Currently browsing: Harry Potter

My budding writer

Jessie’s class has been learning to write essays over the past couple weeks. That girl loves to write and I’ve read several of her stories that she’s written on her own. She has a great imagination, and I told her that she should keep writing even if it’s just for fun. (after all, I got my poetry and for a short time did write several short stories and published two of them)

So far, for her assignments, she’s written about karate and cartoons — two subjects she knows very well. LOL! Her assignment this week has been to write a description 5 paragraph essay. She was showing it to me last night — she wrote about dogs. She mentioned that her teacher encouraged her to write about something else (as the majority of the class wrote about animals!), and she was stumped and out of ideas.

I named off several things that she knows well: her various video games (UT!!), Harry Potter, Webkinz (too much like animals she said), Neopets, … she rejected them all and I was running out of ideas. Looking over across the den, we have a box of wedding stuff waiting to go into storage. I suggest writing about her part in the wedding. No dice. My next suggestion: How about the honeymoon?

“Huh?” LOL, she gave me a puzzled look that made me laugh, “You know, Disney World?”

Her face lit up like the 4th of July. Eureka! I hit gold. :mrgreen:

She scrapped the paper she had previously written and started at once writing a new one. She let me read it just before bedtime last night and she wrote more about the hotel cafeteria and pool than the Disney World park itself. LOL!

Good thing we went there instead of the royal caribbean cruise I had been eying, hehe.

So my little budding writer was all happy and giddy when I left for work this morning. She was still talking about the paper she wrote last night and can’t wait for her teacher to read it.

That’s my girl! :cool:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: My Thoughts

I have put this off far longer than I had wanted. Originally, I had planned to write this a few hours after finishing reading the Deathly Hallows, but time ran out on me and then things piled up. As it stands, I am currently penning this in a meeting and will type it up later in my blog! (That makes fine use of all these meetings that I have to sit in, I must say!!)

Forgive me as my thoughts will meander a bit, but I think for the most part my points will come across just the same.

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not yet read the last Harry Potter book and do not want to know what happens, proceed no further!

The Leak and The Casualties

Looking back, I’m glad that I was able to avoid the leaked spoiler circulating in various areas on the internet. However, the spoiler itself was a bit misleading in that it was not only one character that died in this book. This final chapter in the Harry Potter saga covered the end of the war between followers of He Who Must Not Be Named and those who chose to stand up and fight. Among those who were lost, the ones who come foremost to my mind are: Hedwig the owl, Dobby the free elf, Mad-eye Moody, Colin McCreevy, Severus Snape, Remus and Tonks Lupin, and last but certainly not least, Fred Weasley.

Many people naturally speculated that Harry would fall and at one point in the book, I found myself believing that as well. Harry learns that for Voldemort to be vanquished, they both must die. He prepares himself for his demise and sacrifices himself to save the world from this great terrible evil. (sound familiar?) This act of self-sacrifice allows Harry a moment to reflect and confer with Dumbledore, to discover truths which he already knew but needed sorting out and putting together in order to better fight. He awakens to find he is not dead after all and defeats Voldemort once and for all.

Snape’s Vindication

One of things I really enjoyed about this final volume was seeing Severus Snape’s name “cleared” in the virtual sense. Found dying of a bite from Voldemort’s snake, Harry is given a few strands of Snape’s memories, divulging his childhood friendship and lengthy history (and obsession) with Lily, Harry’s mother. He also learns of a mishap that dooms Dumbledore, and Snape’s promise to kill him so that young Draco Malfoy won’t have to. Harry learns that all of the “evils” that Snape has done have been for a good cause.

Similarities

Something else that struck me as peculiar … when Harry and Hermione were wandering around in the wilderness with a Horcrux that must worn around the neck, which brought the wearer terrible fears and loathsome feelings, and they despaired and often wondered when they would see their home and loved ones again … sound familiar? (Lord of the Rings, anyone?)

