Finally!

As you all know, I have been stuck in Citywalk, like a redheaded step-child...out of the loop and forgotten. :(

A little badgering and complaining...and I have a date that I will be back in my home area on the 18th. Praise Jesus! (and the Harry Potter loving angels in heaven).

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Our air went out...so I am considering going to the store just to get cool...

In the Dark

So, interesting/harrowing day at work today. First of all, I was not having a great day to start with. Woke up to the next door neighbor's hammering something in the connecting wall...for about half an hour. Then woke up again later feeling quite sick. Thought about calling in, but didn't. I need the hours after all.

I get to work, and I am out in the sweltering heat for my eight hour shift, with only a thirty minute break. At the end of my shift, they come to get my money, and the lights go out. Not just at my location, but in ALL OF CITYWALK. WTF? So the cash register is down (as are all the lights) so my money could not be taken, so I had to wait with the cart and cash register...and wait...and wait. The power finally came back on about thirty minutes later.

The register came back on and froze...so I had to manually count down my drawer and do all the paperwork that goes along with that. I was out an hour later than expected.

The only funniness to come out of this is that when they came to take my money the first time, the manager tripped on a cord...and all the power went out at the same moment. LOL! Of course, it was not his tripping that did it, but it was a funny coincidence. :)

More Fun Ahead

Universal Orlando is gearing up for the opening of the WWoHP...and more training is ahead for me. :) I can't wait! I hope everyone out there is making their plans to come to Orlando for the Grand Opening, or at least dreaming about it. I can't wait for the waiting to be over...it feels like it has been a life time since the WWoHP was announced, and then the opening date...and it's almost here! Just a little over a month and Muggles from all over the world will be walking the streets of Hogsmeade. I have a huge nerdy smile on my face right now. :)

Have a great day!

Harry and His Relationship with His Parents

In my rereading of PoA I have noticed something. You see...PoA is really the first book in the series where Harry learns alot about his family all at once, through the issue with Black.

When Harry thinks of his mother, he is always very emotional. This obviously comes from the fact that she died for him. In PoA this is amplified since the Dementors make him hear his mothers final moments. So for Harry, Lily = emotional.

On the other hand, when Harry thinks of James, it is more of a friendship line of thought. He does not ever really focus on the fact that James died for the family as well, instead he focuses on his time before his final moments. Harry hopes to be just like James, and is proud when he measures up to James' achievements. He seems to forget, or overlook, most of the time that James sacrificed himself for the family as well. He died for Harry and Lily. Harry seems to only focus on his mother's sacrifice. I think that this basically gives James the short end of the stick.

Also, in this line of thinking...did James also dieing for the family give Harry double protection? I know that D'dore mentions that Lily sacrifice flows in Harry's blood, but wouldn't James' sacrifice do that as well? I know that if this is the case, then Lily should have had protection as well, since James died before her, and I'm assuming for her as well as Harry, but perhaps it is the double protection that worked for Harry. Maybe he needed both parents sacrifice to keep him safe and this is why one person's death (James) did not protect Lily at the time. Or perhaps it is b/c Lily is an adult and able to defend herself if she wanted too.

I know this is alot of thoughts in one blog....sorry!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

So Sorry!

Sorry that I have been a bad blogger. :( School is winding down, so I am dealing with exams, and my family and friends have all come down to visit in one big rush these past couple of weeks. I promise to be more attentive. :)

In park news, they are now starting to light up Hogwarts castle at night, so that is awesome and beautiful. I am currently working in the CityWalk area of the resort until Potter has some more activity (as in work hours)...lets just say that CityWalk is not my favorite place. Sure the people are nice, but I am still outside, when I was supposed to be in a busy store, and the carts outside are totally dead all day. I am supposed to be getting experience in a busy place, and I am in a slower spot than Lost Continent (my original work location). But enough whining...I have a job.

I am working through the series a bit slower than usual right now, and I am only on PoA at the moment...as I mentioned, school and visiting has had me bogged down. However, I steal my Potter moments every chance I get. I just finished listening to MuggleCast Episode #196, and it was wonderful as always. (Keep up the great work guys, if you read this).

