Folks, I have to tell you something. I am a fan of the men of the UC Men's Octet. By that, I mean that I am genuinely fanatical about these guys. I proselyte people to the UC Men's Octet. When you think "fan" think Trekkie (I used to be one) or screeching Beatles fangirl. Yep, that's me. Ladies and gents, even though these guys aren't celebrities, they do have fans. I know this for a fact. They have lots of fans all around the world, because they are that talented.
When I started the fan page, it was meant to be dedicated to the 2002-2003 group, because they were my favorites. The page was meant to be dedicated to that group only. It was a decision made after much consideration and worry that I might get my pants sued off. After watching this Octet perform on YouTube over and over again, I thought - these guys deserve a fan club. They were that talented.
After some correspondence with Jason Mabie aka gobears236 on YouTube, I asked if I could ask some questions about the Octet. I said in the message that I was considering making a fan page and he seemed genuinely pleased with the idea (if he had seemed put off by the idea or dissuaded me in ANY way, this page would not have been.) The idea that it was okay with him caused me to plan the website in earnest, and as I was planning the questions for this upcoming fan interview, I began making notes of what I wanted to do with the page. I had a yellow spiral notebook filled with doodles and notes about what the fansite was going to contain. Editing, time and (lack of) talent on my part shaped the page into what you see.
In two years, and through this page, I have met wonderful people, heard wondrous a cappella music, and became a more fanatical fan. My appreciation of the Octet has grown from admiring this one year of Octet a cappella to the entire institution of Octet-dom. From "Blue and Gold" to Cal Spirit to Go Bears...all of it. I've gotten to hear the group grow and musically evolve into what it is today. And this year's Octet is FANTASTIC! What a talented group of men.
And can you believe it - the '02-03 Octet HAD A REUNION?!?! and an online concert!!! How awesome was that! I didn't even think to wish for that! Thank you YouTube! Who knows what the rest of 2011-12 will hold. I hope it's a wonderful year for the Octet. I know I'll be watching and cheering for them. Go Octet!