I just returned from my fifth South Park Convention yesterday, and each time I leave - I am reminded of how one simple event four years ago literally changed the focus and direction of my entire life.

Being someone who always analyzes life and it's experiences, I am always in awe of how everything in life can be traced back to one single event. For example, in 1994, I decided to call The Brooklyn Skyline to ask them if they would like to publish my first article - and unknowingly began my career as a journalist. Had I not made that phone call, it is quite possible that I may not be where I am today in a professional sense.

I can say with proud pride that becoming Moderator of the South Park Booster Club was by far the most life-altering event to ever happen to me. Since September 1, 1999, the Digest has introduced me to literally hundreds of people, has added more close, dear friends to my life than I can count, has given me a Godson, has taken me to at least half a dozen places - and has found me my soulmate. Those amazing events and more would not have happened to me if not for the one event that brought all of this into my life. The one single thing I did that led to my becoming the Booster Club's Moderator - and the one thing I thank God that I did to this day - writing Column #64 about the South Park movie: Bigger, Longer and Uncut - and deciding to send it to Comedy Central.

When I wrote it, I did so only for myself and my friends that joined me for "South Park night" every Wednesday. I was, at the time, the Press Secretary for the Buildings Department, so I was not writing for a newspaper - and I did not have my website up yet. So in reality, hardly anyone would have seen the article. But being the tremendous South Park fan that I am - I, on my own, decided that I wanted Comedy Central to know what I thought of the movie, so I sent it to them as sort of a fan letter - and wound up single-handedly and unknowingly changing my life forever.

Sending that e-mail to Comedy Central began a two-month series of events that landed me a job with South Park. At first, my excitement was totally focused on the fact that I got a job with my favorite show. I remember showing my friend one of my South Park business cards and having him look at me and say, "How did you do that?" and my honest answer was, "I don't know." I remember the excitement I would feel when I told people, "I work for South Park." - and I remember how amazed I would feel when I would get an e-mail addressed to "Trey, Matt and Paul." But to be honest, looking back now - all of that pales in comparison to the real joy and true honors sending that e-mail has brought to my life.

After all that being Moderator has brought into my life, the job status with my favorite show means nothing compared to the feeling of my Godson Cole resting his head on my shoulder and falling asleep. The recognition the position brought me is miniscule when compared to sitting on the steps of Mek's house this weekend and joking with two dozen people that I would never have met otherwise. No pile of fan mail can stack higher than the prayers that Doug received from the members of the Digest after his tragic loss on September 11th - and absolutely nothing positive I have received since September 1, 1999 can even come close to knowing that sending that e-mail to Comedy Central would eventually lead me to the woman I have prayed for my whole life.

So while I thank Comedy Central for choosing me for the job and appreciate them keeping me on as Moderator as long as they did - I would rather convey my thanks to them for completely turning my life in an entirely new direction. For adding more to my life than every job, friend, home and hobby I have ever had combined. For taking a Brooklynite's universe and expanding it a hundred fold by opening it to the entire world - and for literally changing my existence as I knew it.

The "official" Comedy Central Digest may be history - but the friendships I made, the places I have gone and will go - and the love Mary and I will share will last a lifetime...

...all this from sending one e-mail.