People are talking about us . . .

. . . and not in a good way!

See this thread.

What do you think? Is the Hogwarts Express group fading into obscurity?

It's nice to see a voice of concern. I do find it odd that HE has fallen in activity. I was chalking it up to the holidays, but if I were going by this group, I'd assume that the holidays claimed several lives. o_O

Hey, I've done what I can, but I admit it's been hard to get on regularly since Catbastet started college. Sometimes you have to be a mom. And an author. Putting the book together was really limiting my playtime.

I will try starting some new threads to see what happens. Give me time to think up some ideas.

I always feel like I'm spamming if I come up with too many ideas at once. Or if I suddenly take an interest in EVERYONE'S threads. I kind of wait for someone to say, "Rozax! Do you not have a life??"

To which I'd have to pitifully say, "No...I just got laid off...but I guess I could work on a story I've been sketching at for a few months...or work on my epinions reviews..."

#3 -- You always manage to come up with good thread ideas! Also, I understand about being busy. We miss hearing from Cat, too, but I don't think I would have had time to be active in a group like this when I was an undergrad, so I understand that, too.

#4 -- It's funny . . . I remember a time when the fad was to post on every thread, so that you'd see one member's username as the last post all down the list of threads when you looked at the group page. We called it "building a wall," and Kerian and I actually had to ask people not to do it, because it got hectic and competitive, and resulted in a lot of meaningless-noise type posts (saying "hi" on every thread, while great for post count, is a little irritating for those of us who obsessively read every post in the group!). Now that it's so quiet, I almost long for those days!

. . . All of that to say, go ahead and post on every thread, if you want (and if you have something more substantial to say than "hi!"). I've long since given up the pretense of having a life around here, but I'm also not always the most talkative person, either in person or online, so I have to remind myself to post sometimes, rather than just read.

Whereas I *am* more talkative online and sometimes think others would just like me to quiet down.

I started one new thread. Plan your magical vacation getaway. :o)

#5 -- I kinda did that one night, when I couldn't sleep. I found something interesting in nearly every thread I visited, so I added my two cents. I was hoping I wouldn't be flogged the next morning. ^^;

If what you say adds to the conversation, no one minds!

Exactly!

Penguin.

We also have a lack of news to discuss. We can't do movie reviews now that all the movies are out. We're waiting on JKR/Pottermore to update, so we can discuss that info.

I know a few of us have had children in recent years, and while I can't speak for all, I'm willing to bet that they'd corroborate my opinion that your life enters a time-warp-drain with toddlers around! :) I also went through a significant job change, which has been good for me, but takes away from LT time, too.

But the biggest factor, I agree, is the sad, sad fact that all the books and movies are out. I remember fondly the anticipatory, speculative conversations we had in advance of the DH release, and how I couldn't wait to read everyone's thoughts. Releases definitely drove discussion, as we had both the build-up and post-read/-watch debate.

But I'm still here, even if I only lurk at times, and don't want to see HE go away!!!

It isn't just about the books for me, and it definitely isn't about the movies. I like this community.

Oh, I do too, Rozax, which is why I'm still here. And also why I'm friends on Facebook with so many from here! But there were many more who were active in the early years that I've not seen in months and months, and I think their absence speaks to the fact that for many initial members, it was more about HP itself than the relationships.

Just checking in! I love the HE but as many people have said, I've been lurking more than I've been posting... I will try to post more often from now on.

#10: LOL!
#12: I remember those days, grk, and as much as I love my kids, I'm so glad to have left those years behind. The tantrums, the hyperactivity, the calls to poison control....

