the blue blog archives: hold please

Like many others, I'm offline, reading my Harry Potter book. I'll just be doing it in a different country far, far away from the internet and for a couple of weeks.

The Potter Party in Harvard Square was AWESOME! First there were the Hungarian Horntails, three little kids who screamed (really screamed) things like "kick Voldemort's butt!" and "Crabbe and Goyle are stupid beaters" into the microphone. Between songs they'd argue about what song was next and the oldest boy (the one with the guitar) would tell the others to stand away from him. It was hilarious, albeit very hard on the ears.

Then came the real punks, Draco and the Malfoys: "Draco, year nineteen and Draco, year fifteen" they said.

Okay, they totally rocked! Their lyrics were so funny - "It's time to party like you're evil! It's time to freak out some Muggles!" -- so Draco -- "My father is rich and your father is dead." -- so meeeeaaaan - "I love my mom. I love my dad too. We all love Lord Voldemort. And we love to hate you." You've got to go to their site and listen to some of their songs. Buy a CD or two. They are great!

Finally, the ones we all wanted to see, our hometown HP rockers, Harry and the Potters!

You may have heard their music before and thought that they're not the best band ever, but they were so fun! They really got everyone psyched. "Are you ready to rock?! Are you ready to read?! Are you ready to defeat evil by reading?!" They had us pledge not to spoil the book for all the children who are so excited about it and then they rocked! We sang together about saving Ginny and playing Wizard Chess, what Draco Malfoy's problem is, and how awesome this book is!

Then it was time to head to the Harvard Book Store to get said awesome book. They sorted us by alphabet; I was in Charms.

At midnight, the clock chimed twelve times and we all cheered! By 12:18, I had my book! On my way home from the Square, I drove down a deserted, dark street and passed a young guy riding a big upright bike with a giant basket very reminiscent of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, but instead of a doggie, he had the book in his basket. Awesome. Harry Potter is cool.

See ya in a couple weeks! Enjoy the book, enjoy finishing your sockapalooza socks, enjoy this time.

posted by alison at 9:55 am | in charmed knits , vacation 2007

Comments

wow--that sounds like a very cool street party! and a very efficient book store :) can't wait to get my copy now!

Posted by: lisa at July 21, 2007 3:07 PM

Sounds so fun! By the way, I enjoyed your guest appearance on Guido's podcast. It's always fun to put a voice with the blog. :)

Have a wonderful vacation (ah, Italia! How can you not have the best time?) and enjoy reading!

Posted by: Karma at July 21, 2007 6:30 PM

Hope you enjoy the book! (I did.)

Posted by: --Deb at July 21, 2007 7:07 PM

Have fun reading the book!! I got my copy around 12:20 too! It was such a good read ... enjoy it =)

Posted by: Brandie at July 21, 2007 8:04 PM

Oh, have the best time in that gorgeous land! My 10-yr-old son would really have liked to have been at that party (he's a guitar player and a HP fan!) He's been engrossed in his book all day, and has already requested Harry's red cable sweater from Charmed Knits. Enjoy your vaca.

Posted by: Holly at July 21, 2007 8:52 PM

Enjoy your holiday. I too have been reading the new book and am only up to Chapter 13 so far. It is a great read so far.

Posted by: Sue at July 21, 2007 9:05 PM

I just finished the book. It is a conclusion, but it makes you sit and ponder afterwards. It's weird. . . .

Posted by: KnittingHawkeye at July 21, 2007 11:42 PM

Love it! I haven't picked up my copy of Potter 7 yet as I've been on the road, but I'll get it today once I'm home. (I have a coupon for a pre-paid copy.) I've ordered both Draco and the Malfoys CDs for my youngest nephew--whee-ha!

Posted by: Sarah-Hope at July 22, 2007 12:17 PM

Great recap of the concert. I ended up picking up both of the Draco and the Malfoy cds while I was there and have been happily listening to them since.

Posted by: omly at July 22, 2007 12:21 PM

A well deserved break I must say. There is nothing like a little rest, relaxation and reading.

