal should get some thanks too. It may not be able to come read my thanks, being an RPG, but I hope you’ll all excuse my moment of shameless self-promotion and say that I think it’s the most addicting RPG I’ve ever been in, as well as my favorite. Anduril Vanlhach, you have our thanks for instigating the thread (which is now at 117 pages) and Curunir, you’re pretty much amazing to have stuck with us this long (not to mention put up with our M/King.) Reindeer, I know you’ll get back in there sometime, too. I’m pretty sure it’s too awesome for you to stay away. Mwahaha. Crystallizing FOREVER.

To Larael, Gwenneth (despite your absence), and Este Undome – I admire you all so much. You’ve never ceased to amaze me in your various ways since the day I joined A-U. Thank you so much for just being yourselves – I think it’s been invaluable to me just to have you guys around being sweet and caring and just making A-U a better place.

To Turwaithiel Swann, Calloniel (PD), Aramel Elyanwe, and TheThain – you guys never fail to make me laugh. You’re all so passionate about what you love, and you never get tired of talking about it. I am frankly amazed that the AWE thread is still going. Keep being passionate, okay? EDITED to add Anie Surion - I KNEW there was someone missing! Now you is where you belongs!

To Altariel Frodo, The Nightingale, Artemis, ErulisseEnethNin, and Star Gazer – I know none of us have talked terribly much, but all of you have made my stay on A-U just that much nicer. I hope we get to keep all of you for a very long time yet, because nothing would be quite the same without you.

Well, I’m done. Talking, that is. I really don’t think I’ll be done my stay for a loooong while yet. You may take this moment to be very, very afraid. You could clap too, if you wanted, as that seems to be customary for the end of a speech, and it means I can take a bow. [does so]

Love,

Melda.

(P.S. I did it, LDM)

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Chase a couple hearts, we could leave 'em in shreds
Meet me in the gutter, make the devil your friend
Just remember what I said, cause it isn't over yet

Get.Lost.In.The.Dark.To.Find.Yourself
-sig by Loafers-

W00t Melda! I know I already basically responded to this via MSN, but for the sake of maintaining my nonexistent public image, I shall here as well.

So basically you're amazing. And I love you dearly. And...yeah. I can't believe it hasn't even been a year-and-a-half since we started talking. I feel like I've known you for much longer than that, and I cannot WAIT until we're finally able to meet face-to-face, whether that means you flying here or vice-versa. (It would also be lovely to finally prove to my mother that you are not a 50-year-old man). I deeply admire your faith and commitment to the Lord, and I pray for you (and thank God for you) constantly. You're an amazing friend, and I know that we will continue to be friends for years to come.



(Just a note - I was going to be first to reply, but then I got all loquacious and PD stole my thunder. Oh well. It's the thought that counts, right?)

Lol PD and Potr.

Huzzah, Meldawen! Congrats, m'dear on making it two years! Few seem to make it to this anniversary anymore.



Aww, thank you! Aye, it is rather amazing how long we've managed to stay obsessed with PotC, isn't it? Huzzah for fandom!

Yay for Melda and Melda's anniversary!

I can't believe I didn't get to know you earlier, either. That's what I get for being antisocial, I guess. Anyway, I'm so glad that I did get to know you! You're an amazing person, and amazing writer, an amazing RPer, and I am officially jealous of your graphic-making skills. You are a blessing in my life- I'm so glad I did get to know you!

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<center>-In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song-

^JF is awesome

There will come a time with no more tears
and love will not break your heart but dismiss your fears</center>

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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Congrats, Melda! Time really flies doesn't it?

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_________________
Chase a couple hearts, we could leave 'em in shreds
Meet me in the gutter, make the devil your friend
Just remember what I said, cause it isn't over yet

Get.Lost.In.The.Dark.To.Find.Yourself
-sig by Loafers-

@ PD: Aww, fankoo I rather liked it too. And you're very welcome, 'twas deserved.

