It's taken me a little while to feel ready to post on the thread here - even as I type, there are a few tears still rolling.
Ma was the first mod I ever pm'd when I was new on the boards here. I didn't understand something about a story challenge, and she was the only mod online at the time. She replied quickly, and didn't make me feel like the idiot I felt I was (although there were plenty of times once we got more familiar with each other over the next few years that she didn't hesitate to take a shot or two!).
She pm'd me a few weeks later, asking if the short story I'd submitted for that challenge (and missed out on winning due to one of Gyppo's classic tales) could be included in the anthology she was putting together. I was gobsmacked. Flattered. And a wee bit afraid, to be honest. That little contribution was the first nugget of fiction of mine that has ever been published. Thanks Ma
I have fond memories of the last Olympinks, and all the chats and interactions I had with Ma and 510 - so much fun!
I also was the one who drew the little rum-sipping, singing caterpillar in her profile pic. Late last year I cut out the picture, stuck it on a notecard and sent her a letter that also included a fake UK licence plate I'd made for her that read "DEPP4ME", that I envisioned her attaching to the back of her 'mobile' as she puttered around town.
She had such a wicked sense of humour, that extended to a little evil-doing on occasion. But it seemed to be a right of initiation of sorts on the boards here - you knew you were 'one of the gang' when Ma gave you some sort of horrible virtual job to do, or took a jab at you in one of the games or conversation threads.
Cheers Ma. Thanks for the memories.
