My friends have been full of angst for the past couple of days- but I'm oddly completely untouched by it all! I care about their woes of course (some MUCH more than others), but I've been remarkably light on my feet and I don't know why.

Also inexplicably content.

My two best friends have been struggling with serious issues lately, one of my PA's just found out she's preggers, and people are falling out of love with the HP fandom at an alarming rate. Again, I care very much about the first couple of instances- but I'm incredibly upbeat and optimistic about all of it! As for the online fandom, if people can so easily give up on it just a few months after having the book in their hands- then they were just along for the ride anyway (and I don't think there's anything wrong with that, to be clear).

Or they wanted D-Rad. And his T.

Mmm... Enough of that rubbish.

In other news, I've gotten many people in the newsroom addicted to Perezhilton.com (dramaquinn loves it too, he just won't admit it). I know it's wrong and dirty, but where else am I supposed to see the new Britney video before it premieres? How am I supposed to figure out if black nail polish is still hot? WHERE WILL I GET WEEKLY PICTURES OF ZAC EFRON AND CRISTIANO RONALDO? (...and why would I care about any of this? Why?)

The power of Perez? On Friday morning, one of my news anchors came running down the stairs to the studio, stilettos clicking like mad, only to sit on the set 4 seconds before the 8:55 news cut-in. Why had she been so tardy for the party? She was trying to watch the "Gimme More" video on PerezHilton, and the video was taking a long time to load.

Hard nosed journalists indeed!

I've got the #1 single! No time for rehab!

I do kind of like the single "Gimme More" by B. Spears. I know Britney had nothing to do with it at all(hell, get me a sound booth and an amazing producer, and I'll sound the same way), so I don't feel guilty about it.

Ooh, need to wrap this up to fit in some Premiere league football before college (oval shaped) football coverage begins...

Let's see, had to renew lease on apartment and hated myself for it, looking to enter the world of literary publicity, developed a tendency to blush prettily and giggle loudly while talking to a radio sports producer each morning for a segment on my show, have a very slight crush on a British stage actor, getting quite good at knitting lace, not ready at all for Wrockstock, done with anti-social/immature types in the fandom (purged my site of that rubbish), loving my fellow podders, going to be presenting at Terminus, planning to cut off hair and wear glasses constantly.

Whew.

I enjoy knittin'. Here are a few of the things I've made recently. My Fair Isle House Bag is still on the needles at the mo', but I love it. Thank you so much to quietish for turning me on to the joys of Fair Isle knitting! I was initially terrified by it, but when I saw the beautiful things she was making, along with a Wikipedia entry saying a former king of Scotland used to wander around in knitted tank tops- well... I had no choice. I had to try it.

All that said, no pics of that work yet. These projects I'm showing now are very simple, very much beginniner projects, but they're warm and fun!

( Kindly putting pictures of work behind an lj cut. Aww. )

More to come!

I can hardly breathe.

...but in the good way.

I went through my flist today, and was saddened by the number of "hiatus" posts (some of which are extremely clever and funny). My friends list is exclusively Potter fandom friendsonly, so I shouldn't have been surprised, but it was distressing to see that so many people aren't going to be sharing this incredible new adventure (the last great adventure) in our world with their nearest and dearest online pals.

Yes, I know many of you have friends and family who love Potter and live nearby, but many of you don't- I know I for one do not. I don't want to experience this book alone- I've become too dependent on my HP friends, and so trusting, that I refuse to believe you'd ever want to ruin such a spectacular moment for me (or anyone)- but I understand why the lot of you are shutting off your computers for the next few days, screening your cellphone calls, and retreating to that bunker from the 1940's that grandpa always said would come in handy.

It's just a bit depressing, that's all.

So for now, I'll edit some video from the OOTP premiere in LA (I have video evidence that Rupert Grint secretly finds me foxy), finish my notes for the next episode of SPC, and miss all of you very, very much.

(Yes, I've stopped reading email that comes to the SPC inbox. I've also stopped reading the entertainment news wire stories at work. That's how I was spoiled the last time.)

Better late than never.

Watching the President's press conference about the war right now. I find it amusing that now- in the final years of his time in office, the Washington press corps is FINALLY offering up some real questions.

