Which book character did I "date"?

Once upon a time I lived in a college town that was known as the biggest party school in my state. Now, I was in my early 30s and I wasn't associated with the university, but it was a big part of the town.

I had some friends of all ages who were, however, affiliated with the university, either as students or as employees. Just through a strange turn of events I ended up a house party. I originally went to a friend of a friend's 21st birthday which then sort of moved to a few parties and then onto a house party.

I want to say right up front that I did not buy or give booze to minors. Not then, not now, not since. There was plenty of booze already flowing so there was absolutely no need for me to provide alcohol to anyone. That being said...

I was probably the oldest person at the house party; just what every party needs is a 30+ year old gate crasher. But I had never attended such a party before, the opportunity was there, I was a little lit up so I went along with the rest of the people.

At said house party, music was pounding, the beer in the keg in the bathroom (in the tub) was flowing, and the pot scent was strong. I stood against a wall, holding my cup of warm beer, listening to music. And said "hello" to people who walked by me. Until one "guy" decided he wanted to get to know me.

He comes up and opens with the "so, what's your major" line and then offers me more beer. I'm looking at him, thinking this has to be a joke. Really. I thought my friends put him up to it because... well, I was a little older than 30 and this guy who looked like HARRY POTTER was hitting on me. I am NOT kidding you. He looked just like Harry Potter. And, come to find out, he was 19 years old, even though he just looked like he turned 12. Now, I wasn't so drunk that I didn't know this was a bad bad bad idea. It was also a stupid stupid stupid idea... But Harry Potter just kept on talking to me. And flirting. Well, I think it was flirting because not only did he look like Harry Potter he was about as apt as Harry Potter is with girls.

After about 45 minutes someone screamed "COPS!!!!" And people were fleeing like rats on a sinking ship. What I know now that I didn't know then is that I should not have been there, that if I was arrested and was the oldest person at the party I wouldn've been charged with all sorts of minor/ alcohol related issues, and that me being there was a bad idea-- did I mention that?

What did happen is that I found myself being pushed into the bathroom with the keg. I found myself scrambling to get on top of the keg, shoving open a bathroom window. I found myself going out the window, head first, with Harry Potter shoving my ass to get me through. I found myself laying flat on my back, on the ground, under the window, in a clump of bushes, with Harry Potter landing sort of on me, sort of next to me. Then I found myself running down an alley, holding hands with Harry Potter, running from the cops. At age thirtysomething.

I finally made my way back to my friend's house and they were there, plus some of their friends; we all scattered when the raid warning came in but we all made it back and were all laughing and joking around and collapsing all over the house. And Harry Potter was still there. There was a moment of silence as everyone looked at me and him and I just shrugged and we all watched a movie.

I would like to say it all ended there. But no. Harry Potter was still there, right?

So after the movie, I was most certainly sober, after the adrenaline rush and not having consumed much booze to begin with and not having had a drink after the running from the cops portion of the evening. So I was going to drive home. As I was leaving, with my friends all sprawled all over the couches and floor, someone called out that I need to make sure I took Harry Potter back to Hogwarts. Great.

So Harry Potter came with me and as we headed back to the university area, he gave me directions, turning here and there. He was rubbing my leg and giving me "the look." Oh yeah, Harry Potter with a "look" is so NOT sexy. He had me pull in a parking spot and I wasn't near anything that was like a house. He then leans in and kisses me. I kiss him back because I felt sorry for him, which is terrible, I know. So after the kiss, which was lame, Harry Potter is so thrilled that he invites me to his room. I look at him, with what I hope was a "you have to be kidding me" look. He looked hopeful and optimistic and kissed me again- still lame. Then he stammers and stutters and says he doesn't live in an apartment like he previously alluded, but a dorm, but he didn't think his roommate was in and he could sneak me out in the morning. Oh, hell no! Not that I even considered such a thing, but if my subconscious which was flattered from the attention of the younger man thought about it, my subconscious slammed shut at hearing the "sneak you out/roommate/dorm room" stuff.

So I told him he was sweet, I was flattered, and to go to his room, ALONE, and go to bed. He would feel better about this in the morning. He protested a little bit but finally went on his way.

And that's the totally true story of how I went on a date with Harry Potter and almost got arrested.

Mags

Mac, Harry and me

Mac and I went to the State Capital City last week to see the new Harry Potter movie. At an IMAX theater. And 3D. It was completely amazing!

I know that Harry Potter came out in theaters in the middle of July sometimes but Mac and I really wanted to experience it in IMAX/ 3-D. I threatened him with death if he went to see it in a regular theater before we got there. I told him about the problems with the IMAX release so it was going to be later than regular and he would just have to tough it out. He said he would wait. And he did.

First, the movie was good. It's the 6th book/ movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which happened to be one of my favorite books. It's nice to see the novice actors have some chops after all these films and screen time- and it's nice to see them more grown up and much better actors. So that combined with it being one of my favorite novels in the series, it was just a good movie.

But to see it on an IMAX screen and to be able to see the entire opening sequence, which was shot in 3D, was just breath taking. I have never watched a feature length film in IMAX and I've never seen a 3D movie so this was a new experience for me. I've been to IMAX a few times to see the documentaries that are shot specifically in and for IMAX but never a real movie movie.

And it was cool. I was totally gobsmacked with this phenomena and can't believe all these years I've missed it. I was a complete and total dork, with my hand in front of me trying to catch the snow flakes and ducking as the Hogwarts Express raced toward me. Mac was embarrassed that I kept doing that, but he got over it. I was so impressed and super excited. Oh yeah, and Mac thought it was pretty freaking cool, too.

I liked the 3D glasses. They aren't the cheesy ones like in the 1950s-1960s, but over sized plastic ones that fit right over my regular specs so I could see EVERYTHING!

There were a few previews for other movies but there's going to be a new version of A Christmas Carol released in the fall, in computer digital animation but 3D. The preview was in 3D and all I can is... WOW! I decided then and there I won't go see it unless I can on the IMAX 3D screen. It will be totally worth it if the rest of the film slightly compares to the astounding-ness of the previews.

If you have a chance to see any feature film in an IMAX theater or in 3D, you should totally do it. We had a great time, and I always dig hanging out with my kid and even letting 'Arry Potter come along...

Muggle mania at IMAX,
Maggie

I guess they do put ANYTHING in ice cream these days!

We have lots of great hard ice creams and one that is especially popular this season is a gourmet flavor from a company called Ashbys, and the flavor is called "Berry Potter." It's described on a company flier as being "a creamy vanilla magically swirled with delectable berries and small bits of crunchy muggle."

So a grandma comes in with her grandson who looks to be about age five. She read every single flavor name of ice cream to him and describe what each kind was. When she got to "Berry Potter" she exclaimed: "Oh Johnny, I bet you'll love this one" and she told him what was in it.

His little eyes got as big as saucers and his little lip quivered. He cried out: "I would NEVER eat ice cream made of .... PEOPLE" and the tears flowed.

He was so upset he wouldn't eat any ice cream at all and grandma had no clue why he was so distraught. When I told her that in all the Harry Potter books, 'muggles' were actually people who were non- wizards (basically regular old humans) she was mortified. He cried harder and they left.

I couldn't help but giggle. I know I'm terrible!

I wonder what he would've thought about the flavor we have called "Superman"?

Muggle eater,
Maggie