Greetings "Cousins",
I Just arrived from "England" a week ago and I am trying out the new forum for the first time. So far, it seems simple enough. My first true attempt was shot down by the browser Goddess - I couldn't get a message body screen to post to. I'm all updated now so we'll see what happens once I press the post icon. I've got a good feeling though.
My name is Dom, I live in California, and I've been a member of three (of four?) incarnations of this forum. I know some of you as dear friends (Hi Marsha! Gurl, you know who you are!) and recognize many handles of which I am most eager to read posts by. And of course I will be happy to "meet" all posters new to me. I tend to post in fits and spurts.
Though I have some faint memories from the Phoenix storyline and maybe one or two original Werewolf eps., I first started watching DS faithfully during the 1897 storyline. I was luckier than most as I didn't have to run very far (school was across the street from home) to catch the show. I have absolutely no recollection of the pre-Phoenix, Intro of Barnabas, 1795, and Adam & Eve storylines though I was familiar with some of the Adam & Eve characters via 16 Magazine and it's fabulous photo's when they started the WHOLE TRUE STORY OF DARK SHADOWS feature. I stuck with DS through 1970 PT (on and off - mostly on), Leviathan, & Judah Zachary (on and off - mostly on) storylines but I have no recollection of the final storyline (1841 PT?) during it's original run. I did tune in for the very last episode of which I had no clue of what was going on. It seemed to signal the start of a new era and the end of an old for me personally. I was about to embark on what was to become a life that would ultimately rival that of Roger Collins! But the less said about THAT the better, lol.
My absolute favorite storyline is the pre-Barnabas era, with 1897 running a very close second and a sentimental favorite. Leviathan is another sentimental favorite. I really like the 1795 storyline and the intro of Barnabas storyline as well.
My favorite characters (now as an adult) are Liz & Roger from the pre-Barn eps. I have a very soft spot for Victoria Winters, Mrs. Johnson, and the original Sam Evans - He was a hoot! I consider Thayer David the most brilliant actor in the cast and all his portrayals absolutely flawless. As a kid, Grayson was numeral uno in my book and I still enjoy all of her roles immensely. Gotta mention Karlan's early Willie Loomis - in a word - superb! I really do love most of the show's characters, sans very few.
DS was not at all a part of my life from 1971 through the late 1980s. All my memorabilia had been tossed out by a family member. First I spied the MPI video's at the local rental store. They started at the intro of Barnabas and the store didn't have many editions and I was in no position to start purchasing them. Besides, the brainwashing of Maggie Evans drove me bonkers! Some time after MPI released the Collector's Series, I found them in a video store and this time I WAS in a position to buy them. And I did! I was so happy with them that I eventually bought the whole video series (and I'm still paying that bill off!). Then came the glorious day I got a computer. I looked up my first love - the Supremes - and then my beloved Dark Shadows. I made my way to a fan board of witch, (I mean which!), Midnite was the first member of fandom to sincerely welcome me to the fold (thank goodness) and I've been revisiting ever since. Somewhere between buying the Collector's Series and finding on-line fandom, I went to my first DS Fest. in L.A. I didn't know anyone then. But since then I have met some very special (not to mention, exceptional) people through on-line fandom. I first met them face to face at the Vegas Fest. Last night I returned from the Anaheim Fest. where I met some folks whom I hope will become good friends. For me DS fandom has turned out to be a very good place to be.
Cheerio,
Dom
