I won't know what to not click on.
Oh Raq, thank you for providing a much-needed laugh.
I first crossed paths with ita on Table Talk, making fun of phony psychics with phony Jamaican accents in the "Miss Cleo, Call Me Now!" thread. I don't recall whether she pointed me to the Buffy thread or if I found my way on my own shortly thereafter, but she's figured prominently in my experience of the community ever since. It's been a great privilege to have know her for the past 14 years (too few!).
I've been looking for my photos from the Wolfram & Hart Annual Review from ten years ago this evening, and finally turned up a couple. Here are shots of ita with her team of security guards and bonus Allyson:
[link]
[link]
I've talked to Gudanov, so he knows.
I have started a post and failed to finish many times. Five beers and I'm almost brave enough to say things, but not quite.
I had not interacted with ita for a long time, but she has always loomed large in my mental landscape. She always will.
Hi Tom! Hi!
...oh wait, you're right there. (I'm with Nora and Tom. That may have been said in this thread already. I may be drinking wine from a pink cup.)
{{{Tom}}} Much love to you and Nora and Sarah. I'm glad you're all together tonight.
I don't have any specific ita stories, but I loved her willingness to engage with anyone and everyone, to challenge when necessary but also make them feel like part of the community.
Reading the threads over at IO9 it's striking to see that she was just as much an integral presence there as she was here. I guess it shouldn't unexpected, knowing what he know about her, but it's still awe-inspiring to see just how many lives she managed to touch.
I keep thinking how much less fun it is going to be to watch the next season of Teen Wolf without knowing what ita thinks of it.
I've been bursting into sobs at random moments throughout the day. Finally decided I needed to do something in ita's honor. Given that I sprained my hip putting on a sock, and tore a rotater cuff in my sleep, Krav, Kettle bell and Capoeira all seemed impractical. So I started a Tai Chi class today. Don't know that it was what ita would have wanted, but it is something. And if nothing else, once I get good enough, I'll be able to defend myself if I'm ever attacked by slow motion ninjas.
For some reason, I'm actually really surprised at all these memories of intimidating/challenging disagreements because I don't remember ever disagreeing with her. But then I remember that she literally created the Pink Gingham Junta because she wanted to lead a junta, and thus required a nemesis, so she nominated me for the position (I wasn't given a say so), which is why it went from the "junta I want to start," to the more tailored "Pink Gingham Junta" because Alibelle.
And yet, every time she threatened to break my thumbs, it just felt like a warm hug, you know? Which sounds weird. But it really was a very loving experience to be ita's chosen fair weather nemesis for those times when she was bored, I swear.
And thanks for thinking of me, Brenda! (And thanks, Tom!)