Happy New Year's!

[Sheryll Townsend]

It's been a brutal week at Blockbuster, but I have survived. 
Thankfully a downfall of snow came today and slowed down the number 
of customers coming into the store. Since we were well staffed, we 
opted to toss me out an hour early. I came home with lovely 
intentions of posting New Year's wishes here and on my livejournal. 
Instead, I fell asleep on the couch at 5, after an early dinner. 
Still, I'm awake now and nicely in time wish everyone all the best 
for 2008.

I've been around HPFGU for a long time. Pre-GoF, in fact. I was here 
through the Yahoo!Club and E-Group days, before we became a Yahoo!
Group. I pre-date the splitting of the lists, too. I remember when 
the list was small enough that I recognised the names of everyone who 
posted. In fact, it was the awesome feeling of finding a group of 
friends that prompted me to join this list in the first place. 

I was here when the list was deleted and was behind the scenes for 
the ensuing chaos. I've been here through many ups and downs. After 
9/11, we let people know the chat room was open for anyone who needed 
to talk. There were a couple of us who were in there for up to 8-10 
hours a day so that people coming in *did* have someone to talk to. I 
met my best friend on HPFGU, too. 

*waves at the Amandageist*

I even hopped on a Greyhound bus from Ontario to Texas in 2001 to 
visit her for the first time. I'm about to make my 5th trip there 
next month, this time taking my daughter, who will meet my best 
friend for the first time. 

I've met many HPFGU-ers at various conferences over the years. I've 
even overcome my fear of public speaking for the sake of fandom 
(presenting at Phoenix Rising last year and doing live TV/radio 
interviews for the first Convention Alley). :D I went to SkyDome 
after GoF to hear JKR speak at what was the largest public reading in 
history (and still holds that record, iirc). I took my daughter and 
nephew out of school and we made a 2 day mini-vacation of it. 

I've had the pleasure of being a List Elf for a long time. I rarely 
post to the main list anymore (mostly because you all get there first 
and are generally more eloquent!), but I read every single post that 
members make. Sure, I'm continually behind but I'm still reading! 

What's my point? There is none, really. I love these lists and 
everyone on them who has made my life richer. Each of you, in your 
own way, has done something to make my life more interesting or more 
blessed. You've made me smile, sometimes cry, taught me things, made 
me think and - most importantly - made my life more complete. 

For that, I wish you all a most blessed and happy New Year!

Sheryll aka Rylly Elf