To Harry, with love

Many, many years ago, a friend tossed me Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and said "Read this. You'll love it." I remember devouring it in almost one sitting, and then feeling sorry that I'd read it so quickly because it ended too soon. This was maybe three or four years after the first book had been released, so within days i was able to go out and buy the next three installments.



I was an instant fan.

Why this series is so popular, i can't tell you. For me, it was an immediate connection. I loved the characters, i loved the magical world and mythology that Rowling had created, and i loved that there was a whole series of adventures to be had. For some reason, these are the books i find myself going back to when there's nothing else to pick up. It feels like I've read them a hundred times - its been well over a decade since i first picked them up - but i never get bored. Maybe it's a comfort thing - that i know i can escape for days into another world, be reunited with old friends who's lines i know by heart, be sure in the knowledge that good will triumph over evil. Or maybe, in what can be a crappy world, its nice to clutch a little piece of innocence in my hands, and remember what its like to be a kid, wowed by witches and wizards and wands and spells. I know the series gets darker, but still. Love and loss, elation and sadness, bravery and fear - these are all human emotions in the end. Everyone can relate.



When the movies started coming out, i was wary. But i think a real effort has been made do justice to the spirit of the books, even if it hasn't always been possible to relay every moment and character that appears within their pages. And it's been nice to see the magic come alive. I daresay the films are almost as iconic as the books - it's actually hard to read them now and not see Rupert Grint as Ron, or Daniel Radcliffe as Harry. You just can't help it, whether you like the actors or not.



Because the franchise apparently hadn't made enough money off their devoted public, a nice little publicity coup saw the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, be split into two halves for the movie/s. I mean. I had to roll my eyes when i heard that. Part 1 AND Part 2? Way to drag it out guys.


Still, after years of watching them, it was (i admit) with a little sadness that my old friend and fellow Potter-lover Turnsie and I bought our tickets for the last time. Since we're suckers for An Event, we decided to farewell Harry in spectacular fashion - we would see Part 1 at 9pm, and Part 2 at 12.05am on its official release date. Naturally, this would mean taking the next day off work. By the time the damn thing finished and i got home it would be close to 3am.

We decided a small tribute to Harry would add a sense of occasion to the proceedings. Thus, Turnsie stole his nieces Official Harry Potter Wand and brought it along. Here I am, conducting an important spell.

Yup, we were proud of our little wand. We thought we were very clever indeed, bringing along a little piece of Harry to celebrate The End, as it was being called. A few people, we decided, would probably do the same - bring something Potter-ish along, maybe wear a cape, or a scarf in Gryffindor colours. Nothing over the top.



How wrong we were.


Our wand turned out to be, in a word, pitiful. I was almost embarrassed by our effort. And we called ourselves fans? For in a dazzling display of all things Harry, the REAL fans thronged outside the cinema in spectacular fashion. There were Harry's and Ron's and Hermione's, of course. There were Voldemorts (some excellent, some downright terrible - painting oneself white and donning a swimming cap does NOT a Voldemort make) and Snapes. I spotted a Dolores Umbridge and a Sybill Trelawney and a Horace Slughorn. There were the fans who decided to go slightly left-field - one girl dressed herself as the golden snitch, another as an envelope addressed to Mr H. Potter, The Cupboard Under the Stairs. And then there were those who wanted to dress up, but obviously had nothing Potter-related in their wardrobes - no problems, they just grabbed whatever they had handy. Bunny ears. Freddy Kruger masks. Angel wings. I'm pretty sure i saw someone dressed as a chicken.



We could do nothing but look down at our measly wand, stunned. So much for THAT idea.

We made our own fun though, in other ways. They had a display of Harry Potter memorabilia from the movies - some costumes, and Dumbledores wand and copies of the Daily Prophet.

And of course, there were plenty of movie posters. In the below shot, Turnsie realises how closely he resembles Voldemort....

...and i enjoy a Bellatrix moment (mainly because Turnsie tells me this is the character i most resemble, what with my being so cold and evil.)

When it finally got around to midnight, everyone was more than a little excited. Part 2 was meant to start at 12.05am. It didn't.


Here's a breakdown of what happened.


