Eat Slugs, Malfoy!

(Screw this! I've been drafting this blog since last week with the intention of posting one entry per day starting Thursday last week! Please excuse the lack of structure and coherency. :p)

I’m going to use Harry Potter again as an excuse to blog. Ahem.

So. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is finally, FINALLY here. I’ve already made the reservations and will be watching with Mark and Jen on Thursday. In the meantime, I will post my personal ranking of the seven HP books.

I’ve always wanted to do this ranking, but don't know how to start. I don’t want to sound like a trying hard critic judging the literary merits of the books, because I’m not. I don’t want to give the impression that I like one book better than the other, because I love all the books that make up the HP series, warts and all. Also, by ranking them, I feel that I’d be looking at the books as separate and stand-alone novels instead of parts of an over-arcing storyline.

Anyway, my basis for ranking the books are as follows:

• The actual physical condition of the book – I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve read each book so I can’t honestly say which book I’ve read more. While the books' wear and tear look may not be an accurate basis (the older books are more battered than the newer ones, plus the paperback editions will definitely show more cracks than the hardbound editions), I feel I can safely rely on this indicator;
• Quotes – I tend to quote HP a lot. Of course, I tend to quote the lines that are most memorable to me.
• Emotional Impact – each book affected me in various ways. Two of the books in my top three were the books that I had the insane urge to chuck the first time I read it.

This is not the most scientific nor unbiased ranking ever, I'm telling you. I’m pretty sure anyone who've read this blog can guess which book is my top one. I’d be happy to hear what you think my top three will be! This is my personal ranking and you’re free to comment/react on my reasons. As usual spoiler alert to those who have been living under the rock not yet read the books.

"Fame's a fickle friend, Harry. Celebrity is as celebrity does, remember that."
- Professor Gilderoy Lockhart

"This is what Dumbledore sends his defender! A songbird and an old hat! Do you feel brave, Harry Potter? Do you feel safe now?"
- Tom Marvolo Riddle

"Oh Potter, you rotter, oh what have you done,
You're killing off students, you think it's good fun - "
- Peeves the Poltergeist


#7: HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (Book 2)

My paperback CoS is, relatively, in pristine condition – but only because it was my second copy already! I lost my original paperback in heaven knows where, which is too bad because it was a gift. Nevertheless, I’m still quite sure I’ve not read CoS as much as the others. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy CoS as much.

The book's plot structure is very similar to the first book: we follow Harry through his second year at Hogwarts, while trying to solve a few mysteries. In this case, there's a creature roaming around school targeting Muggleborns and Squibs; a creature, legend has it, that came from the Chamber of Secrets. Harry is somehow connected, especially upon learning he has a magical ability considered to be a form of dark magic.

CoS introduced us to one Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. I think it was briefly implied in the Sorcerer’s Stone that the DADA post might be cursed, but in Lockhart’s case, I guess it’s not so much as the post being cursed as much as Lockhart being such an awful teacher. I love how they established Lockhart as this vain, famous, celebrity-like wizard who’s trying to give advice to Harry on how to handle his popularity (while at the same time resenting how Harry, despite not wanting the attention, is still loads more popular than he is). On the surface, Lockhart seemed like a good wizard with above average magic skills, or so the books he wrote stated. Then we get to the misadventures with the pixies (“Peskipiksi Pesternomi!”), the dueling club and the manner by which he conducts class - and you know something is amiss. Sure enough, Lockhart's more than a self-absorbed prick. What he lacked in magical skills, he made up for his cunning. JKR is good at writing morally gray characters, and Lockhart, though more of a comic relief than an actual villain, was just as gray.

Then there’s Lucius Malfoy, the magnificent bastard that he was. There’s also Dobby, who I pitied but who also annoyed me with his plans to keep Harry from Hogwarts. Not only did his plans failed, but his plans also produced disastrous results. Dobby took a level in badass later on in the book and in the series, and of course, his death in DH was one of the most heart-wrenching scenes written.

I only realize this recently, but it was in CoS that Harry learned the Disarming spell, Expelliarmus, which became his sort of signature move. And guess who taught him that, albeit unwittingly? Severus Snape, is who!

The main plot of CoS had little to do with the series’ overall story arc. Yet I love the foreshadowings in the book that played a major part later in the series. I love how the book retained the storytelling elements of Sorcerer's Stone that made me an HP fan: mysteries to be solved, tricky red herrings, plot twists that I never saw coming. I love how Harry became more confident the more he learns and yet still felt in awe to be in the presence of magic. I love that so much because I know it’s the same sort of reaction I’d have if I’m in Harry’s place!

