Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 21:12:37 -0400
From: estaline
Subject: Re: [VP] A Brand New Project


flamingoslim wrote:
> "It's...it's...oh, god, don't make me say it.... It's THE INTRO 
FILE!!!"

OK, here goes.
My name is Ann and while I'm certainly not an old-timer 
in the fandom, I was a gainfully employed adult when the series 
was on in the Seventies.  I recall watching it with pleasure, but 
the only episode I can remember from that era was Bloodbath.

I didn't discover the joys of slash until the early Nineties, and 
in a most roundabout way.  I had become a pagan (religion, not 
motorcycles) and joined a circle. All my circle siblings were 
fans! They couldn't imagine how one became a pagan without being 
a fan first.  I'm weird, what can I say?

They took it upon themselves to initiate me into the joys of 
fandom.  I got taken to a lot of sci-fi cons, where I heard 
people talking about media zines.  Curious now, I (being an 
academic at heart) bought Textual Poachers and Enterprising 
Women.  I than asked my circle sisters if they knew anything 
about this slash stuff; it sounded sort of interesting. So, like, 
where did I find it?  LOL!!! At once the floodgates of slash got 
dumped upon my unsuspecting head.  Seems I was in the company of 
said artists and hadn't known it.  

It rapidly became clear that more than mere editorial comment is 
expected from my circle; I wrote my first story to put in a 
sister's zine.  AT that point I was intrigued with the idea of 
slash, but was not wedded to any specific fandom.  I'd been 
initiated into the Olde Tradition, Kirk/Spock.  I next discovered 
The Boys, Kiefer/Lou on my own. From there I ran into Martha 
Bonds (Take a bow, Martha) right about the same time Starsky and 
Hutch was coming back onto TNT.  A few Fixes, and I was set for 
life.  Or so I thought.

In fact, I'll read almost any fan story, as long as its well 
written. Thanks to Marths's Indigo Boys, I discovered both the 
Professionals and The Sentinel. My newfound neighbor, Suzan, 
rounded out my education by adding the episodes and conversation 
to go along with the stories.  My circle sisters are Highlander 
and X-philes, as well as Babylon 5 freaks. Wherever I go now, 
fandom follows me.

Since then, I have found that fandom is the people I've met; KC, 
Flamingo, Rosemary, Gloria, Linda...  well, you know who you all 
are. Finding contact on the Net was the next logical evolution.  
I don't mean to be wussy or anything, but I can't tell you what 
this has meant in my life.  

As far as Vital Statistics go, I am 45, happily married (to the 
same man) for 26 years, and the proud Momma of 3 silly dogs. And, 
yes, he knows all about slash.  He edits my stuff! 

Live long and Prosper, Y'all!

Ann (aka Victoria Racklyft)
