Wow. It was so long ago when I stumbled upon this site after seeing my first
William Millberry(Aluminum Studios) video. The site was very different back then...and glitchy.
But over the course of a matter of months, I saw the site change from just a few hundred creators, to the established society that it is today. Because of this site, many people know instantly who
Kevin Caldwell is,
Brad DeMoss, and
Hsien Lee. (There are countless others, but they spring to mind quickest.) Because of this site, we all went through the faze of
Odorikuruu,
Tainted Donuts and
Believe. But most importantly, because of this site, people around the world were able to connect even for a matter of moments with people who were just like them. It didn't matter if you were an new creator, or someone who grew from two VCR's and a lot of patience. All that mattered was your love for anime, and editing. Growing up while being a part of this community helped shape me into the person I am today. Now done and graduated high school, I can easilly look back and remember the hours I spent here, with all of you or editing my own creations. From the late nights of the Waldo FTP, to the frustration of losing a half finsihed video when you forget to save; I went through it all. Although I haven't been as involved as I was long ago, I still check up on the site once and a while, to download the new ones, or to cast my vote, or to simply see how the community is doing.
Phade did what any creator wanted to do all those years ago...Create a Ranma 1/2 music video to Madonna's "Material Girl."
Well, that,
and he helped create a community, strengthen and create friendships, and help keep the spirit of anime alive. To Phade I don't wish him good luck and fortune, because I know that he already has all the luck and wishes, he'll ever need from all the people on this site. He has a wonderful wife, and will have a wonderful family with her. What I say to Phade is this: If you can do what you did with this site, with your family, then you will definatly be living a happy/prosperous and amazing life. From me to you, all the best Kris.
Charles Smith