Love to all my fellow fans,
Samantha

Starting Over

I am starting my re-reading of the series, from 1 to 7, as I have not done this in quite a while. I had not read SS since my last read through, and I had forgotten the wonder and excitement of the book.

All the awesome feelings come through the pages. I remember being 9 years old (almost 10) and reading SS. Flashlight under the covers...not being able to put the book down until it was done. DH came out when I was in college, and I was still doing the same thing, sans flashlight. This book series has been with me for over half my life...i AM the Potter Generation...and those of my age, who started the obsession back in '98...you know what I mean. Potter is a brother, a friend, the one person who was "there" all the time. I can always pick up Potter on a bad day and escape. None of my problems, or friend's problems...just Harry and his adventures.

Through adolecence we all feel alone at some point, and Harry is there. In High School when you don't quite fit in, you know you would at Hogwarts. In college, when the world is changing so fast, Harry is constant.

I know to the the casual fan this may sound silly, and to the Potter Hater, this all sounds crazy, but it is the truth, and Potterheads like me can back me up. Potter is a love that never fades for the true fan, and Potter is the soup for my soul.

Just had to vent all that. :) I am all nostalgic from rereading SS.

Did D'dore Hang onto "For the Greater Good" All His LIfe?

YES

Dumbledore may have not continued thinking of "wizard dominance being for the muggles' own good," but the idea did continue in his life (DH, pg357, U.S paperback). When our beloved D'dore and Grindlewald were buddy buddy, he thought that "any harm done would be repaid a hundredfold in benefits for wizards." When he neglected to tell Harry the whole truth so he could be a lamb for slaughter, he thought the same.

Even with all of the pain in his life, he was a champion for love. However, he still can not trust. Many readers think that Harry would have still made the sacrifice willingly if he had known the details. However, it seems that D'dore did not trust anyone enough to put all his information "eggs" in one basket. So instead, Snape had some, Harry had some, the Order had a few, and even Grindlewald got to have some of Dumbledore's thoughts and feelings entrusted to him. But Dumbledore would not trust anyone totally.

Point blank: Dumbledore should practice what he preaches. Love includes Trust, total trust.

NO

Dumbledore knew that he had been wrong in his youth. Befriending Grindelwald brought about horrible things in his life, and he gave up on the Hitler-like thoughts right away.

Dumbledore did not tell Harry everything he suspected because Harry was already burdened enough, whatever the reasons he gives at Kings Cross. The same can be said with Snape, or the Order. Knowing all of Dumbledore's thoughts and feelings would be overwhelming. Even D'dore has to filter himself with his Pensieve, as we see several times in the series.

Harry had to learn some things on his own, not just have someone tell him, "oh, by the way, you have to willingly die." Harry can not complete his hero story without the quest to understand life, and ultimately leave it behind. Also, Dumbledore was worried that his "hot head might dominate...[his]...good heart" and that he would try to use the Hallows as he did.

Bottom Line: Dumbledore shows his love by not telling Harry everything; it has nothing to do with the greater good.

MY HUMBLE OPINION

I will admit that after reading DH, I was none too happy with my favorite headmaster. It seemed to me that the greater good had never really left D'dore after all. The way he had kept Harry in the dark seemed like an old man's failing. However, looking at it from as non-emotional a standpoint as possible, I can see the other side of the coin as well. Dumbledore was trying to protect Harry from his mistakes and still help him as much as possible. My opinion, Dumbledore was simply doing the best he could, which was neither horrible or great.

Is Dumbledore Right that Hogwarts "sorts too soon?"

Okay, this is one of the questions from Mugglenet's book. I am going to give both sides, and then my opinion. My beloved Mugglenet, I did try to use some arguments that were not pointed out in your book, though naturally some of the points overlap. Readers, enjoy! I hope this gets your brain buzzing, at least for a bit.

YES

Being judged at the age of 11 is not really a great way to start off a seven-year experience. For those who have grown up in the wizarding world, it would be a bit easier, as they know what to expect (unless you have Fred and George for brothers). However, muggle-borns are going to be at a complete loss, and the feeling of being judged is not going to make for a warm welcome for most children.

