We put the "fun" in "no refunds"!

I think there’s only one other time that I’ve ever posted on this blog out-of-character.  But now here I am:  Lil’ ol’ Jessica, the one who conjured up this goofy blog six whole years ago.

Alas, I am just one small frog, with many big voices.  Taking on every character on one askblog was probably a bit over-ambitious--I actually did that because in the beginning, I couldn’t draw worth squat and felt that if I used screenshots, including every character was this blog’s only saving grace.

Yet, Gravity Falls granted me characters so strong and rich and vibrant that it was like...they were speaking for me.  Not me for them.

I started this blog on August 8th, 2013.  Gideon Rises had just aired a week prior, and I was unfathomably hooked on this awesome little show...with no fandom whatsoever.  Before season 2, the Gravity Falls community on Tumblr was almost non-existent.  Heck, that’s the only reason I got the URL “themysteryshack.”  So honestly, I thought this blog was a fun little shindig I’d keep up for a week or two as writing practice, and then send off into the void of animated obscurity.  (Fun fact: I tried running a Tangled askblog in 2011...We don’t talk about that Tangled askblog).

But yet, that is far from what happened.

Out of nowhere, Gravity Falls exploded in popularity.  What had started as people asking Dipper and Mabel’s favorite video game now turned into requests for life advice, for comfort, for help.  As this surmounted, I was terrified that I would never be able to give you guys adequate advice--I was just one girl voicing a bunch of cartoon characters!  Yet, you guys’ encouragement and love...It was overwhelming.  It still is.

I read so many of you guys’ tags, and so, so many of your messages.  I teared up over your kind words tonight.  Thank you, thank you so much.  To many, an askblog seems like nothing, but TheMysteryShack...This honestly made me who I am.

I met the love of my life through this blog, in its early days, no less.  We chatted for years via fan mail before asking each other out--immediately after the airing of the Gravity Falls finale.  We’ve been together ever since.

I met so many amazing friends through this blog.  Artists that encouraged me, taught me, inspired me with their renditions of this lovely, lovely show.  Through their support, I got my first commissions through this blog. As things grew, I was shocked to actually have people at conventions recognize my URL, just because this blog gave me the incredible honor of a voice in the community.

And above all, the feeling of just...helping people...I’ve gotten messages from so many of you that have brought me to tears through just the joy of being able to help.  I had one of you tell me you’re pursuing veterinary school because of advice from Ford.  Another who said the blog helped them cope with the passing of their father.  And when I personally started going through some really hard times, it was like I could detach myself from everything, knowing Dipper and Mabel and Stan and everyone would be there even for me if I needed it.

I’ve had a few of you ask me why I can’t just go on hiatus and come back to TheMysteryShack after a break.  Well, those of you who have been following for a while know that this blog has been hiatus soup for a while...And at this time, so many drastic things are coming up in life that I don’t know if this blog can ever be the priority it deserves to be again.  So I wanted to give you all this final send-off instead of letting the blog wither away.  And above all, I wanted to include all of you in its closing--You all deserve to know how valued you are.

I remember when I was celebrating 50 amazing followers, and now I’m looking at nearly 15,000--15,000 of you incredible people who took the time to send in asks, to read our responses, to laugh and cry and DANCE A JIG OF GRAVE DANGER with us.  And I say “us” because the characters are still there.  While this blog won’t be updating anymore, it’s not going anywhere.  The Mystery Shack Crew will always be here if you need to come back and hear a friendly voice.  That’s been my goal from the start, and I pray that it continues to help anyone who needs it.

I want to give a special shout-out to @galladerocksgamer​ for helping me with tonight’s asks, and being patient with me when I wanted to throw my laptop out the window.  He embodies the characters incredibly and I truly could not have orchestrated tonight without him and his brilliant positivity and talent.

I also wanna thank Alex Hirsch for giving us this blessing of a show in the first place.  From the writing to the animation to the sheer complexity of it all...I can say without a shadow of a doubt that no television show has ever meant so much to me.

And finally, I just want to specifically thank all of you, everybody who’s ever interacted with TheMysteryShack.  Whether you’ve been here all six years or just discovered us tonight, it’s been my privilege to answer your questions--And house the entire shack crew in my heart all this time.

And in closing,

We’ll meet again

Don’t know where, don’t know when...

But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.

Stay weird, everyone.

Man, droppin’ the tough ones on us here at the end, huh?  Eh, but your profile picture’s crackin’ us up (or at least, crackin’ me up) so the least we can do is help ya out before we hit the road.

Also, big thanks for the asks you’ve sent over the years, kiddo.  Trust me, they’ve kept this old ticker goin’!

So...self-forgiveness, eh?  Ain’t it frustratin’ how some people make it look so easy?  But it isn’t easy--Far from it, actually.  Stinks to hear it, but it’s true.

Doesn’t make it impossible though, just...hard.

Forgivin’ is like grievin’, and trust me, I did both for ages.  The first part is denyin’ what you did, but if you’re tryin’ t’forgive yourself, you’re probably well past that step.

