The Effects of Harry Potter on the World Today.

The influences of Harry Potter have spread further, perhaps, than any other fiction, non-religious book. It has been translated into 67 languages, which is very close in number to the amount of languages the Qur’an has been translated into, and is greater than the amount of languages Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl is in. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of websites devoted to Harry Potter, podcasts, books written on the subject and author, musicals and parodies based off of it, huge parties at releases, a genre of music devoted to the Chosen One, a sport based off of one mentioned in the books, events, a theme park, and so much more. For someone who really tries, you can find references to the series anywhere, and quote it in any situation. It is THE best selling book series in the world, with over 400 million copies sold, and the Harry Potter Alliance, which raises money to support literacy, LGBT rights, and alert the world to “the dangers of global warming, genocide, and poverty” recently won the Chase Community Giving prize of $25,000. J.K. Rowling also raised over $30,000 for the Comic Relief fund.

However, I think the real affect of Harry Potter is how it impacts individual people. I know that I, for instance, would be an entirely different person without the lessons and support of this book series. Countless children were inspired to read because of these novels. Hundreds of fans were, as unlikely as it seems, brought back from the brink of suicide because they simply had to know how the final book ended, or were so inspired by the love that was shown to them from their fellows. This is another thing that is shocking and amazing about Harry Potter- the fandom is so close-knit and supportive of each other. For example, recently, a huge Potter fan, HPA member, and nerdighter, Esther Earl, died of cancer. The outpouring of kindness and respect towards her family was really spectacular- she was spoken of on Facebook, Mugglenet, the HPA website, AverageWizard, and many blogs (as well as this speech).

I suppose I should explain about AverageWizard. AverageWizard is a website devoted to stories about awesome, Harry Potter related things that people experience. One might post a story about having a wizard duel with someone, or giving a speech on the effect of Harry Potter on the world today. The truly magical thing about AverageWizard, though, is that it’s not just funny or cool stories- people truly care about what you have to say, and will go out of their way to make your day a little better. I haven’t noticed this (to this degree) on any other website. The members of the site are, really, however cheesy and dorky it may sound, a family, brought together by our love of The Boy Who Lived and each other. There have been several stories on the site about people suffering from depression who won their internal battle by recalling Harry’s hardships and triumphs over them, and the friends they had in this community of fantasy-obsessed, literary freaks. The comments were so overwhelmingly beautiful and heart-filled, I must admit, I start to cry each time I read those posts.

Now, onto these morals and lessons I keep mentioning. Some are obvious: never give up, even in the face of extreme opposition; maybe the person you thought was so horrible will be the one who helps you most in the end; everybody has a story that can change your opinion of them; even the smallest actions or creatures can make a huge difference. Some are direct quotes: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” “Do not fear death... it is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.” “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!” “Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts open...” I could go on for about 4,100 pages. I would like to note, however, that nowhere in the books can you find a statement in support of witchcraft as it is known in the “muggle” world, and there are few mentions at all of religion in the books. The idea that thousands of children are converting to Wicca because “that’s what Harry Potter did” is absurd- almost as absurd as it would be if a kid climbed into their parent’s car and tried to make it fly because “Harry Potter did that, too.” There are very few real examples of either happening.

In addition to these life lessons, Harry Potter offers strong role models, especially female ones. Other literary series don’t always have such formidable female characters. Take Twilight, for example. The main character lacks much personality, and shows little initiative, but is instantly popular, then meets Edward and suddenly, her life focuses solely around him. She really has no interests, no hobbies, no goals. Then, later in the series, she is constantly defended by others, doing hardly anything to defend herself, but instead being continually protected and rescued by Edward, Jacob, the Cullens, and the wolf pack- male characters always taking charge, ordering her about, and, in Edward’s case, showing all the signs of an emotionally abusive boyfriend. Now, take a look at the Harry Potter girls- there’s Hermione, who is intelligent, quick witted, independent, and top of the class, Luna, brave, rather... odd, also independent, brutally honest, sweet-natured, and accepting of the bizarre, Tonks, highly trained dark wizard hunter, Order member and mother, McGonagall, strict but very smart, loyal, and daring, also an Order member, a Hogwarts teacher, and an animagus, as well as dozens of other well-developed female leads.

