More Harry ...

      I was supposed to be watching J.K.Rowling's reading of the first chapter of "Deathly Hallows" but Bloomsbury.com didn't quite come through. Maybe just a few too many (millions) were trying to log in at the same time. Anyway, it should be available for the next few weeks. Maybe I can get it tomorrow AM before the book itself arrives. Correction: just watched it and it was awesome! The setting in London's Natural History Museum was perfect and Rowling read wonderfully. Only the first chapter and there has already been a murder! Voldemort killed former Hogwart's "Muggle Studies" teacher Charity Burbage. He was also droning on about defending pure bloods from contamination - sounding altogether too Hitler-ish for my liking, although it definitely isn't the first time I've noticed it. And he emphasized that he alone must - and will - be the one to kill Harry Potter.
      So this is the last day ever that I can speculate. (It's like Christmas evening only without the stresses; HOW will I ever get to sleep tonight???) Tomorrow I'll sequester myself far away from any possible spoilers and read, read, read, read, read! (I finished rereading "Half-Blood Prince" today - the refresher was useful.) Looking at the Gazette's five possible endings writers proposed last Saturday, I'm partial to Louise Penny's. She believes it's actually Neville Longbottom who fulfills the prophecy (and sadly dies in the process along with Snape, who was a good guy after all). Dumbledore lives. Harry and Ginny wed as do Ron and Hermione. All in all quite happy and satisfying. I fear, though, the real thing may be a little darker.
      Nonetheless, here is my proposed ending albeit a little sketchy on the details. Dumbledore isn't dead; he rises like Aslan in Narnia. Somewhat regrettably (he isn't the most likable fellow) Snape does indeed turn out to have been on the side of good. He dies in the final battle with You Know Who, eliciting a twinge of sympathy from all those who thought the worst of him. Most importantly, Harry Potter does emerge triumphant (and more importantly alive). BUT ... a tiny bit (the last 1/7 th) of Voldemort's soul escapes, signaling that there will never be complete good in the world. And, sadly, in the battle Harry uses up all his magical powers and becomes no more potent than a muggle. But now, with the perspective of "one of us" and giving recognition to all the good muggles whose love helped in that battle, he urges all of us to continue the fight for good throughout our lives. Thus we all, in a sense, become magical and we all have the power - and the duty - to strive against all evil, cruelty, and injustice in the world. And in so doing the whole world actually does become a better place! All thanks to a book about a boy wizard and an author who is magical in her own right. (P.S. Harry and Ginny do wed; so do Ron and Hermione and they all live happily ever after as they so justly deserve.)

Two Days to Harry Potter!

      Just two days to the newest - and last - Harry Potter. Number seven: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I am so excited! This is definitely the biggest book-related event I've ever been part of; the biggest in all of history, actually. The only thing comparable is the release of Dickens' serialized stories in the 1800's. People desperately anticipated the latest chapter and were absolutely devastated when Little Nell died in "The Old Curiosity Shop". (Hope J. K. Rowling doesn't follow his example with Harry!) But of course back then you didn't have massive world-wide distribution or the multimedia world of radio, TV and Internet. All week has been story after story about past adventures and speculation on what the outcome will be. (Harry was on the cover of The Gazette last Saturday ... and two other sections besides!) People have waited ten long years for this magical moment.
      Being a lucky Canadian, we actually get a sneak preview tomorrow night. Rowling is doing a special reading of the first chapter of Harry in London at midnight. There. That happens to be only 7:00 here. So I'll have plenty of time to listen and still be able to be tucked into bed (I'm not a Potter-party type person) ready to get up early and await the arrival of my pre-ordered copy - coming by a special Saturday Canada Post delivery.

MP3 ... Not!

When I went for my morning walk today I was thinking at first, "Gee, I should have brought along my little mp3 player." I could have listened to some of my favourite cd's, music I've downloaded and haven't even heard yet, or just to the radio. But as I strolled along the lake shore, I realized how silly that would have been. I had the sound of waves right beside me, the wind rustling the leaves, and the songs of so many different types of birds. There's a time and place for man made music (say when I'm cooped up at school) but today I was listening to the most beautiful melodies ever created.

Concert for Diana

Yesterday, besides being Canada's 140th anniversary would have been Princess Diana's 46th birthday. To celebrate her life, Princes William and Harry organized an awesome 6-hour extravaganza. Many of her favourite artists performed to raise money for her favourite charities. Interspersed were pictures, videos and interview with those whose lives Diana touched. Again I was reminded of what a tragic loss to the world her death was. Already it's been ten years - imagine how much good she might have done in that time! I have to say I just can't understand why she was taken so young; the reason is far beyond my comprehension.

However I certainly could understand and appreciate this concert. I didn't watch the whole thing, but I saw probably more than half. It turns out we have some similar tastes - in particular a fondness for musicals, including those of Andrew Lloyd Webber. For me the absolute highlights of the show came during a tribute to him. The first was Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman singing "All I Ask of You". It was followed shortly after by a medley of songs from "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" with three of the actors who have played Joseph - including Donny Osmond. Now I am absolutely smitten by Josh and I have always had a soft spot for Donny, at the very least in a big-brotherly sort of role. (Although as a little sister I'd have to say he's been eating a bit too much good cooking lately!)