First of all themestream attempts to recognize Canadians.  As a Canadian I often feel rejected by certain web sites.  Thanks, Themestream, for recognizing us Canadians as valuable members too.

I'm sure that many themestream contributors feel that writing is an outlet.  We want our writing to be read.  This is truly rewarding.  I don't even care for the 2 cent page views.  I write because I love it.  I love how I'm part of a community of writers who are equally as passionate, if not more.  Not only is there passion, there is talent.

I've learned so much at themestream.  The great thing about themestream is discovering great articles by people of all backgrounds and ages.  There are many freelance writers here, and there's also lots of stay at home moms, and even teenagers who truly amaze me with their ability to write at such a mature and articulate level.  I am amazed everyday at what I find here.  It is like looking through a treasure trove--not knowing what I may find, but with much anticipation that I will find something that I like.

I've received great feedback at themestream. I've received my first rated article(Let's Talk about Sex Baby) yesterday and I'm sure other contributors, who've seen a NR replaced with those coveted golden stars, know how I felt.  It's like the exhilaration that a kid feels when he/she receives a test back with a big happy face lovingly drawn on the top of the page.

Reading all these themestream articles reminds one how we must deny the trivialization of human experience.  Each and every aspect of our lives is important, and it's interesting how one can present our experiences and wisdom into words.  Themestream is truly inspirational.  I once read how we not only think to write, but we also write to think--I truly believe that writing allows one to truly discover and explore ideas without much constraint.  Like any other kind of art, writing is a beautiful form of expression.

It's quite unfortunate how many companies on the WWW are struggling to survive.  I'm heard of other sites like The Vines, but I'm sticking with themestream in the long run.  It's a truly unique resource.  I hope that themestream can continue to thrive and innovate without doing this at the expense of its contributors and readers.  I would just like to raise my glass, and say "cheers" to all those contributors and subscribers for making themestream so great!

a note:  I know some of you may not appreciate this tribute, especially because of the current issues concerning the changing policies at themestream. Caroline Seawright made some very important points---listed below-- in her recent TalkBack to a T.S. editor's article (Even though I share her concerns, I still believe themestream is an invaluable resource):

* Why won't TS explain to us what needs to be done to help them get money, so we can begin to support them?
* Why won't they care for the people who make TS? Without us, TS will not exist.
* US-only competitions is not an incentive - what are us "foreignors"? This is the WORLD WIDE WEB, *not* the USWW!
* Competitions are not incentives, anyway. What's the point in *maybe* winning. May as well buy a raffle ticket.
* When will TS start *protecting* their authors, instead of driving them away by all this bad form?!

from Mayling's Themestream.com archive