What does HS mean to you?

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What does HS mean to you?
Topic Started: Nov 16 2011, 12:02 AM (77 Views)
zeromus	Nov 16 2011, 12:02 AM Post #1
Admin Posts: 1,583 Group: Manly Members Member #58 Joined: January 21, 2009	Well it only took four months, but I finally got the chance to ~~illegally download~~ watch the final Harry Potter film this past weekend. I wasn't quite sobbing like a bitch like after How to Tame Your Dragon and Ratatouille, but DH2 certainly lived up to my lofty expectations. I don't know exactly why I held off on seeing it for so long, but if you forced me to guess, there are probably two reasons. First, I haven't had many Harry Potter-related experiences at Columbia. As I learned pretty quickly last year, grad students here simply don't have the time to go to quidditch clubs and run HP sites. Being a social studies teacher, you can't exactly assign a paper on the history of muggle studies either. Second, I was afraid that, when the last HP movie was finally over, a little part of my childhood (or whatever remains from adolescence) might finally whisk away. As those end credits rolled, I felt something completely else - not sadness, but a complex web of emotions that I couldn't quite describe at the time. But I knew I couldn't stop thinking about HS. About a week ago at the school I'm currently working at in Harlem, I saw a copy of Chamber of Secrets on one of the students' desks. It was the first HP-related item I'd come across since those crappy broomsticks and homemade bludgers used at the International Quidditch Cup last year in lower Manhattan, and it unleashed a torrent of memories - ones that were shocking, disappointing, amusing, comforting... Were we really the third largest Harry Potter site on the entire web, with arguably one of its most inspiring start-up tales, and thousands of members and countless posts over an illustrious history? Did we really have the best Triwizard Tournament sim ever, the most dramatic and eventful RP events, the most unique storefront, the coolest sorting system, and the most hilarious side stories? Did we really try to conduct actual "lessons" in the HS chat, sabotage each others accounts (damn you Carver), make so many controversial yet utterly riotous topics, and create some truly legendary memes? Did we really experience so many painful rifts and departures that threatened to tear apart the fabric of the entire community? Yes, we did. It all came flooding back. And I felt the same strange brand of nostalgia after watching DH2. It wasn't quite as clear to me then, but I've come to a realization that this site - the forum, the people, and all the positive and negative memories we share - is as much a part of our identity as anything else we'd attach to it. HS has meant so many different things to so many people, but its value cannot be understated. What we went through - the good and the bad - has come to define a crucial part of who we are today. And whenever I've tried to escape that connection, I always end up returning here... ...to a place where I could brush up on my writing skills while out of school ...to a place where the RP lessons I "taught" as a Hogwarts professor helped me become the master of pedagogy I am now (yeah right) ...to a place where I could vent about my asshole brother ...to a place where people were bright, engaging, diverse, interesting, and genuinely gave a fuck about you. It's strange saying this as someone who constantly talks about the delineations between real life and the internet. I still see the two through separate lens. But it doesn't make HS any less unique, special, or integral to us. This is not another goodbye post (what would it have been, number 7?). And this is not a sign that I will resume posting in droves like I used to. What this is is a genuine thank you - to HS, and to everyone who has made my life that much more interesting, enjoyable, and memorable, and who has been such a significant part of the experiences of others here. If you would do us the honor, I would appreciate it if you could speak about what HS has meant to you personally, and the moments or memories that best encapsulate your experiences here. I look forward to hearing what you have to say...and better you tell us before we all die in 2012 (thanks Mayans) Though my life has taken detours away from this site and its fine folks, I'm glad I haven't forgotten about HS. Thank you for not forgetting as well. -larry



Matt Perry	Nov 16 2011, 10:51 AM Post #2
Legendary Posts: 2,338 Group: Admin Member #32 Joined: February 12, 2005	I've acknowledged your post. I will also write what I've got to say, but I cannot right now. For something like this must be written with peace and sound of mind. For the mean time, keep your panties on... if you want to, and muster up some patience. -Perry