...I guess they've finally been taking note of their readership. *rolls eyes*

I know- I can talk a lot of crap, but I'll admit I don't know if I would have been ballsy enough to truly give The People their voice when going head to head with the Commander in Chief 4 years ago amongst a frightened and fiercely flag waving populous. Then again, I was in college- and these people have an average of 15 years of politicial reporting experience under their belts.

*shrug*

---

Switching gears now, last weekend was a blast and a half. Thank you so much to all of the brilliant Potter people who came out to California to have a great time. The premiere festivities were amazing- even if the movie was so-so. I can't go into too much detail (I really should have been blogging daily), but I will tell you I have become a Rupert Grint and David Heyman fangirl. I also have a thing for Rupert's brother, but that may be a tad creepy, so I won't go too far into it. A special thanks to Heidi, the Head Gal behind fictionalley.com for hooking me up with the pass to get into the IMAX premiere of the movie. The overall experience was amazing.

The team of Kim and Causey officially left a mark on the SoCal area, and I now believe that California is totally the place to be. I've never been so reticent to return to Arkansas (well, except when I came back from Phoenix Rising)! I desperately miss Quinn, Ryan, Tasha, Marisa, "Roger", Venessa, Chaya, ect so very much. Hopefully I'll see most of them again soon.

So now, let's look for jobs in Californ-I-A. Immediamente.

Over in The Parlour Room, the folks have been raging and celebrating about their WOMBAT scores.

For those of you who were wondering about the rewards you get for each level, here they are:



Outstanding: Invitation to become a teacher at Hogwarts.
Exceeds Expectations: Invitation to work at the Ministry of Magic.
Acceptable: Invitation to work at Flourish and Blotts, Nimbus Broom Company and/or Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes.

"Acceptable" folks got the best of the lot! I don't know many people who'd turn down a job working for the Weasley twins.

Well- I would turn it down. Slytherin that I am, I'd love to work my way up at the Ministry(through noble means, hard work, and friendly contacts of course- I'm no gold jingling Malfoy) and become an Unspeakable or a high level Auror.

So I take back my Hermione-esque whines about my grade. I'd like to be a teacher, of course- but the opportunities for travel and excitement with the Ministry would be far better fun, in my opinion.

What invitation would you all want?

I'm not wearin' my "O" face, and that's a problem.

I told you I didn't do as well as I did last time. Outrageous. Truly, truly, truly outrageous.

I know how Hermione felt when she got O's in everything but DADA.

I got an E. I've failed J.K. Rowling.

How did you all do? Yes, I'm being that annoying kid in class who pressures everyone else to tell their scores, even if they got a Troll. If you know anyone who did get a P or D, please let me know. I'd like to interview them for the show. If you got an "O", you are welcome to rub it in my face (for once, I'm not smirking) since I'm sure I did it to you at least once over the past couple of years.

If you attended Hogwarts...

Who would you most likely-

Date: Sirius Black (exciting!), Tom Riddle (more realistic. Seems nice, smart, and attractive, but is actually a huge asshole), or George Weasley (obvious choice. And I'm a sucker for a redhead.)
Befriend: Fred and George Weasley, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter (acquaintence), the Creevey brothers, the Mauraders
Loathe: Ernie MacMillian, Crabbe, Goyle, Lavender Brown, the Patil sisters, Cho Chang, anyone who's described as a "giggling girl" earns my scorn.
Idolize: Dumbledore
Borrow clothes from: ...they all wear robes. How can you tell?
Kill: "Nigel" from the movies.  Completely unnecessary character.

Favorites

Professor: Lupin
Class: DADA, Herbology, History of Magic, Transfiguration, Charms
House: Slytherin
Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean: Popcorn

Least Favorites

Professor: Snape (he's hilarious, but teachers who pick on kids are pathetic, in my opinion.)
Class: Arithmancy
House: mm...can't choose. ;)
Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean: Liver

Who would you hang out with
[x]James Potter 
[x]Sirius Black
[x]Remus Lupin
[]Rubeus Hagrid
[]Peeves the Poltergeist
[]Nearly Headless Nick
[]House Elves
[x]Lucius Malfoy
[x]Frank Longbottom
[x]Lily Evans
[]Moaning Myrtle
[x]Alice

Who would you take to the Yule Ball: Quinn. ...or Neville Longbottom. But probably George Weasley.

