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Reflections: My One Year Anniversary

Drew Espinosa

Entry posted by Drew Espinosa

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On this day, June 29, 2015, I celebrate one year as a member of GA.

 

To mark this day, I want to take a look at how I became a member, reflect on my first year, and take a guess at my future here. :)

 


Becoming a Member: One day in early June, I was perusing through Nifty's SF-Fantasy section and I came across a story called Your Alpha, My Mate. It was just one chapter at the time, and I read it and I was hooked. Of course, the author added a note that she would add on soon. Well, I couldn't wait soon. So I went to her personal site and YAY!!! I found more chapters! I might have went on a reading splurge. Anyway, when I was done I noticed Wolfwriter had links on her page, and for some reason the one called Gay Authors caught my eye, and so I clicked on it.... dun! Dun! DUN!!! LOL

 

Anyways, I came to a familiar site. It turns out that I did visit this site sometime in March. That first visit didn't really leave a lasting impression. But the second one sure did. :) As an avid reader I only cared about reading the stories this new place "GA" had. Anything else was not even important. So I mainly stayed on the Stories or Authors Tabs. Anything else, like Forums, did not matter all that much. Back to the stories, I rapidly expanded from Wolfwriter's stories to others. Those stories made me realize that GA was a serious place when it came to marvelous stories. So it became a new addiction for me. This leads me to how I joined. In those first few weeks lurking about as a guest, this Help box followed me around everywhere, and I just had enough. I wanted to get rid of it, so, I on June 29, 2014, I joined GA as a member! Yay! the Help box was gone! It wasn't some special way or a noteworthy reason to join, but that is how I joined GA.

 

My First Year: Well, as a member, I continued with reading. I also continued with ignoring the wider GA Community. This is where I need to explain: Guys, I am really shy. I knew what the Forums, Chat, and more entailed: I would actually have to get out of my comfort level and socialize. The horror! :o So I just stuck with the stories. As a member, I was given privileges, I could review chapters, I could "like" chapters and stories, and so much more besides. I didn't use them :( Again, it comes back to being shy. I couldn't face putting myself out there. So what I want to focus on at the moment, are the Reviews. I didn't think what I had to say mattered. So what, if I left a review "Great Story" or "I love [this] because___" Many other reviewers have said the same things. Would the author even care for what I thought? My answer: why would they? :/

 

Well, that became depressing! On a brighter note, in my first year, I read many fantastic stories, I devoured things like Timber Pack Chronicles, A Rescued Life, Let the Music Play, and so much more besides. So, nothing really changed, other than reading more and more. That is until a fateful day in January. On that day, I received a message. Someone had added me as their friend. :blink: But but but, I am a recluse how did this happen? To top it off, my new friend was an author, Sacredlove. I just about had a meltdown. :lol: I am a huge fan of his. It was like getting a personal letter from JK Rowling (I should add, that to this day, I have to restrain myself from asking for an autograph from any author on here, because, I see all of you as I would Rowling or Stephen King) This was actually the catalyst to opening up :)

 

It wasn't until the start of April, that things began to change quickly. I bit the bullet, and wrote my first review to a new chapter of Sacredlove's story. Also, on April 8, I celebrated my 20 Birthday :) Sacred, responded to both. With the former, he thanked me for my review On the latter, he wished me a Happy Birthday!!! Add to this, the fact that I was taking a Western Civilization course at the college. This was my first discussion based class, it was so different and refreshing from the usual lectures, I also realized that if I could discuss with my peers on topics like the Reformation, I sure as heck could open up here on GA. So, with that said, I began visiting the Forums. :) So, I need to tell my first experience: It was in the Lounge that I came across a thread called "Spiders" and I felt a sense of foreboding, because I am arachnophobic. But, I previewed the topic and... the first post was by a member named Zombie. It was the lullaby to itsy bitsy spider! My first thought was, Is this man, Zombie, in the loony bin? LOL So, my curiosity was piqued and I clicked on it.... Worst. Mistake. Ever. :funny:

 

From that moment on, I really just opened up. I rapidly made friends, heck I made family. I love you all! :heart: Gosh I am actually crying, typing all of this! Happy Tears! :) Here I am on June 29, 2015, celebrating my First Anniversary, and *raises imaginary glass** here's to many more to come! :)

 

The Future: I will continue meeting new friends. I will write down things as often as I can, and just having a blast being a GA Member!

 

*I really need to review the stories I have read... :)
**I have a confession: Drew Espinosa isn't my "actual" name. Drew is a shortened form of Andrew, and that is what I am known by back home. Espinosa is my mother's maiden name. Please guys, continue to call me Drew, I actually like being called so :)
***Boy, I used a lot of emojis, sorry for the clutter.

 

Thanks everyone!

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21 Comments

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Ashi

Yeah, you made a lot of friends and family.... EVER EXPANDING I should add.  LOL  ;)  What a "fruitful" year.  :)

  • Like 1
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clochette

Only 1 year! I feel like it's been so much more time since we "meet" :lol:  So many memories already!

 

I remember this statut you had posted about Zombie's thread on spiders *shudders* I think it was our first introduction ;)

 

I know that feeling of lurking, I did that too, for about a year, before taking that step and becoming a member. Since then I've never look back on it :yes: Cause like you said, here we meet amazing people who become friends, and some even like family. :hug:

 

I love you my little brother from across the world :heart: *clinks drink with Drew*

 

PS: you said you're shy but knowing you now I'd say it's a bit hard to believe  :gikkle:

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Ron

Quote: (I should add, that to this day, I have to restrain myself from asking for an autograph from any author on here, because, I see all of you as I would Rowling or Stephen King)

 

I have a personalized copy of Born Wolf by Sasha Distan which spent a lot of time with customs and cost again as much as the book for postage, but I consider it money well spent. Believe me, authors appreciate readers and their interest, and what they have to say.