12.15am: No movie. Everyone believes this is just a ploy to build tension, and play along.
12.25am: Still no movie. The crowd begins to get restless. Popcorn is thrown, and angry fathers who have to work the next day decide to try and find out what's going on.
12.30am: You guessed it - no movie. People begin stamping their feet and turning their heads in frustration. There are shouts and jeers. We believe a riot will start.
12.35am: Genuine anger spreads through the cinema. Turnsie suggests we start a chant - "Harry! Harry! Harry!" Someone starts a slow clap, and soon everyone takes it up.
12.40am: A young cinema employee enters the room to inform us that there is no projectionist at present - she has been "caught up" in another cinema, and will be here soon. He is instantly booed, but valiantly attempts to continue his speech. He apologises for the inconvenience but, he continues, he will be happy to sell us all tickets to see the 3am session for only $8, should we wish to see it again straight away. Someone yells out that if the movie doesn't start soon, we won't make it to the 3am session even if we wanted to. Cinema employee makes a hasty exit.
12.45am: Crowd now begins to turn on themselves. Teenagers run up and down the aisle in a sugar-frenzy. Cinema employee returns to tell us that Harry will be on our screen in a mere 30 seconds. Hurrah!
12.50am: Movie starts. Crowd cheers. But wait! It's NOT the movie! Its a documentary on the MAKING of the movie! Crowd now in a rage. Daniel Radcliffe appears, telling Australia how thrilled he is that we've all made it to this special, midnight screening. He is emphatically booed. Food is thrown at his face. Now a chant does begin "START THE MOVIE! START THE MOVIE!"
12.55am: Movie begins. Crowd too tired to react.


Throughout both films, we witnessed behaviour that i can only call extreme. Someone yelled out at the beginning of Part 1 "Only two and a half hours until Part 2! YES!", prompting woops from the audience. A girl further down our row was sobbing - sobbing! - when the movie finished. There were crowd-led boos when Voldemort came on screen. Teenage girls screamed when our two male leads took their shirts off (Why?? I've never seen skin so pasty white!!) From cheers and whistles to claps and cries - it was all happening.


While we waited for the movies to start, Turnsie and I made good use of our time. I call this next segment Fun with Wands. You can't imagine all the things one can do with a wand when bored.



You can illuminate your nostril...

...or your pie-hole.

You can use it to practice your blowing-out-a-candle skillz...



...or to brainwash yourself.

You can smoke it like a cigar...

...or lick it like a lollipop.

You can turn yourself into a unicorn...

 

...or stick it up your nose.



You can share it...

...use it to inflict terror...

...or wear it like a moustache.

After all the fun was over, we were faced with the inevitable - the credits rolled and the curtain closed on the final installment of Harry Potter. And it was a worthy ending. There was nothing left to do except say goodbye...

...and I'll miss you.

Back to work. Again.

We're all officially back at work after the holiday season. And there's really not a whole lot more i wanna say about that (cause it SUCKS!). Up until now though, we've had many pleasant distractions.





We've bowled, for example. I'm not usually one for sports, but bowling - i can handle that *winks* And we've seen a few movies. Little Fockers was OK, overall - same jokes, same laughs. You know what you're going to get, and you get it.




The Kings Speech on the other hand was, as all reviews will tell you, excellent. Highly recommended if you have the inclination for that sort of thing. And you won't often find three finer actors in one film either - Colin, Geoffrey AND Helena? That's a trifecta. It traces King George VI's quest to overcome his stammer with the help of his unconventional speech therapist, Lional Logue (played rather brilliantly by Geoffrey Rush if you ask me). Covering the pesky abdication that landed him in the job in the first place and the early years of the second World War, the film builds up to that one big speech that's got to inspire the nation once war is declared - and he can't very well stammer through it. Anyway. Just go see it.




And just the other night, we saw Morning Glory. I admit, i picked that one. And i admit, Harrison Ford makes the movie. But honestly, sometimes you just want to see a bit of fluff, you know? It's by no means deep and meaningful, but i wanted something silly and lighthearted, and. Well. That's what i got. Ford plays a professional news journalist who's relegated, much to his disgust, to morning television. Chirpy Rachel McAdams plays the up and coming young producer who has to make him see the error of his ways if she has any hope of saving the program from inevitable demise. And that's about the whole storyline right there. But it's cute enough. Maybe save it for a rainy day DVD.




In other news, we were thrilled to attend our very first Greek wedding on Saturday. You may hear the term big fat Greek wedding and think it's an exaggeration, to which i say HA! The alcohol and the dancing and the 'opa!'s' flowed all night, and when the music finally came to an end, the disgruntled shouts of 'Just one more!!" could be heard from the next suburb over, I'm sure of it. We had a ball, and must say thanks to our friends Con and Melissa for letting us share their special day - CONGRATULATIONS to you both, you crazy kids. Here are some picture highlights:

Jo and I outside the church



Turnsie pulling the same moronic face he does in every photo




The bride and groom!

