I'm usually not one for sentiments so I don't really know how to begin. RENT has been a stead fast in my life. RENT was the first Broadway recording that I ever remember hearing. RENT has helped me through the toughest times in my life and gave me joy in the good times. RENT got me through my best friend Mark's fight with HIV/AIDS. And RENT consoled me through my grieving when he passed away a year and a half ago.

It's hard to put into words how Jonathan Larson's words and music has infiltrated my heart, body, and soul. I have learned more about myself and the world through RENT. It's hard for some people to believe that a person can be so strongly influnced by a Broadway musical and I know I would not be the person I am today without it.

So, I need to say thank you to Jonathan. I wish I could thank you in person for how you have changed my life, thank you for how you have changed the world, and thank you for your message of eternal love and hope.

I was one of the lucky 10 to win a sneak peak of Idina's fan club; which Sarah said should be opening in the next week.

Oh. My. God.

The pictures in the exclusive media gallery are worth the $$$ to join. There were these two pics with her Wicked!London hair. Jaw dropping GORGEOUS. (I may have Print Screened and saved a few of them. Shh!!!)

Reasons to join the Official Idina Menzel Fan Club:

1. Those GORGEOUS pictures: Promo shots, on stage at a concert, band rehearsals, in the tour bus, and oh so many more.
2. The pics are part of the Exclusive Media Gallery which will also include video.
    -complete footage from February's 92nd St Y "Conversations."
    -behind the scenes footage from her PBS concert
   -interviews with Idina from when she and the band were rehearsing for the tour
just to name a few.
3. Contests. The first one is to win a signed Special Edition "I Stand" album with the tote and a 8x10.
4."In Her Words" aka Ask Idina. All those burning question will be answered.
5.Exclusive merchandise. Nothing screams "JOIN ME!" to me like exclusive merch. Say the word and I'm there. Well, they had me at the pictures.
6.There's also some pretty common stuff as far as fan clubs go
    -blogs
    -Member of the Day
    -etc.
7. and much much more once the club is up and running.

Now, how much will my undying devotion to Idina cost me? $24.99. That's cheap people. Plus, you even make money off of Idina. When joining to club you will receive a $25 merchandise credit for anything in the store. That's right everyone, you make 1 cent!

Money making aside I need to say that I've never seen a more efficiently run and fan AND artist involved fan club. As I posted on IMMB after the sneak peak:

"You [Sarah and WBR] work so hard to keep us 'in touch' with Idina and keep us involved and informed. I haven't had this good an experience with any of the fan clubs I used to be part of. They were overpriced and did little to relate the artist with their fans."