OK...OK... I'm already feeling like the last one to jump in. (Intro) ; - )

[Jo]

Hi, ya'll,

My mama always told me that God gave me two eyes, two ears, and one 
mouth for a reason. I always figured that ment I should watch and 
listen twice as much as I talk.  I just haven't yet decided how ten 
fingers and a keyboard fit into the equation.  I do tend to lurk in 
all of my HP groups, but I attribute that to the lack of power in a 
post that reads, "Me too!"  

I was delighted to receive the invitation.  Just being part of 
the "Old Crowd" puts me in company with greats such as Mundungus 
Fletcher and Arabella Figg.  If I don't get cursed while my back is 
turned, I will certainly get whopped with a bag of cat food. Both of 
these are among my favorite characters, along with Archie from World 
Cup fame.  

Enough of that; now this is me:

*** Name:
Jo...Not Joan, Not Joanne, Not Josephine, Not even Josefa

***Nicknames:
To my on line friends, my school librarian, and even to the 
Renaissance Learning Company I am Professor Phlash. 

***Age:
I just turned 51.

***Family:
I am married to a somewhat less that obsessed HP fan (but a fan none 
the less) who is is patient with my obsession.  He even feeds my 
obsession by gifting me with the "Time Turner" for my birthday.  It 
is on order but isn't to be shipped until October.  I have a son who 
is a loan officer at the local bank and a daughter who is a 20 year 
old college senior. She is also a fan and tells anyone who will 
listen that her cool mom is part of this online community of HP fans.

***Home:
Junction, TX (middle of no where)

***Born:
August 17 in Nacogdoches

*** Education/Job/Role in life etc.
I have a BSEd in Elementary Education along with several post 
graduate courses, Special Education Certification, and countless 
professional development trainings.  I have taught Elementary 
Physical Education, Special Education, and fifth grade. This is my 
12th consecutive year in fifth grade.  I am known locally as the 
Harry Potter teacher, which in itself is filled with blessings and 
curses.  (Mostly blessings.)

***Other things we might want to know about you:
I just ordered the first five books from amazon.com.uk.  When I told 
my husband, he asked me why I wanted them.  I told him that I wanted 
to read them in the original language and that no one I knew had 
them.  He just laughed.

***First contact with Harry Potter:
September of 1999, my then principal held up a current Time magazine 
that had a picture of Harry on the cover during a faculty meeting and 
told us that it might be something worth checking out.  My mama 
always told me to mind your manners and do what your boss tells you. 
Not really interested in fantasy (SciFi yes, fantasy no) I bought the 
first two books. The students begged me to let them read them as soon 
as I got them, so I did.  When I finally reluctantly read the the 
first chapter, I was hooked - Thank you very much!  Life has never 
been the same, and I am delighted.  It was June of 2001 when I found 
the Harry Potter for Grown-Ups group.  I posted a few times but 
mostly just read. 

***Favorite Potter things:
Harry, my Dumbledore watch, Dumbledore himself, Ron, Hermione, Harry 
Lupin, Mrs. Figg, Dung, the twins, Harry, Dragons, Quidditch, flying, 
imagining flying on a Firebolt, Wood, Harry, and Krum. I am very 
curious about Krum.

***Extent of Potter Obsession:
I fit right in with this crowd.  In the other world (the non HP 
world) I have found that I, like the witches and wizards in Harry's 
world, have to be careful how much I let others see.  Everyone knows 
I am a fan; few, however, know the extent of my obsession. I have 
been keeping notebooks of interesting things I have found on the 
internet or in other places for years now. I have several notebooks 
full of stuff.  Yes, I use the excuse that it gets the students 
interested in reading (and it does), but I have to admit that I just 
enjoy looking at the stuff myself.

***Other interests/activities:
I read, tat...(do tatting?)...(make lace with a tatting shuttle), 
crochett, teach Bible class, watch movies, and teach.

***Current/recent reading:
I read lots of children's literature in the process of finding new 
and interesting things for my students to read. I am hooked on the 
Pendragon series by MacHale, City of Ember and People of Sparks, 
Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden series, Cornelia Funke's 
Thief Lord and Inkheart and I am now reading Dragon Rider.  Which 
reminds me that Eragon is also a favorite.  Just this weekend I found 
Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin and loved it.  I read Shadowmancer last 
week and found it dark and troubling.  

***Current/recent listening:
Acapella, Mountaintop, PoA soundtract

***Current/recent viewing:
Usually I go to lots of movies, but I have not seen many recently. I 
think the Bourne Supremacy was the last one.


If you have made it his far, you have earned a stinky sticker for 
determination.  Just come by my classroom and I will be glad to let 
you choose the one you would like.  

I am really happy to be a part of this group.

Professor Phlash
5th Grade 
Muggle Studies

(or Jo if you would rather)