The End of a Phenomenon - Part1

Yeah that picture speaks more than words, doesn't it?
That is the sister and I, at 630 in the morning in Citi Center, right after we collected our copy of the last and final installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Ha, and we're not supposed to be morning-people!!
We were up at 445am on Saturday, the 21st of July, to get my sister her much awaited birthday present. We reached Citi Center at about 530am and were thankfully ahead in the queue so that we got to stand inside the complex. Five minutes later arrivals were not that lucky though, because by then the queue had grown long enough to spill onto the parking lot. It was a sight that we're so glad we didn't miss. We had people in the Hogwarts robes, walking around giving out pamphlets, containing crossword puzzles and word grids, all Harry Potter themed of course!
And finally the moment arrived, we were inside Landmark and suddenly I wasn't sleepy anymore. The whole store was decked up in Harry theme and there were racks of the book piled everywhere. It was a Pottermaniac's delight!
And then I signed for my copy and we were out, sent off on our way with cookies, coffee and that precious, most awaited littled package that I held in my hand, along with its free calender!
By the time the weekend was over, that book was devoured and the numbness that comes with the finality of something that you know will never ever happen again was threatening to take over. Oh well, I just let it, so it didn't need to threaten for too long!
More about the book in part 2.

The Final Showdown

Tomorrow is the day...
I just cannot wait!!!!!!

XXV

That's right! We, ie Sukanya, Silky and that other person who comes around from time to time, turn all of twenty five today. That's a quarter of a century that we've roamed the earth. I hope it's a good day, because I am at work today,so you can never tell.

Thankfully no one famous was born today (apart from me, but I don't count yet!). And good it's that way. Can you imagine what that would mean when you're older? No one will ever forget your birthday and will insist on giving you birthday cards (oh alright, e-cards) with the numbers on them. Gives me the heebeejeebees already!

Today would be a holiday in Burma and Nicaragua. Sigh! No such luck here. I'll just have to wait all day to run home for that delicious Black Forest my mum is making for me. Weeeeeeeeee! It's just like the younger days!

Twenty five. Hmmm... Whoa!

Leaky Cauldron

Pssst: Two more days to go to get my hands on that delectable, much awaited, agonizing, nail biting finale of the Harry Potter books. (shiver runs down spine).

Already there are copies out, photographs on the internet. Read about that here.

Ooooooohhhh I am sooooo excited. If you have the leaked version of the book, then please please please DON'T TELL ME!

Friday, the 13th

I am sooooooo excited!!! Here's why:

First day that too!!!!

I'll have a review soon!

And for all ye non-PotterManiacs ( yeh know who yeh are, innit?), Silencio!!!

And if you still can't stuff it, then eat slugs!!

*UPDATE*

Of course the book is way better than the movie. Having said that I will admit that this movie was by far the best of the lot. Dark and definitely not kiddie stuff, the book really brought to life the fear of You Know Who being back. The movie was great fun to watch, the minor plot changes notwithstanding.

Imelda Staunton as Dolores Jane Umbridge was truly delightful and I cannot stop raving about Loony er Luna Lovegood. The other characters reprised their roles with the usual grace and I thought there was more Hermione than Ron. It helped that she looked really good throughout the movie.

The special effects and the background score were fantastic. My favourite parts of the movie were the last 30 minutes (Ministry scenes) and the DA meetings, in that order. The pace of the movie was maintained throughout, with not a single scene being excessive or wasteful.

Just one bone to pick though - I felt they didn't do the Weasley twins leaving Hogwarts scene enough justice. JKR's most likable creations were quite underutilized in the movie. All in all a really good movie to watch, and Pottermaniac that I am, I'll definitely watch it again.

One tip though - it would be a good idea to read the book before you go to watch the movie.

~MechaniGal

**I wrote this review for rediff.com