So now you’re angry.  Angry at the world?  Maybe.  Angry at yourself?  Most likely.  Kid, be angry.  Be sad, be hurt, don’t bottle that stuff up til you’re an old bat like me!  Trust me, it gives ya ulcers!

Now’s not th’ time to beat yourself up--or anyone else, though Gideon makes a good punchin’ bag if you’re desperate--but rather get all that crud outta your system.  Do the journalin’ thing, if you’re like Ford.  Punch a speedbag, if you’re like me. 

Whatever ya do, you’re not movin’ on until you purge yourself of what’s weighin’ ya down.  So don’t be scared t’let it out.

Next is my specialty, and that’s bargaining.  Whatever ya did, you’re gonna just be wishin’ ya didn’t do it.  But kid...it’s over.  It happened.  We can’t change th’ past, but we can maybe make th’ future a little better.

If y’hurt someone, apologize...And I know it’s AGONY sometimes!  But if y’don’t get that closure, you’re gonna spend th’ rest of your life bitter at that person and yourself.  Trust me, you don’t wanna spark a pettiness fight when you’re facin’ a dream demon.  It isn’t pretty.

In any other case, try your best to make the situation better after the fact.  But if you’ve done all you can...You’ve done all ya can!  It’s not selfish t’give yourself credit for workin’ t’make things right.

You’d applaud anyone else for doin’ the same, and you know it!

And if I may interject, if that’s alright...

Sometimes, we simply can’t fix the mistakes we’ve made.

Some things we do are irreversible, and the weight can be downright crippling.

Stanley’s right when he says self-forgiveness is like grieving, and it’s likely that if/when you can’t change anything further, you may feel a lack of control, or even depressed about the situation.

If it gets to that point, by all means, talk to someone.  Don’t fall into a pit of paranoia as I did.  Closed-off as I can be, I can’t tell you how many problems would have been averted if I had just had an open conversation with Stanley instead of demanding he blindly bury my journal.

I commend you for coming to us in the first place!  But do remember that there is always someone in your life willing to listen, even when it doesn’t feel like that’s the case.  A parent, friend, or even a therapist can work wonders in helping you cope and really articulate how you’re feeling.

And then finally...there comes acceptance.

Acceptance is probably the most active step of them all, and therefore the hardest when it comes to self-forgiveness.  You’ll be weighted down with nostalgia, with the “what ifs” and the “how comes...” but a lot of time, your brain is heaping blame on you when you’re more than ready to move on.

So seek out good in the world, my friend.  Relish the things that you enjoy, the things that make you happy.  You are not a criminal for moving on with your life--far from it, in fact. 

You are a growing and developing human being, learning from your mistakes and bettering yourself so when a similar situation comes around, you’ll be able to handle it with grace and compassion.

And hey, none of this “but I’ll never get better!” or “I’m just a bad person deep down!” y’hear me?  There’s a lot of reasons why things go wrong, and odds are, you’re heapin’ far more blame on your shoulders than you earned. 

I mean, look at me an’ Ford!  Can’t say there isn’t blame t’be shared there.

Look.  Did y’do a bad thing?  Perhaps. 

But it doesn’t make ya downright evil.

There’s no such thing as good people or bad people, alright? 

Just people, who change over time...

...And can all learn t’do good things.

--Stan

and

Gah...Can’t believe I’m sayin’ this, but...I’m gonna miss ya, weird sponge man!

Weird...weird sponge...Who was once some sandy-haired kid...Then...then back to th’ sponge...even was McGucket at one point...

...Look, you’ve changed your profile picture a lot, m’kay?!

But you’re makin’ me sweat through my eyes over here.  I’m glad you’re handlin’ this so well.  It’s been quite the journey for both of us, hasn’t it?  You’ve been here since th’ start.

Start of this blog, er, not my life.  Anyone who’s witnessed Stan Pines in diapers should be hurled off a cliff. 

Yes, that means Ford too.

But seriously, through thick and thin, it’s like you’ve always come through.  Muddlin’ up quite a few heists, sure, but somehow ya always win me over in th’ end.  Down here in the h--heart...chest.  Chest guy.

Anyway, you’re a real good partner in crime, buddy.

Even if you’re...you’re utterly terrible at crime.  Seriously.  But I still love ya.

Y’old cryptic sponge.

Oh man, have you guys seen Into the Spiderverse?  You’ve gotta go see it, it’s so amazing!

The characters are so relatable, like it’s so raw and good.  And it’s funny, and the music is amazing, and and the animation is so wow!  I feel like my eyes just popped right out of my head!

Er, in a good way, not like a scary Gravity Falls monster way.

I’ve already been to see it like three times, and if anyone else wants to come I am totally down to do it again, just say the word and I am there.

I’ll speak up now ‘cause otherwise Dipper will keep yammering for a month.  Not that that’s a bad thing, but come on, bro, you gotta let the rest of us talk too!

I’ve always really liked The Incredibles, now more than ever!  After all, it’s about family!  A super duper butt-kicking family!

They have their issues but they work it all out and support each other because they love each other and that’s what families do!  Just like us!

After all we’ve been through, we’re basically superheroes ourselves!