Harry is also a bonding point for a generation; for people around the world. Having been translated into so many languages, it clearly has international recognition. There are few things that can bring the world together in such a way- sporting events like the Olympics, disasters, and Ms. Rowling’s masterpieces. Even if you don’t enjoy the books, they’re right up there with the weather as a safe topic to discuss- pretty much everyone’s heard of them, even if they haven’t read them. The fact that the people of today can be united through literature gives me hope in the fate of the world.

Full of role models, morals, and lessons, Harry Potter has helped an innumerable amount of people become better readers and defeat depression. It has also affected the greater world through the HPA, Comic Relief, and sheer numbers and popularity. It has inspired a community of friendship and support, and has crossed the barriers of age, nationality, gender, and religion to spread unity and hope around the world. As Severus Snape once said, “It’s real for us,” and it truly is. To twist a famous Dumbledore quote, “Harry Potter will only truly be gone from the world when none here are loyal to him.” The movies say otherwise, suggesting that “it all ends here,” but the true fans of Harry Potter- the real Dumbledore’s Army- knows better.

Mulan.

So... it's Friday night, and you know what that means!

Disney movies!

I'm sitting here on the couch, watching Mulan, and cracking up at every random moment.

"I have a name... and it's a BOY's name, too..."

Alternatively, I'm sobbing at every random moment. And singing.

I am so going to by the soundtrack when the movie's over. Especially "Make a Man Out of You," which I've been singing for years anyways.

Disney is amazing, and so is Mulan. People don't understand how cool these movies are. They're funny, and really well animated, and have great, catchy music. And there's Mooshu. He's adorable. And a DRAGON. I think I laughed harder in the past hour than I have in weeks. Also, the Captain's adorable.

Go. Watch Mulan. RIGHT NOW. You heard me- shoo!

10 Hilarious Things to do In an Elevator (Sparknotes submiss.)

So, how many times have you found yourself stuck in an elevator with some boring old people and nothing to do? (Never? You need to get out more!)*yawn* Thankfully, this isn’t a problem anymore…

1. Get into a ball in the corner, and rock back and forth, chanting: “It goes up and up and up, and then it comes down and down and down, and people get on, and people get off, but nobody ever stays, and nobody ever talks to poor Smeagol. *cough* Gollum. Gollum. *cough* “ Repeat until other passengers get off.

2. Carry around a cooler with “frozen head” written on it in sharpie. Check on it occasionally and make disgusted faces.

3. Pick one other person and stare at them for a while, before screaming: “You’re one of them!” and getting off at the next stop.

4. Make the strangest faces and noises you can possibly think of.

5. Pick your nose. And pretend to eat the boogers. Offer some to another passenger, and look hurt if they refuse. If they say yes, you should probably call 911, or the asylum.

6. Have a very loud and imaginary breakup with your boy/girlfriend over the phone. (Tip: Make sure your phone is off before doing this. Nothing is more embarrassing than having it ring while you are supposedly talking.)

7. Wear a strange Halloween costume, and go trick or treating in the elevator. (Funniest in summer.)

8. Pull a pointy hat and a “wand” out of your bag and start cursing people with Harry Potter spells. Repeat louder when the spells don’t work. If you get the chance, look exasperated and put it away, muttering under your breath.

9. Start singing, preferably something from a musical. Make sure you dance along.

10. Stuff your face with microwaved popcorn. While your mouth is still full, offer some to the other passengers.

Hope that helped… If you get kicked out of whatever building you were in, don’t blame me: you didn’t hear these ideas from me.

Feminism in the 1930's essay.

Few people ever hear much about feminism and women’s rights between the 1920’s, when the 19th amendment was passed, and the 1960’s and 70’s, a time of great improvement in equality for all. Many people are under the impression that women’s rights were non-existent in the time in between these decades of advancement, that feminism went back to a blank slate at the time, and that women experienced a proverbial “Dark Age” in the evolution of female rights. Really, those three decades between were not void of women’s liberation. Feminism in the 1930’s, although underdeveloped and minor in popularity and awareness, is arguably one of the greatest things to happen in US history and influenced and paved the way for much more civil rights activism.