Kama and Tony, who was one of the groomsmen

Dancing!

Kama and I (who enjoyed our champagne all night, let me tell you)

Con and Melissa cut their cake (what's with the dominating hand placement there Con...rack off and let the woman cut her cake.)

Awww, spesh.

Zorba!

A very happy Tony (whisky does that) and I

Of course, the last week has been spent staring in shock at images on our televisions of a flood-ravaged Queensland. 75% of the state has been declared a disaster zone, thousands and thousands of homes have been destroyed or badly damaged, many are dead or missing or homeless - and it's bizarre to see the Brisbane CBD half under water.

What HAS been pretty amazing is the attitudes of the people up there, who've just been so darn AUSSIE in their response to this whole mess. They've banded together and got on with things, and hardly any person has complained. Many have watched their houses slowly disappear under water with a beer in their hand and a shrug of the shoulders because hey, it could be worse. Or they're in their tinnies and kayaks with the dogs or on their surfboards or just plain swimming through the mud to get to their houses and take stock. Or taking care of strangers, or filling bags with sand through the night, or painting kids faces down in the evacuation centres, or giving the camera a big smile and saying "she'll be right", even though everything in they own is gone or ruined. We've seen all those traits that make us great - generosity and friendship, strength and humour - and I've no doubt that despite how bad things are, those Queenslanders are going to bounce back in no time, because in this country, we all actually give a crap about each other. Bless! And yeah. Makes me proud to be Australian.

Pop culture

Movies and books and music, oh my. Let's get right into it.




So, two movies this week. We saw The Town, with Ben Affleck, on Tuesday (cause hello, cheap Tuesdays and all). I thought it was great! I mean not exactly an original concept or anything, but really enjoyable, and well directed by the Benster. It's basically a movie about bank robbers - four of them actually, a group of friends who've been in the robbery business for years. During their latest robbery of a bank, they take the female manager hostage, and although they leave her unharmed, is sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to their downfall. Definitely recommended.




Last night, some friends and I went to see the latest Harry Potter movie. Y'all know i love Harry Potter. Must have read the books a thousand times, totally in love with Ron Weasley. So it kind of feels like revisiting old friends. Obviously, i loved the movie, as did my friends, but if you're not into Harry, a) there's something wrong with you, and b) don't see the movie. If you ARE into Harry, i have no doubt you'll love it too. It's the best one yet, and sticks to the events in the book like glue. I'm already trying to convince people to come see it with me again. GAH. LOVE. Honestly, i laughed, i cried, i cheered...(yeah. don't judge me. we all have our thing.) Anyway, at least I'm not like those fans who actually dress up as one of the characters when they go see the movie. Cause. They're out there folks. (Turnsie did try to convince me to bring a wand made out of a chopstick. I politely declined.)





Book-wise, there's been hits and misses. I've read so much that I'm going to filter it down to the best ones, although there's one meh book i want to mention - The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake. So many people raved about this book, and it was on all the bestseller lists...so naturally, i picked it up with great anticipation but it was just so MEH! I mean i was bored, if I'm going to be honest. Plus, i didn't like any of the characters enough to really invest in them. Set during WWII, it's told from the perspective of different females involved in the story. Some live in a small town in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who are to some degree in denial about the war and America's potential involvement, and one in London, a radio broadcaster determined to give a voice to those living through it all in Europe. My other gripe is that i felt like the writer was trying too hard to write this poignant, moving war story, and that put me off. Others may enjoy this one, but I've read some excellent books set in this time period and this just didn't live up to my expectations at all.





On the flip side, there are three stand outs from the last few weeks. The first is a book of essays by the wonderful Joan Didion called Slouching Towards Bethlehem. It's a collection from the 60s, and mainly centres around her experiences in California during that time. Essay anthologies can always be hit and miss - but if they're a hit, i really enjoy them. I loved how this collection really felt like it came from a specific time and place, yet still felt relevant in some it's themes. And the writing itself, typical of Didion, is just good, solid writing. She tells it like it is, flaws and all, and she doesn't dress up her words. Things are what they are. Its hard to make one piece of writing both an essay and a personal memoir, but she always does it so easily. This probably isn't for everyone, but i really enjoyed it.





