OK so I've gotten a handful of MSN messages and PM's notifying me that I'm at post 999, thus this is #1000.

I've been told to make it a good one. So, it will be a retrospective. Selfish, I know, but why not.

First, Sarah. The one common thread we all have on these boards, the reason we all come together here. Ever since I first heard Sweet Ones on the radio, I knew it was something special. It was the first time I had seen an artist live in concert and subsequently heard their song on the radio -- and liked both. Since then, often through Sarah's shows, many of these artists have popped into my life; most notably Danny Michel, Matt Dusk, and recently Jeremy Fisher. But Sarah was the first. I almost immediately ran out and purchased Night Bugs (at HMV on Yonge St., if I remember correctly... complete with sampler) and fell in love with her ability to combine classical sounds and instrumentation with popular style and singer-songwriter elegance. My penchant for concerts overcame me and I attended the Trinity show with a couple of friends, a show which was only recently topped by the Mod club show on Thursday (and just barely!) Ever since then I knew I had to attend as many shows as possible, there was something simply magical about the live performance. In time I bought her back catalogue, all three at once through her old website (with the good ol' print-off-the-form-and-mail-it-in-with-a-cheque order process). I could go on and on about all the shows that followed but I'm sure the stories have or will all come out over time on these boards. Needless to say, they were and are always something to look forward to, and always worth attending. Through Sarah's shows I've also had some wonderful opportunities, like seeing the TSO with Josh Groban, BNL, and Matt Dusk; seeing Art Garfunkel; seeing Damhnait Doyle, attending some wonderful Toronto festivals, and attending a large peace rally in Nathan Phillips Square. My friends think I'm crazy, attending all these shows of someone they've never heard of, but I enjoy it, so it's more than worth it.

One worth mentioning, though, and one thing I'm so thankful for was the LA show. Sarah referred to me on stage recently as a 'familiar face.' Well Sarah, you were my 'familiar face' in a time when I was feeling lost and lonely in a strange city which I still despise to this day. It was so wonderful to be literally thousands of miles away from home and to still feel at home. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to have met you and to have learned about you through your songs. You are an inspiration and a joy. Please don't ever stop being yourself and doing what you enjoy and do best.


And as for you online people, well, much love. I joined in on Navy-Soup when it was still linked from sarahslean.com and have enjoyed the years of random music news as well as Sarah-related posts. I joined these particular boards when the new site was launched in September of last year, and they have been such a wonderful experience. The amount of love and joy and sheer bliss that is expressed on these boards is unparalleled. I've been on a number of message boards and chat rooms (from student unions to alanis morissette) over the last almost 10 years now (yes I'm dating myself, anyone remember Yahoo!Chat?) and never have I found a community so positive, and without prejudice, judgment, or catfights. We have had some really heavy and some really light conversations on here, and somehow have managed not to have one fight, to have one person blocked, or even one strong threat from a moderator.

I have also had the opportunity of meeting some amazing friends through this community. I had the fortune of meeting Nicole (Nikolita) in Vancouver this summer, and then again in Toronto when we attended a rather interesting show at the Rivoli (BTW Nik, I bought the Pony Da Look album recently, it's not bad! ). Spiffylike and I have been friends since high school and have recently become closer through our affection for Slean and Shaye (among others). Jim has proven to be quite the superfan as well, and I finally got to meet him in person just this week, despite an extended period of wonderful and enlightened conversations on here and on MSN. Jareed and I have met up at a handful of shows (the first of which by sheer accident!) and had a great time. gooberrygirl was kind enough to give me an extra invite to the no-show Mix Show when she was unable to attend. wootam! and I discovered we know all the same people but have never met one another despite attending the same school in the same faculty in the same year. Cam (prodigyboy) has been an incredible resource, and all-around cool guy. BW, SB, pt, and all the other top-10'ers (as well as everyone else who kept my head spinning trying to keep up on posts back in Nov/Dec), you've all made for great conversation. And the newbies, I'm always SO encouraged when new people show up because it means the word of joy is out there and people are hearing and liking it!! Everyone in between, you rock too!

The one thing I've noticed throughout these boards, too, is the breaking down of barriers between people. More than anywhere I've seen in my life (even within marginalized groups), this community shows a complete respect and acceptance of people of every race, religion, gender, sexuality, geography, and age. As evidenced by the list of people above and everyone else not on it, not only do we respect those things but those who come here see that. The extent of diversity on this board is simply amazing and powerful.