Although many people think of the 1930’s as a time when women worked in the home, cooking and cleaning, there were some females who either chose or were forced to work. At the time of the 1930 census, 11 million women were employed- a mere 24.3%. Of that small amount, 30% worked in domestic labor or personal service (maid, cook, etc.). Otherwise women were expected to be teachers or nurses- 75% of working women not laboring in domestic or service jobs were. Women made up only 7% of workers in the auto industry, and 25% in the electrical business in the 1930’s. (http://tinyurl.com/3583smr) Females did, however, enter the workforce at twice the rate of males. This happy fact is belied by the true reason for this rate- women worked in conditions men would not dream of, and did it for less pay. In the 1940’s, 13 million women- now a small 25.4%- were employed. 30% of women worked in sale or clerical work at this time, 20% worked in various factories, 20% worked in domestic work and personal service, 10% would be a teacher or nurse, and another 10% were service workers. (http://tinyurl.com/3583smr)

One example of a group promoting feminism and equal pay for women was the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. The ILGWU had over 20,000 members in the 1930’s. They, among other things, enabled Harlem press workers to get wages of $45-$50 a week- a very high salary for the time. (http://tinyurl.com/3583smr) For most female laborers, work was hard, pay was low, hours were long, and conditions were poor. Over half of all employed females worked for over 50 hours a week, and more than one fifth labored for over 55 hours per week. According to the SSA, average yearly pay for a women worker in 1937 was around $1525. (http://tinyurl.com/3583smr) This amount was hardly enough for a woman to support her family or pay for basic necessities.

Added to the poor conditions, women were not encouraged to work at all in the 1930’s. Believed to be taking jobs away from American men, women were told to stay in the home. This idea can be compared to that of not allowing illegal immigrants to work in American businesses. They worked for less, forcing pay averages down and making them more desirable as employees, and also did jobs few others would do. Single, female women faced much social criticism, but it was nothing compared to the hostility faced by married women in the workforce. In a poll conducted by the Fortune magazine and published in 1936, only 15% of the population approved of women having fulltime jobs outside of the home. 48% disapproved heartily, and 37% had no particular opinion. (http://tinyurl.com/3583smr) The opponents off female employees had three main arguments for their case- the women were taking jobs away from able bodied men in a huge economic depression (when work was low and unemployment was high), a women’s place was, traditionally, in the home, and that children needed a parent (preferably a mother) in the home to care for them full time. Private companies and the US government laid off huge quantities of married and single women. The government even created codes that eventually prevented women from working in government jobs- Section 213 of the Federal Economy Act stated that only one member of a family could work in a government job. This position generally went to the male and head of the family, not the mother. Many women even lost jobs that had, traditionally, been theirs, such as the position of teacher or librarian. In 1930, 81% of teachers were female, but that figure had dropped to 76% by 1940. The 91% of female librarians in 1930 also dropped to 86% in 1940. (http://tinyurl.com/3583smr)

Not all was failure for female rights in the 1930’s, however! The Depression and the huge lack of funds and money for daily life forced women to work to support their families, especially when their husbands were unemployed or their husbands didn’t make enough money to support a large family. The percent of female workers rose from 11.7% in 1930 to 15.2% in 1940. (http://tinyurl.com/3583smr) There were also more political gains- many of the social welfare workers in the New Deal programs were female, and there were many more women in positions of government power than had been before. Many of these women were appointed and elected in the Roosevelt administration. Women often had difficulty getting New Deal relief, however. The National Recovery Administration did help women get higher pay, lower hours, and more females in the work force, but it didn’t do anything for the many women who had recently become unemployed and had lost their jobs. Also, the New Deal projects didn’t provide many jobs for women, either. The Civil Works Administration wouldn’t allow women to work in their many construction projects, classifying the jobs as “unsuitable for women.” The Works Progress Administration did provide numerous jobs for women such as repairing old clothes, but, there were several major problems with these. First of all, these jobs were hard to get and only the head of the household was able to get the job. This meant that many women could not apply for them, since their husbands -although most likely unemployed- were still the heads of the family.