I ranked CoS at number 7 because of the acromantulas. God, I hate spiders, especially GIANT spiders! Okay, I’m half kidding. As I said, CoS didn’t add much to the story arc as the other books did. While Riddle’s diary is important in terms of it being a Horcrux, Harry could have found out about it in other ways without the need to set up the whole opening of the Chamber of Secrets plot. That’s not to say that CoS is unimportant. The series would have been less without all the foreshadowings. The book is full of dry wit, and the twists were wonderfully maneuvered and revealed.

(Work in progress! Might revise later as I see fit! Damn unmotivated blogger.)

Shell Cottage

This picture just made me a very happy fangirl:

This picture was from the Shell Cottage filming for the Deathly Hallows movie. The presence of Helena Bonham-Carter means she’s shooting the scene as Hermione impersonating as Bellatrix Lestrange AND HOW AWESOME IS THAT? Ron was in some kind of disguise which look hilarious. Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick) was also at the shooting, only this time he’s portraying Griphook.

I’m excited beyond words for the HBP film this July, but the excitement for the last two movies is now catching up whenever I see pictures and news about the shooting. Now I just have to pray to the HP deities that Gary Oldman be included in the Deathly Hallows film, however brief his role was in the book.

(Pictures from celebrity-gossip.net)

Muffliato

I’m re-reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (surprise, surprise), and I can’t wait for the movie to hit the big screen! Who here is excited to hear Severus Snape’s “unfixed, mutating, indestructible” speech? Alan Rickman’s voice is so going to rock that scene!

I think I already mentioned that one of my favorite, favorite scene in the ENTIRE series was when Harry asked Luna out to Slughorn’s party. It never fails to crack me up! Here’s to remind you of that awesome scene:



"How would you like to come to Slughorn's party with me tonight?"

The words were out of Harry's mouth before he could stop them; he heard himself say them as though it were a stranger speaking.

Luna turned her protuberant eyes to him in surprise.

"Slughorn's party? With you?"

"Yeah," said Harry, "We're supposed to bring guests, so I thought you might like.. I mean..." He was keen to make his intentions perfectly clear. " I mean, just as friends, you know. But if you don't want to..." He was already half hoping that she didn't want to.

"Oh no, I'd love to go with you as friends!" said Luna, beaming as he had never seen her beam before. "Nobody's ever asked me to a party before, as a friend! Is that why you dyed your eyebrow, for the party? Should I dye mine too?"

"No" said Harry firmly, "That was a mistake. I'll get Hermione to put it right for me. So I'll meet you in the entrance hall at eight o'clock then."

"AHA!" screamed a voice from overhead and both of them jumped; unnoticed by either of them, they had just passed underneath Peeves, who was hanging upside down from a chandelier and grinning maliciously at them.

"Potty asked Loony to go to the party! Potty lurves Loony! Potty luuuuuurves Looooony!"

And he zoomed away cackling and shrieking, "Potty loves Loony!"


Too bad Peeves was cut from the movie. :(

But I’m getting ahead of myself! I haven’t gotten to that chapter yet, I’m still on Harry’s first Pensieve trip with Dumbledore, to the Gaunt’s house. I wonder how much of the Pensieve scenes will be included in the film. The book is more expository so I don’t know how much liberty the director took to make the film adaptation more action/adventure oriented.

Reading the chapter on Slughorn’s first Potions lesson, I suddenly remembered an idea I have before. Here’s the deal: assume that we are in Harry Potter’s world. What would your answers be to the following questions:

1. What would your Patronus be?
2. What shape would your Boggart assume?
3. What would Amortentia, the most powerful love potion, smell to you?
4. Finally, what would you see in the Mirror of Erised?

My answers are:

1. I think my Patronus would either be a big cat, like a tiger or lynx, or a shaggy black dog like Sirius Black!
2. Obviously, it’s going to be like Ron’s, a big spider. Ack.
3. The smell of the fresh pages of a new book, mango and sun-kissed skin. I don’t know how to explain the last one, I guess it’s that kind of smell that evokes beach and warm sand on the skin.
4. This is a difficult question for me. I guess my “deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts” is not something I can just share to everybody, right? So, here’s a more share-able version: I would see myself back in school, taking up something related to the Arts or History, like Literature or Archeology. The corporate life is often too stressful that I longed for something less practical.