OK, I've rambled on much too long, and I'm almost eulogising myself now. I'm not leaving, don't you worry. I look forward to countless more threads of discussion with all of you, not just the people I mentioned. For everyone who demanded a good 1000th post, I hope this cuts it

happy 1000, baby! and here's to 1000 more.. probably in the next 2 months if i know you at all

[quote:82bf5d9b3d="Sweet One"]The amount of love and joy and sheer bliss that is expressed on these boards is unparalleled. [/quote:82bf5d9b3d]

So true Neal...but do keep in mind that you are a key contributor to making this board what it is.

[quote:82bf5d9b3d="Sweet One"]The one thing I've noticed throughout these boards, too, is the breaking down of barriers between people. More than anywhere I've seen in my life (even within marginalized groups), this community shows a complete respect and acceptance of people of every race, religion, gender, sexuality, geography, and age. [/quote:82bf5d9b3d]

Barriers? What barriers? To quote another awesome songwriter, its all about peace, love and understanding my friend.


[quote:82bf5d9b3d="Sweet One"]For everyone who demanded a good 1000th post, I hope this cuts it [/quote:82bf5d9b3d]

Sure did...was there ever any doubt? And really, who doesn't look forward to the enthusiasm, joy and intelligence of a Sweet One post?

much love my friend and keep on ramblin'

...jim

Thanks guys ops:

Almost forgot to sign-off the post:

Sincerely,
Sweet One aka Neal aka the 'love you sarah' guy aka the 'familiar face'

hehe

Congrats on the big 1000 Neal.

I agree with everyone else, you really liven up the board and keep it going.

:cry: awww to the LA part.

very nice post. ppl on this board are very nice and very likeable. i had the same feeling with the crowd at her shows and it feels damn nice

this community needs you.

Cameron Bay.

i 100% agree with neal! I've been on so many messageboards and somehow i always stop going b/c somebody has to ruin it by saying something stupid and everybody starts fighting and then i just stop going. this is handsdown the best messageboard ever. it doesn't even feel like a messageboard.

I'm usually not one to to introduce myself and 'meet up' with internet fans to chat or whatever, but this board is completely different... and i'm sure that no one here is a psycho aside from our psychotic love for Slean.

congratulations on the big 1000th, I've only managed to pull off 10% of what you have done lol. This board would not be the same without you!

Happy 1000th boy! You're one of the many people who make the boards a great place to be. Don't be thanking all of us, but thank yourself at the same time! I think this board is such a wonderful place.. we're all striving for a better, more beautiful world and happened to find Sarah as a way to help express it. I think Sarah's music touches certain people because we're all searching for `boy wonder` and trying to spread the world with ridiculous joy.

You guys are awesome, and I hope to meet more of you on this crazy path we call life! Keep those flames burning... and raise em' high.

And S.O? Teach me your posting secrets.. I too wish to be a SS Master! haha.

8)

ops:
hehe. this wasn't intended to be a 'shower s.o. with praise' thread, but thank you all (the funny thing is I love the praise/attention, but am embarassed by it at the same time lol)
hehe, and pt.... all I can say is just keep saying what you have to say, it's all about communication

I share the same feelings with you sweet, about the board and sarah's music. She blew me away the first time i saw her live, i never imagine live music can be this magical. well anyhoo happy 1000th!!

What a great post SO. Happy 1000th!
I've never stayed with a messageboard as long as this one.
And yer posts have certainly made it worthwhile to return on a daily basis.
It would've been great to have met you (and everyone else) at the Mod Club.
Keep those posts coming dude.

Way to go Sweet One! This board would certainly not be the same without your input. I agree that everyone on here is truly here for positive reasons. Like Jareed, I've been to other message boards which are full of ignorant and immature people. This board is truly a great place.

:P

Neal... you are just so loveable.

take good care of yourself amigo...

~ng

Congratulations on the big 1000, s.o. I wish I'd been here to screencap and document it, :P but I was out of town on my reading week.

Belated congratulations anyway! And a mighty fine 1000th post.

hehe. thanks sb. I actually made a point of screencapping it myself -- It hink I posetd it in the Website forum!

[quote:fb37e5f64a="Sweet One"]hehe. thanks sb. I actually made a point of screencapping it myself -- It hink I posetd it in the Website forum![/quote:fb37e5f64a]Awesome!

Belated congrats from me as well, although I don't make a heck of a lot of posts on here, I ever so enjoy reading what you have to say. Keep it up!! I look forward to meeting you soon. (perhaps at the april 16th show in Toronto?)