It has definitely been interesting to see the reaction to the news that Dumbledore is gay. Most of the reactions have been surprisingly strange to me. I just don't understand how folks could call JKR's decision to out him at a book reading "cowardly". Since the books are told from Harry's POV, DD's sexuality really has no place in the narrative. Most teenagers I know prefer to block out the fact that their instructors/mentors are sexual beings just because it squicks them. Not to mention that it would have distracted readers from the primary storyline - Harry defeating Voldemort. In any case, the news made me think cheerily about a discussion held at the steak restaurant the last night of Prophecy, hee.

To me, the news itself matters not. However, I am *excited* to see LJ and other fandom outlets talking once again about HP. I think we should thank JKR for giving fandom a jump start again and I can't wait to start reading some really good AD/GG fic. :D

P.S. Don't forget the AD genfic!

ETA:Silly me, how could I have forgotten this! The October Edition of Portus Previews is now up, and contains a wonderful interview with Friday's Keynote Speaker, Dr. Henry Jenkins.

I apologize for the recent spam, I promise it will stop eventually. ( DH Ch 34 )

I'm halfway through my second reading right now, but I wanted to get some of my thoughts down before I start changing my mind about my first impressions, and definitely before I start reading the reviews of others. I'm going to have to get down all of my thoughts in several rounds though - I don't think I can make a single, succient post that captures it all.

( Deathly Hallows - plusses )

( Minuses )

( For Chickadilly )

( Character Deaths )

( First batch of unanswered questions )

( Random Observations )

( The State of Fandom )

It's been nice seeing all of the excitement and squeeing and planning going on all over my flist. Really, it has. But for some reason, I haven't felt like joining in on it. Why not?

1) End of semester crunch time for me. This is just an excuse, because we all have deadlines like this, but it's left me slightly drained and more than a little bug-eyed after staring at piles of paperwork that needed to be completed.

2) Too much of a good thing. I like to have my joys spread out a bit - it makes them last longer, and then the related partying can go on longer too. This time around, we've got the movie coming out a week earlier than DH. There won't be time for multiple viewings, large get-togethers to dissect the movie, meals afterwards, the giggling, squeeing, stuff like that. The next weekend we'll be reading the book and doing the same.

3) As stated in my subject line, the Post-Deathly Hallows blues are sure to be coming. What theorizing can be done when there's no more books left to go? Sure, there are more movies that will be made, but we'll already know what will happen in them. I'll miss that cameraderie that always goes with the "I think *this* will happen."

Because all feelings can be adequately expressed with polls, here you go:


Poll #918921 So - July 21...
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 28

How are you feeling about this all?

If you answered, other, please explain here.