Harry, my love

I saw the movie, but I will spare you the recap (and spoilers for the insane people who have not read the book). I will just say that I've again realized that Harry Potter is done with. The movies, I'm afraid, don't count. I don't care one single whit that the last book has yet to be released (due to come out in two parts next year).

The books are done.

And it saddens me. I grew up with those fated books, beginning the first in third grade, and finishing the last the in high school. I ran around my backyard with my two best friends as we pretended to be Ron, Hermione, and Harry. I remember that I was always Harry, just because I had glasses. Alaina was Ron (her red hair), and Kelsey was Hermione (her heroine). We struggled to memorize the spells from the books and waved around sticks that we'd brake off of the apple tree. In fourth grade I was Ginny for Halloween, proudly wearing my red wig and black robe that my mother had made out of dad's old raincoat. I waited for my own owl delivered letter with spindly green writing that would invite me to Hogwarts, as I know many of my friends did, and cried when it didn't come year after year. In middle school my group of friends and I would sit around the lunch table and discuss the plots and fight over our favorite characters. Freshman year Jemma and I matched up all our friends with Harry Potter characters, giggling over our selection (I was paired with Fred). I went to two midnight release parties with my friends in high school, and we sat up all night reading until we fell asleep on our open books.

Gone.

I miss them. The characters, the waiting for another book, the guessing, the wondering, the reading. Another series like that will not come again. It's not an opinion- it's plain fact. Another series will never excite me as much as the world spun by J.K. Rowling, the creator of worlds, the breaker of dreams. I laugh to think of how long I waited for my letter. I wanted so badly for magic to be real. I checked the mailbox everyday each year a week before and a week after my birthday (just in case they didn't use the owls in America). I really did cry while reading the books. After I read Dumbledore's death, I had to put the book down for a few minutes to collect myself. I reread the final fight scene, and cried again when my Fred fell, dead. My heartbeat would speed up during fight scenes, my concentration would increase tenfold when I expected something, and I'd bite my fist when Harry had a close call. I laughed too. Inside jokes would link Potter fans, and I'd smile when I read a particularly witty comment. Some call it crazy, that they're all just characters. But when you read these books year after year, they (characters, even the story) start to become more tangible.

That's all I can say.

There is hope, though. I'll always have the books to re-read. I don't personally read them over again as often as some, and I can't repeat scenes word-for-word, or tell you what the first word of the third chapter in the Chamber of Secrets was. I'm not that bad. I space out my re-reads so that I forget little things. It makes it better when I'm still surprised by things even the third time around. And I'll give the books to my kids, someday (in the distant, distant future), and watch them read it. Though it won't be the same. Future generations won't have to wait another year or two between books. I think the waiting made the books more fantastic with the anticipation that was, for me, never let down. But that's how it has to be, I guess.

So goodbye, Harry Potter.

Bathrobes, pictures, and WIZARDS, oh my!

Have you ever noticed how amazing bathrobes are? I bet you haven't. I myself have two. A fluffy long one that is blue with clouds and stars, and a shorter thinner one (also blue). These are curious clothing items, but they deserve respect. It's like a long coat made out of fluffy towels held together by a belt. Some might think this as odd, but I say bring the comfort on. And hey- they're better than Snuggies. Much better. Just don't go to any sporting events with the robes on, and you'll be dandy!

SENIOR pictures have to be taken this summer/ early fall. I can't believe it. I don't feel like a senior, you know? I feel no different than I did last summer, or the one before that, or before that. I always thought I'd be more... not me. That sounds crazy, but when I was a kid, I always thought 'my future self will do this, or that', as if it were some doll I'd be controlling. But I somehow never connected that it would still be me. And its... not as easy now. Choosing colleges, collecting credits, thinking about where I'd like to do semesters abroad in a couple years. It's freaky.

Harry Potter 6 came out yesterday (this morning?) at midnight. Yay. I just bought a black T-shirt that says 'MUGGLE' across the front. Oh. My. I love it so much! I'm thinking of altering the sleeves, though, to make it more feminine and also maybe turning it into a V-neck. Frankly, I'm not at all sure how that'll turn out. But needless to say (which means that I am going to say it anyways) I am now ready to see the movie. The shirt proves that I'm a potter follower, but not so out there as to wear an actuall costume or carry around a wand.

It was funny, actually, becuase I had to go into this store called Hot Topic- which is a frightening store, to get the shirt. And then as I was checking out, the register lady (who had multiple face piercings and oddly neon-colored hair) asked me "So if you weren't human- I mean to say a muggle- and your were a witch, what house would you belong to?" I jumped into the conversation, explaining that I'd like Hufflepuff becuase it really is the nicest house and is quite underappreciated. She agreed with me, informed me that one of her friends would also be in Hufflepuff, and said she's personally be in Slytherin (of course).
It was the strangest thing, but I felt so accomplished that I just had the geekiest conversation ever right there. "Well, if I were a witch..." I'm laughing just remembering it. And both of us were dead serious about the conversation. I am SO COOL. Yay for me!

I get to go see the movie Saturday at this big mall that Shannon, Joey, their mothers, and I will be near on our trip this weekend. It's a HUGE theater, with amazingly comfy seats that are tiered so every seat gets a good unblocked view of the ginormous screen. I'm going to get popcorn and a slushie. Oh, I can't wait....

