Hi peeps,

The org often feels like a large, dysfunctional family to me. How many of us are friends in real life?

Personally I'm good friends with Unique. It's a funny story worth telling. I was at a show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2002 called 'Prince and Me' by a woman who did a monologue about her Prince fandom and how she gave him a stuffed toy when he did the UK leg of the Lovesexy tour.

It was a good show, and afterwards I hung around with my ex to see if I could grab a word with the performer. This bloke turns up, looking like a roadie, and I ask him if I could have a chat with her? "Yeah, sure" he replies. So, I wait, and a few minutes later she appears and he starts talking to her like a regular person. It clicked that he was a fan just like me and didn't know her at all!

Anyway, we got chatting out in the street afterwards and he told me about his depth of fandom which sealed the deal. He's in Edinburgh and I'm in Glasgow, but we've been mates ever since.

I've been very blessed to have met several orgers, and I consider several my friends, even though I've been more or less out of touch other than facebook with most.

In no particular order:

1. Muse2nopharoah. I cherish my friendship with her. She has encouraged and blessed me through some of the strangest moments of my life, and she has never judged. I love laughing with her--it is completely contageous. One of the things I miss most about her is our marathon laughing sessions--she has killed the battery on my cellphone before just laughing with me for hours.

2. Carriempls. Carrie was able to completely control her intense crush on me every time that I've met her (and other than Fauxie who is in Bangkok), I think I've met Carrie the most out of all the orgers out there.

3. cborgman. I love borgy--I really do. He saw me at one of my darkest, most confusing, most insecure times, and he met me with open arms and was just the most wonderful host. He was busy, but still made time to entertain me. I got to see Stonewall thanks to him, and several important spots in 'The village'. I appreciate his kindness and generosity immensly.

4. sosgemini. Nicholas is....amazing. He was so much fun in Miami, and he's reached out to me via email when he noticed I was down once. A great, humerous guy.

5. Nick & his wife---I am ALWAYS busy, despite the fact that it seems like all I do is stay onine--I actually do much of my work on a computer. So, I don't get to see them often. I'm working on rectifying that by the time he gets back to Bangkok, but I appreciate he and his wife being so kind to me. The accept me for the dork that I am and never judge. Plus, Nick and I say 'gay-Prince' together and it's...special.

6. Jerseykrs & Punkmistress. I've only ever met them once in Tampa, but was immediately put at ease with them. They're just as crazy as you'd imagine them to be, and just as chill. Erin is gorgeous, and spriited. She's vunerable, strong, outgoing, and introspective--often all at the same time. Chris's journey from homophobia to lesbain whisperer has caused him to be one of the most unique persons I know.

7. mdiver and shanti777. Phil and his wife were really amazing when I visiited England. They let me stay at their place and Phil did everything he could to make me feel at home. I was amazed by how quickly I got on with Phil--I didn't know if I would because he was so in-your-face here on the org. But, in real life, he is one of the kindest, most supportive persons you'll ever meet.

8. rushing07. Lawd, I'll always be in love with this guy. He's everything...ambitious, kind, mean, funny, angery...artistic..everything. He's one of those people who reaches for something and just goes for it. We don't converse much anymore, and that's fine--but, my adoration and admiration for him hasn't subsided at all--it's just comes in spurts (get it? comes in spurts? get it?)

9. nathan (I don't know what his names are). We have very odd friendship. Our conversations used to go on forever and often were very engaging and 'sweet'. I don't actually know him all that well, and I've maintained a certain distance--at the time in our lives when we last spoke, he was going through his own thing, and I mine--it's best to listen and allow the person to experience their 'movies' themselves, but I always get a sense that we'd be great friends if not for distance. I wish him the best.

10. Nickster. We're not 'friend friends' other than org and facebook, but I always get the sense I'd be her buddy and designated driver if I lived near her.

There are SO many more that I have not mentioned but suffice it to say, the org was a very special place to me. It got me through some very strange years.

[Edited 4/8/13 9:03am]

I would like to think that everyone I met from here is a friend but even so, there are those who I feel like will be part of my life forever.

Nathan/TRON/GangstaFam. He is an amazing soul and the most selfless person I know. When I don't "feel" Prince anymore, he awakens that love in me.

Tremolina. Even though he's on the other side of the world, he's so incredibly near to my heart.

Eyup/KoolEaze. I once told him a story that I was sure would make him stop talking to me/scare him away. He stayed. One of the best times of my life is when he came to visit me from Germany for 9 days. He is simply amazing.

Genesia. We are so different and so alike. anytime I get to see her is a wonderful time.

Andrew/theblueangel. There was a period of couple of years where we lost touch and I was miserable. I am so glad he's back in my life.