The Roosevelt Administration and Eleanor Roosevelt in particular, helped the women’s rights campaign immensely. Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, wrote many essays and speeches regarding women’s rights and various other issues. One such essay was called “What Ten Million Women Want,” and was published in The Home Magazine in 1932. In the essay, she tells readers how there could be ten million answers to the question “What do ten million women want?” Women, like men, and like any other human being, all have their own dreams, thoughts, and desires. Women are capable of almost anything, but lack the self-confidence to be in a public role, she says. Women politicians and females in public roles help encourage or break down this lack of confidence- failures support the idea that all women are failures, but every success improves their self-assurance. Women would be great at understanding politics, Ms. Roosevelt states in her essay, because government is basically just housekeeping, and women are good at that. It involves money and budgets, something most woman are good with, and all finance matters are really just household business on a larger scale, Eleanor writes. As far as good examples of women in the Roosevelt administration and in positions of power, there are plenty, and most strongly encouraged more freedoms for those of their gender. Judge Florence Allen, secretary of labor Frances Perkins, head of the Women’s and Professional Projects for the WPA Ellen Sullivan Woodward, assistant secretary of the treasury Josephine Roche, and Lucille Forster McMillen, the civil service commissioner were all great examples of females in power. There were also some of the first female cabinet members, directors of the mint, ambassadors, and judges. Molly Dewson, a politician at the time, said that “The change from women’s status in government before Roosevelt is unbelievable.”

Despite these many political advances, there were still little definite social and economic advancements. Feminists at the time were divided and undecided on what and how to do to improve their rights. Some believed that legislative power was all that they needed, and that now that women had the right to vote, they needed nothing else. The League of Women Voters agreed with this idea, and felt that there was hardly any discrimination any more at all. Instead, the LWV thought that women should switch to other issues and stay in the traditional role of caring, helpful mother, and leave the issues of female equality behind. Many others disagreed that voting was the only issue about equality women should be concerned about. Women, although they now had the right to vote, weren’t really using it or contributing much to politics as a group. Women did not vote often, regularly, or in large enough groups to make a difference. Therefore, the 19th Amendment didn’t have the major effect people had hoped or feared. Many people were confused on what to do to support their rights, and feminism for the regular people did come to somewhat of a standstill.

The 1930’s, a time of hardship and economic depression, began a time when women began to fill the typical roll of American mother and housewife again, but it was also a time of great political rights and job equality for women. Despite setbacks, women of the time were able to get into positions of political power and make many improvements in their lives. After this time, women mainly left this downturn in advances for the labor and hard work that needed to be done during World War II, on the home front. The feminists of the 1930’s paved the way for the Rosie the Riveters of the 1940’s, and continued the example of the suffragists of the 1920’s in many ways, and made huge contributions to the working rights of many.

Comedy and Tragedy essay.

Merriam Webster tells us that comedy is “an amusing event or happening.” It also defines tragedy as a “very sad or terrible event or happening.” Why do these sad and terrible events make us laugh? Something we would cry about if it happened in real life can make us laugh if we see it on the stage. Tragedy and comedy are clearly closely linked; a whole style of theatre has been invented to mix violence and comedy (slapstick). Pain and sadness make us laugh when it happens to others. How does Shakespeare, who was famous for both heart-wrenching tragedies and heart-warming comedies, get us to laugh at the awful situations faced in his most comic play, A Comedy of Errors?

It is not a modern idea to blend tragedy and comedy to create something hilarious. Since before the time of Shakespeare, entertainers have realized the human weakness for awful situations – as long as, of course, they’re happening to others. Why do such terrible experiences cause such hilarity? Partly, I think, the emotions of happiness and sadness are such exaggerated feelings anyways, the extra over exaggeration of the stage or a particularly dramatic event makes a normally serious happening just a bit too serious for a real tragedy. Sometimes, for real life occurrences, the opposite is true- people do not realize the extent of the damage and think some peoples’ reactions are over exaggerated, making them laugh. Oftentimes, people laugh merely out of nervousness. That nervous laughter would make perfect sense in a scary situation and could be misunderstood by both the laugher (and surrounding people) as amusement. Also, sad events in reality can be made hilarious through dramatic irony – everybody loves knowing things someone else does not. When the audience can see right through a bad situation when the characters have no idea what’s going on, they feel smart. It is funny to see people blunder around stupidly when you know the solution to their problems. This is shown throughout the play A Comedy of Errors as the sets of twins keep being mixed up. Another reason these things make us laugh is that it’s just part of the human nature – it seems as though the human race has an awful obsession with violence, sadness, and evil. Why else would terror, horrors, mysteries, and tragedies intrigue us so?