Next up is a book called The City and The City, by China Mieville. Holy crap, i have been RAVING about this book to everyone i know, and begging them to read it. I absolutely loved it, for it's originality and quirkiness and for the way he makes something so fantastical so absolutely real. I actually do not even know how to tell you what this book is about without making it sound totally bizarre, which it is, but in such a good way. It's set somewhere unnamed in Europe, and the premise is this - two cities coexist in the same physical location. The citizens of each city are required by law, custom and history to see and exist only in their own city, and not in the other, despite the fact that both cities, as i mentioned, exist in the exact same physical location. If a citizen of one city DOES "see" or interact with a citizen from the other city, whether by accident or not, they are in Breach, and that's bad news. When a young woman is found murdered in one of the cities, the Detective on the case becomes embroiled in something bigger that crosses borders and boundaries. The thing about this book is that it all sounds a bit out there, but the details are so well-realised that i really believed every word. I was so sucked into this one, and i just thought it was so original, so stop reading this and go read that instead. 100 out of 100 stars.





Last but not least is a non-fiction book called Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer. Foer is a great author of fiction books also, but I'm sure he would consider this book his most important work. As the title suggests, it's about food - in particular, eating animals. As I've gotten older, I've become more picky about the kind of meat i eat, not just because i believe if we're going to eat animals, we should be respectful of the fact they were a living thing before they ended up on our plates, but also because what goes into those animals also ends up in our bodies - ergo, the healthier the animal, the better it is for us. Foer himself is a vegetarian, but he doesn't kid himself (and i don't kid myself) that most people want to stop eating meat. And converting you to vegetarianism is not the point of this book - if it were, i wouldn't have read it. The whole thing is about eating meat responsibly - understanding where the animals we are eating came from, how they were killed, and most importantly how they were treated before that. A large portion of the book focuses on factory farming - so there are some pretty confronting issues discussed. But he gives you every perspective he can, and in the end, it's up to you.




If you don't know what factory farming is, this is his description - "it is a system of industrialised and intensive agriculture in which animals - often housed by the tens or hundreds of thousands - are genetically engineered, restricted in mobility, and fed unnatural diets (which almost always include drugs...)". Around 50 billion land animals are factory farmed every year around the world, and in America, 99% of all land animals eaten, or used for things like milk and eggs, come from factory farms. Personally, i'm very passionate about this particular issue - but I've found that people can get funny about it. They don't want to feel like they're doing something wrong by eating meat, and i totally get that. I just think that it's something that deserves more awareness, and perhaps we as consumers need to be more responsible about what we're buying and eating, where we can afford to be. Anyway, I'll stop ranting at you now, but if you've ever picked up a free range chicken, you've done it because you know its better for both the chicken and for you - which means i think you'll really like this book.





Two other small things - firstly, i am loving the Glee Christmas album, even though it makes Jo want to kill himself. I love Christmas, and I'm totally putting up the tree this week if i have time. And that means, those carols will be pumping. Secondly, how awesome is the new season of the Rachel Zoe Project people??? I know you all agree.




I'm off - gotta get an early night. Tomorrow I'm helping Maria make mini pies and quiches to freeze for the kitchen tea next week (*wants to cry*). But i will do it with a smile. (as if. i'll be whinging the whole day.)

Ha, Winter! The sun defies you!

The last few days have been GLORIOUS. We had a cold snap, but SUCK IT WINTER - the sun's back and better then ever. At the beach today we actually saw people sunbathing - sunbathing! I mean i was rugged up, but it was WARM.




At first i was skeptical about the whole excursion. Jo's alarm went off inexcusably early for a Saturday, which at first i thought was a horrible mistake, but no. He said that I'd better get myself up and ready, cause we were going out. Obviously i was taken aback. Out? Us? In the...morning? Before...lunchtime? How can this be? Not one to argue, (what? i'm not. why are you laughing?) i leaped out of bed without one complaint (creative liberties. it's my blog and I'll lie if i want to) and we headed out for brunch, here, at one of my most favourite places in all of Sydney - the bathers pavilion in Balmoral.








In my humble (read, expert) opinion, this is one of the prettiest spots (and nicest beaches) in town - how, tell me, could you possibly disagree?

Balmoral Beach

Me, THRILLED to be by the water as always

This place was built in the 1920s, and was, literally, a pavilion for bathers for about 40 years. Change rooms, lockers, shops that sold towels and caps and so on. Now it's a restaurant/cafe with a killer view and a damn fine bacon and corn hash, if you're into that sort of thing. We usually have dinner in the restaurant, but the cafe is great for brunch - much more casual. We got a great seat by the window, where the gleam off the water was so bright that i had to don my sunnies, indoors, in winter, because i have to remind you again that this IS winter, despite the 19 degree temperatures *swoon*...