 

Cheers to the joys of opening up, and happy anniversary, Drew. Nice blog entry.

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Drew Espinosa

Only 1 year! I feel like it's been so much more time since we "meet" :lol:  So many memories already!

 

I remember this statut you had posted about Zombie's thread on spiders *shudders* I think it was our first introduction ;)

 

I know that feeling of lurking, I did that too, for about a year, before taking that step and becoming a member. Since then I've never look back on it :yes: Cause like you said, here we meet amazing people who become friends, and some even like family. :hug:

 

I love you my little brother from across the world :heart: *clinks drink with Drew*

 

PS: you said you're shy but knowing you now I'd say it's a bit hard to believe  :gikkle:

Je t'aime, ma sœur :heart: Merci, Clo :hug:

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Drew Espinosa

Yeah, you made a lot of friends and family.... EVER EXPANDING I should add.  LOL  ;)  What a "fruitful" year.  :)

"Fruit" :gikkle: Thanks Ashi :hug:

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Daddydavek

Shy Andrew has blossomed!   Now if you just start writing and posting that magnum opus you have inside you, I will be happy!  DDK

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sacredlove

I wish you complete many more amazing years at GA and keep making equally amazing friends because this place is as amazing as you are. Take care, Drew. You always make me smile. HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!!!

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EagleIsaac

Happy GA Anniversary Drew.

 

You have gone from a self described recluse to a popular and much loved friend and author. You've come a long way young man. Congratulations :)

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Slytherin

Happy GA anniversary Drew. June 29th, a very nice date to become a member on  :whistle: 

 

I think Zombie will be very happy that it was his thread that made you "open up". :hug: 

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Drew Espinosa

I wish you complete many more amazing years at GA and keep making equally amazing friends because this place is as amazing as you are. Take care, Drew. You always make me smile. HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Thanks Sacred! :hug: You are truly one amazing person! :D

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Drew Espinosa

Happy GA anniversary Drew. June 29th, a very nice date to become a member on   :whistle:

 

I think Zombie will be very happy that it was his thread that made you "open up". :hug:

Thanks LBO! :hug: and yes, June 29th is a very nice date ;) As for Zombie,he may want a brain as a reward :gikkle:

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Slytherin

Thanks LBO! :hug: and yes, June 29th is a very nice date ;) As for Zombie,he may want a brain as a reward :gikkle:

Or a pet spider :lol::funny: 

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The_Jordanator

Can I just say, firstly good on ya. Secondly, I can't imagine you as the shy type. Not what I've seen in chat anyway...LOL.

Third, HA I joined in 2013 ya punk bitch, I'm at my 2 year anniversary! Ok so the first year was me being inactive but still...

 

Well find anyway :)

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Headstall

Your open and enthusiastic blog, and the positive vibe it gives off, just goes to show why we all love you so much, young Skywalker. To many more GA anniversaries for you... Congratulations, Drew... Cheers... Gary

  • Like 3
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Drew Espinosa

Your open and enthusiastic blog, and the positive vibe it gives off, just goes to show why we all love you so much, young Skywalker. To many more GA anniversaries for you... Congratulations, Drew... Cheers... Gary

 

Happy GA Anniversary Drew.

 

You have gone from a self described recluse to a popular and much loved friend and author. You've come a long way young man. Congratulations :)

Aw! Thanks! :hug: and :kiss: You two are amazing GA Uncles! :2thumbs:

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Drew Espinosa

Shy Andrew has blossomed!   Now if you just start writing and posting that magnum opus you have inside you, I will be happy!  DDK

Thanks Dave! :) Maybe one day, I'll get around to that magnum opus ;)

Link to comment
Drew Espinosa

Quote: (I should add, that to this day, I have to restrain myself from asking for an autograph from any author on here, because, I see all of you as I would Rowling or Stephen King)

 

I have a personalized copy of Born Wolf by Sasha Distan which spent a lot of time with customs and cost again as much as the book for postage, but I consider it money well spent. Believe me, authors appreciate readers and their interest, and what they have to say.

 

Cheers to the joys of opening up, and happy anniversary, Drew. Nice blog entry.

Thanks Ron! :) Gosh! That must be neat to have a copy of Born Wolf :D

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Victor Gutte

wow Drew!!! :hug:, it was exactly similar to how it was like mine. though in my case I was not really bothered by the help box :unsure2::gikkle:....there were times I found myself staying awake the whole night to complete a story as I was unable to sleep since my mind was full of the story :lol:. I've read so many stories as a ghost...oops! i.e. guest :gikkle:

though after becoming an actual member, I really did not do as much reading as in the past both due to me not having much time in real life and my time on GA is spent socializing rather than reading but both are equally fun anyways ^_^ ^_^ . there are so many awesome stories as a ghost I wanted to review or read again but I've forgotten most of their names or some of them became premium :yes:....I might need to get a premium membership at one point :yes:....

overall, I just wanted to say that I never expected to find so many nice friends and such a great family in a reading community :thumbup: I guess things happen in the least expected way but in the best way possible :hug::kiss::heart:

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