What would YOUR answers be to these questions? :)

(pic courtesy of Mugglenet)

Desert Island Time!

Over at Livejournal, there's this feature called Writer's Block, which features one topic prompt daily, something like a one-shot meme. I like the question for yesterday and today so I'm posting it here!

Writer's Block - March 3
You're packing your bag for that magical desert island that happens to have electricity, a TV and a DVD player - what five DVDs do you take with you?


1. Lord Of The Rings trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King)
- I'm kind of cheating here because this one is worth 3 movies! I'll never tire of marathon-watching the three films, it feels so satisfying when I finish re-watching all in one day. Plus, dirty, dirty Aragorn is so appealing! (Viggo Mortensen looks hotter the dirtier he gets in his films. Wait, that sounds wrong.)

2. The Ring (Japanese version)
- When you're stuck in an island, you need to practice CONSTANT VIGILANCE! There's no better way to keep me on my wits (and keep me up all night) than the image of Sadako climbing out of that well and out of the TV screen! But if there's a well on that island, I might re-think bringing this DVD along.

(Digression: my family prefers watching TV thisclose to the screen. When I made them marathon-watch the three Ring films, all of them stayed as far away from the TV screen as possible. I might have laughed at that, if not for the fact that I was on the farthest corner of the room myself and totally freaked out when my cousin gently poked me.)

3. Air Force One
- This is such a cheesy action film, but Harrison Ford was full of charisma and very believable as the President of the United States. Plus, Gary Oldman. Fake accent. YUM. This was shown around the time Erap was still the country's President and we laughed ourselves silly imagining if Erap was in Harrison Ford's position ("Kaya ba ni Erap yan?").

4. The Wedding Singer
- I just want to grow old with Robbie Hart, knowing that he can always entertain me and sweep me off my feet with his funny yet endearing songs. His concept of money will never be not funny! ("I'm a big fan of money. I like it, I use it, I have a little. I keep it in a jar on top of my refrigerator. I'd like to put more in that jar. That's where you come in.")

5. Ice Age
- I can appreciate the irony here: I'm alone in an island watching a film about how no man (or extinct animal, for that matter) is an island. :D

Runners-up: The Usual Suspects, High Fidelity, A Knight's Tale, The Dark Knight, Memento



Writer's Block - March 4
You're packing your bag for that other desert island - the one with no electricity - what 5 books do you take with you?


1. Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling)
- Ha! I cheated again! This one is worth 7 books, and I could spend my entire desert island life re-reading all 7 books and not get bored by it.

2. Battle Royale (Koushun Takami)
- As much as it sucks to be stranded in an island with no electricity, at least I'm not stranded in an island and engaged in a literal battle for survival against my classmates!

3. A Long Way Down (Nick Hornby)
- A novel about 4 suicidal people should not be funny, but this book just cracks me up each time I read it! It's amazing how the author managed to make 4 losers such compelling and likable characters, flaws and all.

4. I Hate Myself And I Want To Die: The 52 Most Depressing Songs You've Ever Heard (Tom Reynolds)
- I tend to like reading depressing stuffs, don't you think? Well, this book is not really that depressing. It's actually funny. What's kind of depressing to realize, though, is that the some of the songs listed are songs that I enjoy listening to.

5. Foxtrot comics (Bill Amend)
- Yey! Something not depressing! I know I can always count on my favorite fictional family and their misadventures to cheer me up and keep me company.

Runners-up: To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee), Haunted (Chuck Palahniuk), Artemis Fowl series (Eoin Colfer), Protect And Defend (Richard North Patterson), It (Stephen King)

Fivesome

Honestly? I had a hard time elaborating on these because I’m pretty sure I’ve talked to death about these things a lot of times already and I don’t know how to make this post a little bit more interesting without me just repeating myself. Either Jen knows me too well or I’m way too predictable! Either way, let’s give this a shot!

(Comment to this post to get your own 5 things from me!)

5 Things From Jen:

1) Post-it
I started collecting post-its when I was reviewing for the board. The review school was near the Corona store in Recto and they have local post-its and flags that were cheaper than the trademarked Post-It by 3M. I used the post-its and flags to organize my review materials and notes, and I want to believe that those helped me pass the board! I haven’t bought any kind of post-it or notepad in more than a year (Woo hoo! Be amazed at my self-restraint!), although I can’t help but make sad little noises whenever I see new post-its at National Bookstore.

