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AerynJade · 03-19-2004, 11:03 PM

Dumbledore
Site creator

AerynJade(AJ): Yes, now where did I put that quill? Rumages through her pockets. Ah here it is. Alright then. I'm here with our latest Member of the Week, our very own site creator and Headmaster, Dumbledore. Are you ready for your interrogation...er...I mean interview?

Dumbledore: I'm not sure! You're making me nervous with that bright light! Be easy on me.

Turns off floodlight. Better? Oh don't worry we have interesting things in store for you.

When did you first create snitchseeker.com? And why?

I came up with the idea in November 2001.

Back in 1999 I had a Star Wars fan site. It was getting pretty popular. We had downloads, images, and multimedia. But popularity slowed down when TheForce.net and JediNet.com became so popular. So in 2000 I had to shut it down.

When I first heard about Harry Potter - and that there would be 7 books, all made into movies - I knew there could be good potential in starting a Harry Potter site. But first I had to look around and see if there were any major competitors, because I didn't want to have to shut down after putting so much work into something.

At the time I started checking around, there wasn't really much out there, most of the sites had a really bad layout and very little content.

My original intention was to just design and code the site, and then give it over to my niece, Kaleigh, who lives in Oregon. She was 13 or so at the time, and really excited about the Wizarding World. So I spent a month or so drawing up drafts and coming up with a catchy name. Then, when I finished the site, and launched it in February 2002, she changed her mind and didn't want to run it!

WOW! I've known you for a year and half and even I didn't know all the history behind the creation of SS! We just celebrated our 2nd birthday! February 2004-Happy Belated birthday to the SS! Well I know I for one and I'm sure there are countless others who LOVE the fact you kept it going so we can all enjoy this amazing site.

Thanks so much. I've met most of my best friends here. It has become a great community!

What’s your favorite part of the site? We know you can't play favorites but there has to be one part of it you like just a teensy bit more than the rest.

I can't decide between NEWS and the GALLERY. I think my true fave will be the sections we're releasing soon...

Ok our first MotW Avada asked this question to you. "What do you think members could do to help Snitch Seeker become a better community?"

That's a very good question. Members should try to be more patient and tolerant of each other, and try to help the new ones by taking them by the hand and showing them the way. There are lots of new young members that need help from the more experienced ones. And I think most of our members feel very much at home here.

Yes we do. I know I feel at home here. And I don't plan on leaving anytime soon.

Me either!

This one might seem obvious given your name, but which of the Harry Potter characters do you relate most too?

Dumbledore's my favorite character. He's so patient and wise.

But is he the one you relate most to?

I don't know if I really "relate" to him so much per se. That would more likely be Ron or the Weasley twins. Ron because he's so awkward and clownish at times, and the twins because they love mischief.

In other words you're afraid of giant spiders and you love practical jokes? lol

Yeah! My wife used to hate going places with me in public because she said I would embarrass her too much because I would do crazy things and just be too obnoxious. But I must have mellowed out a bit. Either that or she's gotten used to it.

Why do you think so many people read the HP books?

Because people love to get away from this world, and let their imagination take them to some place magical and wonderful. And Joanne Rowling has done such a fantastic job of describing this world and creating characters that we all can relate to so well.

That's how it is with me in both HP and Star Wars. The ability to escape our lives and get immersed in wonderful and imaginative worlds so different yet somehow at times similar to our own.

now that was poetic!

I do try *L* If you could ask our beloved J.K. Rowling just one question, what would it be and why?

I would ask her how she copes with the fame and the riches.

LOL! I often wonder how she does!

It must be crazy just going to the supermarket for groceries! She probably never does her own shopping any more

What's your favorite HP quote?

Man, that's hard. Rich ponders this a bit before answering. I think it was Archie from the Quidditch World Cup.
“I bought this in a Muggle shop….Muggles wear them.”
“Muggle women wear them Archie, not the men. They wear these. (holding up trousers)
“I‘m not putting them on.” said old Archie. “I like a healthy breeze ‘round my privates, thanks.”

Yes I think I'd have a hard time picking one on the spot if I were being interviewed by a demanding hostess such as myself LOL

lol! Yeah! I'll have to interview you some time

Writes herself a reminder to be sick on that day.

Which of the HP books is your favorite? Why?

My favorite book is number 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Because I we learn so much about Voldemort…ahem I mean "you-know-who". I also love the concept of the Tri-Wizard tournament. My second fave is still number 3: Prisoner of Azkaban.

