Washington D.C. Time

In approximately 21 hours, I will be on a plane for Washington D.C.! I am pumped. Because then, all chaos breaks loose. Just a few days after I get back, the 5th movie will be released, and then it is TEN days until the book. HOLY CRAP. That's crazy. I still have to reread all of them! But until then, I will be in D.C., enjoying the nation's capital and all it has to offer.

"Silhouetted against the golden moon, and growing larger every moment, was a large, strangely lopsided creature, an it was flapping in Harry's direction. He stood quite still, watching it sink lower and lower. For a split second he hesitated, his hand on the window latch, wondering whether to slam it shut. But then the bizarre creature soared over one of the street lamps of Privet Drive, and Harry, realizing what it was, leapt aside. Through the window soared three owls, two of them holding up the third, which appeared to be unconscious. They landed with a flump on Harry's bed, and the middle owl, which was large and gray, keeled right over and lay motionless. There was a large package tied to its legs." (Owl Post)

"Ah," said Fudge, who looked thoroughly disconcerted. "Dumbledore. Yes. You, er, got our - er - message that the time and - er - place of the hearing had been changed, then?"

"I must have missed it," said Dumbledore cheerfully. "However, due to a lucky mistake I arrived at the Ministry three hours early, so no harm done."

"Yes - well - I suppose we'll need another chair - I - Weasley, could you--?"

"Not to worry, not to worry," said Dumbledore pleasantly; he took out his wand, gave it a little flick, and a squishy chintz armchair appeared out of nowhere next to Harry. Dumbledore sat down, put the tips of his long fingers together and surveyed Fudge over them with an expression of polite interest.

"The hats have gone," Hermione said happily. "Seems the house-elves do want freedom after all."

"I wouldn't bet on it," Ron told her cuttingly. "They might not count as clothes. They didn't look anything like hats to me, more like woolly bladders."

I can handle my cutlery

"Listen to me, Harry. It is too late, you understand me? You must see that Professor Snape's version of events is far more convincing than yours."
"He hates Sirius," Hermione said desperately. "All because of some stupid trick Sirius played on him--"
"Sirius had not acted like an innocent man. The attack on the Fat Lady--entering Gryffindor Tower with a knife--without Pettigrew, alive or dead, we have no chance of overturning Sirius's sentence."
"But you believe us."
"Yes, I do," said Dumbledore quietly. "But I have no power to make other men see the truth, or to overrule the Minister of Magic. . . .
Harry stared up into the grave face and felt as though the ground beneath him were falling sharply away. He had grown used to the idea that Dumbledore could solve anything. He had expected Dumbledore to pull some amazing solution out of the air. But no. . .their last hope was gone.
"What we need," said Dumbledore slowly, and his light blue eyes moved from Harry to Hermione, "is more time." (Hermione's Secret)

Two Modern Classic Book Reviews

Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe

Published in 1958

212 pages

I liked this novel a lot. It is a traditional African novel, following the life of a clansman and his triumphs and more often, turmoils. The main character, Okonkwo, is a strong, male figure, a model for the tribe. He and his three wives are a proper example of the community. However, as the titles suggests, things fall apart. Misfourtune occurs from the inside, along with some external factors that further complicate the lives of the characters. The book was emotional, intriguing, and informative in an informal way. I feel like a learned a little something about African tradition and culture. I would strongly recommend this book. Overall: A-

Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger

Published in 1951

224 pages

Exponentially different than the previous novel, but equally intriguing. I loved it. Of course, that hardly comes as a surprise, but I just had to say it. Classic teen angst novel with plenty of humor and astute observations. I definetly think everyone should read this around 17 or 18 to get the most out of it. The narration was what really hit me. I loved how informal and chatty it was. There is really nothing bad I can say about it, other than the ending is a little open, but I think that is how it had to be. Overall: A

Goodbye Blair, Hello Brown

Nice alliteration PM's. In honor of this historic day, a fitting quote:

