This is the fourth in a series of profiles of link, started back in January and only published now because I was doing about eight at once. It was last edited on 13 May 2008.
As with many fans, I first became aware of tubby2002 when she started posting to the link over a year ago. Since then I've been more and more impressed with the extent of her contributions, as well as her passion for reviewing and rating other users' content. In talking to other users about her, I found I wasn't the only one. Not one user I spoke with had anything but praise for her.
For example, link wrote: "I am a HUGE fan of tubby, she's an all-arounder: always posts great images & videos to my favorite spots! Plus she ALWAYS rates your stuff & leaves comments that make you smile!"
link added: "tubby2002 is a brilliant user, she's so nice and friendly and I don't have anything negative at all to say about her - I don't think anyone could. She views loads of content and rates loads, but you also know she really does love to do that and does actually view the content as she always leaves really wonderful and interesting comments everywhere, particularly on pieces of fanart and it's always wonderful to get feedback and to know that someone really appreciates your efforts..."
Despite being an early fan, when I started writing this series of profiles I realized I didn't know all that much about tubby2002, other than random facts such as that she likes chocolate (most of the time), has a minivan, owns her own house, and has a crazy dog named Maggie. I decided to find out more about this well-respected Fanpop User in a series of message exchanges conducted over the last few months.
Harold: Describe how you discovered Fanpop, what you did when you found it, and what has kept you coming back.
Tubby2002: I discovered Fanpop from link while we were looking for sites to watch movies and TV shows. When I first found it, I watched movies. The thing that kept me coming back was the awesome selection of videos on the site and then you started doing pictures and I just loved that.
A note to the reader: I (harold) am not in any way affiliated with nor do I work for Fanpop, Inc.
I just signed up early.
Harold: What would surprise other Fanpop users to learn about you?
Tubby2002: I have such a full schedule, yet I still have time for all the stuff on Fanpop. I am a single mom, a full-time student, and I read about 2 books a week.
Harold: Aside from you, what is noteworthy about your home town?
Tubby2002: Well, technically I don't have a home town (I was a navy brat), but the town that I lived in for the past 7 years used to be big in the oil industry. Just outside it was the site for Penzoil and Quakerstate oil before they moved to Texas.
Harold: Was there a "plus side" to growing up a navy brat?
Tubby2002: All the people that I got to meet. I have friends that live all over the country.
Harold: Describe your favorite place.
Tubby2002: at my house on the computer
Harold: What did you do online before you found Fanpop?
Tubby2002: MySpace (which I rarely go to anymore)
Harold: What is your favorite little-known spot?
Tubby2002: The link
Harold Why do you think people chose you as Fan of the Fortnight?
Tubby2002: probably because of the amount of things that I have posted to numerous spots.
Harold: You, with Emilee, were the first to make link. A lot of users are enchanted at all the stuff you've posted there about your kids. For the rest of them, would you like to tell us a bit about your kids?
Tubby2002: Well, my daughter is in preschool and is so excited to go to Kindergarten next year. My son can't wait to start preschool. Both of my kids are really smart. I am not just saying that because they are my kids but because I have heard that from other people as well, including my daughter's teacher.
Harold: In one of the forum games, you've said that you've performed on stage. Was that acting, singing, dancing...what was it?
Tubby2002: I was in this musical thing in elementary school where I had to sing with the chorus and dance. It was something on the Boston Tea Party; I hated it!
Harold: You mentioned reading, before. Name your favorite fictional character and explain a little why you chose him/her.
Tubby2002: I have so many but right now I would have to say it is Anita Blake (The Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by link) because she is a woman who can kick so ass, she knows what she wants and she takes it no matter what the world thinks of her.
Harold: For those who haven't read them, could you tell us a bit more? Is the series in chronological order, or which book should people start reading?
Tubby2002: The books do go in order, starting with Guilty Pleasures. There are 15 books in the series right now and she is still making more. The books are about Anita Blake who is an animator (raises zombies) and she works with the local police station to help solve crimes involving things such as werewolf and vampire attacks, magic. It is full of action and romance. I fell in love with this series after I read the first book.
Harold: What are you reading these days?
Tubby2002: I am currently reading Wifey by Judy Blume.
Harold: At the rate you read, I'm sure you've tackled many others since I first asked that question. What are you reading now? Any particular recommendations from books you've read recently, like, say, since we started this interview?