The Sorting Hat seems to give the students what they want, and at age 11 no child really knows what they want. Since there are no real "upsets," it seems that the hat does not really think for itself (or perhaps it has gotten lazy over the years). The hat is supposed to look on the inside and decide as an impartial judge where the student should go, but normally the hat just puts students where they/their families want them to go.

For instance, Percy Weasley seems to have some major Slytherin traits. He is very proud and power hungry, leaving his own family in the dust, not to mention the fact that he is a pureblood. Coming back in the heat of battle redeems him in the eyes of his family, but as a reader I was still thinking "you git." In this case, it seems that the hat just put him in with his brothers, and we end up with a line of Gryffindors all the way down to Ginny.

In the books we see many cases of a "wrong sorting." Regulus, Snape, Pettigrew...and someone should do something about this system--People change, and children do not generally know their own mind.

NO

Sorting is tradition and as we see over and over again in the Potterverse, tradition is very important. Can anyone imagine Hogwarts with no houses? Or pooling the new students together for a couple of years until they are old enough to sort? Even as fans we all pick a house for ourselves, and hold to that (just in case we finally get that letter).

The most important thing to remember about the Sorting Hat is that it looks at the end of the equation not all the pluses and minuses. The total outcome off all the parts of a personality is the most important part of the personality. Does a child lean towards the mean side? Loyal? True? Thoughtful? Looking at all the traits and talents and being able to come to a final answer, well that is one smart hat!

If the students were not sorted, how on earth would they keep the students under control? Could you imagine having all the fourth year boys in one dormitory? (Has anyone seen a college dorm...that + magic...wow). Add in all of the personalities clashing and all you have is a big mess. There are enough tiffs among house members, but at least they basically have the same core values. Mixing the houses would only lead to trouble.

The prejudices that develop and follow students through life is the problem of the individuals, not the system. If the Slytherins wanted to be loved by everyone and not make judgements themselves, they could do that. They choose not too.

That choice is the main proof for Sorting. Our beloved D'dore himself says that it is the choices that make the person and the Sorting Hat always leaves room for choice.

MY HUMBLE OPINION

I think that the sorting system should stay in place. Yes, there are some cases where we see a person change later in life, but this is not the case with most of the students. Snape does after all become a Death Eater, even if he repents later. Regulus also does this, even if he is courageous later. Pettigrew is courageous in his own way, even though he uses it for evil. Bottom line--sorting is tradition and helps the students make friends for life.

Time to Use Your Brain

Alright, since my day to day life may be boring some of my readers by now, I am starting a new series until I have some news that I can divulge without getting fired.

I am reading some new Potterverse books, right now I am on Mugglenet's Harry Potter Should Have Died. If you have not read it yet, it is such a wonderful mix-up of many things, both serious and funny, that fans have thought about over the years.

I am going to begin this new section tomorrow. Here is where I ask a favor:

If you have anything that you would like to suggest for a post, leave a comment and let me know. I have some topics to get us started, but I would love some input as well.

Happy Easter All!

Hello everyone and Happy Easter! I am about to go into work, and I am looking forward to a great day. This job actually makes me happy AND gives me a paycheck...who would have thought that could happen!?

Sorry for the Lag

Alright, in case anyone has not heard, the GRAND opening of WWoHP is going to be

JUNE 18th

I am sure that you have heard that by now...but just in case you do live under a rock, there it is. Right up there. Mark your calenders and your hearts.

Work has been going well. I am a true carni now...not that I am super excited about that. I hate telling little kids that they have lost...that is just the worst. I can't wait until WWoHP is open and I can basically kiss games goodbye. I have gotten in some more training in WWoHP, with more to come and I can not wait until we have soft openings. (Such as the already sold vacation packages that are dated before the grand opening)

I am going to enjoy my next two days off, and I hope all of you readers are having a great week.

Another Two Days Down and One Step Closer

I am about to go in for some training...some very exciting training. I worked another two days and helped some new people. I am getting very good at games...I sound like a born and bred carni. Off to training...have a great evening readers!