#16 - Knock on wood, JP, but we've not had to call poison control (yet). But the tantrums, the hyperactivity...oh yeah, *those* I know intimately! ;o)

#17: Luckily, we only had to do that with my youngest. Twice. In one week. She was too smart and strong for childproofing when she was two. *sigh*

This is unfortunate about the Hogwarts Express! Not to fear, Eris to the rescue. Commence commenting!

it is sad how much this group has quieted down. I know I've had times when I've fallen off of posting, and while I keep up on the important threads, I don't join in as much as I used to. and I haven't read every thread in just about forever (or the last 3.5 years)

I am just so much busier that I don't have as much time to post as I used to and I think that is true for many people. . . it is also true that many of us keep up with each other on Facebook.

College has kind of done a brain drain on me. :P I usually have barely enough time to read threads, and I haven't been very good about doing that either. I often end up reading over JP's shoulder every now and then. I'll try to post a little more often. :)
We may not have any new HP books and movies, but there are still other movies and things coming out that we can talk about. I for one am excited about The Hobbit coming out, and I'm ecstatic that Benedict Cumberbatch is going to be the voice of Smaug. I think it's also hilarious since Martin Freeman is playing Bilbo. It'll be like Sherlock and Watson as a dragon and a hobbit! ;)

I do think it's the lack of new JKR material. Maybe if she wrote a new book, there'd be activity.

I remember so, so fondly the run up to Deathly Hallows (the book). I was obsessed, and you people were so much fun to indulge in the obsession with!

I think part of it is that we have a lot fewer new members come through with the lack of new movies/books to talk about. we used to get someone new and very energetic every now and then who would revitalize the group for a bit (bib and the Resurrection Stone :) )

We have nearly 2000 members by the counter on the homepage -- but of course, a lot of those are inactive, or join the group with no intention of posting, just to indicate that they are Harry Potter fans on their profile. I remember having big threads for milestones like 700 and 800 members, back in my early days here. I do think that new members don't have as much to talk about, with no new material. We've had some enthusiastic new members, but a lot of the Potter-specific threads are buried pages back on the list, making them hard to find -- and a little awkward to comment on, perhaps.

I love digging up old, interesting threads. I know it bugs other people, though.

Not only am I not popping into HE very often, overall I'm not on LT as much as I used to be. I do miss interacting with all of you though and hope to be able to stop in more often (and I'll try to post more when I do!)

Also, what does everyone think about trying to start another group read? I know even outside the HP series we had some good book chats in the past!

#26 -- On the contrary, I don't think it bugs people. We have a long history of dredging up old threads, as Rissa mentioned in post #24. We refer to it as using the Resurrection Stone. :-)

#27 -- A group read would be great! I've also been thinking another photo/artwork contest might be a good idea (I think Rissa mentioned this in a different thread a while back).

yes, because I miss all the cool group pics we had going for a while. not that the current isn't cool, but we've had it just about forever now.

A group read would be cool - has anybody read Wonderstruck?

#30 - Haven't read it but definitely want to!
(Of course, in that past it was easier to do group reads of slightly older books - or at least ones that are more readily available at libraries and/or paperback in bookstores since not everyone has access to new release/hardcover books.)

I haven't been posting much because I've been so busy. I'm learning all new curriculum and working on my National Board Certification. Busy, busy, busy. I do read about every other day or so, but I don't always post.

#32 - Good luck Kirby! I have a few friends going through national board classes right now so I know what a challenging marathon of work that can be! Wishing you all the best!!

And I started a separate thread for discussing a new group read. Feel free to chime in on it here!

Just thought it was worth a mention that we are back in the "Active This Week" list! Way to go everyone, it really is fun to (re)connect with all of you!

Yay! That's what Harry Potter fans are awesome about - we're good in a crisis.

22 Cat, I love that too. And isn't Benedict Cumberpatch the most British name you could invent?

30 Eris, I loved Wonderstruck, a lovely lovely book and yes I am up for a group read. I think a read keeps us more focused. I don't always feel like I can follow up on all the other threads.

32 Good luck Kirby!!!

34 El we need to get milkshakes or coffee again soon.

Benedict Cumberbatch is also the hottest British male ever invented. :)

Where are Suge and LG when you need them? Sounds like a HEG thread Eris.