@ PotR: I'll see you on MSN hopefully any moment now (:P) but...*melts* it really is hard to believe we've only known each other a year and half. I would never have thought I could feel so close to someone who was physically so far away, and I'm likewise unbelievably blessed to have you as a friend. *huggle* (and it's okay, the thought definitely counts. Lol)

@ Aramel: Fankoo. I promise to continue bothering you for a very long time to come

@ Lenya: You ish gonna make me blush. Thank you so much - and pfft, my graphics skillz? I promise you, they consist of playing with random buttons. But I feel very complimented. *huggles*

@ AF: I do remember that! YAY for Will! I remember discussing that ending, too, as it was shortly before my 1-year anniversary. W00t for W/E as well!

@ JF: Thank you I hope so, definitely *fervent nod*

@ Haldy: it REALLY does. I can't believe I was fourteen when I joined and now I'll be seventeen in a couple months. Very weird and strange, it makes me feel a little AHHH I'M GROWING UP *terror* but yeah. In two more years, I'll be nineteen, and THAT will be scary. Adult Melda!

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Lovely, lovely speech, Melda! Bravo m'dear! 2 years is quite the accomplishment. I hope more than anything that we'll be able to keep you with us for forever. You're one of those members that really makes AU the special place that it is.

@ Gwenny and Estë [if they read this ]: How is it that we always get stuck together? We may as well be joined at the hip. Ha, I love you two.

Awww, thank you, Lar And while I'm at it, you better stay too, O-Her-Who-Gave-Me-A-Heart-Attack-Recently. Yesh, there is a while GROUP of you amazing people! It's astounding!

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Melda!!!!!!!!

Okay, this is absurd, but my very first big memory of you was the "Mary Sue Madness RPG". And you and LDM had me in stitches the whole time. No kidding. I remember when they were singing "A Whole New World" I just keeled right over my chair, and was LITERALLY rolling on the floor laughing... and my sister came in there and (after giving me a good thump on the back to get my oxygen flowing again) told me that this RP was hazardous to my health.

Okay, so from the very first, I have grand memories of you. And as I've gotten to know you more better, they just keep getting grander.

ILYSM Melda! Hope you stick around with us for a looooooonng x infinity and beyond time. You're one of the things that makes this forum go 'round.

And thankee so much for the mention. That was uber-sweet.

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

Awwwww! Two years? Wow. My ickle Melda ish growing up. And I'm incredibly amazed that you did all that without them. And I'm sure LDM will be too. It's been really wonderful talking to you for the past...what, five months mayhap? Our Phantom pow wows are the best. FEAR THE PHANTOMNESS. I shall meet you some day. When we all get together for the PG world premire. And it will be amazingness. You are really awesome and soo nerdily cool. It's the best way to be. And I mean that in the awesomest way possible, but I think you know that already. You're an amazing person and I look forward to many more MSN convos with you.

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going on a journey through my old claims

*claps and wishes Meldawen many, many more...*

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Receiving So Much More.

PM me with prayer requests
www.therebelution.com
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@ FM: We reminisced a bit about this last night, but YES, gosh, that was an insane RPG. Quite extremely amusing. I'm not sure whether or not to be worried that this is the first impression you got of me Apparently, however, it's worked out well. And you're very very welcome!

@ Nurr: Ph33r the Phantomness of D00M, I say. That will be a very happy occasion, the premiere of PG, and we shall all go down in history. Fankoo muchly I look forward to many more convos with you too, and much MUCH more Phantomizing. Fwee!

@ Night: Thank you I hope I have many more too!

@ Ellie: Awww, I wuv you too. And thanks, for everything This kitty of d00m isn't going anywhere anytime soon, I promise. Here's to many more RPGs and insane powwows! (No. Drow will always pwn Aiel.)

@ Aerlinn: (I know you're Tinuviel, but you're Aerlinn in my head) no no, your mental health is fine. At least, the craziness level hasn't increased, which I suppose actually isn't saying a whole lot. Aaaanyway, yesh, this summer we shall talk more, and ramble about nothing to both our hearts' content. Much love!

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