Jurrasic Park

Sorry I did not post yesterday...I was so tired! Here is that post now. :)

I had to work in Jurassic Park on my last shift of the week. This may not seem like a big deal...but here is the rub: I am afraid of Dinosaurs. Not joking, but go ahead and laugh. I have been terrified of dinos since Jurassic Park came out. A little back story for your reading pleasure:

Right around the time that Jurassic Park came out, my father got his first set of surround sound speakers for our house. After listening to the "phhh, shhh, phhh" sound of him setting the speakers for days, he finally deemed them ready. What movie does he pull out but Jurassic Park. If people my age or older remember, Jurassic Park was the "hot" movie of that year. Well, he put on the movie and we watched it. Surround sound was great. Sounded like the dinos were in the room, which was the point. However, it did not just get played that once...for the next week or so, everyone my dad knew came over to see the surround sound in action...and they watched J.P. So for weeks I heard dinosaurs rumbling through my house as I tried to go to sleep. That is when the nightmares started...

So yes, I have nightmares about dinosaurs. Something about being eaten alive by a large lizard just does not sit well with me. T-Rex's and Raptors scare me the most. There were life size replicas of Raptors in the store. Starring at me. All day.

Apart from the Raptors starring at me, the day went by fairly fast since I was very busy. I was in the store by myself and it was the first time I had ever done that. So it was a learning experience.

I wanted to shot myself in the foot last night though. I was listening to my voice mails, which I only do like once a millennia...and I heard something that made my blood run cold. I have been whining a bit because I have not gotten to work any events in the WWoHP yet. I had a voice mail from earlier this week, asking me to work an event. Obviously I missed out...and I am so mad at myself. I will be checking my voice mails everyday from now on.

Oh the Questions

Today was super question day.

I answered lots of questions. Lots and lots. And lots.

Everyone will be hearing big news soon...as I'm sure you have heard by now, they are announcing the opening date on March 25th, at midnight. :)

Hogwarts has a nice Behind.

Today I was posted at the cart that is right on the outskirts of Lost Continent. Since we were surrounded by Jurassic Park Island vendors, I am rather sure that they put our cart in the wrong spot...silly planners. However, this cart has a close up view of the back of Hogwarts castle. This cart is located where the "exit" for the WWoHP is going to be. They are going to filter in people through Lost Continent, and out through Jurassic Park island. For those who have seen the park, this should not be a surprise, it is sort of common sense.

So basically my day consisted of answering lots of "where is dueling dragons?" (p.s. it is closed for the rethemeing process...I have answered that about a million times), and also lots of "why can't I go in?"...I also had the urge to strangle people who thought they knew more about WWoHP than me, a person working for the company, and who is going to be working in the WWoHP. "Well the news said it would open this week", "I heard there is only one ride in the whole place", "It's going to be water ride in the castle"...on and on with such enlightening comments. Unfortunately I can not strangle guests for saying silly things.

I did get to work on my hand-eye coordination though...playing with the bouncy ball on a string for six hours will do that. Oh, and bubbles. Lots of bubbles.

But for those interested, Hogwarts has a nice Behind. Very inspiring.



As a disclaimer...NONE of the above guest comments are even close to true. I don't want a new Internet rumor...

I Learn to be a Carni

Well, I have worked two days of regular shifts. Since WWoHP is not open yet, I am working in other areas for my on the job training. Yesterday I worked on the Lost Continent in Treasures of Poseidon, and today I worked in Games.

Let me explain Games to you...think of the fair, and the annoying carnies...now imagine that in a theme park. There you go. You have the picture.

Apart from the hawking of little stuffed animals and convincing passerby-ers that they can win...it was actually fun.

I really enjoyed working the games, and cheering on little kids. Oh, and I loved watching big buff guys think that they can win because they look cool. You know that game where you have to knock all of the milk bottles off the platform? Well, little known fact, it does not matter how hard you throw the bean bag. Also, the harder you throw it, the less aim you have. So hilarity ensues when aforementioned big buff boys play this game.

All in all a great day, and I have a view of WWoHP from the stalls. They put up a new gate today with some of the MoM signs. Looks very good. :)

Training is Done!

Training is all done...and this has been an experience. Today was the main Harry Potter training. Let me tell you, by the end of the 8 hours I'm rather sure that the other people at my table wanted to put a muzzle on me. I answered every trivia question and answered fast...I can't help it.

