SHIP: Ship Happens

[Kathleen Kelly MacMillan]

No: HPFGUIDX 11647

Hi all!  Captain Kathy sailing in from Annapolis Harbor, where I just got to 
meet Zsenya and B. Bennett in person!  I have to say it was very weird to be 
able to talk Harry Potter to real live grown-ups.  Both of them are just as 
nice in person as they are online.  (Hi guys!)

Firoza wrote:
>Hello again,Just a quick delurk here. Kathy/Elanor thank you for the welcome
>(I just finished Chapter 12 of your wonderful fic and it was amazing as
>usual!).

<blushes> Awww, gee, thanks Firoza!  Glad you are enjoying it!  I'm having a 
ball writing it so it's nice to know other people are enjoying it too.  And 
enjoy your stay on our Good Ship!


As for the whole shipping-debate of late, I am in such a good mood that I 
should probably just leave this thread alone, but there are several things in 
recent posts I feel the need to respond to, so bear with me.

Cassie wrote (of the Affirmations/"R/H Ship Rules"):
>Even if they are joking, they do serve to further polarize us into
>opposing camps. Which, frankly, is beginning to be depressing. To me,
>anyway.

Actually, Cassie, I am finding it depressing as well.  But I don't see how 
jokingly stating a position is any different or more divisive than teasingly 
referring to other camps as "misguided", etc.  I realize that the inclusion of 
the word "further" in your post indicates that you were referring to more than 
just the most recent hoopla, which is fortunate, as I would rather resent the 
implication that either Zsenya or I would somehow "polarize" the group.

Penny wrote:
>But, in any case, my basic point is
>that I have the perception that everyone thinks it's fine to criticize
>most any character, except Ron.  Ron seems to be "off-limits" in the
>minds of some people.  I just find that odd -- that's all.

And, again, I don't see that at all.  I've already explained why, so I won't 
go into it again.  Perhaps this will have to be another one of those areas 
where we agree to disagree. :)

Penny again:
>Isn't the number one R/H Daily Affirmation: "Harry and Hermione is a
>RIDICULOUS IMPOSSIBILITY."  Is this *not* bashing my opinion?  It's >not
>wildly important mind you -- just a question.  It also sounds more >like
>"Keep your opinions but don't express them." (freedom of speech & all
>that but we'll kick you off if you bash a Weasley).

First of all, what if I do hold the above opinion regarding H/H?  Does the 
fact that I state it automatically bash your opinion?  And again, I point out 
that these are *tongue-in-cheek*, very similar to the "little dinghy" and such 
comments that have been posted here about the Good Ship R/H.

Penny again:
>You're the Captain & all, but there are lots of other
>R/H shipmates who do seem to regard it as slander if one even admits
>that there's a possibility that Ron could unwittingly betray Harry
>(never mind what they would think about the possibility for an
>intentional betrayal).

I still have not seen evidence of this.  Most R/H-ers, who tend to love Ron, 
(as it kind of comes with the territory) may not want to consider the 
possibility (I myself get slightly nauseous at the thought!<g>) but I haven't 
seen the reaction you're describing.  At least, that's my experience.  
Granted, I haven't seen every message ever posted to every group on the 
subject, but I feel the need to defend the R/H-ers on this list as the 
fair-minded individuals they are.  I don't think any of them would be here if 
they didn't value other opinions and interpretations.

Zsenya wrote:
>I just wanted to point out that SugarQuill is
>not the "anti-HP4GU web site" or the "We love Ron unconditionally"
>website.  It's just a very exciting and fun project that two friends
>started two months ago and are very happy about.

Thank you for posting this, Zsenya.  I realize that it was my own mention of 
SugarQuill's Daily Affirmations that dragged you into this in the first place, 
and I apologize for that, though I am still not quite sure how my completely 
light-hearted comments started all this controversy.  (And by the way, now 
that I have met her in person, I can say that Zsenya is just as intelligent, 
thoughtful, and down-to-earth in real life as in her posts here. <waves to 
Zsenya>)

Penny wrote:
>It seemed to me that Kathy was adopting the SugarQuill Daily
>Affirmations on the Good Ship R/H, which does sail waters near & around
>HPforGrownups from time to time.  <g>  I only meant to point out that in
>the interests of "Inter-ship cooperation" *on this group,* these Daily
>Affirmations seemed a bit unwelcoming.  That's *all* I ever intended to
>say -- I think it's gotten way misunderstood at some point along the way
>(as these subjects are wont to do).

You got that last part right!  But seriously, I still don't understand how the 
just-in-fun "Rules and regulations" are any different from the teasing zingers 
that H/H-ers throw out all the time (or for that matter, other teasing zingers 
which R/H-ers throw out).  (And, remember, Penny, you were the one who asked 
for clarification of the "denigration" clause, I was just responding to your 
request <g>).

Penny:
>Kathy & I have both been trying to encourage the "Shipping" debates on
>this group to take a more light-hearted approach.  So, I was
>attempting to jokingly point out that having "Rules/Regs" aboard the
>Good Ship R/H was a bit off-putting to the goals of light-hearted in
>tone shipping debates & inter-ship cooperation.

As to the first sentence: yay! We agree on something!  (That brings it up to, 
what? 3? <g>)
As to the second, see above.  To horribly quote Snape out of context: "I see 
no difference."

Penny:
>I hope this will clear things up a bit!

As do I.  As I am beginning to find this topic a bit exhausting, this will 
hopefully be my last post on it (unless, of course, someone says something 
which leaves me unable to keep my mouth shut.  What, me?  Never. <g>)

All that said, I just want to reiterate how much I have been enjoying the 
whole ship-metaphor thread (it's giving me a chance to brush up on my nautical 
lingo, if nothing else).  I am sorry if this whole debate has put a sour taste 
in some people's mouths about it, particularly as I am still not quite sure 
what happened.

I, for one, will continue to man the helm of the Good Ship R/H with glee, 
welcoming aboard anyone who'd like to visit or enlist, and waving merrily 
across the waters to those on the decks of the SS H/H.


Kathy
AKA Elanor Gamgee