So, what's up with me?

[wahlee]

A lot. And yet, not much. I've been going to school, working, and playing a bit. Listening to HBP as I commute. JKR is a genius, and so is Stephen Fry. My sister gets married a week from today :O, so there's been a bit of wedding planning as well. I'm glad for the long weekend to get things done, 'cause I don't think I'll want to do much next weekend. :P

School is good. We've finished with Byron, and most of the class agrees with me-- he's much better at the funny than at brooding. Now we're reading Maria Edgeworth's The Absentee, which I'm really enjoying. All of you Austen fans out there should give Edgeworth a shot. She's not as good as Austen, by any means, but she's pretty good. She was one of Austen's favorite authors, you know.

I'm wanting to write an essay about Hermione's character vs. Ginny's character, and how people are much more willing to excuse bad behavior in a character they're already disposed to like, and how all of these so-called "out of character" moments in HBP are perfectly consistent with Hermione's behavior throughout the books, and how she's done stuff just as bad as those things that supposedly make Ginny into a *itch. Maybe in the downtime after the wedding. I still have to finish a post I started about harmony and counterpoint, dangit.

I always get my best ideas when I don't have time to do anything about them.

We've been watching the Olympics at my house, and reminiscing about having there here in Salt Lake in 2002. That was a heckuva thing. I think we'd host them again in a heartbeat. I also think that we did it better than Torino. ;)

Watching the Olympics means we get to hear John William's Olympic theme a lot. If you don't want to have this lovely theme spoiled for you, don't click the cut. Back in 1988, my aunt and uncle were watching the Olympics, and my aunt remarked on the theme (which I think had been written for that Olympics). Now, my uncle has a wicked sense of humor, and immediately told her that the song was called "Moon over Calgary." She, being a bit wary of my uncle by now, scoffed and said "oh yeah? Then what are the lyrics?' So he sang the following: "Tuuuurn oooooon the winter Olympics and let me see the moon over Calgary. . ." I can't hear the theme without hearing that in my head now. :P

Oh, and jediowl reminded me (by the use of her own Ravenclaw icon) that I didn't have one! So I made this from a picture of my birthday cake at wahleecon. :D

Comments

[ravensnape.livejournal.com]

Found something strange! I clicked on the Wahleecon link just for old time kicks and found this comment by piperx. Hummmm? Do we have a Trelawney in the making? Do you know if she is going to Lumos? If so we must bring her some waffles!

Sat, Jul. 3rd, 2004, 11:54 am
piperx: Wahleecon dreams?
I've had lots of dreams about Wahleecon for the past month. They've died down lately but I had one this morning that I just had to share.

It was Wahleecon but it took place in Las Vegas at a much larger hotel with many more people milling around. I was so afraid that I would miss out on the goodbyes, I spent most of the time running around the lobby looking for anyone I knew. But there was one thing that seemed to be thwarting my efforts at every turn. The waffles.

[piperx.livejournal.com]

Dude, do you know how many (excellent I might add) breakfast buffets there are in Las Vegas? They have the highest rate of waffles per capita in the world. There is no question that my nightmare is coming true.

*sighs wearily* But that's the price I pay for having the sight. It is such a burden sometimes.

(I am going to Lumos, btw. :D)

[wahlee-98.livejournal.com]

(I am going to Lumos, btw. :D)

You are? Last time I heard it was up in the air. Yay! *dances*

[angua9.livejournal.com]

Yayyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! :)

[ravensnape.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm going thanks to friends who are generous and patient with payment plans! There's a place in Vegas called Hash House a GoGo, that I saw on Martha Stewart. The Waffles were the size of hub-caps. They put stuff right in them like walnuts and granola or ham and bacon depending on what you like. We need to get the group to decide on a day and find this place. Three of us could eat from one plate!

Hash House a Gogo

[piperx.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm going thanks to friends who are generous and patient with payment plans

Yay! Friends are good.

There's a place in Vegas called Hash House a GoGo, that I saw on Martha Stewart. The Waffles were the size of hub-caps.

Wow. I'm not sure whether to be impressed or frightened. :P Sounds yummy! I'm so excited. Las Vegas is chock full of amazing stuff like that.

[heatherhobbit.livejournal.com]

*adds Maria Edgeworth to reading list*

Can't wait for your Ginny Hermione essay.

[wahlee-98.livejournal.com]

I've only read Belinda and The Absentee so far, but I liked them both very much. Castle Rackrent is next on my list.

[tefkas.livejournal.com]

The Stephen Fry readings are pure genius - particularly his Gilderoy saying 'Harry, Harry, Harry...' - so oily it makes my skin crawl!

[wahlee-98.livejournal.com]

I ADORE his Gilderoy. I made angua9 and the rest of the crowd at ORXmoot listen to his Gilderoy. Just thinking about it makes me giggle.

I like his Tonks, too. And the way he does Umbridge's "Hem hem" is perfect.

[owl]

Oooh, how did you bring yourself to eat that cake?

[ravensnape.livejournal.com]

She had plenty of help from her adoring fans!

[wahlee-98.livejournal.com]

It was very difficult, I assure you. The cake was amazing-- the top had the crest, and the sides had "Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind, where those of wit and learning will always find their kind" written around it. It was made by a neighbor of mine. My jaw dropped when he brought it in.

[malabud.livejournal.com]

Watching the Olympics means we get to hear John Williams's Olympic theme a lot. If you don't want to have this lovely theme spoiled for you, don't click the cut. Back in 1988, my aunt and uncle were watching the Olympics, and my aunt remarked on the theme (which I think had been written for that Olympics).

*dons John Williams fangirl cap*

John Williams has written a total of four Olympic Themes. His most recognizable theme -- which is the one I think you refer to here and which has come to be synonymous with the Olympics (and particularly the American team) -- was written for the 1984 Summer Games in LA. Ever since, this theme ("Olympic Fanfare and Theme") has been and continues to be ubiquitous when watching the television coverage of any subsequent Olympic Games

He wrote a new theme ("The Olympic Spirit") for NBC for the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, and yet another ("Summon the Heroes") for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games and the Olympic Centennial. As I am sure you know, he most recently composed the theme ("Call Of The Champions") for the Salt Lake Winter Olympics in 2002. Each theme is different from all the others, but they are all triumphant, beautiful, and wonderful to listen to. In fact, I wish NBC would use the other three themes a little more often, as the first one, while still excellent, can get a little old after awhile, especially if one watches the Olympics a lot.

*doffs John Williams fangirl cap*

Congratulations to your sister on her wedding! Add me to the list who patiently await your essay on Hermione and Ginny.