Are We Really This Old?

[dumbledad]

No: HPFGUIDX 187826

Wow, what a happy day!

>>> How long have you been a member of HPFGU?

My first post is #38069 on 23/4/02, and my first signed as "Dumbledad" was on 13/7/02. So I've been on board for 7 years and 5 months.

>>> How did you find us?

Good question – I cannot remember!

>>> What was your best and/or most unexpected experience here?

Best is just the quality of debate – people who know the books (and the history of the discussions here) so well that it puts me to shame. Most unexpected was the tsunami of posts following the release of OotP.

>>> What's been your favourite topic of discussion?

Snape's vampire nature; Snape – good or bad; various characters' love lives (especially Hermione, who still marries Harry after their divorces, btw); ...

>>> Favourite post of your own to the group?

Probably my one lamenting the naff prophecy (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/82067 ) though I enjoyed my post on Neville's Mum's pubic hair (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/69520 ) and one counting names (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/81833 ), which won me entry to the League of Obsessive Nitpickers (LOON).

>>> Favourite post of anyone else's to the group?

I don't have a specific one bookmarked but any of Pippin's ESE!Lupin posts would do it for me (hopefully she'll pick her favourite when she responds to this quiz). She had the theory so comprehensively worked out and approached criticism with school-mistress-like knowledge, care, and authority. Wonderful.

>>> If you were given the chance, what would you ask JKR?

Can I be your friend?

>>> Have any of your online friendships here gone on to real life meetings/friendships?

Yes; many, too many to name names. I've been lucky to meet several of the prolific HPfGU posters. I think meeting them (at the two Accio conferences, on a few US business trips, and at a London meet-up) have been the brightest moments of my time on HPfGU. Having said there are too many to name I will just single out Catherine Coleman (catorman) as she's become a close family friend, to the extent that my father-in-law has been known to ask after her! She's also pregnant, which anyone who knew her from early list days will know has brought her great joy.

Cheers,

Dumbledad