Snowflake Challenge - Day 15

[winterlover]

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 fellow fans (whether on-line or off-line), a lovely comment you’ve received or have left for someone. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


I don't have one favourite memory, but the one I'll share is one of my first. Of course I could write about how I met up with a group of fans from all over the world two years ago and had one of my best weekends ever, but that happened when I was already a part of a fandom. So, the other memory:

Years ago I found a band I loved. They weren't big yet but played two shows as support to a better known band. One of those concerts was not far from where I lived, so I asked a friend to join me and drive the two hours to see the band(s).
When we arrived, the whole arena was full of the other band's fans. "My" band had a small corner at the merchandise-stall and I bought a long-sleeve-t-shirt and put it on my shoulders so that the band-name showed on my back. I liked the other band, but wanted to make a statement about who it really was that I'd come to see.

Before the concert even started, a girl (also wearing a t-shirt with a picture of "my" band) approached me. She had seen my shirt and was happy to meet a fellow fan. We clicked at once, talked the whole evening, enjoyed the show - and the next day I took a five hour trip to see the band again and to stay with the girl afterwards. We're still friends, more than just friends now, I'm her daughter's godmother, it even feels like family.

And she was the one who introduced me to slash-fandom on the internet! She talked about LifeJournal, about fanfic and the rest. She is into other fandoms than me, but the mutual interest and understanding is the common ground on which our friendship strives. And of course "our" band.

It's not just fandom, it's a design for life.