Tied Up

For the most part, I think Ms. Rowling tied up most of the loose ends pretty well. Harry and Ginny of course end up together, marry, and have kids. Ron and Hermione do the same. There was no mention of George, however, so I am left wondering about him. (What about the joke shop? Will he continue to develop new products? Too bad he doesn’t make radar detectors ;P)

Neville became the Hogwarts Herbology professor — no surprise there, but there is no mention of who he marries (if at all?). There has been speculation of he and Luna Lovegood, but I think Luna and Dean end up together. But that is not confirmed either. And what became of Bill and Fleur? Or Charlie Weasley?

Not a Great Wizard

Last but not least, I think what stuck out most about this story was that it finally became clear that Harry had long been assumed to be a “great wizard” due to his mysterious past and “you know who”, but this book proves this to be untrue in a sense. Yes, his spell-casting could be characterized as predictable, but not without its merits. He has his strengths and in areas where he has weaknesses he is blessed to have help in friends and loved ones to help out when needed. Harry is at last shown to have a strong and moral character, something that both does and doesn’t make him remarkable – and something that every hero should have.

It’s official, I’m mental…

(I’ve tried sending this twice from my Helio, but something seems to be up with it today. Grrrrrrrrr!!!)

… but y’all knew that already, right?

Friday night was fun, but I was in a lot of pain … and standing in a room full of several hundred screaming kids did not help. LOL! I had left work early Friday because I was getting another headache and went home to take a nap. I slept for a couple of hours and downed an assload of Tylenol and felt “ok enough” to head to the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows release party at the McWayne Center. We had a good time despite my being a little “out of it”, hehehe. Jim’s mother, brother and his family joined us and fun was had by all. I was really impressed with all the neat little “side shows” they had set up for various Harry Potter-themed activities. Jess had a good time, but around 11 she started winding down — actually, I’m amazed she lasted that long!

When the doors opened to hand out the books at midnight, we pretty much grabbed ours and left. I didn’t actually start reading the book until the next morning. Jim and I both spent most of Saturday reading the book. I’ve noticed something — I read much faster when I’m alone. Every time I started crying (from the story), Jim would “check” on me and want to talk. Bless him, I kept telling him “I’m fine, I’m fine, leave me alone!” LOL! I finished the book late Saturday afternoon and I have to say, I’m really impressed.

I don’t want to say any more about it, because I know several friends who are just now getting their copies and/or still reading it. I will hopefully have a chance to post my complete thoughts on its contents in a day or so. (but not without a proper spoiler warning of course!)

I had a horrible headache Saturday (from all the crying) but felt pretty good yesterday. Jessie and I did a little cleaning around the house then took Jim’s mom up on a swimming invitation — that water felt SO GOOD!

Today’s doctor’s visit went ok. I explained how my headaches have changed, my symptoms, and what I’ve been taking (which she said was nowhere near the level of medication I needed, surprise surprise!). She thinks my headaches are brought on by stress and gave me some new medication. Basically, I’ll have to take a pill each night to prevent headaches from occurring, and if I *do* get one, I have another pill that I can take to get rid of it (but I’ve been warned of its “loopy” side effects!).

I’m not thrilled about having yet *another* pill to take every day; but hey, if it gets rid of these damned headaches, I’ll deal! (Hey, it’s headache medicine, not a diet patch, LOL!)

Advanced Notice: Out for the Weekend

Tomorrow Jim, Jessie and I are attending the Harry Potter book release party going on at the McWayne Center. Jim and I are most likely going to unplug both the phones and internet this weekend while we each curl up with the book. Jessie will be at her mom’s (most likely sleeping since she’ll be out LATE with us!).

I’ll be spending a good bit of Monday at the doctor’s office. I’ve finally decided to get my head checked.

