I met him. I MET HIM. I shook hands with him, he signed my copy of Maps in a Mirror, we took a picture together. I feel like this day had magic in it, heck I even went inside the Emerald Plaza lobby afterward just to give it the extra pixie dust. That building is my favorite one in all of San Diego, and it certainly turned out to be a treat on the inside as well.
Dear Mr. Card, You have inspired me, you have touched me at a deeply personal, emotional and spiritual level. Because of how nervous I felt and the line of people who also wanted to talk to you, I thought that perhaps it would be more prudent for me to write this here.
I've been wanting to meet you since 2001 at 14, when I first realized that your stories and writing style had captured me. They fueled my imagination and they helped me get through the hardest times in my life when I thought that nothing mattered and I felt I was alone. Those books I read were my friends, and because of them I am the person I have become today. Your words have strengthened me mentally and emotionally. I try to be compassionate, intelligent, considerate, and imaginative. Your writing has affected the way I write, the way I feel and think about this world, and it has also made me realize that I can be more than I ever thought I could be if I only put effort into my dreams. Thank you for making this day, quite literally, a dream come true. Because it was a panel, I was afraid that I was only going to see you from afar instead of having the joy of meeting you. I am so thankful that I got to approach and speak with you. I honestly cannot believe that it even happened. But here I have Maps in a Mirror, signed and dedicated to ME. I don't know how to put in words how much you and your work mean to me. It's because of your characters that I could pull myself together when I needed to cope with my life. Whenever I opened a book by you and started reading, I was taken away into their distinctive worlds and left reality behind. I was in Treason, I was in Worthing, I was in Path, even in Lusitania. I was there. I remember I cried when Ender died and after I finished reading Women of Genesis. Those have been the only times I have cried because of a book.
I've seen the pequeninos, the Unwyrm, Baba Yaga and the Hive Queen. Perhaps they can be more real to me than reality itself.
Thank you for writing, and thank you for coming to San Diego, I made up my mind long ago that I will read anything you ever publish. I had to move the sky, the sea and a mountain to see you, but I don't mind at all. Because you made it all worth it.
-Vianey
P.S. Does this mean I'm a real Hatracker now?
EDIT: Oh, and by the way, the bag I'm wearing was signed by Sheila, Tex, Tucker and Simmons from Red vs Blue. They were in the Con as well, right next to the Penny Arcade guys. I got to meet them too! Again, that day was entirely worth it. WORTH IT.
[ July 28, 2008, 04:30 AM: Message edited by: Altáriël of Dorthonion ]
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
No, what it means is that you have extremely low aspirations. And that I'm somewhat annoyed that I wasn't in San Diego at the time, despite being there 7/10 of the year.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Congratulations, Alt! Great picture. And I hope that all goes well w/ your job.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
Oh, and Ender dies?!? Thanks for ruining it!
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Hmm, if Mr. Card can't make a hatracker real I'm not sure anybody else could possibly do it. Congratulations on experiencing something that felt so epic to you. Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
You ought to touch wood after making a statement like that. And in writing, too! Sheesh. Don't they teach you kids anything in college these days?
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Congrats Alt. It's nice to put a face with the name as well Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: No, what it means is that you have extremely low aspirations. And that I'm somewhat annoyed that I wasn't in San Diego at the time, despite being there 7/10 of the year.
You have absolutely no idea what he means to me and more importantly what his books pulled me through, so if you're not going to say something positive, please go to some other thread. It sounds like you're being a troll just for the sake of it. If you think that me saying 'Ender dies' is ruining the book, then I'm not sure you would fully appreciate the book whether I had said it or not anyway.
Man, the lack of expletive here actually surprised me.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: No, what it means is that you have extremely low aspirations. And that I'm somewhat annoyed that I wasn't in San Diego at the time, despite being there 7/10 of the year.
How is that comment even approaching acceptable?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Oh, honey, I'm so glad that you got to go and have a great day.
I'm sure you deserve it.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by aragorn64:
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: No, what it means is that you have extremely low aspirations. And that I'm somewhat annoyed that I wasn't in San Diego at the time, despite being there 7/10 of the year.
How is that comment even approaching acceptable?
It's not.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Blackblade, the reason that he's not considered making someone real is he doesn't post that he met them, so there is no vouching for you. Oh and he's just one person, the "rule" was 2.
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
quote:Originally posted by breyerchic04: Blackblade, the reason that he's not considered making someone real is he doesn't post that he met them, so there is no vouching for you. Oh and he's just one person, the "rule" was 2.
Just because he's not posting doesn't mean he's not vouching for me. I've got pictures and a book signed by him to prove I met him. And besides, he's the guy who started this site and the reason we all came here in the first place, shouldn't that count towards making me 'real'?