2) Apple
I don’t hate apples, I just don’t… like it!

3) Dangling Earrings
My preference in earrings used to be simple and uncomplicated. I wear small silver hoop earrings pretty much all the time before. Along the way, I discovered that dangling earrings are the easiest way to look lady-like! I prefer cheap earrings with playful designs, different enough but not too loud or clunky to draw too much attention.

4) Harry Potter
Do I even need to elaborate on this? :D I LOVE Harry Potter ridiculous amounts! I lost track of the number of times I’ve reread ALL 7 books (Book 3 being my favorite, is the most tattered and battered). Aside from the 7, I also have Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through The Ages, and Tales of Beedle the Bard. I plan to collect the UK adult edition books. I have DVDs (original) of movies 3 to 5. I joined an HP-related contest!

But by fandom standards, I’m just an average fan – I haven’t created an HP fansite, I haven’t written an HP fanfic, I never supported a ship and have not engaged in shipping wars with wankers fans. And yet, I spent way too much time creating my own theories about the series, overanalyzing characters and scenes, memorizing lines and spells, and inserting HP references in normal conversations.

5) JDrama
My current crack of choice! There are days when I can sensibly explain why I like jdramas and prefer it over pinoy telenovelas: jdramas are shorter (usually 9 to 11 one-hour episodes) and have fixed storylines that even if the drama became popular or highly-rated, the series will not be extended or the plot suddenly veer away from its original intentions just to satisfy fans’ clamor.

Also, I’m yet to see a jdrama that features clichés I hate, to wit:
- baby-switching
- “we are siblings we can’t be together” angst angst angst “oops, no son, I was an adulterer, he’s not your dad so she's not really your sister”
- I will SUBTLY oppress you by slapping you and pulling at your hair every scene we’re together, dialogue-ing “wala kang utang na loob!” when you so much as fight back a little, throw food at you, finally throw you and your clothes out of the house (which I should have done A LONG TIME AGO if I really hate you that much)
- you can tell I’m poor because I lack table manners
- you can tell I’m the kontrabida because I dress better than the bida (even if she suddenly becomes rich, her fashion sense is still godawful) and I CACKLE when I’m evil-ing

That’s not to say that jdrama don’t have their own clichés; it’s just that so far, I can take those clichés better.
- rain scenes of doom (leads break up in the rain, male lead angst beautifully in the rain, etc etc)
- squee-inducing embrace from the back (bonus if done in the rain a la Hana Yori Dango)
- batshit crazy antagonists (so you don’t feel bad for laughing at them because you’re not supposed to take them seriously)
- gratuitous parade of androgynously pretty guys, with bonus gratuitous nudity (how can anyone NOT like that???)

Obviously, today I’m coherent about my affair with jdramas. Often, I’m too caught up with either its soul-crushing angst or massive suspension of disbelief or pure crack-iness to explain properly why jdramas tick. Jdramas taught me that “WTF?” and “W-wait. What?” are completely acceptable reactions that convey the awesomeness of the drama.

(for someone having a hard time elaborating, I sure have some long answers!)

Can't Wait For These Movies!

This is really late, but I saw a poster of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and decided I still want to do my list of my most anticipated movies for 2009!

2009, for me, is going to be The Year of Movies Featuring Hot, Gorgeous Men. I’m not saying I’m watching just for that, I just noticed it while compiling my list. :D

So, here we go!



Top 8 Most Anticipated Movies of 2009

1. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Is anyone surprised at all with my choice? This has been my most anticipated film of 2008 – I already made my plans around its supposed November release date – and what did the producers do? Delayed it until July 2009! My rage, let me show you it. The penultimate book in the HP series wasn’t the best, but who wouldn't want to see Snape kill Dumbledore on-screen? And just because my fave scene in the book (POTTY LURVES LOONY!) won’t be in the film, doesn’t mean I don’t look forward to hearing “WON! WON!”

2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Hugh Jackman! Hugh Jackman and his biceps! GAMBIT! Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool! Daniel Henney! Liev Sch-however you spell his last name! Hugh Jackman!

3. Public Enemies

This movie stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. They could have the two wash laundry for the duration of the film and I'd still watch it. But this film has a good plot and I'm watching it for it. Really. Really. Depp plays John Dillinger, public enemy #1 during the Great Depression and Bale is the FBI agent tasked to capture him.