I can't say much more about what we learned about. :(

In general news, I am seriously thinking about going to Infinitus 2010. It is going to be here in Orlando, and is going to include an exclusive party in WWoHP just for Infinitus guests. I know I will be working in the parks everyday...but being able to go to a symposium with all the other SuperFans...well, how could I pass that up. Destiny, when you read this...we have to go together! Come down here and stay with me. We will have a nerdy girl weekend!

Way tired...but about to get on MuggleNet...listen to some more MuggleCasts...listen to some wizard rock. I realized I am really behind on my wizard rock. And this will all be in the spirit of preparing even more for my job.

Hope you all have a great night. Not sure if I will post this weekend, as I am off this weekend. So have a great weekend too!

Day 4...Wet and Cold

Well, today was day four of my training. Very interesting. Lots of new info, got to see lots of cool stuff. However this is my real impression of the day.

Rain. Driving. Sprinkling rain. Get out of car. Downpour. Long walk from very back row of parking lot. Totally soaked. My shoes were full of water, my pants and shirt were stuck to me. Dripping entrance to the hallway where the class is waiting to leave. No one else was wet, as their timing was better. We leave the hall to go to another building. NO RAIN. (this was five minutes from my drenching). Fun class. Good Lunch. More fun class. Then time to go. DOWNPOUR. Keep in mind my socks and the bottom of my pants had only fully dried about an hour before. I was soaked for about five hours. Then I have to make the long walk from the building (inside the park) to the team member gate, out to the last row in the parking lot. I was soaked again.

My whole day was WET/COLD/WET. Awesome. Tomorrow looks like more rain.

Sorry for the whine-fest...but it was aweful. Hoping for a better, dryer day tomorrow.

Day 3...Merchandise Training

Well, let me tell you this...Merchandise Training is not really riviting. Lots of do this, do that, not x and y...you know the drill. Real boring training. However...bright spot was the trainer himself. Great guy, really excited, though I hope he never gets coffee in him (watch out!). He managed to make everything fun.

The registers are so easy to use, I think a monkey designed them. However, as was pointed out, a monkey cannot greet the guest and take care of them like me, so my job is safe.

This same trainer will be my trainer tomorrow, which will be my Harry Potter Merchandise training. I can not say anything about it...so no asking. :)

To cap up the day, I learned alot and I think my only issue will be not mixing my numbers up (I am a bit dyslexic that way). I am super excited to have so many opportunities for guest interaction though, and the power to make "magic" for other fans when they come into my shop. I am like a giddy school girl!


Also, fans, check the Mugglenet site, if you don't already. Many things I can not speculate about are there, and also, there is a new contest running through the Ellen Show about HP...with no age limit! Lord, finally someone realized there are fans older than 12 out there. (MOST of us).

My First Schedule!

I got a call from Universal today telling me to check my schedule for next week, since I was on the schedule to work right after my training is done (which will be Friday). I work Monday-Friday, 10:30am to 6:30pm at Poseidon's Treasures on the Lost Continent. That is the island right next to WWoHP. I suppose this is for my on-the-job training, so I am excited that they are getting me right in there. I am totally new to the Merchandise world, so I think it is going to be fun to learn about this new side of guest service. The only thing I am nervous about is the cash register...me and my calculator don't even get along, so a wiz-bang-complicated cash register is sort of duanting.

In other news, my online professors this semester have me in a tizzy (they do not understand the new system anymore than the students I suppose). But dinner is in the oven (cheesy chicken/broccoli casserole) and my hubby is on his way home, so the night is going well all things considered.

So Tired

Warning: This is going to be a short blog.

Run down of my day...Info, Two-Park + City Walk Walking Tour, more info, info, and info.

Rode Rip Rocket Hollywood Coaster  or whatever the name of that thing is (horrible lap bar), Hulk (headache but good), Jaws (apparently still scares me after all these years), Mummy (keep mouth closed unless you want water in it), and Simpsons (previously Back to the Future). All were good, but motion sickness approached unless I concentrated...I'm getting lame I guess.