Tubby2002: Now I am reading Dark Lover (link) by J.R. Ward
I recommend the link. It is absolutely amazing (and they are making it into a movie to be released in December). I just re-read the first book last week.
Harold: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
Tubby2002: Hawaii, because right now I am tired of the cold and the snow and I think it would be fun and warm.
Harold: What music are you listening to these days?
Tubby2002: Well, all sorts. A lot of country...
Harold: Any specific songs or albums that you particularly like? Do you download music, listen to it on the radio, listen online, or just listen to albums on a stereo or player?
Tubby2002: I download all my music and listen to it on my link. I really like link right now.
Harold: What film/show have you enjoyed recently?
Tubby2002: Well, my favorite TV show is link
Harold: Do you have a particular favorite episode of "House"?
Tubby2002: I really like link and link.
Harold: Are you the type of fan who knows the series well enough to recommend an episode for newbies to start with, to introduce them to the show's important elements? If yes, which would you choose?
Tubby2002: I would say that people should watch the "Fetal Postion," hearing about that episode made me really want to watch the show. I didn't become a fan until the end of last season and I had to wait until summer re-runs to see that episode and it was really good.
Harold: Tell us about the favorite thing you've seen on Fanpop in the past week.
Tubby2002: The spoilers for the episode of House that airs after the super bowl.
Needless to say, more than week went by between asking the question and publishing the article. So I asked again.
Tubby2002: All of the awesome set pics that were posted on the Twilight spot for the upcoming movie. (posted by link, link, and link)
Harold: Of all your contributions, of what are you most proud?
Tubby2002: All the House and Harry Potter pics. I worked long and hard to find them and I love that people like them....
Also talking about tubby2002's image contributions, link writes: "I think that tubby2002 is a great Fanpopper! I am going to have to go with the majority and say that she submits great images. All over many different spots on Fanpop, I see countless images that she has submitted, and Fanpop is lucky to have her."
Harold: Tell us your favorite expression.
Tubby2002: smiling!
Harold: If you could have lunch with 3 other users whom you do not know in real life already, which would you choose and why?
Tubby2002: It would be Laura90, link, and link because of all the awesome stuff that they post. misanthrope86 makes some really good picks on the House M.D. spot and always comments on my stuff on the House and House-related spots. Laura90 and Loveronica both post so many things to many of the spots I go to a lot and they both also comment on a lot of my stuff! I would love to be able to sit down and talk to them face to face because we have a lot of similar interests.
This sentiment was shared by the users she mentioned. misanthrope86 wrote: "Tubby2002 is a great contributor to the House MD Spot and many other House-related spots. She contributes A LOT of excellent material to the spot and she always takes the time to fairly rate and comment on other people's contributions.
"She is also always willing to answer any questions and help fellow Fanpoppers out.
"She is definitely one of the nicest people on Fanpop and I really appreciate all her contributions and assistance! "
Harold: I guess that you'd drink some Diet Pepsi at that lunch. But what is your favorite food/dish?
Tubby2002: I love Taco Bell. I could eat tacos like crazy!
Harold: Which languages do you speak?
Tubby2002: only English.
Harold: You're a sophomore, right? What are you studying in college?
Tubby2002: I am studying to be a high school math teacher.
Harold: Is that because you love math and are gifted at it? One of my closest friends studied math in college and worked as a math tutor as well, because he was both good at it and enjoyed it. Or did you have a math teacher who particularly inspired you? To ask it another way, what has drawn you to study to become a math teacher?
Tubby2002: Well I guess I want to teach math because it was my favorite subject in high school. Math has always come easily to me. The teacher that inspired me to become a teacher wasn't my math teacher, but my science teacher. I loved her and her methods of teaching and I knew that I wanted to do the same thing, but I didnt want to teach science. So that is why I chose that I wanted to teach math.
Harold: What has been the biggest surprise for you in your life?
Tubby2002: when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter.
Harold: When were you happiest in your life? When were you the most scared?
Tubby2002: happiest: when my kids were born
scariest: when my kids were born
Harold: As a parent of two kids myself, I have to say that parenting is far more than I ever anticipated: more work, more messes, more frustrations, more joys. My question is: for you, what's the best thing about being a parent?
Tubby2002: Watching my kids' smiles when they learn to do something for the first time. I love it!
Harold: Describe your life philosophy.
Tubby2002: Live your life the way you want do, don't worry about what other people think. Just have fun and enjoy yourself!