4. Watchmen

The production of this movie was mired with legal battles between Fox and WB. I sure hope that the issues have been settled already because everyone's looking forward to this! Everything I've seen so far points to this movie being awesome. The League of Extra-Ordinary Gentlemen, this certainly is NOT.

5. Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Optimus Prime is back! Giant robots! I can't wait for the sequel to Michael Bay's best film yet.

6. Terminator Salvation

Another Christian Bale starrer. It's hard to imagine a Terminator without an Arnold Schwarzenegger, but Bale has proven that he can take on an iconic movie franchise and turn it into a blockbuster. Not even the fact that McG directed this film can dampen my anticipation.

7. 2012

Two words: John Cusack. Didn't I say I'm watching movies this year for the eye-candy? Okay, something else to convince you why this is worth watching: the movie is a post-apocalyptic thriller set around a Mayan calendar prophecy predicting that the world will end on December 21, 2012. Now THAT should draw your attention.

8. Sherlock Holmes

Based on the classic fictional character, this movie stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, the sexiest crime-solving pair. I don't think this will be your typical action film and like everyone else, I'm curious as to what RDJ will do after his success as Iron Man.


Honorable Mentions:
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs; Arrested Development; A Christmas Carol (Gary Oldman!); This Side of Truth; Inglorious Basterds; Dragonball Evolution; Crank 2: High Voltage; Friday the 13th; Shutter Island; Ninja Assassin; Star Trek, Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

No Freakin' Way!

Goddamnit.

When I say that happiness is fleeting, I didn’t mean it to be, like, one-day fleeting. After the best news yesterday, this news is just one big epic FAIL:

HBP Delayed until July 17, 2009

Did you see my countdown timer above? It says used to say that I should be waiting for HBP for only 3 more months, and now they’re adding eight months to my waiting period! Eight effin’ months!

I need to crucio someone right now.

See You On November 20!

First of all, I hope you will all appreciate how difficult it is for me to blog now. I have a swollen right ring finger from a little accident I had yesterday and it's ugly and it hurts and it's hindering me from my web tambay. I'll probably tell the story on a later date when it's no longer a pain to drag a mouse and to type.

So - to business:

My little countdown above, in case you didn't know it yet, is for the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie. It's actually counting down the days until the release of HBP in UK on November 21 - but the movie will be shown here in Manila on November 20!

Well, that's all. Can't type properly. Can't think properly.

I'll Never Let You Go

Since I left my iPod at the office last night, I tuned in to my mobile phone’s radio today on the way to work. It’s been a long while since I last listened to Chico and Del and dude! how I miss their Top Tens! The topic today was “Top Ten Things That Are Hard To Let Go”. It was a good topic because the answers were pretty diverse, but there are two replies that I really like.

The first answer that I absolutely can relate to is, of course, Harry Potter. I know! I just can’t let go of Harry Potter! More than a year since book 7 was released and sometimes I still can’t believe that the wait for the end was actually over. Like most fans, I’m still hoping against hope that Jo would write more about the boy wizard. I’m crossing my fingers that The Tales of Beedle The Bard will be available here, otherwise, I have some power-begging to do so that my friend abroad will buy me one!

The second answer I like had something to do with scent. The sender (I forgot whether it’s a he or a she. For simplicity let’s assume it’s a he.), said that he find it hard to let go after every dates, because the scent of his girlfriend still lingers. It’s totally aawww… and something I can relate to. There’s this scent that always remind me of someone, and each time I catch that same scent from another, it hits me hard and reminds me how much I miss this person.

Oopps… someone’s getting mushy!

And yeah, I think I need to tune in to radio more!



P.S.

I meant to post something yesterday, but I’m not sure whether I really want to share it so I saved it in my drafts. Maybe one day I’ll just change my mind about it hehehe… I just want to say that despite the current pressures in my life, I found one thing that’s making me really happy now. I don’t know if I should be, but what the heck, I just am!

What's Wrong With Dumbledore?

I have a problem with the latest promotional pictures for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, particularly with Dumbledore:

(photos courtesy of Mugglenet)

Why is he not flamboyant enough in the first picture? And why does he look like Gandalf in the second one?!

At least young Tom Marvolo Riddle is appropriately creepy. Can’t wait for the movie!

Elvendork!

J.K. Rowling’s short story is now available at Waterstones. All I can say is –

S I R I U S ! ! !

I miss you! I miss your motorcycle! I miss waiting for the books!

Please check out also the other short stories by the other great authors like Neil Galman, Nick Hornby and Irvine Welsh.