So, what are some similarities between these seemingly bipolar topics of tragedy and comedy? Both of them are dramatic emotions, of course, and both of them are exaggerated by the stage. As I already mentioned, over exaggerated emotions add hilarity to a situation. The fine line between tragedy and comedy often seems to vanish when a tragic scene in the theatre is paired with humorous dialogue, as shown in A Comedy of Errors in the scene where Antipholus and Dromio are examined by Dr. Pinch. Accusations of madness are no laughing matter normally, but the audience exploded with laughter as the scene progressed. We were removed from the situation, obviously, which made it a minor incident in our lives, nothing more than an entertainment for the afternoon. If the audience had stopped to consider exactly what they were chuckling at, they may not have laughed so uproariously. People want to laugh; the theatre, television, and other entertainment forms are meant as a release from life. Even if something would seem sad in the world today, humans will make something funny for their own sakes – they need some humor in their lives.

Shakespeare was an expert at using the human nature to his advantage. He knew many ways to convince an audience that a scene was comic- knowing the scenario had no basis in reality, for one. If they thought it was real, then the play may have no effect but sorrow on Shakespeare’s paying costumers. William Shakespeare also often hurts the characters he has first made the audience despise – the villain. No one cares much about the wicked characters unless they are given their just desert. The audience may also feel superior to an unlucky character, and we all love feeling important, even if it comes at the cost of another’s dignity. The adrenaline and excitement of a situation can also end in hilarity, just as a nervous situation can end in laughter.

Comedy and tragedy are often closely linked, and William Shakespeare had a talent for writing tragicomedies. The same responses can be given to both a tragic scene on the stage and a comic one. I regularly see occurrences where a sad situation can bring out feelings of amusement in people removed from the situation. One time I have experienced this is when I was merely in second grade. I had recently received a pallet expander, and it significantly inhibited my speech, leaving me nearly incomprehensible. I could hardly chew, and I definitely felt far from euphoric. In fact, I was feeling very depressed and despondent. My homeroom class and teacher did nothing to improve my mood; when I reached my classroom, everyone burst out laughing and began to imitate me. I saw nothing humorous in the situation, but apparently, everyone else did. Personally, I have never liked slapstick, violence, or other people’s sorrows, but that just shows how tastes can vary, I suppose. I have always wondered- if the human race finds it so easy to laugh at the misfortunes of others, what does that tell us about our society?

AverageWizard posts.

These are my stories from Average Wizard... both the ones that got published, and the ones that didn't.

The other day, I went to a used clothing store. There was a whole rack of plain, colored t-shirts. I immediately bought 8 of them, and a pack of fabric paints. I now have the following shirts: F: When I rule the world, I'll plant flowers! B: When I rule the world, I'll have snakes! F: Darren Criss Street Team B: www.darrencriss.com Singer - Actor - Songwriter AVPM - AVPS - LWL - MAMD - Eastwick Join the Darren Criss Street Team on Facebook F: Not all of us are EVIL. B: Slytherin Pride! F: Dumbledore? Pfft. What an OLD COOT. He's nothing compared to RUMBLEROAR. B: He's a lion. WHO CAN TALK. F: Chudley Cannons! B: Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best! F: Did you get my text? B: Umbridge stop texting me! F: Team Dumbledore! For woolen socks and lemon drops. B: Support real lit... say no to Twillight! F: You think that killing people will make them like you. But it doesn't. It just makes people DEAD. B: Okay is WONDERFUL, Quirrel... MLIM.

Today, we were assigned our first speech in Speech class. They can be on any topic we like. Mine's on how Harry Potter has affected the lives of children and adults. My essay will be magical.

My mom is reading Harry Potter in Spanish right now. According to her, the Sorting Hat is "el Sombrero de Selecionador" and Mad Eye Moody is "Ojoloco." He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is "El-que-no-debe-ser-nombrado." By the way, Hufflepuff in French is "Poufsouffle." Other languages are magical.

