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!)

I will need to draw something in her memory. I don't know what, yet. But it will happen.

Aims mentioned the spice cake ita made. I was one of the victims.

Totally classic. "Chocolate cake!" I thought, cutting myself a piece. My first bite...absolute Chandler. Trying to keep as straight a face as I could as the unexpected...spice cake...*happened* in my mouth.

"Good!" I eventually mumbled around that bite. And it *was*, make no mistake, but when you *expect* chocolate...

And ita stood there, with that look on her face. That "Yeah...gotcha." look on her face.

But the cake was good. Once you stopped expecting chocolate.

And yet, every time she threatened to break my thumbs, it just felt like a warm hug, you know?

If she never threatened you with bodily harm, she couldn't be bothered with you. And you totally wanted her to bother with you.

How does this happen? that's all my brain can come up with.

there is a moon-sized hole in the world now.

ita was the scary, cool kid you wanted to be friends with but were afraid of embarassing yourself in front of.

I can't even....how?

Exactly, "Aimee!" But her superpower was that she had the capacity to bother with everyone, individually.

Yup.

It occurred to me a few hours ago that ita is the one who made me The Empress.