In addition to the incredible gift that I received from Montel in Alaska, there is another member of the South Park Booster Club that also went out of her way for me. Like Montel, she has never met me, yet considers me special enough to do something so wonderful for me that I would expect it from one of my closest friends that I see every day rather then someone I have never seen. But like Montel – Wendi is someone who did not let the fact that we never met stop her from making my birthday very special.

About two months ago, a member of the South Park Booster Club named Harold decided to start a faction dedicated to me. I was very honored because I am simply the vehicle or medium between the fans of South Park and the show itself – but over the last year and a half – the members of the Digest have come to hold me in the same caliber that they hold those who bring us that great show every week. So when Harold decided to make my Faction, Wendi, a new member of the Booster Club at the time, offered to co-lead it with him.

As co-leader of the “Paul Wein Faction”, Wendi wrote me and asked if I would be interested in doing a Q&A so the members of the Faction could get to know me better. I eagerly accepted and proceeded to speak with her for a few nights and answer her many of her questions – little did I know that in addition to using the answers for the Q&A – she had ulterior motives.

Among the standard questions she was asking me, like what I do in my spare time, and what my other jobs are, she also asked me questions like what my favorite kind of candle is and what my Zodiac sign is. Also, she asked me if I have any South Park DVDs. At first, I thought these were just questions for the Q&A and thought nothing of it – until I received a package in the mail from Wendi.

When I opened it, the package contained a bunch of individually wrapped presents. As I stared at the contents of this box having no idea what it contained – I couldn’t believe that she did this. Here is someone who decided that she liked South Park so much that she decided to join a Digest dedicated to the show – and wound up doing more for the Moderator of the Digest then the Digest itself.

As for its contents – the box contained a black cherry candle – my favorite kind of candle, a book about Aquarians – my Zodiac sign, a bottle of beer – because she knew I collected beer, two South Park DVDs – because she knew I didn’t have any, and a South Park daily calendar – because she knows that South Park is part of my daily life.

I have to tell you that I have friends of mine that I see almost every day that did not put that much thought into my birthday gifts. It absolutely amazes me that someone three thousand miles away and three hours behind me in time zones spent all of that time, effort and money just because I bring her a daily dose of her favorite show – thank you so much Wendi.

What I find most ironic is that both Montel and Wendi’s gifts came at the exact same time – coincidence? I think not.