I could name another hundred people and I could name those I've never met but make me life better like Ascnederx and Cerebus and Bliss. I dig those that I don't have to explain myself to.

• gustavoribas- i think he mostly posts in the prince music & more section once in a while, but i have him on my facebook. i met him through the old paisley park mailing list page in 1998. and we continued our friendship here at the org. i traveled from california to rio de janeiro in 1999 to meet him in person. he is the best friend i've ever had in my life (besides my husband). and we will always be friends, and i consider him part of my family. over the years i have visited him in brasil and stayed with his family many times. i thank God for sending him into my life, without knowing him i would of never met my husband.
• vainandy- even though i've never met him in person, i consider him a friend, and someone i care about, so glad to know him, and have him on facebook.
• Serious, Mach, stymie, carriempls, nancy, chrissy, monigram, and so many others here i consider org, facebook, online friends. everyday that i check my facebook and have a peek into their daily lives it gives me a smile. it's nice to be able to support one another with kind words, thoughts, and in times of needed prayer. it's an extended family for sure.

uniden said:

• gustavoribas- i think he mostly posts in the prince music & more section once in a while, but i have him on my facebook. i met him through the old paisley park mailing list page in 1998. and we continued our friendship here at the org. i traveled from california to rio de janeiro in 1999 to meet him in person. he is the best friend i've ever had in my life (besides my husband). and we will always be friends, and i consider him part of my family. over the years i have visited him in brasil and stayed with his family many times. i thank God for sending him into my life, without knowing him i would of never met my husband.
• vainandy- even though i've never met him in person, i consider him a friend, and someone i care about, so glad to know him, and have him on facebook.
• Serious, Mach, stymie, carriempls, nancy, chrissy, monigram, and so many others here i consider org, facebook, online friends. everyday that i check my facebook and have a peek into their daily lives it gives me a smile. it's nice to be able to support one another with kind words, thoughts, and in times of needed prayer. it's an extended family for sure.

Stymie said:

I would like to think that everyone I met from here is a friend but even so, there are those who I feel like will be part of my life forever.

Nathan/TRON/GangstaFam. He is an amazing soul and the most selfless person I know. When I don't "feel" Prince anymore, he awakens that love in me.

Tremolina. Even though he's on the other side of the world, he's so incredibly near to my heart.

Eyup/KoolEaze. I once told him a story that I was sure would make him stop talking to me/scare him away. He stayed. One of the best times of my life is when he came to visit me from Germany for 9 days. He is simply amazing.

Genesia. We are so different and so alike. anytime I get to see her is a wonderful time.

Andrew/theblueangel. There was a period of couple of years where we lost touch and I was miserable. I am so glad he's back in my life.

I could name another hundred people and I could name those I've never met but make me life better like Ascnederx and Cerebus and Bliss. I dig those that I don't have to explain myself to.

I've met and adore you.

PEJ said:

Stymie said:

I would like to think that everyone I met from here is a friend but even so, there are those who I feel like will be part of my life forever.

Nathan/TRON/GangstaFam. He is an amazing soul and the most selfless person I know. When I don't "feel" Prince anymore, he awakens that love in me.

Tremolina. Even though he's on the other side of the world, he's so incredibly near to my heart.

Eyup/KoolEaze. I once told him a story that I was sure would make him stop talking to me/scare him away. He stayed. One of the best times of my life is when he came to visit me from Germany for 9 days. He is simply amazing.

Genesia. We are so different and so alike. anytime I get to see her is a wonderful time.

Andrew/theblueangel. There was a period of couple of years where we lost touch and I was miserable. I am so glad he's back in my life.

I could name another hundred people and I could name those I've never met but make me life better like Ascnederx and Cerebus and Bliss. I dig those that I don't have to explain myself to.

I've met and adore you.

And I adore you.

until theeee the end of time!!!

• There are some orgers who I've never met in person, who I consider dear friends since we've gotten to know each other through orgnotes, telephone, FB, and Skype. [tinaz (my sis!),paintedlady, ThisOne, Punkmistress, Monigram and Serious are my girls! ]

• The people who I met in person at JohnArt's home a couple of years ago will always hold a special place in my heart: Johnart (& Ron), cborgman, Shyra, Stymie, bklynbabe, thekidsgirl... What a weekend!

• Efan, PurpleJedi, wonder505, and 2elijah: We've laughed, we've cried, we've partied... I've shared experiences with them together and individually that I will treasure forever.

• And FB has made it possible for me to get to know others- some who aren't even here anymore...

• PurpleJedi- he's a great person and a wonderful secret santa
• paintedlady- i just love her
• tinaz- an awesome lady, so glad to know her.
• chocolate 1- love reading her status updates on facebook, and seeing her concert photos. she seems like a very loving, caring, and very intelligent woman.

