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
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, April 12, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, April 5, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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!?
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