Who would you want to see dating:
[]James and Lily
{x]Alice and Frank
[]Remus and Lily
[]Sirius and Lily
[]Severus and Moaning Myrtle
[x]Albus and Minerva
[x]Molly and Arthur
[]Sirius and Molly
[]Sirius and Alice
[x]Sirius and Remus
[]Remus and Narcissa
[]Lily and Frank
[]James and Alice

What position would you play in Quidditch:
[]Keeper
[x]Chaser
[]Seeker
[x]Beater
[]Ref
[]I wouldn't play

Your hangout spot would be
[]Your house common room
[]Hagrid's hut
[x]Hogsmeade
[]With Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom

Favorite Method of Traveling
[x]Broom stick
[]Portkey
[]Floo Powder
[]Apparating

If you were an animagi what would you turn into: A cuddly panda, happily munching a bamboo branch. ...Or Bald Britney with a bat.  ...either of those.

Aughh!!

I'm desperately working on the latest test, and I'm not exactly sailing through like I did on W.O.M.B.A.T. II.

I'm predicting an "Acceptable". A poor showing after my "O".

Outrageous.

So I'm sick- again. It all has to do with work unhappiness and stress, but I keep thinking about the things that make me so happy (one of those being my flist- you guys are all hilarious), and I think I can get through all of this with minimal trauma.

Now to fun things:

1) I am currently supplementing my summer reading list (thanks to those of you who contributed via email, lj, and myspace!) with the Harry Potter series. Though I do a weekly, theory intensive podcast every week, I haven't read the entire series from beginning to HBP since this time last year, when I first began to understand the vast online fandom. I'm at the very beginning of The Sorcerer's Stone right now, poring over every little morsel of detail, reading incredibly slowly, and looking for things I might have missed. Here's one:

It must have made sense to Dumbledore, though, because he put it back in his pocket and said, "Hagrid's late. I suppose it was he who told you I'd be here, by the way?"
"Yes," said Professor McGonagall. "And I don't suppose you're going to tell me why you're here, of all places?"

How did Hagrid get a chance to tell McGonagall that Dumbledore was going to Privet Drive? Why would he have offered no further explanation? We know The Order communicate via patronus, but a.) Can they talk? b.) Why would Hagrid send an owl to McG at that moment? c.)I still don't understand the timeline of The Lost Day. If you do, or you at least understand this exchange, let me know.

2) The subject quote is from my new favorite podcast. I adore brit humour, and I adore daily/addictive shows. That's why I love Danny Baker's All Day Breakfast Show. It is literally a show about nothing, featuring a fabulous gay man from Tennessee, a chic lesbian from Jersey, a crazy Chinese financial expert and poet, and Danny Baker- award winning broadcaster. I love this almost as much as I adored the first season of The Ricky Gervais Show. If you listen to SpinnersCast, you know that I borrow heavily from RGS during most of my bits with Ryan or Nathan. Please, I beg of you- go check out the All Day Breakfast Show. Then you'll understand why Captain Hook's real name is Roger.

3) I posted a bulletin on my personal myspace about Wizard Rockers on MTV, and got an explosive response from my non-fandom friends. It's fantastic!! It seems everyone is reading or re-reading the HP series right now, and they were very excited to learn that they weren't alone. Realize that these are girlpants wearing hipster boys from college who I'd never imagine tearing up over Cedric's death- but they are, and I love it.

Now, icecream by the pool (not IN the pool, I know the rules) and more reading.

Ganked from ofenjen and quietish.

...and which lesser Harry Potter character are you?

Today, I had a thought. Scary, I know.

I'm actually a bit more nervous about Prophecy than I was about Phoenix Rising. For those of you who have found and friended my Friends Only blog, you know my initial thoughts on Phoenix Rising, and know that I wasn't nervous at all. It's all because, well- I just thought the conference was just going to be a really funny, very expensive, anecdote. I thought it'd be one of those things you just "do" for the sheer madness of it. I was wrong, and I'll say it again- I am so, so sorry.

However, because Phoenix Rising was so life changing for every-single-person I've talked to- I'm a tad worried that Prophecy, and even Terminus and Portus, will just be the great denounement after this incredible climax. I really feel as if I got to *really* know hundreds of people over a span of just five (really six) days, and I'd hate for the genuine love that I feel for everyone to be sullied in the least.

I suppose that's just the risk you take. Of course I'm going to another conference. Are you nuts?