[Edited 4/8/13 13:34pm] God my spelling is awlful.

[Edited 4/8/13 13:35pm]

Muse2nopharoah, there's a name from the past...I met her at an Edinburgh meet once, a really nice lady. Always smiling but I guess that's what California life does for you!

Does anyone here know what happened to Natisse? She was very popular on here and I took her on a wee tour of Glasgow once.

uniden said:

• chocolate 1- love reading her status updates on facebook, and seeing her concert photos. she seems like a very loving, caring, and very intelligent woman.

I am so embarrassed, because I don't associate everyone's real name/orgname

I love keeping up with you on FB, too!
You always have such great pictures of your family!

uniden said:

• gustavoribas- i think he mostly posts in the prince music & more section once in a while, but i have him on my facebook. i met him through the old paisley park mailing list page in 1998. and we continued our friendship here at the org. i traveled from california to rio de janeiro in 1999 to meet him in person. he is the best friend i've ever had in my life (besides my husband). and we will always be friends, and i consider him part of my family. over the years i have visited him in brasil and stayed with his family many times. i thank God for sending him into my life, without knowing him i would of never met my husband.
• vainandy- even though i've never met him in person, i consider him a friend, and someone i care about, so glad to know him, and have him on facebook.
• Serious, Mach, stymie, carriempls, nancy, chrissy, monigram, and so many others here i consider org, facebook, online friends. everyday that i check my facebook and have a peek into their daily lives it gives me a smile. it's nice to be able to support one another with kind words, thoughts, and in times of needed prayer. it's an extended family for sure.

Awwww thank you, I very much feel the same !

chocolate1 said:

• There are some orgers who I've never met in person, who I consider dear friends since we've gotten to know each other through orgnotes, telephone, FB, and Skype. [tinaz (my sis!),paintedlady, ThisOne, Punkmistress, Monigram and Serious are my girls! ]

• The people who I met in person at JohnArt's home a couple of years ago will always hold a special place in my heart: Johnart (& Ron), cborgman, Shyra, Stymie, bklynbabe, thekidsgirl... What a weekend!

• Efan, PurpleJedi, wonder505, and 2elijah: We've laughed, we've cried, we've partied... I've shared experiences with them together and individually that I will treasure forever.

• And FB has made it possible for me to get to know others- some who aren't even here anymore...

Awww thank you I feel very honoured to belong to this list of awesome girls

I am scared to write a list fearing I might forget somebody but there are a few orgers apart from the 2 wonderful ladies who mentioned me who have become wonderful friends over the last years who have helped me in many ways and who mean a lot to me .

[Edited 4/8/13 17:10pm]

chocolate1 said:

• Efan, PurpleJedi, wonder505, and 2elijah: We've laughed, we've cried, we've partied... I've shared experiences with them together and individually that I will treasure forever.

uniden said:

PurpleJedi- he's a great person and a wonderful secret santa

Thank you ladies!!!

The Org has become more than just a site for me...I really found comfort, kindness & support during the worst of my breakup 2 years ago (and counting)...I feel that I have valuable friendships on here.

• paintedlady - offered me encouragement and words of wisdom...and an ear to my sometimes endless babbling.
• chocolate1 - I value the sometimes daily "check-ins" as much as the cool times in NYC!
• uniden - my very first secret santa!!! I'm glad to have been able to reciprocate.
• zombiekitten - an awesome orger whom I truly hope to meet in person soon!!!
• Serious - my very first Skype ever!!!
• Johnart, Punkmistress, Jerseykrs - missed out on the Labor Day meetup...but love keeping up on FB!
• Thisone - when I get to Australia one day...

...and I have so many other orgers who brighten my day and I hope to get to know better as time goes on...!

This is the kind of thread where you know you're gonna leave someone out (not on purpose) cause you're answering after midnight and you've had more than 3 cocktails. Ok, maybe those are conditions that apply only to me but so what? Don't jurrrge me.

I consider every orger I've had in my home a friend.

PositivityNYC (who's actually staying with us during her move to the DC area), Erin (Punk) and Christopher (Jersey), my dear NYC menz'es Cborg & Efan , TheKidsGirl (Stacey) with whom I have the pleasure of hanging with every few months or so , that bad bitch Sigrid (Brklyn), Ivy, Shyra, Zombie (& the Master ), the beautiful chocolate1 Perma-banned Mr. Phil mf MDiver. And of course my best org-gal, Ms. Genesia

Among the folk whom I've not met in person, but hope to soon and consider friends, Shanti (Val), Cerebus (go back a while with this dude and I think he's super cool), PurpleJedi (it's been close! ), Kevin & Miguel.

