Yes.

Allyson, let them thank you and fuss over you. Maybe that is what they need to do. It is so much easier, for a lot of people (myself included), to give comfort than to receive it. They know ita loved you, and that means that they do, too. I will refrain from patting your hair, but please pat your own hair? You've been through a lot lately and I don't want you to forget to take care of you.

Steph, thank you for the links. It will take ages to look through so many pictures, but wow, so many gorgeous pictures!

Dana, I'm glad you posted. There was an exchange (a riff, really) between you and ita (I am almost sure it was you). You were talking like cops on a case, and maybe about going outside the law. It was nothing special, so it was everything special, because it was everyday Buffista humor and silliness.

I went searching COMM 1 for it last night, to no avail. I can't remember it well enough to search for keywords other than your names. I'm not sure if it is the kind of thing Ginger is looking for, but I'd like to read it, again. Do you know which exchange I mean?

You were talking like cops on a case, and maybe about going outside the law.

Heh, I do remember that. I have no idea where to find it, though.

As for sticking around, I am going to try. I feel like I need a cheat sheet to figure out who is who. Some of you I never even knew, and so many of you have different names now. Or I now only know you by your real names from Facebook and cannot even remember your names here. But I'll figure it all out eventually.

Oh, I remember that. Dana was a loose cannon avenging shrift (I forget why vengeance was needed) and ita was her lieut. I feel like I was at the S&WB when I was reading it, so 2004-2005 if that helps.

bon bon, I'd be up for an open house. Monday Grace has an eye appointment but we otherwise have off.

ita's family is hoping to arrive on Sunday, so I don't want to make any gathering plans until we know their schedule and what we can do to help.

-t, I searched on "ita," in COMM 1 last night and skimmed every page, but didn't see it. Dana, it was so funny -- such a good moment here.

A text conversation from June:

Me: I miss you, let me know when you're good.

ita: I miss you too. But I may never be good. Perhaps I should have a wake before I die. Would you throw me one?

Me: Will you wear gingham?

ita: Vintage Gingham, even.

Me: I'll learn to make jerk chicken. And cake with raisins.

ita: I think it can be a healing and bonding experience for us all.

Me: Send me the invitation list.

ita: Let's see, how many friends do I have left after brushing them off for three years?

Me: I'm oddly in the same boat.

ita: We shoulda had kids. Not together, per se, but they excuse all sorts of brushing off, plus you get to post one pic a day (note to Jesse - no you don't)

Me: Well, there will be fewer people to cook for. So I can buy better quality meat.

ita: And it will be quieter.

Me: When should we throw this macabre shindig?

ita: Start of August? Does everyone in L.A. wish they were dead then?

Me: I wish I was dead all the time, it's what I do!

ita: Yeah, it's not very seasonal...