Pen's Nest

I did yesterday's challenge - make contact with people you don't know - as I've been commenting here and there on Yuletide and other fics, but didn't bother to say so.

Todays challenge is: In your own space, talk about your fannish origin story. How did you come to fandom, why did you choose your fannish name, do you have more than one secret identity?

I can't help but feel I've talked about my fannish origins before—so I think I'm going to put a slight spin on the idea by talking about getting into fanfic.
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Oh, my name? I'm pensnest everywhere (although on my website (how old school is that?) I put "stories by Pen"). I've been pensnest on the internet ever since Compuserve let me have a name instead of a number, and as far as I can tell, I'm the *only* pensnest on the internet. Quite right too. I do, inexplicably, have a different name on Ravelry, but that's a minor thing.

There. More than you ever needed to know about me!

Man. We did Body Pump this morning as well as Body Balance. Body Pump is the one where you are doing stuff with weights—all the time, except for when you're doing pressups. It's actually a class that fits me well, because I like a bit of resistance training, and it doesn't go at such a frantic pace that I end up breathless. Beginner's weights for Beast and me today, because we weren't sure what kind of routine to expect, but even so. Weariness.

Today's Snowflake Challenge:

In your own space, share a favorite memory about fandom: the first time you got into fandom, the last time a fanwork touched your heart, crazy times with fangirls (whether on-line or off-line), a lovely comment you’ve received or have left for someone.

Oh, wow, favourite fandom memories… I really can't confine it to just one. Just one... might have to be meeting nopseud and being persuaded to start reading popslash, because everything else comes from there!

No, because there were my memories of Trek fandom, too. Of going to my first ever convention, and meeting Pauline because I was wearing an Old Yellow Eyes T-shirt, and chatting all evening with her; then meeting Ann-Marie Flowers in line and recognising her name from stories she'd written and chatting with her for half the afternoon; then meeting a couple more fans and spending the night in the café talking about our favourite moments from the show and laughing a great deal. The Blackpool con with Brent, and very nearly every Spiner fan I knew. Having my lewd story passed around. Walking into the chippie and seeing two Klingons in full battle dress complaining that all the food was cooked. Going to New York for the first time to see 1776.

But that was my first fandom. Now, mostly I think the best memories centre on meet-ups. Hearing the Lava Lamp story for the first time on a sparkly weekend chez nopseud, and laughing so hard my stomach hurt. Only surpassed by the epic, epic lava lamp reading at the fourth Camp Sparkle, with KC in charge of the text, and several persons and a vodka bottle adding the actions. I'm surprised we didn't wet the sofas, frankly.

Each and every Camp Sparkle, from the first time, when we didn't all know each other and yet we all meshed perfectly, to shivering in Ebenezer Chapel, to loafing in the hot tub at Beech Hill House. Ah, and the moment the giant, Barbie-pink limo backed into view in front of my living room window, and I announced that our transport had arrived.

Going to see Backstreet with nopseud and ephemera.

Watching "Harry and Max" for the first time with nopseud and ephemera, and then watching it *again* immediately with the director's commentary. And watching the extras, because we're just that foolish. Dear me, how my tummy did hurt next day.

All my SeSa stories with happy recipients. It's such a relief, after the inevitable (and always different) stresses of writing a SeSa story, when the recipient likes it. All other feedback a very welcome extra! Special mention to epicflailer for her fabulously enthusiastic feedback style.

Hearing from a couple of readers that a story of mine has lured them into a new fandom. Getting more feedback than I'd ever had in my life for my very first Popslash story when I put it on LJ. Also, abundance of feedback for my very first popslash/glambert crossover. Feedback is love.

The *trailer* bubbleforest made for my bittybang story, omg. So much love.

Fandom has been an incredible source of joy for me over the last six—nearly seven—years. I've had fun, i've had satisfaction, and I've been educated. Amazing people, all of you.