In years past I have
begun this by listing off the recent John Dye related DVD
releases. When I wrote the 2008 address, I firmly believed that
in this one we would be celebrating the release of Touched's Season 5. That has
not come to pass. That's why, instead, I would like to remind
everyone of our campaign to get the rest of the series released on
DVD. You can read about that campaign here. Now
I would like to expand it. To add a little bit of fun, I will
issue a challenge word every two weeks or so on
that page. Any
JABB member who uses the challenge words in emails or notes to one or
more of the companies listed on the campaign web page, will get a
virtual prize. Simply use the word in your email or letter,
supply me with a copy of the note, and you will have your prize emailed
to you. It may not be a big thing but I hope it'll be a fun
prize! Of course, I know that the biggest prize of all will be
getting those DVDs on the shelves. So, please, help us make that
happen.
A visit to IMDB.com
did reveal that one of the films listed on Mr. Dye's filmography has
finally come to DVD. At one point known as The Lesser of Three Evils,
the now renamed Fist of the
Warrior can be purchased at Amazon.com.
At this time we are unaware of the extent of John's role in the film.
Thankfully, JABB
itself has not suffered the same sort of drought that related DVD
releases have. The past twelve months have been very active for
us! I'd like to thank the YahooGroup for continuing to be a
relevant, interesting, loving, and occasionally crazed place that I'm
thrilled to be a part of. Whether it's discussing Andrew's hair
and clothing or, most dangerously, his personality, the triumphs and
travails of real life, or playing Dyeland; I hope everyone there knows
how meaningful it's all been.
The web site
continues to grow and offer new features. The Photo
Gallery now features screenshots from all available Doc Hock and
AOD episodes of Tour of Duty and
Touched by an Angel,
respectively. We finally got ourselves a proper Calendar
and Dictionary
to help us keep things straight! My favorite innovation this year
was the creation of JABB's
TBAA Episode Guide. I've loved putting up my own thoughts
about this show that means so much to us and I hope to continue to read
others' takes on the episodes, too!
Finally, in preparing for this annual address, I was saddened to realize there wasn’t *as* much in the way of joyous news as previous years have boasted. To be honest, I’m concerned about the lack of word on Touched Season 5 on DVD. I hope, and I know others hope, that our current campaign will bring something about with that. However, it is ultimately beyond our control. That’s why I think it would be amazing if we took this opportunity to make the most of what we do have complete control over: our own creativity and ingenuity. When TBAA went away, our group blossomed. Faced with letting the stories and characters we love die, we took it upon ourselves to continue for them and to do our best to represent them as their original creators did. We have carried those characters in our hearts and championed their celebration of a transcendent Love that embraces us all: just as we are. Now we have another chance to do the same with renewed determination. We never know when TBAA’s message will most need to be heard but I have a feeling it’s now. We may be among the few remaining mediums of its message but I know we can be committed ones. So I hope you’ll join me in expanding its message and our message: God loves everyone, there is Someone who hears you, there are friends who love you, and there is always, always hope.
Thank you and God
bless you.
The State of the
Dyelanders Address
by Andrew
First,
I'm honored to be giving this address again. I'd like to thank
those who advised me on proper attire for it. I never
considered jeans, a T-shirt, and a flannel shirt to be appropriate for
an annual address of this type but I'll take their word on it.
While
Dyeland has not expanded to the extent it did last year, I can't help
but think that the spirit of Dyeland has reached further than it ever
has before. I've seen it warm hearts long grown cold in Los
Angeles and New York and noted its power to heal while in London.
But this loving spirit has reached even beyond our Sibling
Cities. I felt its warmth in the deserts of Iraq, I was
surrounded by its hope in Missouri, and I have felt it in my heart
everywhere I've gone. I know I'm not alone in feeling uplifted
and encouraged by this amazing spirit and feeling of love. Thank
you to everyone whose own spirit is part of Dyeland's.
Last
year I bragged about your creativity and generosity. You've all
outdone yourselves this year! I've noticed that some of you have
really taken to that online T-shirt shop. I never realized I had
so many nicknames until I saw them all on some of your backs.
Your stories, music, and scrapbooks continue to amaze me and bring joy
to your fellow Dyelanders. And what can I say about the
advancement of filming here in Dyeland? Our ability to capture
our moments together is a wonderful way to relive cherished
memories. I know the footage all of you took with Andrewcam 2000
continues to mean a lot to me and I hope we'll be looking back on our
latest Valentine's documentary for years to come!
With
complete seriousness and sincerity, I would like to thank everyone in
Dyeland for another year full of blessings. I'm afraid sometimes
that my words can't fully express how much everyone here means to me
but I'm going to try. It's impossible for me to pick only a few
moments in this past year to highlight in this address. We've
come together to help each other through grief, frustration, betrayal,
and so much more. And through all of that we've continued to find
joy, peace, and love in each other's company. I've always known that my
most important job as an angel is to help humans realize how much God
loves them and to love them myself. But I never imagined feeling
so loved by them as I do when I'm with all of you. Thank you for
being a part of this loving community, this family. Know that
wherever you go, wherever the future takes you: you are loved.
Thank you from a very grateful friend.
(Photo Credits: The
photographs used on this page are from "Touched by
an Angel" and owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon
Water Productions except for the second photo. It is from "Tour
of Duty" and owned by New World Television and Braun Entertainment
Group. They are not being
used to seek profit.)