It had been a long time since I'd attended a meetup, and I'm so glad that today's came together. In attendance were chickadilly, constancev, dsneyvoice, hermorrine, ladyguenivere, and the long lost princesspotter.

We managed to catch up on daily life, inquired about jobs and family, and even hit the latest fandom gossip. constancev suggested that we morph into a book club, so a couple of us picked up Darkly Dreaming Dexter to attempt to read for our next get together on April 13th. Just two weeks!

I'd like to get together with any of you Orlando folks when I'm out there next week too. I'm thinking Thursday the 10th for drinks on Disney property, anyone game? I'll post something on hp_florida once I figure out the time.

Sometimes the day-to-day business of being active in fandom makes me forget the real reason I joined right after Nimbus: it's the people. I love the fact that I've met so many wonderful individuals, all so intellegent and creative, and it's because of Harry Potter. What a terrific community, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. <3

p.s. hermorrine and ladyguenivere, the girls loved the posters. ;) Thanks!

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'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 )

I booked my flight to Prophecy this morning! Prices had come down quite a bit - nearly $130 less than the last time I looked, so I booked quickly. I'm leaving from John Wayne on Wednesday August 1st, flying to LAX, and departing there. I come home on Monday August 6th. It was actually cheaper to book leaving from John Wayne airport than the nonstop flight from LAX to Toronto, and it will save my family the hassle of driving me all the way up to LAX. If you're going to Prophecy from LAX, let me know - maybe we can travel together. :)

Also, I registered for Sonorus a few weeks ago. I'm just going to drive up for the day. Anyone from OC or LA want to carpool with me?

Since I've established a habit, meme time. From hp_fridayfive:

1. What kind of job would you like have in the magical world? Why?
I really can't see myself doing anything but teaching, so I'd like to think that I would be teaching at Hogwarts or at another wizarding school. I'd like to take a stab at History of Magic.

2. Who do you think will not survive Book 7? Why?
Ron, but y'all already knew this. His death will spur Harry into action, and it's really hard to ignore all of the jokes he makes throughout the books about him dying. Snape too, because there is no possible way that he would be able to get himself out of his situation - hated by Dumbledore's crew for his betrayal, and once the DEs find out what he's been up to, hated by them. At least one other Weasley too, although I think that Bill will survive because he's already been mauled.

3. Who do you think was best cast in the films?
I love, love, love Michael Gambon as Dumbledore - he's got the right amount of goofiness and intensity to pull it off.

4. Who is your favorite periphery character? Why?
I really like the Creevy brothers - they're just so adorably annoying.

5. What would you do if you could use an invisibility cloak for one day?
I'd use it to hide from everyone and lay in bed reading books without being interrupted.

And ergh, I'm really sore this morning. I had a really hard time falling asleep between adrenaline from testing and the smoke from the local fires. There's another one burning fairly close to my school and the junk in the air is really getting to me.

I think I need some popcorn. Chocolate would be nice, but I don't seem to have any right now. Must fix that, ASAP.

Gacked from ani_bester:

1. Harry to end up like Frodo.
Harry deserves a chance to have a happy, normal life. Poor Frodo ended up so fucked up in the end, so much that he couldn't enjoy simple pleasures. I would much rather see Harry dead.

2. Ron dead. (Yes, chickadilly, I know!)
I may joke about this happening, because I really think it's going to happen, but I like Ron and hope he can live happily-ever-after. I still think that he's going to end up being the sacrifice that spurs Harry into action against Voldemort though, which means that he's the one with a target on his back.

3. Snape alive.
He needs to die, in bitter, dramatic fashion. That's what Snape wants, go to out angrily, with a bang, protecting that unappreciative Potter. He's got unresolvable issues, and death is the best solution. Now, there's also the problem that he's probably going to remain a ghost because...

4. Draco dead/thrown in Azkaban.
I hold out hope for a redeemed Draco, as hackneyed as that sounds. He proved himself worthy of a heroric ending in HBP by not being able to kill Dumbledore.

5. Hogwarts destroyed.
This has been done in quite a few fics and RPG's, but I really think the castle is too powerfully magical for it to happen. Plus, wizarding society needs a place to heal after such a horrible war, and the next generation needs to place to learn and grow, away from all of the prejudices of pure-blooded society. Where else would those pureblood students get exposed to Muggleborns but at school?

6. McGonagall as Headmistress of Hogwarts.
She's a good teacher, but sadly doesn't have what it takes to be a school administrator and not burn out after the first exploding toliet.

7. Harry's scar disappearing.
There has been some fics and theories that I've seen around that have the idea that Harry's scar will disappear as soon as Voldemort is defeated. I don't like this idea, because I think the scar makes up a good part of Harry's identity - it's a combination between what he's lost and what he must do, and taking it away from him will make him be almost naked.

8. Ginny continuing to be so agreeable when it comes to her relationship/friendship with Harry.
I never really believed her acceptance in HBP because it goes against her character. She'll get her way with him in her own timeline, not Harry's wishes. Most likely, I think that she'll want to get his back in whatever it is that he ends up doing. She's not one to go quietly.

9. The giant squid not being mentioned at least once.
I don't think this needs any explanation. :P

Poll #532426 Distracted? Who, me?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 14

Are you at work today?

If you're at work, are you actually doing work?

Obligatory Ticky-box question

ETA to prevent spam: Apparently, my students aren't working either! I've had two call-in today. I refuse to touch that pile of grading that can wait until next week.