Thanks to Tubby2002 for agreeing to be interviewed, and all her fans who responded to my queries for this article.
As with many fans, I first became aware of tubby2002 when she started posting to the link over a year ago. Since then I've been more and more impressed with the extent of her contributions, as well as her passion for reviewing and rating other users' content. In talking to other users about her, I found I wasn't the only one. Not one user I spoke with had anything but praise for her.
For example, link wrote: "I am a HUGE fan of tubby, she's an all-arounder: always posts great images & videos to my favorite spots! Plus she ALWAYS rates your stuff & leaves comments that make you smile!"
link added: "tubby2002 is a brilliant user, she's so nice and friendly and I don't have anything negative at all to say about her - I don't think anyone could. She views loads of content and rates loads, but you also know she really does love to do that and does actually view the content as she always leaves really wonderful and interesting comments everywhere, particularly on pieces of fanart and it's always wonderful to get feedback and to know that someone really appreciates your efforts..."
Despite being an early fan, when I started writing this series of profiles I realized I didn't know all that much about tubby2002, other than random facts such as that she likes chocolate (most of the time), has a minivan, owns her own house, and has a crazy dog named Maggie. I decided to find out more about this well-respected Fanpop User in a series of message exchanges conducted over the last few months.
Harold: Describe how you discovered Fanpop, what you did when you found it, and what has kept you coming back.
Tubby2002: I discovered Fanpop from link while we were looking for sites to watch movies and TV shows. When I first found it, I watched movies. The thing that kept me coming back was the awesome selection of videos on the site and then you started doing pictures and I just loved that.
A note to the reader: I (harold) am not in any way affiliated with nor do I work for Fanpop, Inc.
I just signed up early.
Harold: What would surprise other Fanpop users to learn about you?
Tubby2002: I have such a full schedule, yet I still have time for all the stuff on Fanpop. I am a single mom, a full-time student, and I read about 2 books a week.
Harold: Aside from you, what is noteworthy about your home town?
Tubby2002: Well, technically I don't have a home town (I was a navy brat), but the town that I lived in for the past 7 years used to be big in the oil industry. Just outside it was the site for Penzoil and Quakerstate oil before they moved to Texas.
Harold: Was there a "plus side" to growing up a navy brat?
Tubby2002: All the people that I got to meet. I have friends that live all over the country.
Harold: Describe your favorite place.
Tubby2002: at my house on the computer
Harold: What did you do online before you found Fanpop?
Tubby2002: MySpace (which I rarely go to anymore)
Harold: What is your favorite little-known spot?
Tubby2002: The link
Harold Why do you think people chose you as Fan of the Fortnight?
Tubby2002: probably because of the amount of things that I have posted to numerous spots.
Harold: You, with Emilee, were the first to make link. A lot of users are enchanted at all the stuff you've posted there about your kids. For the rest of them, would you like to tell us a bit about your kids?
Tubby2002: Well, my daughter is in preschool and is so excited to go to Kindergarten next year. My son can't wait to start preschool. Both of my kids are really smart. I am not just saying that because they are my kids but because I have heard that from other people as well, including my daughter's teacher.
Harold: In one of the forum games, you've said that you've performed on stage. Was that acting, singing, dancing...what was it?
Tubby2002: I was in this musical thing in elementary school where I had to sing with the chorus and dance. It was something on the Boston Tea Party; I hated it!
Harold: You mentioned reading, before. Name your favorite fictional character and explain a little why you chose him/her.
Tubby2002: I have so many but right now I would have to say it is Anita Blake (The Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by link) because she is a woman who can kick so ass, she knows what she wants and she takes it no matter what the world thinks of her.
Harold: For those who haven't read them, could you tell us a bit more? Is the series in chronological order, or which book should people start reading?
Tubby2002: The books do go in order, starting with Guilty Pleasures. There are 15 books in the series right now and she is still making more. The books are about Anita Blake who is an animator (raises zombies) and she works with the local police station to help solve crimes involving things such as werewolf and vampire attacks, magic. It is full of action and romance. I fell in love with this series after I read the first book.
Harold: What are you reading these days?
Tubby2002: I am currently reading Wifey by Judy Blume.
Harold: At the rate you read, I'm sure you've tackled many others since I first asked that question. What are you reading now? Any particular recommendations from books you've read recently, like, say, since we started this interview?
Tubby2002: Now I am reading Dark Lover (link) by J.R. Ward
I recommend the link. It is absolutely amazing (and they are making it into a movie to be released in December). I just re-read the first book last week.