(If you can’t read Jo’s handwriting, you can check out the text at Mugglenet.)

The Potter Sensation That's Sweeping The Nation

Damn.

Harry prequel outline to be auctioned


For the love of everything nice, fluffy and warm, they BETTER publish the book version of this!!! I want it so bad! I know it’s for charity but why can’t they do it the way they did for the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find It and Quidditch Through The Ages?



UPDATE: They’re going to sell copies to the public! And copies of the stories of the other authors who participated, too! And J.K.’s story takes place 3 years before Harry was born! Could it be about the Marauders?! Aaahhh! I want to buy this! Will they sell it here in Manila?!!! Somebody please buy this for me!

Potter!

After months of speculation, it's now official: Deathly Hallows to be split into two movies.

I've always felt that the last HP book packs a lot of story that it would be quite difficult to edit it into a movie. Right now, the biggest question for me is - where should the split be made? My take on that is anywhere from the time the trio were captured and brought to Malfoy Manor and Dobby's death would be a good split point.

14 Days To Lurve - Day 4

He dug with a kind of fury, relishing the manual work, glorying in the non-magic of it, for every drop of his sweat and every blister felt like a gift to the elf who had saved their lives. His scar burned, but he was master of the pain, he felt it, yet was apart from it. He had learned control at last, learned to shut his mind to Voldemort, the very thing Dumbledore had wanted him to learn from Snape. Just as Voldemort had not been able to possess Harry while Harry was consumed with grief for Sirius, so his thoughts could not penetrate Harry now while he mourned Dobby. Grief, it seemed, drove Voldemort out…though Dumbledore, of course, would have said that it was love.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling

Merry Christmas!!!

Dear, dear Santa (in case you're real),

Save for few some a lot of bitchiness this year, I was reasonably nice naman this year, so I think I'm entitled to a few Chistmas wish:

1. a new iPod (I still love my trusty old iPod nano, but it's already two years old and it hanged up on me once already);


2. DVD (original or pirated) of Karate Kid parts 1-3 that I've been wishing for for the last three Christmases; and


3. Boxed set of the Bloomsbury edition of the Harry Potter books 1-7, either the adult or children's edition (and please don't tell me that I already have a copy of all the books and, save for a few spelling differences, these are all the same. I perfectly know that. I just want those.)

But if I suddenly find Morgan sleeping beside me when I wake up on Christmas morning, it will be perfectly okay with me if you will not grant me those three wishes. Mind you, I would willingly forgo making my Christmas list for the next 5 years.

Lots of love and affection,

Jela

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My most loved readers,

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

And please don't feel oblige to watch any of the crap films that the MMFF are trying to shove down our throats. It's perfectly fine to just stay at home with your loved ones.

Always,

Jela

Dumbledore Is Gay!

What a surprise! Neither pleasant nor disturbing, just... a bit surprising. Doesn't change the fact that I still want him as a mentor.



Don't think it's true? Check out Mugglenet.



And in other news, can I have this hoodie for Christmas?

The Deathly Hallows Meme

...because you know I won't be able to resist this! =)

MAJOR, MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT. Please skip if you haven't read the book. (and please read the book! you don't know what you're missing. hahaha...)

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Name: Jela
Age: 25
Location: Room of Requirement (wish!)
Friending Policy: First impression matters.
Hours it Took You to Finish DH: Almost 7 hours

BEFORE
Former Favorite HP Book:
Prisoner of Azkaban
Canon (or Not Disproved) Ships You Supported:
None, but I really like Remus/Tonks, I want my remaining Marauder to be happy!
Number of DH Theories You Had:
Quite a few, but most of them turn out wrong, don’t they?
Describe Your Best/Favorite Theory:
Harry and Voldemort’s final duel would be sort of other world-y, probably through the veil, and he would get a lot of help from his parents, Sirius and Dumbledore.
What Time Did You Get it at?
Around 7:45 am

