Anniversary Repost!--Snape, of course (& LONG)

[Amanda Geist]

No: HPFGUIDX 115148

(Amandageist wafts in, distressed. She attempts to wring her hands, can't
because she's a vapor, gives it up as a bad job.)

I can't believe I *missed* the date! Every year on the anniversary of when I
joined the group, I repost my first post, in solidarity with new members who
hesitate to float their ideas or address the group. Also because, in light
of what goes through my inbox now, I can't believe there was ever a need to
ask the question I asked then.

Before I show you what a newbie I was, some list history as seen through my
anniversary posts.

On my first anniversary, 9-16-01, #26162, I said:

<begin excerpt>
I joined a list of about 180 members (I think I worked out that I was 182),
whose members contained (on a quick scan) such luminaries as Penny, Simon,
Jim Ferer, Carole, Jen Piersol, Joy, Ebony, Trina, our beloved Brit car,
Catlady, Steve the Lexicon god, Aberforth's Goat, Mlleelizabeth, Peg Kerr,
Kelley, Sheryll, the McGee, Pippin, storm, and Cassie. The spinoff group
Snapefans would come along on January 1, and Chatter on February 2.
<end excerpt>

Snapefans doesn't even remember where it came from anymore; it was the
first, and the naming convention "HFPGU" had not evolved, and so their
history was lost as their list owners changed. Chatter came along because a
spirited discussion of British food was clogging up the list. We were so
*big,* after all! Several *hundred* members!

My second anniversary post, #44198, was late (9-18-02). TBAY had been born.
And I attempted humor:

<begin excerpt>
*Amanda clears her throat pretentiously. There is a flurry of motion as
various listmembers recognize the sound--heads bob up, looks of alarm cross
faces, and there is a general wave of surreptitious sidling toward the
nearest exit. Amy Z and Neil cause a bit of a distraction when both try to
get out one door and they become wedged; Cindy pries them out with her
paddle and all escape. Penny pretends she hears Elizabeth crying and beats a
more dignified retreat. The older TBAYers quietly ease out the door and into
the water on inner tubes. Caius puts on his new Inviso-Phones, starts his
filks playing, and sits up alertly. The room fills with loud cracks as the
list elves remember various tasks needing urgent attention and disappear.
The newer listmembers look around, uneasy, and head for the doors
themselves, but by this point Amanda has casually waved her wand and they
have swung shut. A few remaining Geists hover by the doors and brandish
balloons at the crowd, which backs up nervously and turns back to Amanda.
She smiles benevolently at her alarmed captive audience and begins
speaking.*

I actually am two days late, but it gives the interval a nice ring: Two
years and two days ago, I posted my first message to this list. Following my
tradition, I now re-post it in its entirety. For those of you who consider
me a Towering List Presence (sort of like that violet pudding) and an
Authority On Stuff, enjoy this window back to my pre-L.O.O.N. days. For
those of you who think I'm an idiot and post drivel, enjoy this
confirmation. For those of you who have no idea who I am, anyway, and wonder
why the hell I'm cluttering up the list, too bad--the doors are locked and
you're stuck. <smiles benevolently again, with a warning flick of her wand
toward a group of people in the back whose attention has wandered and are
whispering something about Draco>
.....

So that you may honor them, these are some of the members there to meet me,
whose names also now ring through these hallowed halls (or would, if I'd
open the doors).....Penny; Simon; Jim Ferer; Jen P; Joywitch; Ebony; Flying
Ford Anglia, Catlady; Lexicon Steve; Aberforth's Goat; KelleyElf; Sheryll;
and golden faile leap out at me from a quick scan of the list. Two years and
more these guys have been listening to me! So you can all just stop
complaining. And put your hands down! You can't *all* need to go to the
bathroom that bad.

*Amanda retires with dignity and feigned deafness, ignoring the cheers and
sounds of running feet as she allows the doors to open.*
<end excerpt>

I can't believe that was two years ago I wrote that. I *remember* writing
that.

My third, #80977, was on time: 9-16-03:

<begin excerpt>
It's that time again!

(steps back to allow the marching band through, brushes confetti out of
hair)

Yes....it's time for Amanda's Anniversary Re-Post!!!

Control yourselves.

In the dim, dark, far-off days, when my children still napped and I was
spending money and not earning it, I bought a book on sale, that I had
avoided because it was popular. But 30% off, hey. You know the rest.
<end excerpt>

Which brings us to this, my fourth anniversary post. (drumroll)

Well, clearly I couldn't think of anything to say, which is why I lifted
from the first three. This is no real surprise; I have so little time
anymore, for in the four intervening years I have gone from a stay-at-home
mom, to a part-time job, to a full-fledged full-time career. But I still try
to make time for my first HP love--talking about Snape. As evidenced below,
in my Very First Post, #1583, September 17, 2000.

[It was not until #1642, on the 18th, that I got around to theorizing that
Snape may have loved Lily. Before there was a Bay or a LOLLIPOPS, I was out
there in my inner tube...]

<begin repost>
From:  Amanda Lewanski <editor at t...>
Date:  Sat Sep 16, 2000  9:52 pm
Subject:  Hello, and a question

Greeting to the list. I'm new, and I've been group-hopping trying to find
the level of discussion I'd like, and you seem to be it. I hope I can
contribute items of interest, too.

A question---in all the groups I've observed, nobody's talking about Snape.
Can I get your thoughts on him? He seems to be such a complex
character---any theories (I've got a few) on *why* he stays with the good
guys? Why Dumbledore trusts him?

Just wondering if you were pondering what I was pondering,

Amanda
<end repost>

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Those who cannot hear the music, think the dancers daft.