Words, Words, Words.

I seem to have disappeared from my own friends list. Weird - I can't see my previous post right now (unless I click on my own journal). Maybe it's some residual hiccup from Six Apart's power outage last night.

(Be warned if you click on the link above. It includes my long and rambling review of Deathly Hallows. Although, if you've read the book, I'd love to hear some other opinions now that I can finally join the party, so click away!

I also couldn't resist posting to mention that one other thing that I loved about DH:

( Cut for courtesy, but no real spoilers )

And now, some of my thoughts on the finale of the Harry Potter series. It's been quite a ride.

( Harry Potter and the Truly Epic Adventure (a review just a tad shorter than the book itself) )

Not going to go into too much detail here right now because I'm exhausted and emotional and probably so much more, but I needed to get my initial reaction off my chest because I probably won't get to sleep tonight otherwise:
( Only vague spoilers -- if you consider emotional reaction a spoiler )

Well, this is it, gang. I'll talk to you again in about a week. (Potterdämmerung media blackout commences now . . . that, and I'm going to my cousin's wedding in Long Island next weekend.)

I had wanted to do a whole prediction post in which I'd make a few unspoiled guesses about what might happen, ( cut for speculation ), but I unfortunately don't have the time. So I'll have to keep my speculations to myself.

Best to all! Enjoy the book if you're reading!

...Harry Potter Book 7, naturally. The end is, after all, pretty nigh.

I was disappointed last time for HBP when someone used a spoilery icon the day after the book's release. Bad form!

So, needless to say, my time online will be minimal until I've finished reading. Hope those of you who will be doing the same enjoy! See you on the flip-side. *hugs*

Yahoo! posted a slideshow with production photos for Order of the Phoenix. I'm so happy to see Much Less Hair on both Harry and Ron . . . because, you know, kids, you're not supposed to be the werewolves in this movie.

Slide #10 made me pause a bit (also seen here). Something about Sirius lounging beside Harry with his robe open to the navel . . .

I was actually quite surprised to come home from work (late, no less) and see that no one on my flist had linked to the recently-released cover art for the 7th Harry Potter. (U.S. cover art, anyway.) So, whee! I'm never first for those types of things!

Therefore, in case your own flists haven't posted it yet, here's a look at Book 7! (As well as the full spread.)

I realize that I'm probably the last person to be learning this today, but the new teaching job no longer affords me the opportunity to use the internet at work.

Seriously, an actual newsletter went out with the title "Big Brother is Watching You," detailing how the district monitors all computers and websites that are accessed from each computer in each building. Granted, that's probably more because of the students, but still . . . So, basically it means I pretty much stay away from anything that's not related to the district's email system, or the school's grading program. Thus, no LJ or fandom-related surfing. It probably wouldn't be a big deal; I just don't feel like dealing with it later.

But I digress.

As a result, I'm not surprised I didn't hear about the announcement concerning the new title of Harry Potter Book 7 until after I returned home. ( Cut for title-related spoilers. )

For those who may not have seen a good copy of it yet, the teaser trailer for OotP looks quite awesome.

(There is also a downloadable copy at trailer_spot, for those who simply must have one for their very own: Accio trailer!)

I saw this quite a bit on my flist over the last two days. I haven't even finished reading all of it, but I can't get over how sad the whole situation is.

Aside from reading the books, and a small number of fics back in the day, I really am glad I never, ever - in any way, shape, or form - got involved in the Harry Potter fandom. It's just not worth the aggravation of wading through all the unpleasant politics.

This whole story is very sad to me. Yes, it's sad because of the people whose feelings were hurt as a result, but most especially because reading it brought to light (for me, anyway) all of the apparent bitterness circulating throughout the HP fandom in general.

I've always had such fun in the circles in which I've involved myself. I've met lovely people and, although there has been the occasional kerfluffle, I've had very positive experiences.

It must be very sad to be involved in something that, while supposed to be fun, does so much to foster resentful - even nasty - feelings toward others who don't have the same fandom beliefs as you.