I found out some cool HP tidbits, but cannot post them (this is KILLING me!), and took pictures outside the fences and in front of the ministry sign. They were working on some facades tonight at dusk when I was there. I shouted "I LOVE YOU" to the construction workers, and they said it back, and a big "your welcome" after I said "thank you" over the bridge as well. Took pics, but they are not wanting to post here for some reason. In any case they are at dusk, so I will have to take some in full daylight. I am soooo worn out, so I am signing off. Sorry the info was not mind blowing today. :) Much Hoggy Hoggy Hogwarts love.

P.S I have a sunburn, and it was 60 today. Awesome. I suck at life.

Day 1 Down

So, today was day one of my job at Universal. It was rather long...3pm to 9pm. Not long time wise I suppose, but since the information covered was of the most basic type (safety, benifits, goals, values, etc) it did drag on a bit. However, the teachers were top notch (one of them was actually the first person who interviewed me, and she remembered me, though it has been over a month).

I did have the "gag" put on very tight, so I will say that as far as what people are really wanting to know, I can't say anything. However, this gag order will lighten once the island is open, and then I will be able to share all of the exciting things with all of you who may not be able to rush down to Orlando this spring.

I can say these things though...Universal Orlando (UO from here on out), I think, is going to be a really great place to work. Having worked for Disney, which is the other big theme park I can compare UO to, I think that UO focuses on the team members more.

One more thing...I can not say yes or no to any of the rumors about WWoHP, but I will say this...stop speculating or furthering the crazy rumors. Having gotten to ask some questions of my own, I have gotten some suprising answers (and many questions are still left unanswered). I think that when the veil of silence is lifted, everyone will be suprised and happy about what WWoHP is going to encompass.

Saturday will most likely be my next blog. A 9am to 5pm shift, which includes riding rides, touring both parks and CityWalk, and lots of fun!

My Introduction--Or How You Get to Work for Harry Potter

Let me start with a short story about how I got to this point.

About 12 years ago, a mania began in my life. It was innocent enough in the beginning. An aunt (shout out to Aunt Lib!) of mine gave me a book. A small, unassuming paperback with a picture of a geeky looking boy on the cover. I opened the book...and some sort of enchantment was released. The signs of this enchantment include: fanciful wandering of thought about being accepted to a school of magic, wondering if you would be able to ride a broomstick, dreaming of said school and inhabitants, secretly casting spells under your breath on all who make you angry during your otherwise mundane day, and naturally carrying around battered copies of books that are like children to you. If you are reading this blog, chances are you know these symptoms very well; you most likely live with them everyday. The cure--more Harry Potter of course.

Well, as I am sure you have heard (about, what, four years ago they announced this?), there is going to be a Harry Potter island at Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando. This magical place, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (which from here on out will be referred to as WWoHP), happens to be right here in my town. This I think was providence...meant to be. Harry knew that I wanted to work for him.

As the years have gone by, punctuated by book release parties, standing in line at theaters for hours in the middle of the night, and most recently, stalking the highways around Universal (I can see the towers of Hogwarts!), this mania has only gotten worse. I have been looking for the culmination of my fandom pride...and what better way than working at WWoHP?

I started this process in January, after seeing the job posting announced via Universal e-mailing me, and on MuggleNet. A couple of days later, I had my 1st interview. This I thought went great, and the most wonderful thing was that they quizzed me on Potter facts, and they were excited about the results (I got all 20 right). In most situations people would raise their eyebrows and mumble something to the effect of "dork" (I actually prefer nerd, thank you). However, Universal just loved my neediness.

A 2nd interview was held in February, about a month after the first. This was more about typical interview questions and my goals. This I thought went well too. I was told that I would get my call within a week. However, the next day I got the call. I almost screamed my excitement in the poor woman's ear, instead, I screamed in my husband's ear as a way of letting him know I got the job.

I have left my job working for the "Mouse," and tomorrow, I start my full time position working at WWoHP in Merchandise. These next two weeks are my Orientation period, so hang in there with me until the real work starts. I will share with you all as much as I am able, but please understand that until the opening I can not share most of the exciting things, as we are under a "gag order."

Signing off,
A Wizarding World Worker