Count Carver	Nov 18 2011, 05:28 PM Post #3
Jedi Master of Making Things Sound Dirty Posts: 2,237 Group: Admin Member #5 Joined: December 31, 2004	That was a wonderful post, Larry! I'll try to respond more later but for now let me just say I received my share of sabotaged polls back in the day! haha. Were we really ever quite the 3rd largest, though? I mean, our forum was pretty ridiculously active at one point, but there were a lot of big name fan/news sites at the time... Not that it really makes a huge difference now, though. It was a pretty cool time for Harry Potter, the Internet, and online communities.
	-Carver?


zeromus	Nov 19 2011, 10:59 AM Post #4
Admin Posts: 1,583 Group: Manly Members Member #58 Joined: January 21, 2009	I dunno, but I remember hearing Matt telling me that once. We were definitely big - maybe not Carver-below-the-Equator big, but in terms of RPs, probably one of the largest (and no doubt the best). Either way, it's great to see you guys. I look forward to hearing your thoughts



Fairy Fabulous	Nov 26 2011, 10:24 PM Post #5
The Picture Whore Posts: 827 Group: Advisor Member #7 Joined: December 31, 2004	Also saving up for something hopefully meaningful. I just don't have the time to sit, and think, and type it up right now. But that was beautiful larry. Really. I teared up. -------Heres the start of mine---------- Well here I am again. Writting yet another "I love HS" "You guys are family" posts. Honestly, just like how Lar lost count of all of his "Goodbye" posts, I can't even begin to say how many of these I've posted. I was so young when I met all of you on the-site-that-must-not-be-named. 12 If I remember correctly. I believe I celebrated my 13th Birthday with you guys shortly after we opened this site. Crazy to think I've known all of you for 7 years of my life. I only have one RL friend that can say the same. I turely trusted all of you. As I still do. I never felt the need to worry if someone was pretending to be something they weren't. Even after the whole Willow thing, given I was "close" to her while she was here, and my internet went down for a week, I come back and BOOM all hell broke lose and she was nowhere to be found. All of thoes dramatic times always seemed to happen when I lost Internet. (site getting reported by the deatheaters, drama about suicides, ect). (Will finish later. I have a neice to baby sit) Edited by Fairy Fabulous, Dec 2 2011, 03:23 PM.
	Sheldon: I am aware of the way humans usually reproduce which is messy, unsanitary and based on living next to you for three years, involves loud and unnecessary appeals to a deity. Penny: Oh, God. *Sheldon: Yes, exactly. <<<<<<Tis Lyfe! Ah, gravity - thou art a heartless bitch. -Sheldon*


Count Carver	Jan 2 2012, 03:20 PM Post #6
Jedi Master of Making Things Sound Dirty Posts: 2,237 Group: Admin Member #5 Joined: December 31, 2004	zeromus Nov 19 2011, 10:59 AM I dunno, but I remember hearing Matt telling me that once. We were definitely big - maybe not Carver-below-the-Equator big, but in terms of RPs, probably one of the largest (and no doubt the best). Either way, it's great to see you guys. I look forward to hearing your thoughts For what it's worth, a lot of the stuff that made the RP great, like classes and the tournament had to be run by one enthusiastic, clever, and quick-witted master of ceremonies. It took a lot of work (and time!) to make those fair, funny, interesting, engaging, not too slow, and ultimately fun. I think one of the cooler things about HS is that we've had debates on certain topics. As with most forums, those can quickly degenerate (middle schoolers debating gun rights is one such situation) but I also remember having some good discussions with Larry and others. Maybe not so much that one conservative guy. In any case, frequent posting on HS, occasionally with complicated issues, probably helped me a lot with language and typing skills. I couldn't type for shit in the beginning of middle school but forums and MMO's seemed to really accelerate that learning process. I think over the years, HS has helped me experience growth in a variety of ways. Those are some thoughts I had now.
	-Carver?


Matt Perry	Jan 3 2012, 12:42 AM Post #7
Legendary Posts: 2,338 Group: Admin Member #32 Joined: February 12, 2005	HS in a lot of ways is one of my only reminders that I am still alive every day. The idea that the past truly has happened and I am who I have always been. One of those identity crises kind of things.



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