DURING
What you did/thought about...
The Seven Potters:
It was a cool piece of skullduggery! Up until they were chased by Death Eaters, and then it became terrifying. Poor Hedwig. Poor George’s ears. And our fallen warrior, Poor Mad Eye.
Regulus:
He was redeemed in my eyes with the way he treated Kreacher. I wish Sirius have known this part of Regulus. Still, Sirius is the Black man for me!
Ron Leaving:
It was a good subplot, I can feel Harry’s sense of betrayal, Ron’s resentment and jealousy, and Hermione’s hurt. When Harry thought that something was broken between them, I felt it, too. I was glad they were able to patch things up. Harry’s dialogue about Hermione being a surrogate sister to her, and how Dumbledore gave the Deluminator to Ron because he knew Ron would always want to come back, were nice. Harry got really good at expressing himself.
Godric's Hollow:
The scene of Bathilda Bagshot transforming into Nagini was just scary! I love the tender moment between Harry and Hermione, when they visited Lily and James’ graves and Hermione conjured those flowers, then as they were about to leave, Harry put his arms around Hermione’s shoulders and Hermione put hers around Harry’s waist. I also like the epithet “The last enemy to be destroyed is death”.
Harry's Wand Breaking:
Like Harry, I was counting on the wand’s shared phoenix core to protect from, and ultimately defeat, Voldemort. It felt like a huge blow for me.
The Deathly Hallows:
I love this twist! I never expected this, I’ve always thought that Deathly Hallows was synonymous to the Horcruxes, and that Book 7 would be a straight forward tale of Harry’s quest for the Horcruxes. I like that the story of the Deathly Hallows was hidden behind a children’s tale, and that it was Dumbledore’s weakness, and how Harry was seduced by that same quest, but eventually figured out the right track.
Breaking into Gringotts:
Great adventure! The enchantments placed in the vault were really scary and their narrow escape was suspenseful. I’m glad they released the dragon!
Aberforth and Ariana:
They humanized Dumbledore; without them, Dumbledore might have been another Voldemort or Grindelwald. Aberforth was cool, and I like that he has the same piercing blue eyes as Dumbledore’s. His goat patronus was hilarious! And I never ever want to know what he did to the goat!
Snape Being Good:
I trust Severus with all my heart, and I’m glad Harry finally knew the truth and accorded proper respect to the “bravest man I’ve ever known”.
Harry Being a Horcrux:
I never supported this theory, I have to admit. But it made sense, the way it was presented.
King's Cross:
I gasped out loud when Harry was Avada Kedavra’d by Voldemort; I really thought he was a goner. When he met with Dumbledore at King’s Cross, I knew he’s bound to get back. The child was sort of disturbing. I just don’t like the part when Dumbledore kept on insisting Harry was the better man. Even Harry knows it – in spite Dumbledore’s checkered past, he is the cleverer one, the better man. I’m still Dumbledore’s girl, through and through!
The Epilogue:
Sort of anti-climactic. The bit about Harry naming his son Albus Severus was nice, but the chapter was a letdown after all the actions that happened in the novel.

AFTER
New Favorite HP Book:
Still Prisoner of Azkaban, though I haven’t really given much thought on how I rank the 7 books.
Canon Ships You Now Support:
Sorry James and Harry – Lily/Snape! And Ron/Hermione, because they took their sweet time before they finally kiss!!!
Number of Your Theories That Came True (or Sort of Did):
The identity of RAB, that Snape is on the good side, Voldemort and Wormtail will die, Harry did not die
Overall Impression of DH:
There were few clunky lines and the epilogue could have been better, but I was amazed at how JK Rowling was able to tie the series together, and still introduce new key plots. I love it, even if I still feel sad up to now by the deaths and the thought that the HP series is really over.
Favorite Part:
The Prince’s Tale is my favorite chapter so far, followed closely by The Bribe and Forest Again.
Least Favorite Part:
The epilogue, unexplained deaths of Remus and Tonks – they deserve better than that!
Saddest Part:
Syet, syet… Dumbledore: “But this is touching, Severus. Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?” Snape: “For him? Expecto Patronum!” (and out came Snape’s patronus, the silver doe) Dumbledore: "After all this time?" Snape: "ALWAYS". Syet, syet talaga! (and yes, I had these memorized.)
Coolest Part:
Hermione’s beaded bag, Potterwatch (ang kulit ng code names!), the battle at Hogwarts, escape with the dragon, when Harry was met by the ghosts of Lily, James, Remus and my Sirius
Best Completely Unexpected Part:
I hate to admit this, but it was Hedwig’s death. It came really early in the story, and I had to re-read that part because I was just shocked that Hedwig would be part of the death toll! Harry calling Hedwig’s name repeatedly was eerily familiar: it brought back memories of book 5 when Harry was repeatedly calling Sirius name to come out of the veil.
Best New Character:
Gellert Grindelwald, because of his role in Dumbledore’s life; Aberforth Dumbledore
Saddest Character Death:
Snape, of course. But I was surprised to feel really sad about Mad Eye Moody. And his death happened early in the book!
Best Magic/Magical Item:
Pensieve, together with Snape’s memories.