Go ahead, laugh … it’s ok. I’ll wait until you’re through. ;p

Seriously, my headaches have been getting a LOT worse; and the amount of OTC pain medication that I’ve been taking has reached a dangerous level. I came home with a headache last night that was so bad that I laid in bed and cried for 2 hours straight. I woke up this morning and STILL had that damned headache, luckily not hurting quite as bad as it did last night.

I figure something’s GOT to be wrong and I need to get checked out. I’m tired of being in pain and it’s only a matter of time before my job performance will suffer because of it. Hell, my home life is already suffering. (Well, not really, but *I*’m suffering and when I suffer, Jim suffers, LOL!)

Anyways … have a great weekend, I’ll hopefully have a nice personal tidbit to share with you lot early next week. (assuming we’ve got our Dell memory issues ironed out at work!).

Welcome to the Rant-o-rama!

I like to think I’m pretty careful. Whenever possible, I try to avoid spoilers to books and movies that I have every intention on reading/seeing. I don’t mind when people post spoilers, just as long as it’s prefaced with a very blatant spoiler warning, or in the case of LiveJournal, WordPress, Blogger and similar blogging services, hidden behind a cut (aka “read more”).

But what REALLY pisses me off is when some asshat decides to just post a spoiler in plain site with no warning. So plain that you can’t HELP but see it and instantly the movie, book, whatever you’re looking forward to seeing/reading is instantly ruined. I swear, some people apparently have so little of a life that they can only get their rocks off by spoiling the joys and anticipations of others.

You assholes deserve to smacked into next week. And to the bubbleheaded fuckwad who posted the Harry Potter spoiler to Girl Gamers, the admins there are a LOT nicer than I am, but you totally deserve everything you get … get over yourself.

And while I’m hot and bothered and ranting, I’d like to share something I read on The Terminal earlier today:

Watch your speed!

Especially if you’re planning on driving through Malfunction Junction anytime soon. Governor Riley has assigned six more troopers to the state’s busiest interstate interchange (connecting I-20/59 with I-65) to enforce the speed reduction from 60 m.p.h. to 50 m.p.h.

According to information obtained for this report, more than 3,900 tickets have been written since the speed reduction was implemented in late March. Motorists complying with the speed limit change have been left in the dust by those that still disregard it.

There is no word as to if or when the increased patrols would end.

Great, just great. It’s bad enough that he kept lowering the speed limit on the highways and interstates, now the busiest interchange in the city will become more fucked up than it was before.

Take an example: I drive the current speed limit in the SLOW LANE and still nearly get run over several times. 18-wheelers are the worst because they try to pass me while glued to my bumper. Mind you, as opposed to most of the mental midgets around Birmingham, I normally go the speed limit through the Junction while in the SLOW lane. Now just image how fast the other lanes are going … and this is during RUSH HOUR! Take into consideration though, 50 MPH is not really even needed for people going straight through the Junction as the speed limit drop was ORIGINALLY for the 18-wheelers flying through the exit ramps and turning over. But the local law enforcement isn’t ticketing the 18-wheelers … they’re ticketing everyone else! Why? Because the government won’t limit the speeds of the truckers, that’s “picking” on them. (*cough*unions*cough*) :roll:

Anyways, that choke point is in dire need of widening — AGAIN. Also, it would be more to our benefit if law enforcement would enforce speed of the 18 wheelers that they’re not ticketing now. From then on, keep others under 65-70 during rush hour and have a lovely fucking day.

Speed doesn’t kill people. Stupid people kill people.

I witness more “almost wrecks” than I care to, and quite honestly I’ve seriously thought about decking out my car with video recorders and similar equipment to better make my case to local governing bodies. Every damned day I see this shit! I see people dart in and out of lanes of morning rush hour traffic while doing speeds all under the speed limit. I see aggressive driving and excessive tailgating. Then there are the morons who are going 20 MPH *LESS* than the other 3 lanes of traffic around them, but they STILL won’t get out of the fucking fast lane!

*proceeds to bang head against wall*

I’ll say it again … stupid people kill people.

