However, I would never have become such a fan without first being “exposed!” When I was in college and reading “serious text books,” I could have cared less about the Harry Potter phenomenon that was brewing around me. I thought folks who were willing to get in line at midnight were crazy;  and when the first two films came out, I declared that they were “kiddie movies” and that the Lord of the Rings films were better.

Yet, I couldn’t avoid those movies, as every time I went to visit my mother, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone would be on. Why? Because my little cousin, who was two at the time, watched the movie so much that his mother told him that his VHS had “broken” so he would stop. Leave it to my mother to get her own copy (DVD), for when he found out, he would leave his house at night,  ring my mother’s bell (she lived next door) and get in her bed to watch it until he fell asleep. This was their little ritual.

I was sucked into Potterverse, when my Dearie became ill and went into the hospital. My mother tried to cheer me up by taking me to a local record and tape shop. I bought severalmovies; among them were the first two Harry Potter movies, used. Of course, my mother and her “baby” had already known the greatness of Chamber of Secrets, but I became a fan after watching the films.

Sometime later, I experienced my first hint of Harry Potter fandom excitement when my mother and I were sitting at the table and an advertisement for the Prisoner of Azkaban came on the television.  We screamed like little kids. We were excitedly remarking about how much older the trio had become, and we were going to see the movie the first day it opened. The day after the movie came out, my Dearie, my mother and I braved rain that I’m sure included cats, dogs and perhaps some teacup pigs, to see the film. We LOVED it! (Of course, I hadn’t been introduced to book!Ron, yet.)

When the DVD came out, it was our MISSION to get to the store to buy it the first day. Right after work, we bought our DVDs, and when I dropped her off at home, my box set of hardcover HP books 1-5 (that I had ordered) were delivered to her house. That was a kick behind day!!!

By the time Goblet of Fire came out, I was fully in the fandom, so I kept my mother updated on movie related news and showed her pictures as they were released. My mother was entertained by my actions, always rolling her eyes, because I was always uber excited about everything.

When the time came, my Dearie, my mother, my cousin “her baby”, and myself went to see the latest Potter flick. To be honest, she wasn’t as into GoF as she was into the others.I think it was because she was a fan of the “whimsy” of the first two movies, but she did like it.

Over the years, I’ve tried to get her to read the books (I recall having her help me to put an iron-on on a shirt for the Half-Blood Prince book release), but she never would. So, I was constantly telling her about how the books and the movies were different, and how Ron was the best thing since sliced bread.

By the time Order of the Phoenix came out, I had already started traveling to Rupert Grint and Harry Potter related events. Whenever I flew, (my companion gifted to me years ago by my mother), “travel bear,” would fly with me. It was like taking my mother along for protection, which was a nice feeling, because by this time, my mother wasn’t able to get to the theater to see the movie as she did with previous installments. When it finally came out on DVD, she saw it. I think she liked it, I don’t recall exactly.

Once again, when Half-Blood Prince was released in the theaters, she wasn’t to go, she couldn’t (not easily, anyway.) When the movie came out, I told her about it and as usual, I was looking forward to the DVD being released on December 8th. I bought a blu-ray player just because I was going to get the Ultimate Editions 1 and 2. I told my mother in September that I had asked my Dearie to make me a chicken potpie for the release date, because it was going to be a special day. I was going to buy my mother the DVDalso, so she could have her own copy, as well.

However, in the month before the movie was to come out on DVD, Harry Potter was the last thing on my mind. For something that I knew deep inside was coming for at least the last two years was finally approaching. On December 3rd, it finally did.

My mother, who put me on the road to Harry Potter left this earth, and me, her only child. I knew it was coming,  I was right in the middle of making a comment in the forum when I got the news.

For the next couple of days, plans had to be made and without thinking about it, I scheduled the service for Tuesday, December 8th, the day of the Harry Potter releases(the day I had been looking forward to for months.) I woke up that day, and I bought my blu-rays (I knew I would need them.) I went through the day and through the service; andwhen I came home, I crawled into bed and watch Half-Blood Prince (or rather, it watched me.) And guess what? The next day, I spent the entire day eating my chicken potpie, while watching my discs and the special features, …..with my mother, just as we planned.

“With Rupert, I always believed – having seen him in all the Harry Potter films – that he has a naturalness that is special to him.  He has a uniquely natural gift for communicating emotion without effort, which is a very, very singular and difficult skill.  You really have to be born with it.  35mm cameras do not forgive an actor if they overwork or overplay a moment.  You can tell, you can see it in the eyes.  Rupert’s just a naturally gifted person and when you’re playing a character who’s very still and doesn’t have a lot of dialogue, they’ve got to be able to play the emotion on their face which is what he does.” -Jeremy Brock  FilmFocus, 09 September 2006

AJ: I choose this quote because one of the things that drew me to Rupert, was his ability to express numerous emotions at one time.  To hear a director verbalize what I’ve known all along…man, I knew I wasn’t crazy!

Question 2:  Best photoshoot

AJ:  The Daily Mail.  I have always wanted to see Rupert in a photoshoot dressed to the nines. When I saw this photoshoot, and especially this picture.  I wanted Ian Derry to be my best friend!

Question 3:  Best appearance/Event Outing

AJ: This picture is just a representation of all of the pictures from the Prisoner of Azkaban New York premier.  Before seeing these photos, I was already a fan of book and movie Ron, but it was this even that brought me to “discover” Rupert in the fandom sense.  I remember like it was yesterday saying, “That’s Ron!”.  Also, it was the beginning  of seeing Rupert in his trademark look of Chucks, a tee-shirt, jeans, blazer, and long hair.

