As both Panama and I have stated many, many times, VSB has easily the best fanbase of any blog on the internet. Obviously, we’re not particularly objective when saying that — “our fans are the best fans ever” is about as panderific as you can get — but trust me when I say that we’re both amazed by how consistently awesome you are all. We are definitely fans of our fans.

Today, though, is about one fan in particular. A person who’s been around since 2008, and has been one of our biggest supporters ever since. How big? Tom Hanks big. Lebron’s headband in 2016 big. My head big.

Big enough to be completely intoxicated and still volunteer to give an on-camera interview about us during our #threedeez book party

And, big enough to subject herself to a get-up that made her look like a DeBarge brother and five hours worth of my bipolar direction just to help me give the world a visual of what a “Diva Dude” looks and sounds like.

There are many other things I could say and many more stories I could tell about her. Some printable, and some, well, some a bit too ratchet for a person with a Ph.D to have floating around the internet. Since she may decide to run for president of La Raza or some shit some day (and since I don’t necessarily have the best handle on the line between appropriate and inappropriate), I won’t share any others.

Why am I bringing this all up today? Well, some time this afternoon, Gem of The Ocean, aka Gem Jones, aka my Ace Boon Goon, will officially go from being a Ph.D candidate to a person who actually has a freakin Ph.D, and I want to return the love she’s given us. I couldn’t be happier for her and prouder to call someone my friend.

—Damon Young (aka “The Champ”)