One year ago at this time, I was sitting behind my desk at the Department of Buildings eagerly anticipating my trip to Colorado for the First Annual South Park Convention. I can remember wondering what it would be like to travel to the other side of the country by myself to meet so many other South Park fans that were doing the same thing. I recall wondering what it would be like when we all met – and I remember making giant X marks on my wall calendar up until the day I took off. Now, one year later, I am sitting behind my desk at the Taxi & Limousine Commission eagerly anticipating my second trip to Colorado for the Second Annual South Park Convention – in only twelve days.

The differences between this trip to Colorado and my last one are many. For one thing, I had to leave my new girlfriend Christine at home last year, because I had planned and scheduled the trip before we met. But this year – Christine will be right by my side as I head to Colorado – and the Digest members that are going this year are as eager to meet her as they are to meet me. Another difference is that I do not have to wonder what everyone will be like or how much fun we will have – because last year’s instant camaraderie laid the groundwork for friendships that have lasted since SPC1 and will make SPC2 even better.

I think the greatest difference between SPC1 and SPC2 is the fact that this year, a Digest member is attending the Convention that wasn’t even alive to attend the first Convention – because last year’s Convention is where his parents met. Little Coltrane Ellis Lins is the first baby born as a result of the South Park Digest. I remember watching Dan and Kandice meet for the first time at last year’s Convention – and now – they have moved in together and given us the first second generation member of the South Park Digest. I had the pleasure of meeting Cole last month when I headed to Chicago to be given the honor of becoming his Godfather. And now – my beautiful Godson will join us in Colorado just like his parents did one year ago.

I think the year that has passed between each Convention has brought the members of the South Park Digest closer then ever before, which also makes this Convention even more exciting. In the last three hundred and sixty-five days, new members have joined, people have begun to open up and talk about their personal lives and situations rather then just South Park – and we all lived through the tragic and life-altering events of September 11th – which produced the most amazing South Park Digests in history and united every member of the Digest in a way that nothing else possibly could have.

While many of last year’s attendees are coming again this year, there are some other Digest members that are making the trek to Colorado for the first time. From longtime friend and Digest member Diane Raintree to relative newcomer Mary O’Neill, to the only person to have his own Digest – something I never even had – Phish, who always provides us with unmatchable parodies to some famous songs. There is also Michael Green who sends in TWISPs, or, “This Week In South Park” posts, which excellently describe true historical events of the town of South Park, Colorado. And then there is Ginni, who has been a member of the Digest for as long as I can remember – and Debbie and Linda Ligon – who I had the pleasure of meeting in New York City shortly after September 11th. So between last year’s veterans and this year’s newcomers – this is going to be one amazing Convention.

Even now as I sit here at my desk having to work seven more days and wait a total of twelve more until my feet hit the Colorado Rockies, I don’t mind the wait one bit – because I know what is coming – and it is more then worth the wait.