Rain Rain Rain

It has been raining, cloudy, and/or cool for the past two months here. I mean really- is this necessary? It's supposed to be SUMMER, mother nature. Burnt, yellow grass, wicked humidity, giant blazing sun, and temps in the high 80s to low 90s. So maybe it doesn't sound like the most fun thing, but I want summer back!

Esto es ridiculoso!

Music and Love

I just got new music that I found on Pandora, and I am so thrilled about it. New music makes me feel like I'm in love. When you can just play the same song over and over again, and never tire of it. Hmm, much like I'd wager love is like, I guess. Ha! Like I'd know...

Here they are, check them out: Lonely Boy by Black Lab, Ocean Wide by The Afters, and Marianne by Matt Wertz.

I feel bad for all these dud posts, but I just don't have it in me to rant on for a page and a half anymore. I'll put that on my to-do list, though, for sure.

Hmmm...?

I have an idea. A good one, I think? I don't really know. I really shouldn't start another writing project now- I have three still "in progress." That's in quotes because in order for anything to be progressing, as the phrase in progress implies, things have to be moving along. They are stagnant, and have been for a while now. I'm actually thinking about doing a couple short stories before I try to tackle another big idea. See what I can do, small scale. first. But anywhoo- here's my idea. Don't laugh (I will know if you do, and will cry).

Diaries of Death

Everyone learns that they will die, but they must focus on living. Few learn that they are born to die. Born to suffer every last minute, to not only witness, but experience, countless deaths. We are death, but we are not the bad guys here. Death works for God, believe it or not.

I have no idea where it came from, but I think I actually like it. Maybe. Perhaps.

Dance Show and Generaly Good News

So last night was my dance recital at The Egg, and it went really well. I did not fall once, or come in through the wrong wing, or forget (many) of the steps. So I forgot one thing in the last dance (the one that I was in the FRONT line for), but at least it wasn't huge and I got right back into it and smiled really big. I will see how truly bad or unnoticeble it was when the DVD of the show comes sometime this summer. It was a lot of fun, I'll tell you that. Running around backstage with Kelly, trying not to knock over any of the little ones on our way. My friend Jemma came with me (yes, I just abandoned the codename thing, I was getting tired of it). She used to be a dancer at the same place, and was my original reason for choosing Ginny and Jamie's modern dance to "transfer" to from my old studio, but hasn't been able to dance since she had this massive foot surgery. With any luck, she'll be dancing again next year, as she admitted she wanted to dance again (whoo!). Unluckily, she won't be in my dance class because she left off at level two, and I will be moving on up to the level four class. But I am SO excited to be a level four next year, I cannot simply wait. It's the highest level, with four dances (instead of the usual three for the level threes, and two for anything under), an hour and a half of class a week, and the most intense moves. Though I didn't think the level fours were as good as last year's, they were still good, and had the best songs. When I get the DVD, I'll see about putting their dance to Ramalama Bang Bang. Cool costumes, too. My dance buddy, Kelly, will be in my class, but will not be graduating next year, as she will only be a junior next year. So all the power to Kelly, who I am going to be really jealous of when I have to move on and she'll get another year.

Good news number two- I am going to be a Helper next year! OMG! I am so incredably excited for it, I can't even explain it. Helpers get to so just that- help the beginner and creative movement classes throughout the year. And then, at the recital, the helpers dance with their class, so the little ones will have someone to look to if (or when) they forget what to do. It's massive pressure, because if you miss a count, a step, or start repeating the wrong section, you mess up their dance, because they follow you. I admit that I'm already nervous for that, but I can handle it. As my dad once said about getting through his police training, "Nobody else had quit before me, and I sure wasn't going to be the first." So my version its: No other helper has messed up the dance on stage, so I sure won't be the first. Motivation, if you will. I know that I'm getting a class because Kelly convinced me to check with Ginny (the little kid's teacher) if she would consider me. There were only two spots open for next year, and I wan't sure what my chances really were. It goes by seniority, pretty much, but there are also about twenty seniors for next year, plus me. I had been on the list for two years though, and I assured Ginny I didn't have any sports that would block up my schedual next year. She told me she'd look at her list, and today she called and told me she'd make it happen for me, and would call again with the class choices in August. I'm 95% sure that means I've got it, because why would she get my hopes all up if she COULDN'T take me, and she DID promise to call me in August with choices. Right? I take it as a yes, anyways. I pray it's a yes, I want it so badly, and I'm not that altogether religious. If I do get a choice, I think I'll want the older class, maybe 10-12 year olds or a 7-9 year old class. Their dances repeat less and they are less dependent on the helper. If, however, I get stuck with the creative movement class (4-5 year olds), I will take it. Just more pressure, that's all. The really little ones are so relying on you, and their dance is only a couple of combos repeating at different times, and that would be harder to memorize than you'd think.

Pandora Radio

Check out http://www.pandora.com. It is so amazing! It's an online "radio" station. You can create an account for free and enter your favorite artists or songs, and the radio chooses similar music, and creates a station for you based on that music. A friend of mine told me I had to look at it today, and I already love it dearly. You can bookmark your friends and see what music they're looking at too.

So go- shoo shoo!