Tenth Anniversary Interview with Prof. Miette
As some of you might know, Prof. Miette Bynny is one of the oldest people around here*, and seeing how this year is HOL's 10th Anniversary, we invited her for a small talk. Keep on reading to hear the good stuff!
Editor's note: When Zoki says, "one of the oldest people around here," he means she's been at HOL for ages, not that she's an ancient space creature who is the last of her kind. As we all know, Miette is the teeniest of teeny-boppers. ;) -CBM
1. You're one of the few people who have survived from the start of the site until now. What made you join back then?
I joined HOL back in 2001 because I just finished reading the first two books and was excited about the movies coming out. I looked up all I could about the movies and ended up at this one movie site "countingdown.net or .com", can't remember now. But I was on this forum about the HP movie and someone mentioned HOL. So I joined HOL and was sorted into Gryffindor :)
2. What kept you active and alive on the site?
Well, I did have a few hiatuses, but I kept coming back because it was an escape from the everyday monotony. Plus it was fun to imagine what it was like to be in Hogwarts. The competition and the friendships.
3. What was the best thing that happened to you in these 10 years?
The best thing that happened to me was actually meeting a few HOLers. I met one of my best friends — Prof. Hatshepsut (Gryff ex-HoH) — and I met Nicky Delacour. But probably making some real friendships on here. It is amazing how you can become friends with someone you never really meet, but you tell everything too.
4. What's your experience with HOL through all these years?
HOL has definitely had its ups and downs, but I would say squash all the drama and it has been really great. It's sad that you don't talk to the same people you used to sometimes, but it is great seeing old faces (names) appear again on IRC and you can catch up.
5. Has HOL changed after so many years? If yes, how?
HOL has changed a lot. Some people say for the better, some say it got worse. But with a online community that has been running for 10 years, it can't be like it used to. It has to constantly change because we have so many more people coming in, and people like me that have been here for a while sometimes start to feel the daily grind of running a house or other activities.
6. What's the feeling to be involved around with the 10th Anniversary stuff?
I find it to be fun. We are planning so many activities, and some of these activities involve researching archives. It starts to bring up memories of old forums and old friends and activities we used to hold. It's just real fun because there are just a handful of people that have been here the whole 10 years.
7. Do you think many oldies will come back for the Anniversary?
I think there will be some popping back in. It really is up to us oldies that are here to get in contact with them. I myself know of a few that would come back. It just all comes down to a time and place and let me know. But it is also spreading the word. Get the oldies to get in touch with other oldies.
8. Did you liked how the Anniversary Banner Contest went?
I did. It was amazing to see the artistic talent we have here at HOL. I'm pretty sure we will have other contests that will involve the arts, so I can't wait to judge on them.
9. How long in the future do you see staying around?
I hope to see HOL stay around a bit longer. I know it's hard to say how much longer, but I think as long as people have a love of the books and a love for imagination HOL would love to be around. But we can't force people to stay, if for some reason the site should close I'm sure people will stay around chat because we are friends and would like to stay in contact if just by IRC.
10. Are there any special moments or words that you'd like to highlight for newer people, who haven't been around?
I'd just like to say that take this site for what it is. It is an online community where you meet many different people from many different cultures. You are here to enjoy Harry Potter and a FRIENDLY competition. The moment you make it into something more serious is when the fun starts to fade. Remember to just talk to anyone and everyone. Don't be afraid to come on IRC or send an HOL message to someone you never talked to before. If you are too shy, join the PPC; they will help you meet more people and make your transition easier on HOL. Of course you can always PM or HOL message me :) I'm not that mean, regardless what others say *winks*