Like the sands in an hour glass…

A quick catch-up for y’all …

Dad still hasn’t spoken to me. Mom’s going on pretending nothing’s happened. I guess that’s better than nothing, and it’s almost better than the constant bickering and nagging … right?

Yeah, I’ll keep telling myself that.

Jessie’s been acting out more at school, and at home. We had gotten her grades about a month ago, and she had completely slipped off of the A Honor Roll with 2 very low C’s and mostly B’s. Before now, the lowest grade she’d ever had was an 85. She’s not studying for tests, and hasn’t been honest with us about when they are. She’s not doing homework. What’s worse, she’s becoming more of a problem in the classroom. She’s had several warnings, getting her name on the board (once for a whole week), and this week had yet another behavior notice sent home.

She had gotten in trouble off and on all last week with a substitute teacher (her regular teacher has been sick for the last couple of weeks), and so when the teacher returned yesterday wrote Jessie up and sent home the note detailing what has been happening at school. Needless to say, she wasn’t very happy when I picked her up last night.

Ah, the tell-tale sign of trouble!

Her mother grounded her — which is a GOOD thing considering that until recently, she hadn’t been disciplining Jessie AT ALL. (unless you count her screaming at the top of her lungs over every little thing) Of course, she always lets Jessie off of her punishment after a couple of days, but oh well, it’s a start. Jim and I grounded her from the computer, XBox, and cartoons for the next two weeks, and she’ll be helping me more with the housework this weekend. If she so much as gets her name on the board again (or worse, another note) she’ll be grounded for a month, along with additional punishment — most likely the cancellation of her and my Saturday “trips” (out to eat, shopping, etc.). What’s worse, I went through her backpack last night and found homework papers that she had hidden from us, so she got into even MORE trouble for that. She had gotten mad at me for that, and the fact that we made her do the homework before going to bed … I don’t know why, but she is outright *refusing* to do her homework.

Jim and I both believe in corporal punishment, BUT only in moderation. Jessie’s only been spanked a few times since I’ve known her. Jim and I had decided this past summer that she was getting too old to be spanked and that we would try alternative punishment methods. Grounding has worked to an extent … she is still acting up for me and her mother (and the school of course), but not with Jim. The whole “fear of Dad” thing I guess.

She’s not really terrible with me, actually we get along pretty well … but I’ve noticed that she HAS started pouting and crying/whining more lately when she doesn’t get her way. She wants to argue and will out-right talk over you if you don’t give in immediately. I know where she gets it … this is her mother … she sees and hears her say and do things, and then turns around and emulates it. (and the woman wonders why her kid has such a smart mouth? Honestly! Ever look in the mirror, lady?!)

She’s resorted to dramatizing EVERYTHING and tries to cry her way out of trouble … something else she got from her mother. Every time she tries it now, I tell her that if she starts crying she’s automatically in trouble and not to start it with me. She’s doing better about that for the most part, but the dramatizing shit needs to go. I tell her all the time that she’s too smart and capable for that, and that there are better ways of trying to achieve what you want.

What worries me that she’s been asking me a lot lately if she’s “a good kid” … whenever she’s in trouble, she tells me “I don’t belong in this world”. Now I know that can mean several things. For one, she has really latched on to the whole Harry Potter thing, and she may be going through something similar to what I did as a kid: wish you really belonged some place else. Though Jim and I have talked to her about the books and movies, explaining that it’s all make-believe and while immersing yourself in it is OK in moderation, but to be sure not to get lost in an imaginary world.

God knows I wished everyday to be someplace other than where I was or to even BE someone else … I still remember what that feels like, so I can understand where she’s coming from.

It breaks my heart to see her unhappy. Jim has talked to the school counselor, and we are trying to arrange to have Jessie see her more often. But I fear that she may need professional (individual) counseling, and even though her insurance would most likely cover it, her mother refuses to go that route.

But that’s another rant altogether and I don’t want to post it here.