NON-DH
Favorite Color:
blue
Your Non-HP Fandoms:
Foxtrot, Heroes, Prison Break, House, Stonefree, etc, etc.
Top Pet Peeve:
people with annoying sense of superiority
Favorite Child HP Actor:
Pwede bang adult actor? Gary Oldman, forever and ever
First Word or Phrase that Comes to Mind:
Accio?
Describe Yourself in Three Words:
Obsessive, Rambling, Boring
What's in Your Journal:
just doodles about my boring life! Hehehe…

The Only One He Ever Feared

Don't worry, definitely NO SPOILERS in this post.

I just want to say, I'm really proud of J.K. Rowling for telling the story the way she wanted to.

I am happy, and at the same time, still not happy. Weird. I can't explain it without me giving away too much. But I love the book, I really do. But I feel a bit cheated.

So please, everyone, hurry up with your reading!

This Muggle Is Just Happy To Be Here!

You must know by now how insanely fanatical I am about Harry Potter. I'm still at this stage of giddy disbelief that, in a few hours, I will finally have in my hands the final book of the series. And I am excited and happy and all, but I am strangely, incredibly sad. Sad that the waiting is finally over, sad that the series is finally over.

I was 19, still in college, when I came across a book entitled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". Back then I was into legal thrillers like the Perry Mason series and John Grisham's books, so what was I doing with a children's novel? But I was curious, so I read and immediately fell for it. I finished reading it in one night (on a Prelims week, no less) - and my love affair with HP was born.

Maybe it's because, even if I am boringly logical most of the time, I love the idea of magic. Maybe it's because I love mysteries and intrigue, and Harry, his scar, his connection with Voldemort and his destiny are the biggest intrigue in the HP universe. Maybe it's because I love underdog stories and the books have provided plenty of that. Maybe it's because I love sarcasm and dry humor and witty lines and, again, the books have provided plenty of that. Or maybe it's because I love slightly bad, sort of damaged, highly intriguing men and Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Severus Snape certainly fit the bill. I cannot pinpoint a single reason for this mad love, but the obssession is here to stay.

For the last 7 or so years of my life, HP has been a constant source of enjoyment, knowledge and comfort. I got Chamber of Secrets as a Christmas present. My first paycheck I bought Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. I've made bets about Order Of The Phoenix (and received a painful shock when it was Sirius who died). I met new friends because of the series. I've had hundreds of discussions and arguments over theories and opinions, and I'm desperate for more. I've memorized some of their lines, muttered some of the spells under my breath. I've influenced a few people to get into Pottermania. I've never felt a more desperate desire to go to London than when I've read the books. I discovered other cool children's books because HP paved the way for me to check out the bookstore's children's section. I discovered Mugglenet and fanfiction. It wasn't just a fictional magical world that I discovered because of a boy with glasses and lightning bolt-shaped scar, I was thrown into the world of HP fandom, a new, real, interesting world, quite different from the world I live in.

I am going to miss the feeling of happily anticipating the next installments. I am going to miss the speculations and theories on what will happen next. But this isn't me saying goodbye, not just yet. For sure, I'll still be reading and rereading the books over and over. There's still the final two movies to look forward to and - who knows? - an encyclopedia that J.K. Rowling had hinted at. Plus more people to persuade and encourage to read the books.

It's like what they say - it's not the destination, but the journey. The ride was just fantastic, and I'm grateful that I get to experience it. (and whether she gets to read this or not, thank you so much, J.K. Rowling. Thank you for Harry Potter.)

This isn't the end of Harry Potter. Not for me, anyway. And certainly not for the millions of Potter fans out there.

Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

No Spoilers For Me!

Less than 2 days to go!!!

Habang papalapit na ang July 21, spoilers concerning Deathly Hallows (whether legit or not) have started to leak out in the web. I usually succumb to the lure of spoilers (I'm an impatient being), but not when it concerns Harry Potter. I waited for so long for the culmination of my beloved series, I can wait a few days more.

So please, no spoilers for me! I promise also that I will not post anything about the book this weekend, so as not to spoil HP fanatics like me.

(But I welcome open discussions of the books! Leave a comment, text me, e-mail me, ask me out for coffee! Ready ako to talk about HP hahaha...)