PUBLISHED!

I was on the website Gives Me Hope the other day, looking at stories, when I noticed that, at the top of the page, it mentioned that the makers of the site were also putting together a book of awesome stories, and that they were doing something special for all the fans of GMH on Facebook- they'd let them have the name of the person or people who gave them hope be in the front of the book, in a list, as the dedication. I wrote down that "the people at Average Wizard GMH."

Yesterday, for school, we were all supposed to come up with ten inspirational quotes and put them up on a bulletin board. I wrote down 25, and all of them were from Harry Potter. MLIM.

PUBLISHED!

The other day, I went shopping for school supplies. As I left with all my stuff, I pulled out my wand from my pocket and said, to the automatically opening door, "Alohamora!" It opened. MLIM.

Yesterday, our school got new computers. Our class was allowed to play around on them a little bit, and find out how everything worked. I, of course, went straight to the internet and AverageWizard. I immediately got onto the site without a problem, while the internet wouldn't work for everyone else. MLIM.

Today, our grade was doing a "get to know yourself and each other" kind of gathering, and no one was acting like the leader wanted. We were all yelling at each other across the room, and at one point, one of the most annoying boys yells at me, "Hey! That was a really... SPELL binding conversation you had with Greg the other day;" referring to when (as often happens) a student had been making fun of my HP obsession and had asked me to duel. At first I wasn't quite sure what he meant, so I replied, "Well, as most of my conversations have something to do with Harry Potter, I don't know what you're referring to." The director looked at me, and said, "Same with me. You're just as sane as I am," and went back to trying to contain the crowd. MLIM.

Last night, I dreamed I was in a bookstore, buying a cake with Harry Potter silly bands on it, when I saw a new Harry Potter book on the shelf. Of course, I freaked out. The manager of the bookstore had to come over and tell me to be quiet, but when I looked at the manager, it wasn't just an employee, it was Joe Moses. Of course, I screamed even louder, and that was when I realized that the band playing outside the door was made up of Lauren Lopez, Darren Criss, and Joe Walker. They were still playing, and I was late for something, so I couldn't stop and chat, but I put in $20 in their tip jars (they all had individual jars, and they weren't jars at all, they were little hats). I was really bummed I couldn't talk to them, but then I was really excited when they all sent me text messages thanking me for the large tip, and how odd it was- I had given them each $20, in pennies. MDAM.

My first name is a common fan fiction abbreviation of Hermione, my middle name is Rose, and my last name is Granger. You could probably say that MLIM.

I just drew a homemade dark mark on my arm in Sharpie, changed my FB status to "Oh my wizard god! I can't wait for AVPS! It's going to be TOTALLY AWESOME!!!" wrote "I must not tell lies" on my hand, got out my time turner and Slytherin Pride shirt to wear tomorrow, made AVPM drawings all day while listening to the soundtrack, and watched all the Potions Master's Corner videos- again. I think I'm ready for AVPS! MLIM.

I dance flamenco. As you all know, of course, Spain's colors are the same as the Gryffindor colors. Flamenco is from Spain. My entire dance studio is covered in red and gold draperies, pictures, murals, flags, and pretty much everything else you could think of. On Severus Snape's birthday last year, my dance studio reopened after rennovations. Poor, poor Severus. Even on your birthday Gryffindor gets the better of you. MLIM, and MF(Flamenco)S(Studio)IM.

On Severus Snape's birthday last year, I wore my red Snape shirt. Unfortunately, I had a flamenco dance class that day, and we have to wear our dance costumes (special skirt, shoes, leotard, and fan) to every class or else we have to do ten minutes of footwork practice alone in the corner. I was unwilling to part with my Snape shirt, however, so I wore it instead of my leotard in the off hope that my teacher would be a Potter fan. I was out of luck, and ended up wearing my Snape shirt while doing footwork in the corner. MLIM, however, my teacher's is not.

Average Wizards- those of you who have been here for awhile might remember the story I posted a few months ago about how you all had caused me to be cut free for 2 months. (http://averagewizard.com/story/33697) You also may remember the wonderful outpouring of love and support I got in response. I would like to let you all know that I have now been cut free since January 28, 2010, about 6 months. Every time I feel sad, I check that page again, and I know that I'm not alone. Thank you, again. My Life is Truly Magical- because of you.