What do you look forward to seeing in Book 6?

I am excited to see what trouble Harry will get into next and learn why he didn't die back when you-know-who killed his parents. And to learn more about Snape, why Dumbledore trusts him so much. He's (Snape) a great character. He may be the one I relate to the most actually. I should have answered that! lol

Really? Why Snape?

Well, I was teased a lot in school too, made fun of and beat up so I never liked school and always wished I was in the popular crowd. But I went to great lengths to become accepted. It's very hard not to be liked and accepted by others. That's one reason I try so hard to help youth whenever I can. It's important that they know that they are important and unique and that they don't need to fit in with everybody else. That they can be themselves.

That's why your such a wonderful boss to work for.

Thanks! I try to understand people that's my passion in life ;-)

OK now we've finished with the easy stuff. Now its time for the third degree. *wicked grins* Tell us a little about yourself.

*braces himself* Are you sure you want to hear this?

I'm 33. I was born in Dallas, Texas but only lived there a year.

Really?? You were born in the states? lol I never knew that!

My parents moved around a lot when I was growing up. They moved 14 times by the time I was 12. My sisters and I changed schools a lot. My mom taught us at home for a few years so we wouldn't have to switch schools all the time and make new friends so we really only had each other until like 7th grade. Then we started going to public school but it was hard because we weren't socially adequate. We had no social skills because we never were around other people so it was hard trying to make friends and get accepted.

Rich points out that he ran away from home at 15 but 3 years later returned and got his life back in order. He ended up marrying his lovely Norweigan wife and moved to Norway seven years ago.

I never had an education so I decided to teach myself web design and in 1998 or 1999 (I can't remember) I started buying books like crazy and spent 2 or more hours EVERY SINGLE DAY studying and learning until I finally was able to get a job in the field in mid-2000.

Now I am Senior Web Designer over a team of 6 designers that work for a large Nordic company. It's great fun!

And just look where its taken you. To creator of one of the best HP sites, someone so many of us respect and admire, and as a great friend we know we can count on. If you knew this was what would happen would you have changed anything you did or anything that happened when you younger?

Very good question. I think I would have changed some things yes, especially the way I treated my parents. My mom specifically and now that I have kids of my own I know what it's like to be a parent. It's very hard.

Describe your personality.

I'm playful, open-minded and a man of action. I like to get things done and not just talk.

LOL Who inspires you most in your life?

This may seem corny, but it's Jesus Christ. I am very inspired by His patience.

That's not corny at all. :-)

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

I like to collect DVD's. I have 300 or so and I love watching movies with the commentary on.

What's your secret talent? I know you have to have one.

Impersonations? I do a good Steve Martin and Jim Carrey. They're both brilliant. It's all in the facial expressions.

What's your favorite food?

That's hard. I guess Mexican…maybe Chicken Fajitas.

LOL sounds good! You're making me hungry.

And finally…What one question would you ask the next MotM?

That's hard! I have lots I would ask. I'll try to narrow it down to one:

What one thing would they want to accomplish in life - if they could do ANYTHING at all?

Unstraps Rich from his interrogation chair. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

Hey your welcome! It was fun!

If you'll just step down the hall, the nurse will see to you. LOL

hahaha! I need a good nurse! My back's killing me! What'd you do to this chair?

Heehee. Not telling’ where I got the chair or what I did to it. My little secret.

Keep an eye out for the next installment of AJ’s interrogations. And the latest Member of the Week Interviews.

Griffiths123 · 02-26-2006, 09:47 PM

cool! i didnt know u were born in the states! just shows u huh.
and i also like watching movies with the commentry on.

Oya · 07-09-2006, 03:13 PM

awesome interview! Richard you rock

itsjustjesse · 02-07-2007, 11:30 PM

Awsome interview, and OMG I never realized I was on here THAT long...I joined in 2002 myself! December 25, 2002...actually....wow...I'm what you could call a 'golden oldie' for SS timing!

Wandisil · 03-03-2007, 01:35 AM

That was an awesome interview! I really learned alot.

Tom Marvolo Riddle · 03-03-2007, 05:20 AM

Great interview! Rich seems to be a very level headed guy, I can really relate to where he's coming from. I love to collect dvds as well, and once had to get my life back together. I also belive strongly in Jesus. Awsome to see where our SS creator is from and going!

Dawlish · 01-13-2008, 12:25 PM

wow! awesome interview!

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