It all started when...
...I was looking up something via a major search engine...& the search results were presented...the magical link wasn't represented by the first hit, but it was near the top...
...& when I followed the link...& subsequently began checking out the site...I soon realized that I had just been introduced to a kind of travel-related "Holy Grail".
It was one of those moments in one's Internet search activities in which one happens upon a gem of a site which one would honor w/ a "Golden" bookmark, if possible (wait--make that Platinum!)...
In my search results "highlight reel", the moment I chanced upon this site would indeed be one of the most interesting...& emotional...
It was a moment I wished it were possible to "hug" a URL...
Instead, I just stared in mesmerized disbelief, seemed to hold my breath, & eagerly explored...until the moment when I sat back in my chair, w/ a perpetual smile on my face, & silently thanked several people:
* Randy
* whoever it was who posted the comment which ultimately led to my encountering the site
* everyone whose generous & helpful words were to be found @ the site
I know I'm not alone in saying that this IS my favorite stop on the Internet...it's a personalized "newspaper", "coffee shop", & "library", all in one... traversing various posts @ times takes on the feel of being a passerby in a friendly corner of a "large community, w/ a small town feel", mentally "saying"/thinking a kind of silent & subconscious "hello" (& to whom one would issue a friendly smile & wave if in person), when "passing by" various others (& it can feel like a "Norm from Cheers"-like moment when entering Chat, which is also special)... when encountering a handle associated w/ someone one hasn't "seen" in a while, but whose thoughts one appreciates & whose presence & thoughts were missed--those are the people for whom a kind of "man, I'm glad they're still around" moment is experienced...& there have been many...
You people have saved my ..., saved me money, helped me optimize numerous realities, made me laugh, shared in my happiness when reaching a milestone (pun!
), & can make commiseration--not to mention celebration--a truly social event...
This place & the people are fantastic.
I can't express how much I appreciate the generosity of this community.
Everyone, grab your Sister Sledge songsheet, if you will...