Bathers from the hill



Jo and I

After brunch and a walk, we were off to our next destination, another of my favourite places in Sydney town, the Orpheum in Cremorne. I've talked about this old cinema before, a gem with its original features restored to their former glory. Its always a treat to see a movie there.

Orpheum interior

We were there to see Toy Story 3 (yes, in 3D), which we've been meaning to see since it came out but as usual, no time. Even as adults, we admit to loving these movies, cause who doesn't, and the third installment was a fitting goodbye to all our favourite toys. There were some new additions, notably barbie and a suitably cheesy and fashion-smitten Ken, and I'll tell ya right now that i spent the last ten minutes of the movie bawling like a baby. Even if you haven't see the first two, I'm pretty sure you'll still enjoy the this one - wrangle up some kids and check it out. Or not - hell, we were the only childless (and totally fine with that) couple in the cinema. It's funny, heartwarming, bittersweet - i guess its kind of about growing up and saying goodbye.

Jo and I with our groovy as 3D glasses. I kept mine, cause you never know when you'll need a pair.

Tomorrow, we're off to the powerhouse museum to see the 80s exhibition they've got going there at the moment. Can you believe that?? An 80s EXHIBITION!!! FREAKEN AWESOME!!! Pictures will surely follow.

And now I'm going to the pub, so sayonara from me kiddies. Enjoy your Saturday night!

"I have just one little egg. OK?"

Those were Jack's words to us at the dinner table on Sunday night. His plate was piled with corn and meat and mushrooms, but no. The kid had his sights set higher.



Because this year, he's old enough to appreciate the real meaning of Easter - to hoard chocolate eggs, and guzzle them in private. Which is exactly what he's been doing all week.

This weekend was pretty lazy. I finally enjoyed a few movies I've had on the back burner - like (500) Days of Summer, which i LOVED! All of the kookiness really appealed to me, and i loved that it looked at relationships from a more honest perspective that a lot of movies do. Great soundtrack too!

And then there was the big goodbye - we farewelled Leah and Chris, who left for their huge UK adventure on Friday. They are settling in London for the next year - and even though i feel TOTALLY abandoned by my MAID OF HONOUR in my TIME OF NEED....i will forgive her (this time) and wish her well. I've already had an email update that's made me super jealous - alas, I'm pretty sure there'll be more of those to come.

YAWN! Going to bed. (Abrupt endings. Are awesome.)

Stuff i've been doing. (Part II)

Almost a week since my last post, and life in Westport is much the same. It's been so nice to just rest, read, eat, sleep late, watch movies...not obligations at all. Love it, for reals. Here's a pictorial of what we've been up to...

We've explored more of the Buller region...



We visited Jo's muso friends Grant and Maria, who live in the nearby(ish) town of Reefton. Before Jo left NZ, they were all in a band together - and they kindly put us up for the night so that Jo could have a jam with them.

Jo getting back into the swing of it. Yay for drums.

We've taken in some lovely Westport sunsets down at the beach...

I've watched Jacob jumping on the trampoline about a gazillion times. (seriously. a gazillion.)

Jo's mowed the lawns (FYI - it's not real work when you're sitting down)

Last but not least, we've spent a lot of time with these monkeys (cause they're so darn cute.)

Other interesting facts -

- Rochelle and I watched 13 going on 30 twice IN A ROW cause the boys were not around and we totally could. And isn't worthy of a double viewing? I love that movie. We were not ashamed to get up and dance to the totally rad soundtrack, including classics like Michael Jackson's Thriller, Pat Benatar's Love is a Battlefield and Madonna's Crazy for You. (Thank you God, for the 80s and all its music glory.) As usual, DVD viewing with Matthew and Rochelle is a Westport staple. We've been through Role Models, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden, Keeping the Faith, and tons of Seinfeld in the last week, amongst others.

- I've finished another book - called Living Oprah. It's a chronicle of one woman's decision to do everything Oprah (Winfrey, yes) tells her to for a whole year. Meaning, whatever Oprah says on her show, she has to do - whether its watch a particular movie, eat a particular food, exercise a particular way, buy a particular chair, re-paint your house, visit a museum, do a meditation...whatever it is, she does it. For a whole year. It was very funny and actually very fascinating.

- We've booked a photographer for the wedding. Yay. Check out his blog here.

- I've rediscovered my love for Jersey Caramels. The main ingredients for this delicious little treat, as stated on the back of the packet, are sugar, salt and vegetable fats and oils. Just sharing.

- I have another NEW cousin! Even more exciting - it's a girl!!! ZARA was born on February 25th Congratulations Joe and Vicks! Can't wait to meet her.