Abstract

I used to not like Starlight one bit when she was first reformed, but by the end of the show she had become one of my favorite characters. I think one of the reasons that happened is actually because she doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the redemptions or story arcs. Her character was different and interesting enough that I'm actually glad she got a lot of spotlight in the later seasons. She always felt more "real" to me than most other characters on the show. By which I mean her personality did not have one defining characteristic as most other characters did, she felt like a mishmash of personality traits, like people are in real life. Basically, I just really liked how it felt like the writers took a different approach to her character. They gave her a multitude of flaws instead of just one big one, they made her so insecure of who she was and what she wanted be, and they had her repeat the same mistakes over and over again - all of this making her the most relatable character on the show IMO, the one with a closest parallel to what people are really like.

Let me tell y'all, as a diabetic, sugar alternatives are a lifesaver. There is very little to no evidence that these sweeteners are any worse for you than real sugar - there are a few studies that say they probably won't help you lose weight if that's what your goal is, but most anything else out there trying to cast them in a bad light is just fear-mongering, like anti-vaxxers.

Despite joining the fandom in early 2012, I didn't much check out anything beyond the show itself and forums like this for years. It was only mid 2017 when I actually started getting into the fan creations - the art, music, stories, merchandise, etc. Went to my first and maybe only convention this year. So I feel like I certainly missed out on much of that kind of thing for years despite being an avid fan throughout.

I don't necessarily dislike them, but I do think they are unnecessary - and also, if they had to happen, could have been done a little better. I dislike how late in the show that they have showed up, taking time away from some stories of closure of other other characters who have been around for way longer, if not the entire series like the Mane 6. There's simply not enough time in the series left to make me very emotionally invested in them; I mean, I like them well-enough outside of Gallus and Sandbar, but with the show ending very soon there isn't the time to flesh out much more desperately need character development, leaving them a bit hollow and distant.

That is, uh, quite an aggressive stance you've taken there bud.

She is quite beautiful, no doubt. Personally I find it just plain uncomfortable to call anyone "hot" - seems like that term just inherently objectifies the person.

So, since the fandom is winding down and conventions are becoming less common, I decided I was going to go to at least one while I still had the chance - I've always wanted to see Seattle, and so I'm turning it into my first vacation in 4 years and figured why not this convention? I'll be flying up there all the way from San Antonio, Texas and bringing a non-brony friend along with me whom I won't torture by dragging him to the convention with me (most likely ;)). I've never been to an MLP convention before, or actually ANY convention ever, so I'm really not sure to expect - beyond merch booths and a few planned activities by the committee running it, what all is going on at these places? I only bought a one-day pass, because as much as I enjoy ponies, there are few events I've seen on the official schedule that I would actually be interested in participating. Veterans of Everfree, can you perhaps provide a little insight into the must-see/do things at this convention?

"Sugar Belle" just bothers me for some reason - I really couldn't explain why but it bothers my ears to hear it. The character itself is fine, it's just the name that irks me somehow

I never have liked Spike. I don't even really have a good reason why - I mean, his attitude and persona are definitely not my favorites, but he's not awful either. Honestly, I think it's just his voice that irritates me so much. Maybe if he had a different voice actor my perception of him would be different.

I nearly had my own heart broken over this scene. I don't think anyone else could have shattered it like Spike did (figuratively... I think) though others have come close.

Ponies invaded a small forum I was a member of in March 2012. It was the first time I had heard of the show or the fandom. I was skeptical, but the regulars assured me this was actually a thing, that it wasn't just a joke they were trying to pull. So I took their word for it, and watched the two episodes that were up for free on the offical MLP website - "Hearts and Hooves Day" and "Putting Your Hoof Down". I don't know why they had two non-sequential episodes as the ones available for viewing, but regardless, my curiosity was piqued. Over the next few days and weeks, I ended up watching all of Season 1 and caught the season finale of 2. By the end of all this, I knew I was hooked. Found this forum two months later by just doing a Google search for "mlp forum" In the 6 and a half years I've been a fan of the show, I've changed a lot, and I know for a fact that this show had a lot to do with many of the positive changes I've made in my life. It's made me happier, more kind, more generous and more accepting. I wouldn't be the person I am today without MLP, and I'll forever be in debt to the creators and staff of this amazing show.

My weirdo days in online forums were about 15 years ago.