Heh, you got that right kid!  I may be old, but I can still pack a wallop!

I can really get behind this newfangled superhero craze.  If there’s one thing I love seeing on the big screen, it’s souped-up musclemen slugging each other in the face!

But my favorite is that uhhh whatchacallit, them Galaxy Guardians or whatever.  I actually know all the music in that one!

And there’s a raccoon that swears!  Now that’s comedy!

I may have missed out on thirty years worth of superhero-themed cinema, but I don’t need to catch up on them all now, because I’ve already seen the best there will ever be.

Batman, Adam West, 1966.  Can’t beat the classics.

I mean, it’s true what he says in the film.

Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb.

Awww shucks, look, Blubs!  People are shippin’ us!  And not through USPS this time, ‘member when I tried t’do that to save on plane tickets t’Daytona...

Now don’t you worry now, Durland...We’ve all tried it.

But heh heh--Back to you folks, gettin’ all heart-eyed over our relationship.  Isn’t that cute?  I mean, I don’t see why you wouldn’t, seeing how Durland’s a total charmer.  But heh!  Alright, I’ve rambled enough, let’s get to th’ question at hand.

The relationship’s been goin’ great!  I’m hopin’ I can speak for both of us when I say we’ve never been happier.  And marriage--now that’s a biiiig step, ain’t it!  Course, haha...ain’t gonna deny that it’s on the table.

You’re dang right it is!  And as for th’ Pines kid plannin?  Way ahead of ya.  Lil’ Pines girl an’ I have already discussed flowers, cakes--A reception at Silly Water Fun Slides in Great Lakes, Michigan--

Know that’s a lot to plan so early, but aw, heck--guess I’m just in my honeymoon phase!  Gahhh!

Heh! Oh, trust me, Durland.

With us, the honeymoon phase’ll be a honeymoon lifetime.

Wow, we have a fan!  Tyrone would be so proud.

It hasn’t been easy getting by on our own, but we manage.  We snatched a couple ponchos and a tent from the store, so now we’re safe from the rain and can just hang out in the woods.

Hmm, someone might want to tell Dipper Classic he’s wanted for theft now ...

Anyways, we don’t get too much company out here.  Sometimes the gnomes will mistake us for the real Dipper and come asking about Mabel.  And there’s these five identical blond guys who wander around sometimes and make out with the trees.  I dunno if Dipper Classic knows anything about them, but I think I’d rather be left in the dark on this one.

Oh, but the best is definitely Multi-Bear!  He invited us to stay in his cave during the winter so we wouldn’t melt out in the snow.  And of course he loves BABBA too, so he’ll be a perfect roommate!

So yeah, all things considered, we’re doing pretty well!  And if you talk to Dipper Classic ... don’t tell him where we are. 

He’s got a bad habit of melting clones.

—Tracey

and

Hoo-whee, look at all these here askimajiggies!  Real sweet y’all are still thinkin’ of ol’ Fiddleford Mcgucket these days!

Alrightie now--Why’d I name my son Tater?  Well, that’s an easy one!  Soon as he was born I took one look at ‘em and said, “Well, wouldja look at that little tater tot!”  An’ it stuck!

Granted, he’s more like a “tater tall” now.  Glad he didn’t come out that way though!  Woulda hated to name my son “French fry!”  Ehehe!

Movin’ on, life in the shed’s been plumb fantastic!  Ain’t livin’ with dirt floors no more, so my favorite thing t’do is slip m’socks on and go slidin’ cross them shiny ol’ floors!

It’s like that Rocky-fella Center up in here!

It was a lil’ tricky makin’ up with Tate, I’ll admit...I’d been workin’ so hard for so long t’connect with him, but looks like I needed t’connect with myself above all else!

Lookin’ at photo albums and ol’ tapes has helped th’ both of us, painful as it can be sometimes. In fact, I was the one who suggested that technique to Stanford when his buddy of a brother lost his marbles!  Works like a charm!

Tate and I both apologized for the way we’d been treatin’ each other after we watched th’ video of his first steps.  Fun fact, that’s one of th’ things I’ve always remembered, even through every memory wipe!  I think that really showed th’ lil’ corncob how special he is t’me.

So altogether, it’s goin sassafrass-tacular!  And oh, oh, one more thing t’share with you guys--Tate told me I can tell ya now...His wife’s havin a lil’ tater tot of her own!  I’m gonna be a Grandpappy!

Ah...Ain’t it nice when things finally turn out okay?

NIGHTMARISH. AND FOR ONCE I MEAN THAT IN THE WORST WAY POSSIBLE!!!

LITERALLY EVERYONE IS SCREAMING AT ONCE, WE HAD TO HIRE SOME SICKENINGLY HANDSOME CHUMP OFF THE STREET FOR EXTRA HANDS, AND SOME ANON KEEPS SENDING US ASKS ABOUT HOW THEY WANNA GET FREAKY WITH DARLENE THE SPIDER LADY!!!

LIKEINEVERTHOUGHTIDSAYTHISBUTSOMEONEPLEASEMAKEMEASTATUEAGAIN