I am so glad that we are getting some news again. I just cannot even explain how exciting that it is for that to be happening.

I doubt anyone remembers me as prior to a few days ago I hadn't posted in the forums since the Silver Chair reading group (6? 7? Years ago now!) However I've never left, just been silently lurking in the background and hope to be more vocal from now on.  

@moonlit_centaur welcome back!  I don't remember your name, but we're always glad to have old friends returning. 

I think I recall your username, @moonlit_centaur, as it is such a beautiful one. Welcome back! Glad you plan to be more active here on NarniaWeb again.

well, it's been a few years so I figure it's time to come back again and leave a note for the few who might remember me from hanging out in the chat 😆 

I feel old popping in to my old middle school haunt so many years later (I was 12 when I joined....I'll be 29 next week) but idk, it's kind of therapeutic to drop in, even though I haven't interacted with this sector of media for....well over a decade, and it'll probably stay that way.

In 2021 I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, causing a small change in diet. I was already eating healthier than what I grew up on (dry pasta and ragu, hotpockets, etc., lol), so cutting out wheat, barley and rye was pretty easy. Lots more tacos and indian food and sushi, which I don't think anyone can complain about.

Shortly after this I started a job where working from home is guaranteed basically forever. My coworkers are cool, and we try and travel to hang out together once a year or so, even though we live everywhere from Florida to Maine to Washington to SoCal. The job is usually just work, but sometimes it can be fun and present new challenges. I've been there for almost 4 years (my longest ever, lol) and don't plan on leaving, which is something to say.

In 2023, I moved to Eastern Washington, and I don't know how I lived in Texas for 22 years. Heat and Humidity just are not for me, and never were. I love the dryness, it's much better for my skin and hair. I love the cold, it's perfect for getting cozy under a blankie and reading scifi or manga or political theory for hours, or cuddling with my partner or a cat. I love walking out my front door and seeing hills and trees and people instead of concrete and sand and cars.

The area I live in is very walkable/bikeable, and feels almost European in the way I can live without a car and get just about everywhere I need to, though I do still keep my car for longer trips, or ones where I need to be quick. But I do really enjoy walking to get groceries and grabbing a couple tamales on the way home.

Goals, I guess? Buying a house. I just learned I can use my 401k for this as a first time, young buyer, lol, so I only have to save up enough for immediate repairs, really. I have enough for a down payment in my retirement savings. Once I have a house I plan on doing some backyard farming, some core vegetables, chickens, etc. and building up my library, which currently has everything from books to videogames to DVDs/BluRays, to vinyl records. I'm all set for the zombie apocalypse as far as entertainment goes 🤣 

I guess I'll see y'all again in another half decade  🥂

@aslans_jewel

Welcome back, Aslan's Jewel! It's always nice to see old friends again. We have quite a few people who remember being only a teenager when they originally joined. You've certainly had a lot to deal with over the years; I wish you good health and a happy return to Narniaweb.  

Welcome back to NarniaWeb, @aslans_jewel! I remember you here on the forum. Thanks for your update!

As coracle mentioned, there are others here who joined as teens, and now have doubled their age. It's cool that you are enjoying Washington State so much. Hear-hear for hills and trees and cooler weather! I hope you can fulfill your dream of purchasing your own home some day, and venturing out in those areas of interest.

Did the remote working begin in the pandemic, or was it in place prior to that? It's great you can meet up with your co-workers once a year in person.  

I hope you can pop in more often—sooner than half a decade away.