Anyways, so that’s where I’ve been buried lately …

Egads

I had forgotten about the meme’s I had saved last week but hadn’t yet posted. So prepare yourself for a mini-flood.

I haven’t exactly been in a social mood for various reasons. We’re busting ass at work and I’ve been putting in mega-OT. (minus the mega-pay of course, *sigh*)

Oh, and my weekend? If you’re looking for game commentary … Let’s not go there and pretend we did.

Moving on …. Jim’s ex is being a major (insert favorite and/or best nasty expletive), so Jessie will not be joining us for Thanksgiving. She ranted on and on last night about how she does “everything” for us, and we do nothing for her. (Don’t get me started)

At least Jim’s mother is going with us to see my family at grandmother’s house, so that will be fun. But I hate it when Jessie misses out on family and holiday events. And more than likely, her mother will keep her out of Christmas too. :evil: (hello, not happy!)

The job hunt has come to a stand-still. I had talked to a place downtown a few weeks ago and sent off some code samples, but haven’t heard back from them. I also haven’t heard back from the hospital I talked to. *sigh* Sometimes I feel like I’ll be stuck here forever.

We took Jessie to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Friday night … of course we had to take the MegaBitch with us. And that was only as a compromise. She always insists of being the one to take Jessie first to any movie, and we’re tired of taking Jessie out to see movies she’s already seen, so Jim invited her mother to go with us. We even paid for her ticket.

I know, recipe for disaster … the show was way overbooked. We ordered the tickets online, and the Rave website had 2 listings instead of one. So about 50-60 people were not able to get a seat. There was much grumbling, griping, and outright yelling by most all of us who were standing about and trying to find a seat. The manager had us hang around while they put together another showing right then and there (which was about an hour later). Jessie’s mother grumbled and bitched the whole time, so needless to say, she stood by us … every time she stood with her mother, the grumbling and bitching was turned to her. I swear, she picked on Jessie’s hair, her clothes, … no wonder this child is so self-conscious!!!

I couldn’t have gotten into my seat fast enough … and I made sure that I sat as far from her as I possibly could. It was all I can do not to tell the woman exactly what she can do with her criticisms and where to go with them!

Anyways, back to the movie … it was pretty good. A few really cute parts, a LOT was cut out. I won’t spoil it for y’all …

I bought a new game this weekend and liked it up until the ending. It’s called Still Life. It’s one of those murder mystery types. (Think Myst meets Law and Order) The graphics were very good (considering it was under $20) and I liked the audio samples and soundtrack. The puzzles were pretty challenging.

BUT (SPOILER part!), the game’s short. I played it from beginning to end in 6 hours. AND the ending pissed me off … the killer got away. All of the suspects had been eliminated, literally, and I wanted to see who it was. *sigh* I suppose they’re leaving it open for a sequel … I wouldn’t mind that I guess.

Also, another downer was that I found out that the Weird Alabama magazine has been closed down by Barnes & Nobles’ team of scum-sucking lawyers. It seems that B&N owns the trademark to the word “WEIRD”

WTF!?

I posted to the W.A. yahoo group and told them that was the most rediculous thing I’ve ever heard. I mean get real! Owning the word “weird”?!?

The mind wobbles …

I was under the impression that companies couldn’t ‘own’ or trademark such a common word? A little over a year ago Microsoft had fought for, and lost, the ownership/trademark of the word “Windows” against the Lindows software company. (though I believe they are still fighting it in EU courts?)

The US District Court in Seattle, WA ruled that “once a word is declared generic it would continue to be generic,” informing Microsoft that “no amount of marketing around a generic word changes the generic state of the word.” (I think MS is still appealing this one)

Personally, I don’t think B&N have a leg to stand on if A.W. were to fight them, but that would take money … and these guys put out this magazine and all of its resources for the love of it. The subscriptions are next to nothing … hell, if I were a lawyer, I’d take their case pro-bono!

