I was in New York City this week for about 45 hours. It was probably the least interesting trip I’ve ever taken in the sense that I did almost nothing. But, you know? It was a much needed couple days away.
The Office Wrap Party
I spent this past weekend in Scranton for The Office Wrap Party, and have been debating whether or not to do a blog about the experience. I did a small post halfway through the event in an attempt to “blog out” some anger, so I now feel it necessary to give a more complete review. There were definitely some good parts and I really want to share those too! So, I’m going to go ahead and give a full recap of the entire adventure.
Greetings from 2013
When I post this it’ll still be 2012 for most of the people I know, so, hello from the future!
Goodbye Toby… It’s been nice ~ An open letter to The Office fandom
Dear The Office Fandom,
I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that you changed my life.
I know that statement is hard for anyone who is not in a fandom to understand, but it’s very true. The people that I met through you have been the most incredible friends and confidants anyone could ever hope to have. Though so many of those friendships ceased talk of the show long ago, they have since blossomed and grown, and without that spark that brought us together, I would never know them. The people that I’ve met have helped change the course of my life in ways I could never have imagined possible. They are kindred spirits, without whom I do not know where I’d be.
And I owe all of this to one little television show.
The Office put a smile on my face during a period in my life when nothing else could. It lifted my spirits and brought me together with so many people that I cherish beyond words.
In case anyone reading this hasn’t heard, it was announced earlier today that the television show The Office will be ending this coming season. This is not unexpected news, but still incredibly sad. Though I must admit that I’m not as affected by the series as I once was, I still adore it, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
I was introduced to the show in 2007 (I was a late-comer, in fandom terms) by my mom. I had moved home from University after suffering through a year of crippling depression and at that point felt completely devoid of any emotion whatsoever. I’d never seen the show before, but my mom picked up the season 1 and 2 DVDs one random day in June, saying she thought I would really enjoy the show. I popped the first disc in, and, well, my obsession started. I watched season 1 and 2 in a few days, and immediately started again. And for the first time in over a year I felt something weird and wonderful: Happiness.
Over the next couple of months I started going online, frantically attempting to find a way to watch season 3, and discovering all that The Office online fandom had to offer. By the end of summer I was posting frantically on a fantastic site called MTT, wearing Dunder Mifflin paraphernalia, and lining up at 7am to buy the season 3 DVD.
It is sad to think that this thing that has been with me for 1/4 of my life will soon be gone. But it’s had a phenomenal run, and brought me so much joy, that I don’t want to dwell.
We may not be seeing our favourite characters on the small screen every week, but the show will live forever. And not just in DVDs, reruns, merchandise, etc, but in the profound and meaningful ways that it changed the lives of so many fans, like myself. Shows and fandoms as wonderful as this bring people together, and that changes lives. And I so hope that everyone who makes The Office knows that too. What they’ve put out is so much more than a show. And I can not express how grateful I am for it.
So it’s with a tearful smile, and full heart, that I prepare to say goodbye to Toby, Pam, Jim, Dwight, Angela, Kevin, Oscar, Meredith, Creed, Stanley, Phyllis, Andy, Darryl, Kelly, Ryan, and every other character on this incredible show. But our final goodbye is still a long time off, and I am excited to see what is in for us in the lead up. I put my trust in Greg Daniels and the powers that be, and know that they will leave us satisfied and smiling.
That’s what she said.
With love and thanks,
Spencer
This was dedicated to all of those wonderful people that this show has brought me:
Orla, Sally, Jessica S, Gen, Raisa, Carly, Nancy, Annie, Aideen, Vi, Sara C Courtney, Karen, Sara G, Beth, Danielle, Ellen, Moxie, Jenn C, Jenn Q, Jessica EK, Heidi, Marita, Katie, Kathryn, Michelle, Alla, Gloria, Jessica W, Krissy, Michelle G, Sara E, Sarah, Taylor, Vanessa, Krissy, Klutzy, Claire, Lizzy, Jennifer M, Ali, Jean, Maureen, and anyone else I may have missed!
Here’s a little slideshow of The Office fandom get togethers, including parties, meet-ups, concerts, theatre trips, comedy shows, and much more. Places pictured include New York, Toronto, Lansing, Washington DC, London, Dublin, Helsinki, Niagara Falls.
The Office Fandom Yearbook!
It happened again…
Update: This blog was a bit of a teaser. You can find the full story (with loads more pics) here- The Jenna Fischer Adventure.
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That’s right, New York City. I found myself in the Big Apple yet again this past week. For those of you planning the intervention, let me assure you that this time was for completely different reasons, that I just couldn’t resist! (Hmm, I feel that is the type of thing one would say at an intervention though… Ah well!) And, really, 3 times in 2012 isn’t *that* bad, is it?
Anyway, as I said, this trip was completely different. After what has been an, overall, shit (pardon the language, but, it’s really the best description I could come up with) year so far, my friend Sally convinced me to take a break. So, after my semester at school wrapped up, and some personal stuff was over, she headed over and we hit the road.
I’ve never driven to NYC before, but after a recent rise in the price of flights it became the cheapest option. Our wonderful friend Carly offered us a place to crash, and we were set for a few relaxing days out of town. And I must say, it was a rather fantastic holiday.
We went to the Tribeca Film Festival, saw Once on Broadway, did some window shopping (as actual shopping involves something I don’t have- Money! Heh), and took in the sites around the city. Oh, and we met Jenna Fischer. Multiple times.
Sally on The High Line:
Tribeca Film Festival
Once
Jenna Fischer-
On our first day in New York we went to see the premiere of Jenna and her husband Lee Kirk’s new film “The Giant Mechanical Man”. It was a lot of fun. After the show the cast got up to do a Q&A, at the end of which we were surprised by a shout of by Jenna asking if we were there. After the show we went up to meet her, where we received an invite to the films after-party. It was at a roof top bar in Chelsea, and was awesome. We spent the entire night star-spotting! In the days following we were able to see Jenna and Lee a few more times. Her publicist helped us get in to an event at Apple, and the filming of Live! With Kelly. It was all very exciting!
I just realized I never finished my last London blog. Woopsie. I’ll get to it, eventually.
Sloane Square | Being Alive 