See You Next Summer...
I think there’s only one other time that I’ve ever posted on this blog out-of-character. But now here I am: Lil’ ol’ Jessica, the one who conjured up this goofy blog six whole years ago.
Alas, I am just one small frog, with many big voices. Taking on every character on one askblog was probably a bit over-ambitious--I actually did that because in the beginning, I couldn’t draw worth squat and felt that if I used screenshots, including every character was this blog’s only saving grace.
Yet, Gravity Falls granted me characters so strong and rich and vibrant that it was like...they were speaking for me. Not me for them.
I started this blog on August 8th, 2013. Gideon Rises had just aired a week prior, and I was unfathomably hooked on this awesome little show...with no fandom whatsoever. Before season 2, the Gravity Falls community on Tumblr was almost non-existent. Heck, that’s the only reason I got the URL “themysteryshack.” So honestly, I thought this blog was a fun little shindig I’d keep up for a week or two as writing practice, and then send off into the void of animated obscurity. (Fun fact: I tried running a Tangled askblog in 2011...We don’t talk about that Tangled askblog).
But yet, that is far from what happened.
Out of nowhere, Gravity Falls exploded in popularity. What had started as people asking Dipper and Mabel’s favorite video game now turned into requests for life advice, for comfort, for help. As this surmounted, I was terrified that I would never be able to give you guys adequate advice--I was just one girl voicing a bunch of cartoon characters! Yet, you guys’ encouragement and love...It was overwhelming. It still is.
I read so many of you guys’ tags, and so, so many of your messages. I teared up over your kind words tonight. Thank you, thank you so much. To many, an askblog seems like nothing, but TheMysteryShack...This honestly made me who I am.
I met the love of my life through this blog, in its early days, no less. We chatted for years via fan mail before asking each other out--immediately after the airing of the Gravity Falls finale. We’ve been together ever since.
I met so many amazing friends through this blog. Artists that encouraged me, taught me, inspired me with their renditions of this lovely, lovely show. Through their support, I got my first commissions through this blog. As things grew, I was shocked to actually have people at conventions recognize my URL, just because this blog gave me the incredible honor of a voice in the community.
And above all, the feeling of just...helping people...I’ve gotten messages from so many of you that have brought me to tears through just the joy of being able to help. I had one of you tell me you’re pursuing veterinary school because of advice from Ford. Another who said the blog helped them cope with the passing of their father. And when I personally started going through some really hard times, it was like I could detach myself from everything, knowing Dipper and Mabel and Stan and everyone would be there even for me if I needed it.
I’ve had a few of you ask me why I can’t just go on hiatus and come back to TheMysteryShack after a break. Well, those of you who have been following for a while know that this blog has been hiatus soup for a while...And at this time, so many drastic things are coming up in life that I don’t know if this blog can ever be the priority it deserves to be again. So I wanted to give you all this final send-off instead of letting the blog wither away. And above all, I wanted to include all of you in its closing--You all deserve to know how valued you are.
I remember when I was celebrating 50 amazing followers, and now I’m looking at nearly 15,000--15,000 of you incredible people who took the time to send in asks, to read our responses, to laugh and cry and DANCE A JIG OF GRAVE DANGER with us. And I say “us” because the characters are still there. While this blog won’t be updating anymore, it’s not going anywhere. The Mystery Shack Crew will always be here if you need to come back and hear a friendly voice. That’s been my goal from the start, and I pray that it continues to help anyone who needs it.
I want to give a special shout-out to @galladerocksgamer for helping me with tonight’s asks, and being patient with me when I wanted to throw my laptop out the window. He embodies the characters incredibly and I truly could not have orchestrated tonight without him and his brilliant positivity and talent.
I also wanna thank Alex Hirsch for giving us this blessing of a show in the first place. From the writing to the animation to the sheer complexity of it all...I can say without a shadow of a doubt that no television show has ever meant so much to me.
And finally, I just want to specifically thank all of you, everybody who’s ever interacted with TheMysteryShack. Whether you’ve been here all six years or just discovered us tonight, it’s been my privilege to answer your questions--And house the entire shack crew in my heart all this time.
And in closing,
We’ll meet again
Don’t know where, don’t know when...
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.
Stay weird, everyone.
~Jessica