I joined the official Active Rain Bronze Star Hall of Fame and then removed my name when I read the directions.  When all else fails read the directions.  I had to be invited to join the Active Rain Bronze Star Hall of Fame.  I felt like the disciples when Jesus warned them not to take a seat of honor at the head of the table unless you've been invited.  Imagine how embarrassing it would be to be asked to move to a lower position!  No one asked me to leave, but I figured I'd high-tail it out of the group before someone did!  It wasn't to much to wait until someone did invite me to join.  Obviously, they hadn't noticed my milestone some 49,000 points ago.  My faux pas was disclosed to Neal the Real Deal Bloom and I was reassured that he was just too busy to make invitations anymore!  So, I'll join once again with a clear conscience.

Much to my surprise the same evening one of my invitees added some points to my total and over the 100,000 point mark I jumped.  Neal assured me I was invited to the silver club as well.  Exclusive though it may be, I've joined others in their quest for notoriety.  Is T there?  Are Jay and Boomer?  Both Minnesota bloggers have exceeded 100,000 points well before me.  Are they, too, unaware of the Halls of Fame?  I think I'll send them a message just to make sure.

The trek here has been a strange one at best.  Real Talk had been my network until Maureen McCabe invited me to Active Rain.  I resisted the invitation at first, but found so many familiar faces and some of the greats from RT.  It was an easy slide sideways to network in a new forum.  Plus, here we could see what our internet friends looked like.  Not to mention the points, and the addiction, and the playground, and the professional challenge.  So much information was being shared.  It was better than the water cooler any day.

So, my addiction set in and I played and played.  As commonly happens in groups, bullies appeared with their own agendas.  The Rain was showing some fiery breath among members.  Some became disenchanted.  Some left to suffer withdrawal pangs in other climes.  Most stayed on and continued to thrive.  Like all families there were rough roads and easy paths.  Active Rain was growing up and becoming a force of its own.

Today I celebrate two milestones in points.  Points that really are useless to me except as they symbolize the good times shared with a network of fine professionals.  I don't win a prize.  I don't get any money.  The stars are virtual, but the information shared is priceless.