So, off to Moonridge.

[shiredancer]

Tomorrow we're heading off for a three-day weekend at Big Bear Lake, so that I can attend my first Sentinel fandom event. It's not a con, and not an overly organized kind of thing -- it's a fundraiser for the small zoo there, the Moonridge Animal Park. They take in rescued and injured and abandoned wildlife, help with rehabilitation, and provide long-term or permanent homes for them. A good animal cause, and a nice little place. I've been there before (to the zoo) -- Peter and I spent one of our anniversaries at Big Bear.

One of the actors from The Sentinel goes to participate each year (it's his favored charity, after all) and, I guess, sort of handles various animals while an auction goes on -- fans bid to "adopt" the animals, with all money going to the zoo. There was also an online auction where authors donated stories, artwork, etc. for bidding -- I believe it raised just about $18,000 this year. These are dedicated fans! And generous, too. I've not yet met any Sentinel fans in real life (except darling klostes, of course, who isn't active in the fandom any more), and actually have only a few online friends -- a bit odd, since the fan fiction really took over my life a few years ago! But I've had my hobbit ladies for so long, and once I had my friends list kind of established, it seemed like a slow, difficult process to add to it. Inertia? Already expending too much energy? Don't know, really -- I just know that my Sentinel "presence" has been much less than my initial Lord of the Rings activity. LOL! It's probably just that I'm that many years older now! Bleh.

Anyway, forth I shall go, feeling a little bit timid and shy. Oh, you Hobbitconners who have seen me drink myself into utter rioutousness and foolishness, don't laugh! Yes, I *am* still shy sometimes. Those early days, we were all so active online, and remember the hobbitpiles in the chatrooms? By the time I met the hobbit crew in real life, I already felt like I'd known them for years. None of that is happening any more, so this really is venturing out among strangers. But -- they're all nice people online, and I expect to make several new friends this weekend. *Fannish excitement with quiet squeeing!*

Comments

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Have a great time! And yes, Garett does handle quite a few of the animals, which gives everyone a chance to take pictures of him and them. :oD

Last year (and I got the impression he does this every year), he also had a table with a pile of photos for sale on it and, at some point during the day, he spent a while down there signing photos and having his picture taken with various fans. I think the money from those photos goes to Moonridge as well.

I really hope you enjoy yourself. I had a great time at Moonridge. Not just meeting Garett, but also meeting so many other fans. ::hugs::

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Sarah! Well, I'm here at the hotel on Moonridge Drive (it's the closest one to the zoo, and I was told a lot of Sentinel fans stay here because of the close proximity). Haven't seen a single fan yet! Not any groups of laughing women who might be suspected as fans... Oh well, I'll meet them all tomorrow. Will report back then!

*Hopeful hugs*

[maaaaa.livejournal.com]

Oh how fun! I know you'll have a great time and meets lots 'o fellow Sentinel fans.

this really is venturing out among strangers.

I'll bet you won't be strangers for long. *g*

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Hi, Maaaaa! Yeah, I'm excited -- always fun to meet fellow fans. I wish you could be there -- I'll let ya know how it goes. *Hugs*

[andeincascade.livejournal.com]

Shire! Hope you've found us to be mostly harmless and that you had as much fun as I did. It was lovely to meet you! But over way to soon.

:::big hugs:::

Ande

[andeincascade.livejournal.com]

Maaaaa! Shire is just as lovely as you might expect. Wish you'd been with us.

Many tales to tell when I get home.

:::big smooches:::

[maaaaa.livejournal.com]

Yay! ::twirls you::

Can't wait to hear all about it!

[maaaaa.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sure she is. Lucky you (both of you!) for getting the chance to meet!

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Hi Ande! As a matter of fact, I found you and all the others to be perfectly delightful! I *did* feel a little shy, but I also felt very welcomed. I would have loved to have had a few more days to really get acquainted -- I need a day just to take it all in, before I can really relax around new people. So I'll look forward to the next gathering very much. It's really nice to be able to match faces with names now, and to have added to my friends list.

Of course, the *real* ice-breaker for me is if I get to belly-dance for people!

*Hugs back*
Sally