Damn, I know I'm missing folk.

[Edited 4/8/13 21:21pm]

There was once many (MANY) people here that I wanted to meet, and thought I would at some point. But as the years go on it feels more and more to me like it's very unlikely to ever happen. And the list of folks I'd like to spend time with has definitely gotten smaller (because most of those people are gone, not because of a dislike of anyone who's here). I envy the people who made the effort to get to know each other in real life "back in the day" (or ya know, over the years and stuff ).

(((johnart))) Seriously man, time flies. I don't know exactly how long it's been, but I've been "knowing" you, Ivy and Genesia (whose dang name I know but can't remember ) for a decade at least, and I think some years more than that. There are very few people in my "real world" life I've known that long.

imago said:

10. Nickster. We're not 'friend friends' other than org and facebook, but I always get the sense I'd be her buddy and designated driver if I lived near her.

Oh, we'd totally hang out. I don't really drink much at all, but I'd be more than happy to drive your drunk ass around

.

[Edited 4/9/13 1:41am]

PurpleJedi said:

The Org has become more than just a site for me...I really found comfort, kindness & support during the worst of my breakup 2 years ago (and counting)...I feel that I have valuable friendships on here.

• paintedlady - offered me encouragement and words of wisdom...and an ear to my sometimes endless babbling.
• chocolate1 - I value the sometimes daily "check-ins" as much as the cool times in NYC!
• uniden - my very first secret santa!!! I'm glad to have been able to reciprocate.
• zombiekitten - an awesome orger whom I truly hope to meet in person soon!!!
• Serious - my very first Skype ever!!!
• Johnart, Punkmistress, Jerseykrs - missed out on the Labor Day meetup...but love keeping up on FB!
• Thisone - when I get to Australia one day...

...and I have so many other orgers who brighten my day and I hope to get to know better as time goes on...!

I feel very honoured and totally enjoyed talking to you !

For me, there are just way too many to name.

Whenever I meet him, I'm quite close with Viv (aka vivid). We talk about all sorts of things and share many laughs. I even call him my big brother! Shame he's not on the org anymore...

I've met Lisa twice and she's such a cutie. I had a feeling we get along really well, too.

And I had the pleasure to spend a weekend at Iwan's, who I really grew very fond of after such a short time! He's extremely witty, cool, has a wonderful sense of humour and is a fantastic host.

There's so many people I'd like to mention - Herman, Miguel, Val, Martina, Lars, ... and quite I few on here I haven't met yet, but who I surely would get along with well, namely Dan, Nick, and, of course, JustErin

Dave1992 said:

Whenever I meet him, I'm quite close with Viv (aka vivid). We talk about all sorts of things and share many laughs. I even call him my big brother! Shame he's not on the org anymore...

I've met Lisa twice and she's such a cutie. I had a feeling we get along really well, too.

And I had the pleasure to spend a weekend at Iwan's, who I really grew very fond of after such a short time! He's extremely witty, cool, has a wonderful sense of humour and is a fantastic host.

There's so many people I'd like to mention - Herman, Miguel, Val, Martina, Lars, ... and quite I few on here I haven't met yet, but who I surely would get along with well, namely Dan, Nick, and, of course, JustErin

That weekend was easily one of the best weekends ever. I had such a blast and everyone was equally lovely.

Tremolina. He's really the only person I talk to on a regular basis (unfortunately not so much lately).

And when I mean talk, I mean REALLY talk.

Dave1992 said:

Whenever I meet him, I'm quite close with Viv (aka vivid). We talk about all sorts of things and share many laughs. I even call him my big brother! Shame he's not on the org anymore...

I've met Lisa twice and she's such a cutie. I had a feeling we get along really well, too.

And I had the pleasure to spend a weekend at Iwan's, who I really grew very fond of after such a short time! He's extremely witty, cool, has a wonderful sense of humour and is a fantastic host.

There's so many people I'd like to mention - Herman, Miguel, Val, Martina, Lars, ... and quite I few on here I haven't met yet, but who I surely would get along with well, namely Dan, Nick, and, of course, JustErin

It was because of close friends that I found out about the org.

I’ve met many many orgers in real time. And heck, I’m still hanging out with so many of them! Two orgers who got married and had a baby (Paul & Kat) are coming to visit this summer from England.

And now I have friends that I don’t even think of as “org” friends, they’re just friends (Anxiety is a good example, Ivy’s another).

There are still others I’ve never met in real life but enjoy keeping up online very much. Kim (uniden) is a great example of that.

And for the record, I never had a crush on Imago. But I have hung out with him a bunch of times and he’s pretty awesome. And a friend.