Question 4:  Best interview(printed and/or video)

AJ:  Best print interview is Blag magazine, because it was the first Rupert-only multi-page interview and photoshoot. I also loved that the interviewer asked interesting questions.  Best video interview goes to both the Driving Lessons and Order of the Phoenix Moviefone interviews.  I love them both, because we were given access to a candid Rupert. I love the Driving Lessons interview, because Rupert offered insight into why he enjoys acting.  As far as the Order of the Phoenix interview, I enjoyed watching him interact with his co-stars off the set.  He was more relaxed.

Question 5:  Best T-shirt

AJ:  I think one of the most memorable shirts has to be the “Keep Calm and Carry On” shirt that he wore to the Order of the Phoenix premiere in Paris.  I had the quote on my cell phone wall paper for a long while, even though I’m more of a “Panic Now and Freak Out” person myself.

I also have to mention the “Harry” shirt that he wore to the OotP US premiere. I remember being at the premiere and saying to myself, “is he wearing a Harry shirt?”.  Man, what better way to draw attention to yourself. What a conversation starter!

Question 6:  Funniest thing Rupert did on camera

AJ: There are so many funny moment to choose from, and I know it’s wrong, but I did laugh out loud when Rupert “got it” in the face with the Quaffle in the Half-Blood Prince DVD extra.  I also, would like to mention the classic Bogies competition and Rupert’s apperance with his grandfather on the Generation Fame game.

Question 7:  Best Rupert moment

AJ:  Rupert’s thank you speech from the Hand, Wand, Foot ceremony in LA.  Being there, it was an emotionally charged moment for the fans. Rupert seemed so nervous, yet truly appreciative for the honor. Ahh, bless.

Question 8: Best Ron moment

AJ:  There are so many great moments, but I have to say for both the books and the movies, it’s the chess scene from the first entry. He was a little knight who grew into a king.

Question 9: Best hairstyle

AJ: Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Rupert’s hair long or short, but I’ve always loved this cut on him in the movie.  I have to mention his quiff in Cherrybomb as well.

Question 10:  Movie you’re dying to see right now!

AJ: Wild Target, of course! Bring it on!

Question 10:  Best candid shot

AJ: I love this picture, because it’s like his own “King of the World” shot.

Rupert Grint attends the New York premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

You know, when subject of Rupert Grint is brought up, I can become rather animated. My eyes widen, my pulse quickens, my speech becomes rapid, and my hands move with the passion of a concert conductor. I start listing all of his movies (especially the non-Harry Potter ones), and begin stating my case as to why I know that he has the talent to sustain a career post-Potter. And when I’ve completed my verbal dissertation, ending with the statement “Rupert MUST act!” I get the same response, “So, what are you, a stalker or something?” To which I jokingly reply, “Oh no, stalkers go to prison, and I’m not prison built!” Granted, telling someone that I have on a Ron shirt under my regular shirt doesn’t help my case.

But then sometimes I do have to honestly ask myself, “why do I do it?” What is the purpose of me investing so much of my time, energy and quite honestly, MONEY, into someone, or some entity that I know as nothing more than a public persona? You must understand, I do have a “life” and list of muggle places to be and muggle stuff to do (that will at times take a back burner when some juicy news comes in), but there are just some things about being a fan of Rupert Grint and being a fan of Rupert Grint “fandom” that I enjoy.

First of all, Rupert Grint himself! He just seems like the nicest person in the world, and you just want to support him. After seeing him for the first time at the Tribeca film festival for the Driving Lessons premiere, I was hooked. My mission was to see this guy act far beyond Harry Potter and prove the naysayers wrong!

Secondly, the fans. Through this fandom, I’ve been to places and have encountered people that I would have never had the privilege to meet otherwise. When you meet another Rupert Grint fan, there is an instant connection. You feel like you’ve known this person forever! Over the years, there are some people that I’ve made real friendships with, and who I’ve been able to discuss anything outside of Rupert Grint and Harry Potter fandom.

Last but not least, the fandom itself. I love being a Rupert Grint fan and discussing the fandom with others. I enjoy making others happy by helping to bring news of Rupert and his promotions to the fans that may not be able to get there. Also, the feedback I get from others make me happy. In addition, through being a part of this fandom and general Harry Potter fandom, I’ve been able to expand my general computer skills, my communication skills and awaken my inner amateur journalist.

So, the question is, why do I do it? Well I suppose I have to answer that with, why the bloody hell not?

Rupert Grint, happy. Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.

Rupert’s birthday is not the only thing worth celebrating during the month of August. In 2000, the Secret Society of Happy People dubbed the month of August as Happiness Happens Month. Originally declared on August 9, 1999 as Admit You’re Happy day, and later renamed as Happiness Happens Day, this month long celebration encourages people around the world to do just that, be happy. As many of you know, Rupert stated in the Vol. 3 No. 1 issue of Blag Magazine that he “can‘t even recall the last time he felt angry.” Can you say the same?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, happiness is, “a state of well-being and contentment ; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” There are many benefits to being happy, however, one of the best benefits may be better health. Studies have shown that happier people tend to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol . Cortisol can be helpful in terms of helping the heart maintain a steady beat during stressful situations and helping people deal with intense pain; however, too much or prolonged levels of cortisol in the body can lead to high blood pressure and even a heart attack (and it gives you a big belly).

Therefore, it’s better to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!” There are many ways that you can think your way to happier thoughts, such as, hanging around positive people, maintaining a journal of things for which you are thankful and finding out what you can do to make someone else happy.

What are some things that you do to “Be Happy?” Share in our comments.
And check out how your country ranks up in terms of overall happiness in the World Happiness Database.