"He had been standing alone in this very office, savoring the triumph that was his after so many years of dreaming and scheming, when he had heard a cough behind him, just like tonight, and turned to find that ugly little portrait talking to him, announcing that the Minister of Magic was about to arrive and introduce himself. Naturally, he had thought that the long campaign and the strain of the election had caused him to go mad. He had been utterly terrified to find a portrait talking to him, though this had been nothing to how he felt when a self-proclaimed wizard had bounced out of the fireplace and shaken his hand. He had remained speechless throughout Fudge's kindly explanation that there were witches and wizards still living in secret all over the world and his reassurances that he was not to bother his head about them as the Ministry of Magic took responsibility for the whole wizarding community and prevented the non-magical population from getting wind of them." (The Other Minister)

"Not to worry," he had said, "it's odds-on you'll never see me again. I'll only bother you if there's something really serious going on our end, something that's likely to affect the Muggles -- the non-magical population, I should say. Otherwise it's live and let live. And I must say, you're taking it a lot better than your predecessor. He tried to throw me out the window, thought I was a hoax planned by the opposition." -Fudge (The Other Minister)

This was brilliantly British.

Striving not to go to grad school is hard work

"And do I look like the kind of man that can be intimidated?" barked Uncle Vernon.
"Well..." said Moody, pushing back his bowler hat to reveal his sinisterly revolving eye. Uncle Vernon lept backward in horror and collided painfully with a luggage trolley. "Yes, I'd have to say you do, Dursley."


"The thing about growing up with Fred and George," said Ginny thoughtfully, "is that you sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve." -Ginny Weasley

Gus the watering can

"Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville changed into their dress robes up in their dormitory, all of them looking very self-conscious, but none as much as Ron, who surveyed himself in the long mirror in the corner with an appalled look on his face. There was just no getting around the fact that his robes looked more like a dress than anything else. In a desperate attempt to make them look more manly, he used a Severing Charm on the ruff and cuffs. It worked fairly well; at least he was now lace-free, although he hadn't done a very neat job, and the edges still looked depressingly frayed as the boys set off downstairs." (The Yule Ball)

being cassie's sister is expensive

"The Weasleys and their guests were sitting in the living room, which Ginny had decorated so lavishly that it was rather like sitting in a paper-chain explosion. Fred, George, Harry, and Ron were the only ones who knew that the angel on top of the tree was actually a garden gnome that had bitten Fred on the ankle as he pulled up carrots for Christmas dinner. Stupefied, painted gold, stuffed into a miniature tutu and with small wings glued to its back, it glowered down at them all, the ugliest angel Harry had ever seen, with a large bald head like a potato and rather hairy feet." (A Very Frosty Christmas)

"Percy wouldn't recognise a joke if it danced naked in front of him wearing Dobby's tea-cosy."-Ron

Personal watermelon

"He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful to the eye. Everyone watched, waiting...A few people kept checking their watches...
"Any second," Lee Jordan whispered, two seats away from Harry.
The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it -- the whole room gasped." (The Goblet of Fire)

Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are, but I'd know you better if you told me what you reread.

Morning Calls

"It was a magnificent mirror, as high as the ceiling, with an ornate gold frame, standing on two clawed feet. There was an inscription carved around the top: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi." (The Mirror of Erised)

"Professor Flitwick, the charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the start of their first class he took the roll call, and when he reached Harry's name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight." (The Potions Master)

To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.

Joey Likes to Scare the Duck

Happy monday to all! Here's the HP fix:

"The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers." (The Journey From Platform Nine and Three-Quarters)

"Nothing like this man had ever been seen on Privet Drive. He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which were both long enough to tuck into his belt. He was wearing long robes, a purple cloak that swept the ground, and high-heeled, buckled boots. His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked, as though it had been broken at least twice. This man's name was Albus Dumbledore." (The Boy Who Lived)

And here is a tip for the day: Eat popsicles. They are so delicious.