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
That's awesome! Did you do anything else at ComicCon? And, unless I missed something (again) how did you make it?
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I'm just saying what the decision was back when "real" was made up. That was that they'd have to post admitting it on here.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion: And besides, he's the guy who started this site and the reason we all came here in the first place, shouldn't that count towards making me 'real'?
*shrug* Nope.
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
Meeting OSC was a banner day for me, too. I'm glad you decided to do it. You have the right kind of priorities, as far as I'm concerned. Jobs are important, but I think we fail ourselves when we let them rule our lives and give up the things that really matter to us for the sake of the paycheck.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Amen.
Posted by Rodger Brown (Member # 11476) on :
Im new to the forum and don't post that often. What is this "real" thing. Are all of us who don't follow that rule posers or fanboys or sellouts or whatever you want to insert.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Rodger, a very long time ago (in internet time--I think it was right around the turn of the millenium, though I'm sure that breyerchic or one of the people involved can provide a more accurate date), the first Hatrack get together happened. It was a picnic, I think, somewhere in California. The attendees could all vouch for one another's existence--they had concrete proof that, say, Slash the Berzerker wasn't just one of Pat's aliases or something. It was decided that the status of "real" could be conferred on any forum member who could be confirmed to have met two of the attendees of that picnic, or any two people who had been made real. Somebody who has only met one "real" forum member is often referred to as "half real".
It's one of those things that's fun, but doesn't really matter.
Posted by Rodger Brown (Member # 11476) on :
Thank You for the clarification. I feel much better. I think I might like to be real someday until then I suppose I might be three of four different people posting all the time
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
Alt, I'm so ...simultaneously jealous and ecstatic for you. I'm glad this thread was on top because it made me smile real big. Vicarious pleasure sure can be sweet. And I would definitely write something similar concerning OSC, and be happy of the company it put me in .
Oh, and I say you're real. Maybe not by the rules, but you said my eyes were hypnotizing and that you wanted them for Christmas (I looked back at the comments on the photos... that was back in 2006!), so you're real by my book. Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
I apologize for my previous post, upon re-reading it you're right and it was completely unacceptable. I was under the impression at the time that it was akin to the joke made by Altariel in Blayne's thread, however that is no excuse.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
Not that Alt's was necessarily acceptable either but I take everything in good grace as I keep more friends that way.
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
I'm really jealous Alt. I had the opportunity to meet him when he was in the San Francisco bay area(I'm in the Sacramento area), but it fell through. Stupid work, I didn't think asking for time off so I could meet my favorite author was acceptable. I just hope he's in California again someday.
I would actually like to confirm my realness by meeting any of you, but I can never seem to get it together when it comes to going to get-togethers. Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
Great pic, congrats.
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
Thanks for posting the pic! Your big happy grin made my day. I agree about vicarious thrills.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I would say that you are half-real now, as he is only one person. If his wife was there, as she often is, she would make you real.
Although they would technically have to post here saying so.
As far as real vs not real......I personally held one of those Hatrack picnics, and I don't think less of anyone who isn't "real", nor does anyone I know, real or not. It is just a fun thing to talk about, and a fun reason to hold more Hatrack picnics/gatherings.
Posted by Elmer's Glue (Member # 9313) on :
I've spoken to people. Does that make me real?
Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :
Wait... I was in San Diego today. Hm. Went to the Zoo today.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: I would say that you are half-real now, as he is only one person.
Conveniently, as he has met at least 2 "real" Hatrackers (e.g., Slash and Olivet at the first Writer's Workshop, among many more), OSC has also had realness conferred upon him, so yes, he can indeed be one of the ones to infect others. As it were.
---
Edited to note: For purposes of clarity, we should note that realness can be conferred retroactively; i.e., if someone is made real, then people they have met before turning real now also have at least half of the condition met, retroactively.
That was decided at the official meeting, right? With the banners and the hair spray?
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
And the go-go boots.
Wait, that was just me......
Nevermind.
Yes, if you become real and you had met someone else before that, it still can count if you vouch for them.
Elmer, no....it has to be a face to face meeting, and they have to know who you are on Hatrack. If you met someone and they didn't know you screen name, but you told them later that would work as well.
In reality this all started because of the large number of alts people had. It has morphed into a meme though, hopefully one that is fun and a bit silly. It isn't made to make people feel bad if it doesn't apply to them, but rather to get them to meet IRL other Jaquertos.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I think those Hatrackers who have met in excess of 100 real Hatrackers should have a special degree of reality.
Not that I know anyone like that . . . *whistles*
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: That's awesome! Did you do anything else at ComicCon? And, unless I missed something (again) how did you make it?