*sigh* Oh well … time to hurry up and post my drafts and get back to work … my boss keeps walking by (I hate shoulder surfers) … that’s my cue to look busy.

Oh, something else …

A few weeks back Jessie was asking me about magic. She wanted to know if it was true that magic was bad? I know she’s seen my spellbooks and various religious texts, and she’s never had a problem asking about religion. I have always tried to be open and honest with her, explaining my beliefs and trying to help her understand what she’s heard at her mother’s church.

They apparently preach ‘fire and brimstone’ there and some of the sermons have terrified her. And “Mommy’s comments” haven’t helped either … I remember sitting up with Jessie late one night. She was upset because her mother told her that Jim and I were going to die and burn in Hell.

Anyways, back around to the chicken pot pie … Jessie wanted to know why her mother told her not to mention anything relating to Harry Potter or even the word ‘magic’ in her house or around her again. She told Jessie something along the lines of “all magic is evil and Harry Potter is the work of the Devil.” (Both of which I personally believe is complete hogwash, but that’s just me.)

This woman is the epitome of hypocrisy.

The reason I was thinking about this tonight was that her mother knows that the new Harry Potter movie is coming to the theaters soon. And it being Jessie’s favorite book/movie/game series, she’d want to go see it.

Now, she’s beaten Jim to *every* first showing of Harry Potter ever. In fact, she beats him to the first showing of ANY kid movie released.

Right, this woman can barely keep food in the house but can afford movie tickets every other week?!

Jim has tried several times to be able to see a movie with Jessie — or rather, see one with her that she hasn’t already seen! His ex has even agreed several times to let them see a movie “first” together, and she would take Jessie anyway just to spite him. THEN have the gall to complain about how fucking lonely she is and how she has “no one” but Jessie to do things with if he or I say anything!!!

Vindictive. Petty. Cunt.

Half-Blood Prince

I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince early yesterday morning. In total, it took me about twelve hours to read, with of course, a few breaks and naps in between.

I won’t go into any specific details, as Jim is not yet finished reading his copy. I’ve had to keep my mouth shut since yesterday morning … not that it’s been hard. I came away from this book feeling exactly like I did when I saw Revenge of the Sith: DEPRESSED!

I think I cried non-stop through the last 3-4 chapters. (Ladies, prepare to have a box of tissues on hand!!) I mean, there were a lot of funny moments, and a few shorter tear-jerker moments early in the book, but the ending was … well, it was what I was hoping wouldn’t happen. (the cover art told me a lot before I started reading it)

Hell, my eyes are tearing up now just thinking about it. I think that’s the downside to being a fan, when a character dies that you’re attached to you feel a sense of loss — even if it’s just a fictional character, it was still someone to which you could identify and relate.

You Star Trek and Star Wars fans know *exactly* what I’m talking about!!!

Part of me wishes I hadn’t read this book, but I had been waiting for what seemed like an eternity since Order of the Phoenix and couldn’t stand it. I am a little concerned about the next book and how things will turn out in the very end. I also started thinking about the movie that’s scheduled to come out this fall, about the fourth book, Goblet of Fire. That book pretty much starts Harry’s “descent into darkness” (as I like to call it). GoF and each book after it show a more angst-ridden Harry who experiences everyone and everything turning against him. It’s going to be pretty hard to keep these next few movies “kid-friendly.” Reading Order of the Phoenix was hard, so I imagine watching the movie will be just as bad. (assuming of course it’s made)

But I digress … overall the book was very good. It answered a couple of questions I’ve had from the last couple of books, and confirmed something I figured would happen.

So now what? Now I’ll patiently wait the next couple of years for the next and final installment of the Harry Potter series and hope for the best.

mmmmmmm Chinese takeout

Jim went out earlier to get some Chinese takeout for the two of us, and he came home with roses and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He’s so sweet! I’ve been wearing a smile all day. :grin:

Next Page »