We're at 4 years now, how's it all going?

[Alan]

Just returning back after a while away busy doing stuff, including Avatar related! It is a major part of my life now. Here's my look back over the past four years. Apologies for the length , but I hope if brings back some memories for folks.

Back in late December 2009 I went into the cinema to see Avatar and came out not knowing what was to happen. There were copious returns to the cinema to watch Avatar again and again. Something I had never ever done before. It was like a state of insanity had come over me.

I found Avatar Forums first and tenderly dipped my toe into the world of forums and was met by an amazingly respectful family community atmosphere that I had never experienced before.

2010 was the major Avatar year for me when things really did start to change. There was talk about the environmental theme in Avatar and so a group of 23 of us from 9 different countries made the Avatar Fan Film Our Only Home.

In the later part of that year some of us we able to have a mini meet up at the IMAX in Birmingham to watch Avatar SE and managed to get our fan film shown before the start of Avatar. That was an amazing experience for all of us.

As 2011 arrived I was wondering if I would go back to how I was or if I would move forward. It was then I saw Raiden's post regarding a meet up in Seattle for the opening of the Avatar Exhibition. I then saw a post from CyanRachel, who had taken part in the fan film, and I got in touch. I was going to go and I didn't even know where in the US Seattle was! This would be the first time I would have gone on such a journey, but that is what the Avatar experience does to you.

I found myself helping with the planning of the meet up which was a great experience in itself. Eventually the time arrived and I left my shore for the US. I met up with CyanRachel we made it to the meet up. There was that pregnant pause as everybody met for the first time...., but only for a few seconds until everyone found out who each other was and we just carried on from the forums.

I remember being at the actor and behind the scenes panels at the EMP museum and I manage to get picked to ask a question. My heart was doing all sorts of weird things in my chest, but I manage to blurt out an 'Irayo' to the actors and say that there was about 20 of us who had all come together.

After that the museum curator came out for a word and told us to stay behind after the next panel discussion as unbeknow to us, Yuri Bartoli was sitting at the back and heard us. So at the end of the behind the scenes panel we got to meet them. It was a great way to round off that first meet up.

It was at this meet up were Moco Loco and Sarah, who didn't know about the meet up, joined us. They were soon on ToS and I know they have had their own amazing journeys as a result.

The Learn Na'vi community also had a meet up at the same place the following month and so we swapped notes and after we decided this needed to become a regular meet up. This culminated in AvatarMeet and the 2012 event, which was a return visit to Seattle. This time the museum had been in touch with Lightstorm and so Jon Landau, with a few others from the film company came and visited us

Jon gave a great talk and took question which he answered honestly. He had time for everyone and we all got to meet him afterwards. We were also fortunate to be allowed to video the talk and share it with those who could not make it. We also had Dr Paul Frommer join the meet up and give us an txantsan Na'vi class that was supported by aysmukan from LearnNavi.

2013 came and there was still a strong desire for the Avatar family to meet up again. This time it was decided to visit the east coast to give people from that side of the US the opportunity to join in. The venue was Washington DC and the Shenandoah National Park. Again Lightstorm support the event as did Karyu Pawl (Dr Frommer) who gave us another Na'vi class. It really was wonderful to meet up with the Avatar family again.

There is level of respect and friendship that I have found for the vast majority of my forum time and at the meet ups which I had not experienced before. It is regardless of background and mutual and I would now feel lost without my Avatar family.

Irayo nìtxan ma aysmukan sì aysmuke. Eywa ngahu frakrr.

Alan

[CyanRachel]

Irayo for sharing your Avatar experiences with us, Alan! Yeah, you've been on quite a ride since 2009...but then many of us have, including myself. And now we get to continue the journey this year, and I'm looking forward to meeting up with you again (and other clanmates) at AvatarMeet 2014.

Oh, HNM -- sorry to hear you won't be able to attend the meetup this year -- that's a shame!

[ballju]

Can't believe its been four years. Avatar for me means community first and foremost. I remember reading an article on Avatar about the cost of the movie and I don't think I was really excited for it. But when I saw it everything changed I became obsessed with the movie and I convinced my family to see a movie twice (a first).

I needed an outlet so I went to AF and meet you guys. There was a falling out and TOS was formed along with eventually a Skype group. I found to courage to pursue love. For a few (long) months I was kicked out of the group however some stayed my friends and I still talk to them to this day. In august of 2010 I believe I was allowed back into the group that I'm still apart of.

I married someone who for the longest time was against seeing Avatar because of how obsessed with I was however yesterday we finally watched it. It didn't didn't mean the same to her as it did to me (various reasons). I view avatar once in a blue moon however most of my viewings were in the first year. I've wanted to meet up with you guys IRL but I haven't been able to due to financial strains. To end I'm going to quote Sight Unseen "It was an emotional roller coaster ride through depression and escapism for a while, but I wouldn't hesitate do it all over again if given the choice. Not for a second."

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by Sight Unseen

I can't believe it's been four years! It seemed like just yesterday I was walking out of the theater. I still consider myself a fan even though most of the novelty has admittedly passed. That said, the values and ideas that Avatar inspired are still there. I still daydream about the world of Pandora and the Na'vi (and Neytiri ). Anyway, Avatar has definitely caused change in me for the better since then; I can't imagine how the last four years of my life would have played out without ever seeing Avatar or being a part of this wonderful community. I've met so many amazing people that I otherwise would not have had the privilege of knowing.

It's so strange to realize how much my life has changed since then. I went from a high school freshman counting down the days until I moved out of my parents' house to a somewhat functioning person with a real job. It was an emotional roller coaster ride through depression and escapism for a while, but I wouldn't hesitate do it all over again if given the choice. Not for a second.

You definitely achieved a lot