I called in at work and told them I couldn't go. Told them it was personal, gave them a few details and stuff. They said it was a no-go, but it didn't matter to me because whether they had excused it or not I would've gone anyway. Even if it had cost my job, I would've gone. There was absolutely no way I wouldn't have gone to ComicCon to meet him. He's one of the people who's had the most impact in my life. How could I say no to him? It would've cheated me out of the experience of a lifetime and I know I would've regretted it forever. Retail jobs are a dime a dozen, there's only one OSC.
[ July 28, 2008, 04:15 AM: Message edited by: Altáriël of Dorthonion ]
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dr Strangelove: Alt, I'm so ...simultaneously jealous and ecstatic for you. I'm glad this thread was on top because it made me smile real big. Vicarious pleasure sure can be sweet. And I would definitely write something similar concerning OSC, and be happy of the company it put me in .
Oh, and I say you're real. Maybe not by the rules, but you said my eyes were hypnotizing and that you wanted them for Christmas (I looked back at the comments on the photos... that was back in 2006!), so you're real by my book.
Can I get them for this Christmas then? :B
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Congratulations!!!
I remember the day I met OSC. I skipped class to drive down to Provo to meet him at a signing, and he signed my book and we even talked a little bit about other things. I was absolutely floating. I went to class the next day and my professor asked me if I'd fallen in love, because I looked transported. I remember everything about that day, and it still ranks as one of the Best. Days. Ever. So much fun. I am content.
Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :
Noooooo I wanna be real, it was hard enough to type before I became a figment of my own imagination.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: I think those Hatrackers who have met in excess of 100 real Hatrackers should have a special degree of reality.
Not that I know anyone like that . . . *whistles*
I do believe that rivka is surreal.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
(almost literally)
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
i've met jon hecht in person and spoke with at least 3 others over skype.
Get skype.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I'm bummed I wasn't in L.A. this summer or I most assuredly woulda gone to ComicCon. Even though I had no idea OSC would be there.
Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :
Alt, it appears that you are feeling much better now than you were a few days ago!
Now I wish I could see Mr. Card.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I met him and his wife in Boston a few years ago, and they were both very cool.
All the vendors said OSC was the ONLY author they met who made a point of meeting them, and he had no problems if they wanted their books signed, as long as they didn't raise their prices because of his signature while he was there....and he checked back with their booths to make sure they weren't lying to him as well. Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
I'll never get to meet OSC.
What, with the restraining order and all. 500 yards is a helluva long ways, you know...
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Congrats Altįriėl! I would love to meet OSC myself. And yes... you are an official Hatracker. Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
I met Mr. Card and glimpsed his wife about a year ago when Empire just came out. He was very gracious and though I'd like to say we had some sort of transcendent conversation it was more along the lines of,
Me: We miss you on the hatrack forums.
Mr. Card: Oh? What's your alias on hatrack?
Me: BlackBlade
Mr. Card: Oh...
Me: I'm still pretty new on those forums.
Mr. Card: Well whenever I log on it's usually to the Orson Scott Card side of the forums to answer questions.
Me: Thanks for signing my books.
Mr. Card: You're very welcome.
Maybe next time...Though I must say Mr. Card has a very pleasant sounding voice. Mrs. Card also has a very cute personality. Next time I see him I'll probably mention that I had a fairly unique anecdote concerning him that I posted on the forums that he responded to and perhaps that will jog his memory.
Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
quote:Me: BlackBlade
Mr. Card: Oh...
Well, you gotta say you made quite an impression. Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
I've been to two book signings, and as silly as it seems, I was so pleased with myself when Mr. Card remembered me the second time.
I was so excited for the first one, but it was in Pittsburgh and I didn't have my copy of Maps in a Mirror with me, and I wanted that book signed more than any of the others.
Still, the first meeting was probably the better one, since Mrs. Card was there as well and we talked briefly about the Hatrack forums, and both of them knew my screen name despite the fact that I so rarely post.
Congratulations, Alt, I understand how excited you were. Nice picture, by the way.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
quote:Originally posted by Noemon: It's one of those things that's fun, but doesn't really matter.
And I've worked so hard to be real!
Alty, I'm glad you got to meet OSC. Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: I think those Hatrackers who have met in excess of 100 real Hatrackers should have a special degree of reality.
Not that I know anyone like that . . . *whistles*
mmmm... KamaCon...
Posted by Rodger Brown (Member # 11476) on :
Hey I live in Utah and went to BYU. OSC is very popular on campus and at one point Enders Game was Number one book on Facebook for Campus...........
Kind of rambling there but as a new hatracker where is everyone from so at somepoint I might be real.
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(almost literally)
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