PUBLISHED!

I dance flamenco. As you all know, of course, Spain's colors are the same as the Gryffindor colors. Flamenco is from Spain. My entire dance studio is covered in red and gold draperies, pictures, murals, flags, and pretty much everything else you could think of. On Severus Snape's birthday last year, my dance studio reopened after rennovations. Poor, poor Severus. Even on your birthday Gryffindor gets the better of you. MLIM, and MF(Flamenco)S(Studio)IM.

The other day, I was flipping through the channels on tv when Hannah Montana showed up. i was just about to change the channel when Miley said, "Come on, even Voldemort would look cute with a puppy." I watched the whole rest of the show in support of Harry Potter references. MLIM.

PUBLISHED!

Today, I played Apples to Apples with my grandpa. The category was "famous." I, amazingly, had a card titled "Harry Potter." The cards other people put down were MLK Jr. and George Washington. Harry Potter won by a landslide. I love my family. MLIM.

PUBLISHED!

n LA the other day, my teacher used Tw!light as an example of a book we could review. She was writing a sample review for it as a demonstration, and it consisted of how horrible she thought the writing was, how pathetic the characters and plot were, and how sexist it was. She then wrote another review of Harry Potter, which consisted of how fabulous and amazing it was. I gave her a high five as I left, and she gave me a piece of chocolate "to ward off the dementors."

In Spanish the other day, my teacher was having us translate questions from Spanish into English for homework. The question that caught my interest was "Do you like Stephanie Meyer's books?" (In Spanish, of course.) I translated it, and then couldn't resist saying how I despised Stephanie Meyer's books, but loved J.K. Rowling's, and then asked her which she prefered, Tw!light or Harry Potter. She drew a little smile next to my answer, wrote Harry Potter, and gave me an extra credit point "for appreciating real literature."

Today my class watched a video that was made by NASA. All i could think of during the entire video (on muscles) was AVPM; "Not all of us had enough money to buy out Nasa when our parents died, Potter." I wrote AVPM quotes all over a scrap piece of paper and accidently dropped it. When I cam in the next day, it was tucked under the desk, and someone had written, "50 points from Griffindor, MoonShoes Potter! I want to go to Pigfarts, too!" I don't know who wrote this, but I now desperately want to meet them and befriend them.MLIM.

The other day, I wrote "I must not tell lies" on my hand in permanent marker. My mom totally freaked out at me, and I spent the next hour trying to wash it off. I couldn't so i ended up having to scrape that layer of skin off with my fingernails, she was so upset. When i was done, my hand was rubbed raw. I offered up my hand to my mom and said, "Here, Professor Umbridge." Her response? "It hurts, doesn't it, Potter?" Was she talking about my hand, or did she know about my scar?

PUBLISHED!

I was recently going through a really hard time. I had been almost chronically depressed for months, and I had been self injuring. I knew it was wrong and I felt horrible about it and other things, but I just couldn't stop. Then I pulled myself together- I came on here and read through the entire site, again. I watched all the Harry Potter movies in order and read all the books again. I watched AVPM again, twice. I felt so much better. Harry Potter, AVPM, and you all here at AW are almost personally responsible for the fact that I have been cut free for the past two months. Thank you. MLIM.

PUBLISHED!
Also, I didn't make the AverageWizard posts for these, but I wrote the posts that inspired them.

I saw this on dearblankpleaseblank.com and thought it was funny and wanted to share it with you: Dear Fudge, Please realize that Voldemort's back. I mean, I've been saying it for months. Sincerely, Harry.

My "aww" of the day goes to this "DearBlankPleaseBlank": "Dear Lily, please forgive me. Sincerely Severus." ;D

Book reviews.

I had to review some books for a project last year, and I just recently found them and thought I'd put them up here, since I haven't posted in a while.