Harold: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
Tubby2002: Hawaii, because right now I am tired of the cold and the snow and I think it would be fun and warm.
Harold: What music are you listening to these days?
Tubby2002: Well, all sorts. A lot of country...
Harold: Any specific songs or albums that you particularly like? Do you download music, listen to it on the radio, listen online, or just listen to albums on a stereo or player?
Tubby2002: I download all my music and listen to it on my link. I really like link right now.
Harold: What film/show have you enjoyed recently?
Tubby2002: Well, my favorite TV show is link
Harold: Do you have a particular favorite episode of "House"?
Tubby2002: I really like link and link.
Harold: Are you the type of fan who knows the series well enough to recommend an episode for newbies to start with, to introduce them to the show's important elements? If yes, which would you choose?
Tubby2002: I would say that people should watch the "Fetal Postion," hearing about that episode made me really want to watch the show. I didn't become a fan until the end of last season and I had to wait until summer re-runs to see that episode and it was really good.
Harold: Tell us about the favorite thing you've seen on Fanpop in the past week.
Tubby2002: The spoilers for the episode of House that airs after the super bowl.
Needless to say, more than week went by between asking the question and publishing the article. So I asked again.
Tubby2002: All of the awesome set pics that were posted on the Twilight spot for the upcoming movie. (posted by link, link, and link)
Harold: Of all your contributions, of what are you most proud?
Tubby2002: All the House and Harry Potter pics. I worked long and hard to find them and I love that people like them....
Also talking about tubby2002's image contributions, link writes: "I think that tubby2002 is a great Fanpopper! I am going to have to go with the majority and say that she submits great images. All over many different spots on Fanpop, I see countless images that she has submitted, and Fanpop is lucky to have her."
Harold: Tell us your favorite expression.
Tubby2002: smiling!
Harold: If you could have lunch with 3 other users whom you do not know in real life already, which would you choose and why?
Tubby2002: It would be Laura90, link, and link because of all the awesome stuff that they post. misanthrope86 makes some really good picks on the House M.D. spot and always comments on my stuff on the House and House-related spots. Laura90 and Loveronica both post so many things to many of the spots I go to a lot and they both also comment on a lot of my stuff! I would love to be able to sit down and talk to them face to face because we have a lot of similar interests.
This sentiment was shared by the users she mentioned. misanthrope86 wrote: "Tubby2002 is a great contributor to the House MD Spot and many other House-related spots. She contributes A LOT of excellent material to the spot and she always takes the time to fairly rate and comment on other people's contributions.
"She is also always willing to answer any questions and help fellow Fanpoppers out.
"She is definitely one of the nicest people on Fanpop and I really appreciate all her contributions and assistance! "
Harold: I guess that you'd drink some Diet Pepsi at that lunch. But what is your favorite food/dish?
Tubby2002: I love Taco Bell. I could eat tacos like crazy!
Harold: Which languages do you speak?
Tubby2002: only English.
Harold: You're a sophomore, right? What are you studying in college?
Tubby2002: I am studying to be a high school math teacher.
Harold: Is that because you love math and are gifted at it? One of my closest friends studied math in college and worked as a math tutor as well, because he was both good at it and enjoyed it. Or did you have a math teacher who particularly inspired you? To ask it another way, what has drawn you to study to become a math teacher?
Tubby2002: Well I guess I want to teach math because it was my favorite subject in high school. Math has always come easily to me. The teacher that inspired me to become a teacher wasn't my math teacher, but my science teacher. I loved her and her methods of teaching and I knew that I wanted to do the same thing, but I didnt want to teach science. So that is why I chose that I wanted to teach math.
Harold: What has been the biggest surprise for you in your life?
Tubby2002: when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter.
Harold: When were you happiest in your life? When were you the most scared?
Tubby2002: happiest: when my kids were born
scariest: when my kids were born
Harold: As a parent of two kids myself, I have to say that parenting is far more than I ever anticipated: more work, more messes, more frustrations, more joys. My question is: for you, what's the best thing about being a parent?
Tubby2002: Watching my kids' smiles when they learn to do something for the first time. I love it!
Harold: Describe your life philosophy.
Tubby2002: Live your life the way you want do, don't worry about what other people think. Just have fun and enjoy yourself!
Thanks to Tubby2002 for agreeing to be interviewed, and all her fans who responded to my queries for this article.