Jul 24 2007
Harry Potter, midnight release.
I’m late, I know I’m late on this one.
On July 21st, 2007 at 0001hrs the latest (and lastest reportedly) Harry Potter book was released. I admit that I was present in the crowd at midnight when the book went on sale. Now before a flood of mocking comments arrive, I’d like to point out that I was there involuntarily, wearing my polyester crime-fighting outfit and mentally willing all sorts of horrible accidents upon my boss who felt that an experienced security guy should be there in case…. uh, in case of geek riots I s’pose.
So, I stood inside the front entrance of Chapters for 5 hours suppressing both common sense and sarcasm (almost completely), and offering those entering directions to the assortment of lines that were swelling as midnight approached.
Now, I should pause here to point out that I have “listened” to the first four Harry Potter audio books during my 9 months of 4 hour commutes, and I’ve seen the movies. I would not describe myself as a fan, but I don’t see any harm in the stories (or movies), and they are entertaining in their way.
That said, if one more “fan” yelled “Avra Cadabra!” as they entered the store, I was going to accept my fate and enter into an extended game of “Punch face”.
Asked and Answered:
Question: Are you here for the Harry Potter release?
Answer: No Ma’am, We’re here for former Prime Minister Paul Martin, he’s here to promote his autobiography in the true crime section.Question: (Whispered by fan) Are you here to prevent anyone from yelling out spoilers?
Answer: Yes sir, if I so much as hear someone whisper that Harry accidentally kills Hermione they’re… oh damn, I’ve said too much.
Hmmm … now that the series is complete, perhaps I can (finally) start reading them. KD says, “Never mind … you’ll find out what happens in them when you read them to Jilly.”
Yeah, right … I’m going to read seven 300-400 page books to my granddaughter? I’ll be all I can do to read them myself without too many naps along the way
How sad is it that all the hype made me think, “Maybe I should give these books a go”.
But, alas, I fear there is to much to be done at the Mother in-laws.
Seems like a great bed time story for the little ones.
“Yeah, right … I’m going to read seven 300-400 page books to my granddaughter? I’ll be all I can do to read them myself without too many naps along the way”
How long is a contract bridge book? :>
I intentionally looked up the spoilers, got them confirmed by the fast readers, and threatened to tell anyone that passed five minutes of praising the damned things the ending.
I watched the movies, rather enjoyed them, then read the first book. I’m told the movies are pretty faithful, which leads me to wonder what possessed someone at work to call the story “original.” Well-written, maybe, a good adaptation of a number of easily available mythologies, sure. Original? Not that I’ve seen. At least it’s not fantasy that’s just some pulp-authour’s re-working of Middle-Earth.
I’ll stick with George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” books. Assuming he ever finishes them…
Hey, Piet … Good memory!
Yes … I often wondered why Erik did not become a world-class contract bridge master after being fed all that information at such a tender age
BTW … that ‘bedtime story’ was ‘Goren’s Bridge Complete’ which ran to about 800 pages. Never did finish it to see ‘how it turned out’ … LOL!!
I thought it was some gun cleaning manual you were reading to either Piet or I?
Actually, I started off reading my Cost Accounting textbook to you while I was doing my accountancy exams, but your mum made me stop because she was worried I might corrupt your impressionable little mind.
Too late, I guess