Hehe. The Irish guys are welcome to come, too. :D

#37: Finally someone who agrees with me!

This thread is making me happy, because it's gone old school and off topic...like the good ol' days!

Talking about hot British males makes my brain go off topic.



*drools*

Hi, you guys, just dropped by to say that in the next few weeks I won't have constant internet access, I'm staying at an aunt's house till February 12th and I'm pretty sure she doesn't have internet at home, I will try to post whenever and wherever I can but not as often as I normally do.

Wishing the best for everyone in the upcoming weeks,
Ronald

You should sign over your posting rights to me. I'll post for you.

#44: Of course I will, I was going to ask you through a private message, but oh well

#5 "meaningless-noise type posts"

p~

Please ignore the noises from the peanut gallery.

Also i will need a credit card and bank account number. I shall await your message.

#18 I figured out why god didn't let me have children. I would have been one of those mothers who puts their kids in a bubble. Today when Spike and I were in the hallway he was in the entrance to our unit which is accessible by the public. I picked him up when I saw he had something in his mouth and was saying spit it out, you never know it could be poison someone threw over the screen door.

#48 -- I'm pretty protective about what Sophie puts in her mouth, too. Especially when I am walking her out in the common area around our apartment building.

Good to "see" you again, by the way!

#48: *Wondering why someone would throw poison at your door. What did MrA do now?*

I would worry about pets too. Especially in our area, where we have such lovely wild mushrooms like the Death Cap and Angel of Death. One of our friends had to bring her beagle to the emergency vet clinic after it sampled some of the local vegetation. (Thankfully, they were able to help her)

Oh, dear. I'm glad the dog was all right.

Yeah, definitely keep an eye on a kid outside in the garden. When I was about a year old I decided that snail bait, dirt, snails, and small rocks tasted great and I started shoving the stuff into my mouth and swallowing. Mom had to Heimlich me.

Good luck with Spike, MsDonna!

#51: Suddenly your username makes so much more sense. Your poor mom! :o)

#48-50 My two younger dogs like to eat everything they can get their mouths on. They're a little better than they used to be but we constantly find them carrying things like rocks, sticks, pieces of plastic, fluff from their toys...

I have never been able to post of much as my first month of posting back in August 2007. I must have had a lot of time on my hands that summer. Now it seems like I can never get enough. I'm usually lurking around the HE every week or so and post even less often. Hopefully I can bring back up my pitiful post count.

Yesterday I realized I hadn't changed my "currently reading" book in over a year! I also hadn't added any books in 2011 so now I'm looking around my room to update my library.

In other news, I celebrated my 5 year LT anniversary on Friday! :)

#53 -- Well, if you think about what had just happened in the world of Harry Potter right around that time, it makes sense that a lot of us set posting records that month!

I really need to update my LT library. I haven't added any books for quite a while, and I don't think I ever finished adding books before that.

My LT library is basically up to date, but I really need to organize my actual library. I just took books out of boxes and put them on shelves when I moved in, thinking that I would organize them after I got everything else unpacked . . . now, eight months later, the books are still disorganized.

#54 That's very true. I remember how excited I was to be able to talk with other Harry Potter crazed people. This group was a wonderful community to dive into. :)

The books in my room don't have much of an organization system at the moment. Series are in order and some books are with others that are "similar". I should rearrange them when I finish renovating my room.

I have a pile of books I need to either remove from my TBR pile, catalog, or do both to. It's beginning to look scary. ;(

I think I've just been distracted a lot lately. October through the end of winter vacation means more family time and crazy work schedules. My sister's boyfriend moved away in the summer, so when she's not studying, I'm her only company. Often at work people say to me, "Kerian, you're my third arm! Help!" and I'll be exhausted for days. There was also the boyfriend, who I still spend time with, just as friends. I think for most of January, though, I've pretty much just not been feeling well.