1. Ever, by Gail Carson Levine

This enchanting fantasy and romance gives insight into biblical times in an area similar to the Mediterranean (possibly). I liked this book because even though the main character, Kezi, doesn’t face a situation I am likely to experience (sacrifice to her god), Kezi herself has a very human feel to her, and is easy to like and empathize with. The story is about more than just escaping being sacrificed, too - it’s also a tale of recognizing diversity, searching for the truth, and falling in love. This book may not be particularly deep, but it does draw the reader in with the clear writing style and wonderful settings. I definitely think this book is worth reading.

2. My Secret War, by Mary Pope Osborn

This historical fiction diary-style tale really captivated me and helped me to understand what life would have been like as an American kid during World War II. I liked this book because I was having trouble really understanding about efforts on the home front during WWII, which we were discussing in social studies class during our WWII section. My Secret War helped to give real life examples of ways kids helped, from victory gardens to collecting scrap metal. With the help of this book, I aced my test!

3. Blue Flame, by K. M. Grant

Another book with a problem focused on religion, Blue Flame takes place mainly in the year 1242, before which fell the Albigensian crusade against the Cathars. Two of the main characters, Yolanda and Raimon, are in love, as well as childhood friends. The only problem is that Yolanda is a Catholic and Raimon is a Cathar. I like how Grant placed despicable and nice characters on both sides, never really taking the side of the Catholics or the Cathars. I can’t wait to read book 2!

4. And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie

A mystery and horror novel, this book really frightened me. I must admit, I really didn’t like it and only finished it because it was assigned for school. The plot was good, and the mystery nearly impossible to solve, but at the root of it was a delusional maniac who purposely lured people to his island to kill them all. I had nightmares for weeks. The only thing I liked about this book was the amazing writing. I do not recommend this book for people who scare easily.

5. The Diary of Anne Frank

Wow. I doubt anyone could read this book and not feel touched by it, especially knowing what later happened to her. This book got a little boring in the middle when she and her family were hidden in the Annex, but on the whole, it was amazing. I liked reading a book by a girl around my age who went through something like this because it really put things into perspective for me. She had way more to complain about than me, but she still kept up hope. I’m very glad I read this and recommend it to anybody and everybody.

6. The Maze by Will Hobbs

This book was pretty lame. Also assigned, it takes place in- you guessed it- the Maze. The main character, Rick, is sent to Juvy for throwing rocks at a stop sign. He is finally forced to escape because his fellow inmates are trying to beat him to death. Rick hitchhikes to the Maze, where he comes across the camp of Lon Peregrino, a bird biologist who is trying to reintroduce California Condors into the wild. Eventually, Rick risks his life to save Lon and the birds. The only part of this story I liked was the basic message- try and save your friends and the environment, in this case condors.

7. Green Jasper, by K. M. Grant

Amazing! I love the De Granville Trilogy, and the second book in this series is just as good as the first. Thrilling and suspenseful, Green Jasper shows what happened after the crusade to the de Granville brothers, Will and Gavin, as well as to the most amazing character in the series, their horse, Hosanna. I liked the excitement easily and simply explained by the author, and the dangers of life in England after the crusade are really brought to life in this book.

8. The Hollow Kingdom, by Clare B. Dunkle

Hmmm…. I wasn’t really sure whether I liked it or no until the middle, and then promptly began to dislike it after that. The beginning of this book was o.k. – I mean, being captured by goblins to be their wives? Doubt it. But then, I grew to like it. The characters were kind, and Kate, the Goblin King’s new wife, is treated well. After that, though, things started to go downhill. Dunkle attempted to add a whole other plotline into the story, which sort of ruined the book for me. Anyways, this book was fairly good all in all.

9. Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time, by Lisa Yee

We’ve heard it from Millecent Min’s side, now it’s time to hear the tale through Stanford. Not usually the type of book I read, this book was light and filled with somewhat real life situations. Sure, maybe no 13 year-olds I know are skipping up to college, but some of my friends are flunking classes, dealing with sports issues, or are enduring their parents fighting. A great realistic book for summer: easy to read and fun.

10. Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Great! Another somewhat light novel, this book is filled with wit and humor. As a professional actress, I greatly sympathize with Holling Hoodhood, the main character, when he has to appear in a Shakspearean play- in yellow tights! I, too have had to wear awful costumes in front of my classmates. I liked this book because it was just hilarious.