A working class hero is something to be.
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV,
And you think you're so clever and classless and free,
But you're still fucking peasents as far as I can see,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
There's room at the top they are telling you still,
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like all the folks on the hill,
A working class hero is something to be.
A working class hero is something to be.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me,
If you want to be a hero well just follow me. (Green Day/John Lennon-"Working Class Hero")

The Azul Clause

Clause? E or no e? Quite a conundrum.

To copy Cassie, I too will start my Harry Potter countdown. I can't do it everyday (because I'm going to DC!!) but I'll do everyday once I'm back. Here's one of my favorites.

"Why were you lurking under our window?"
"Yes -- yes, good point, Petunia! What were you doing under our windows, boy?"
"Listening to the news," said Harry in a resigned voice.
His aunt and uncle exchanged looks of outrage."Listening to the news! Again?"
"Well, it changes every day, you see," said Harry.
(OotP)


Also in Potter news, they released the deluxe art and I really like it. It's the background I'm rocking right now. The description was a tad corny, but I love the art. It's gotten me really excited for the book.

There's an air of love and of happiness/And this is the Fresh Prince's definition of summer madness

Hello and good day to all! It has been a surprisingly pleasant day, filled with lots of happy times, but nothing really out of the ordinary. I went to work this morning, and although the Sunday shift usually drags on, today went really quickly and I didn't have any (exceptionally) annoying customers. After that, I went to The Limited to buy this white blazer I am in utter and desperate love with. I also tanned for a little bit (trying to get rid of lines from LAST year), played with my doggies, and then went for a run/walk that I enjoyed a lot. Soon I will go make this pineapple rice thing for dinner. Sounds good.



But other than today, I am officially on holiday. On a similar note, I am now also a senior (technically at least). The 07 class graduated yesterday, so that makes me a senior by default. Way bizarre. In three weeks I will be in Washington D.C. and I am pumped! I bought most of my clothes and I haven't started thinking about what I need to pack. It makes me so excited. And when I think about D.C., I get even more pumped because when I come back it will be HP galore! I cannot, absolutely cannot, believe the book will be out it a month and a few days. Insane.



Here's a thought for your Sunday night and week:

I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live
deep and suck out all the marrow of life to put to rout all that was not life
and not when I had come to die discover that I had not lived. -Henry David
Thoreau (Also in an excellent movie Dead Poet's Society)

Don't hit me-These are my good pants!

Sometimes you just have to love grandparents.

I have lots to say. I haven't been here for a few weeks, so there is plenty to say. Firstly, book reviews.

-Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton: A quick, short read that I enjoyed. It is Great Gatsby-ish. I liked it a lot, but I didn't love it. It is very insightful though.

-The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama: Read it. He is running for president and this will give up a feel for his stances. Even if you are an ardent republican, read it. Open your mind. It does drag at points, but sometimes it is hard to stay focused on his foreign policy views when it is a bright, breezy summer day. Still though, I love the man even more after reading this.

-The Slightly True Story of Cedar B. Hartley by Martine Murray: It's a wonderful children's story that adults can still enjoy and get something out of. It tells the tale of 12 year old Cedar, a girl with a mom and a brother that ran away. It is a quirky, energetic tale of growing up, friendships, and understanding. Loved it.

Besides books, I have also saw The Queen. Soooooo good. See it. Buy it. You'll love it. Okay, maybe not. But I sure did. Helen Mirren is absolutely brilliant as well as all the other actors. The plot is so good. A must-see.

Some highlights of the past couple of weeks.

Cassie and I had our annual skip day. It was good as always. Breakfast, tennis, Spider-man 3 (alright, not great). Our family had a memorial day picnic, which was fun. I found out my cousin got engaged, so that was cool. Yesterday I shoveled two tons, count it, of rock. Not gravel or pebbles, rock. It was....fun? Not really sure what it was, besides the obvious of exhausting.

Now I am just waiting for the end of school. One more week. I only have two exams, economics and physics. Neither of which I am really worried about. I'll definitely study for physics, but econ will be a bit of a joke most likely.

After that, it is time for summer! Harry Potter, Washington DC, Green Bay, movie nights, reading galore, and lots of excitement.

And now, I leave you with this post-secret thought for the day: