You're gonna be bothered by how cool I am.

Two things, both about Ronald Weasley (and both relating to the recent posts on MRHP).

First, the other day, when many of us were reading "Goblin's Revenge" again with Mark, a commenter told a story about a psychologist friend of hers who had a trick for getting her child patients to open up. When they don't want to talk to the psychologist, she lets them talk to one of her Harry Potter dolls instead. She has a Harry, a Ron, and a Hermione, and she said that, without fail, the child always goes for Ron. They love Harry and Hermione, but when they need a friend to talk to, they want Ron. *heart bursts*

Second, yesterday Mark reached 'The Silver Doe," and there was much Ron love both in the post and in the comments. And I was thinking about that first time I read that chapter, in a cabin full of friends and in the midst of all the "waaaah, last HP canon ever." I had made a few mix CDs for the occasion, and one of them was a "Trio Mix," full of songs about friendship, including the one embedded below (though it was a different version). This song was playing as we were on our way somewhere and mrs_bombadil, who um knew something about the book (which we were still a few hours from possessing) that I did not yet know (*ahem*), told me I'd be reminded of this song at some point during the book. I didn't think about it during the actual read, but the next time I heard it (and every time ever since, frankly), I can't HELP thinking of it. It's like it was written all those years ago to be the perfect "Silver Doe" song.

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you've got to do is call
And I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.

This started as a comment to mrs_bombadil's last post, regarding Mark of "Mark Reads HP" and his response to Horcruxes and H/G, but it got so long I figured I'd post it here instead.

I'm so happy he loves H/G, because I was kind of worried he wouldn't. I'm also glad he stuck up for the realism of becoming suddenly attracted to someone you've known for years, even going so far as to give yet another (this time quite recent) parallel from his own life. That has always been a huge complaint that we "ChocoHerons" could never fully address, mostly because our viewpoint was distrusted and we were "probably just lying" about anything in our real lives. Mark has earned a rare kind of trust from his readers, due in large part to his endearing openness, but also partially because he doesn't think too much about what's coming. He cares, of course, but he's very much "along for the ride" and doesn't press his opinions on forthcoming events - and why would he? He's the only one (apart from the few who are first-time-reading HP along with him) that doesn't have all the answers already.

I know some people are a bit bummed that he didn't seem to see H/G coming, but I'm not surprised. Dude, he thought Snape was the baddie in the first book. There are a lot of things that we all picked up on, having the opportunity to read and re-read and analyze ad nauseam between release dates, that he's just not going to. He doesn't even have the benefit of hearing Rowling talk about the books and draw attention to certain things, because (rightly so, I think) people are lumping things like that with spoilers. There's just no way for him to see the big picture while he's stopping to say something about each chapter. I feel pretty sure he'll pick up on a lot more when he powers through a re-read.

But I feel at least a little vindicated that someone who is extremely invested in the books but has no fandom involvement weighing him down is on my side.

Workin' for a Livin'
Have been working like a dog this past week. I don't know if I mentioned that one of the law firms I work at regularly has brought me on as a perma-temp. I haven't mentioned much personal stuff lately, but I can't tell you what a welcome difference it is to know how the bills will be getting paid for the foreseeable future. I work third shift, which makes for an unconventional body clock, let me tell you. In addition, I've done second shift all this week and will do three more days of it next week, covering someone's vacation for the other agency that gives me (less consistent) work. I worked out that this extra eight days should definitely cover BNAT expenses and put a nice dent in the rest of my holiday travel. I'm more grateful than I can say that, for now, things are fairly steady at last and I don't have to be afraid that I'll have to pack up and leave New York at a moment's notice. I've grown rather fond of the place. ;-)

Mark Reads HBP
Mark of "Mark Reads HP" is fast approaching the halfway mark in Half-Blood Prince. He's expressing some, ah, impatience for Ron and Hermione to "get on with it," which happies me greatly. He should reach "Felix Felicis" today, and I am anxiously awaiting his response to Zee Beast. He has been advised not to watch the film until after finishing Deathly Hallows, which I think is a good idea. I know they felt they had to do it, but the filmmakers (and Alan Rickman) definitely gave some pointed hints about where Snape's loyalties truly lie. I wonder if he'll dive right into DH or take a day or two to come down from the end of HBP.

Full DH Trailer OMG
Speaking of HP, I am very disappointed in you, flist, that I had to hear about the forthcoming full trailer for Deathly Hallows, Part I (going live this Wednesday!) from comingsoon.net on my Google feed. Are we a fandom or not?! :P I had almost decided not to look at anything else from the movie, because I wanted to be as fresh as possible, but I can't resist a trailer. Leaked scenes, I think I can do, though. Oh, and it occurs to me that this will be the first Potter film since ... the first Potter film where I won't have been at the midnight release. I could ask for the night off, of course, but as I'm still a temp, I'd lose a little over a hundred bucks in pay. I'd be sad about it, but I'll definitely be there at midnight for the last one - in the shadow of Hogwarts itself, in fact. Well, the one in Florida.

So Many Movies, So Little Time
And speaking of movies ... OMG there are five movies that I really want to see this weekend, but there will probably not be enough time to do them all, and there will be ZERO time next week, since I'll be doing double shifts through Thursday morning. On the absolute must list, though - Catfish, The Town, and Never Let Me Go (and I REALLY want to see Easy A, too, and I'd love to see Jack Goes Boating, but - GAH, WHERE IS MY TIME TURNER?!).

Wanderlust
I'm also contemplating one, maybe two, short trips next month. I had no idea until a few months ago that Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow were SO CLOSE. I'll probably go up there close to Halloween, hear the Legend told in the graveyard, walk the path that Ichabod Crane supposedly rode trying to escape the Headless Horseman, and just generally soak up the more rural side of New York State. I'm also seriously considering dipping down to D.C. for Jon Stewart's and Stephen Colbert's rally(ies).

Weekend commencing in 3...2...1...

I'm fighting a losing battle, I'm sure, but I don't like the way people in the comments are throwing around The Huge HBP Spoiler, just because Mark has mentioned that he already knows about it. Who knows if he thinks it's a joke or has forgotten about it or whatever? And what about the people who are reading along with him for the first time, regardless of whether they've seen Mark's comments about it?

At this point in the series, a spoiler is a spoiler. If he's forgotten about it, I'm sure Spinner's End will remind him (I'm curious what's going to happen in the posts about that chapter, personally), but ... that's not an excuse to be blase about it, if you ask me. It's Mark's blog, so HE can bring it up if he wants, but we should be more careful.

Due to a Buzznet glitch, Google Reader sent me the two reviews Mark is posting today early.

Guys, if you are reading this blog you are not prepared for his review of "Detention With Dolores." It's another personal story, and just ... OH!

SO MUCH HATE FOR ABUSE AND BULLYING AND HOMOPHOBIA!