Florence is one of my favorite places.

Have fun!

Zelda Zunk
Corsets & Capes

Posted by: Zelda Zunk at July 22, 2007 2:38 PM

I just ordered your book from Amazon.com! Can't wait to get it. I love to knit, crochet & design patterns from tv & movies. Have you seen my Coat of Many Colors that Molly Weasley wears? Check it out! www.crochetcabin.bravehost.com or http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5029818 I'd love your opinion Alison. Thanks!

Posted by: Shelle Cain at July 22, 2007 3:28 PM

Enjoy the book and the holiday! Florence is by far my favorite European city to visit. I can't wait to see the pictures.

Posted by: michele at July 22, 2007 9:26 PM

Enjoy the book and the trip!

Posted by: Peeve at July 22, 2007 10:06 PM

that sound totally brilliant.
I'm not a Harry Potter fan but I do have a daughter who has more than a passing resemblence to Hermione Grainger.

Posted by: minxxy at July 23, 2007 3:44 AM

that sounds totally brilliant.
I'm not a Harry Potter fan but I do have a daughter who has more than a passing resemblence to Hermione Grainger.

Posted by: minxxy at July 23, 2007 3:44 AM

Hey, I was there too! I was sitting on the steps knitting a Dark Mark Illusion Scarf during Draco and the Malfoys, then we went to the Brattle(?) to watch SS. It was a blast!!!

Posted by: Tara at July 23, 2007 12:28 PM

Sounds like a fun way to get ready for this great book. I love listening to Harry and the Potters on Pottercast. The book was so good. I hope you have fun on your trip.

Posted by: Lady S at July 23, 2007 6:53 PM

Finished the book tonight. I couldnot put it down. Such an engaging read. very fast paced. Hope you enjoyed it too.

Posted by: lisa at July 23, 2007 9:34 PM

that looked liek a ton of fun! i would've loved to go to something like that!

Posted by: allena at July 23, 2007 11:52 PM

Alison,
My kids gave me your book for mother's day and I love it! Thank you for writing it.

Any chance for a second edition? There are some great knits/crochets in the newest movie. Don't you love the shrug that Luna is wearing in her visit with the thestrals?

There is an item I hope you can someday print a pattern for. In POA movie, Ron is wearing a tweedy looking sweater with a sort of "U" shaped neckline. He has it on during the scene where Hermione decks Malfoy just before the hippogriff is to be executed. The sweater is on Ron in the scenes following that during the shrieking shack etc.

Anyway, I really like the look of the sweater and am hoping you will be including it in your next book.

BTW, I just discovered your blog and it is fabulous! Have a great vacation.

Posted by: Speattle at July 24, 2007 12:48 PM

Have a great trip!
My sock's itching to get in the mail, sockapalooza's been so much fun!

Posted by: Sarah at July 25, 2007 8:36 AM

Have a great, safe and somewhat sane vacation.

As we all get ready to send off packages, I don't know about your postal rules, but most countries now require full name and return address on the package.

Hard to keep a surprise going very long. Especially for those of us doing customs forms.

Posted by: Holly at July 25, 2007 1:43 PM

I love Harry and the Potters. And I'm loving this book. I was going to wait a bit and not get hyped, but then I saw a kid holding it on an elevator and made my sister come with me IMMEDIATELY to the bookstore to buy it on Tuesday. Now I have it. =D Hooray!

Posted by: Elinor at July 25, 2007 4:57 PM

Hey - we just missed each other in Florence!! hope to discuss HP7 with you soon!!

Posted by: shireen at July 26, 2007 3:12 PM

Hey, I was there too! And, boy, was that store crowded! Unfortunately, we were assigned to the outside line (Platform 9 3/4), which was very loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong and moved oh-so-slowly. We didn't get our books (1 for each daughter) until like 12:40. It was certainly an exciting event though -- especially watching all the costumed people and the simulated wand fights in the street. :)

Posted by: Persnickety Knitter at August 7, 2007 6:30 PM