Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix London Premiere and LeakyMug

I arrived at about 12pm, grabbed some lunch and took what I thought would be my place for the stars to arrive at 5pm. Some minutes later however, I discover an extra section, already closed off where the really early risers are waiting patiently and see the arch ways where the guests will walk through, therefore I move. A little later still police turn up and decide to tell us where we are standing is the drop off point and so we move again, this time, to the place we shall remain, give or take some pushing and shoving, and moving temporarily to allow a van to get through.
Time seemed to pass slowly but eventually the guests began to arrive, and so did the rain, and thunder, and more rain. I missed the main trio but saw most of the other guests arrive however many went straight through the arch into the main area, some did walk along where we were but I only managed to get Evanna Lynch's (Luna Lovegood) autograph which I thought was cool, she is pretty awesome, brilliant Luna looks wise, looking forward to seeing her in the actual film - love the fact she was/is a huge fan too and was chosen from the open casting last year.

I have some photos and some my dad took, though with many umbrellas about it wasn't very easy to get any at all let alone half decent ones, but I might post them if I get around to it lol.

After the premiere, I went along to Piccadilly Theatre to watch a live LeakyMug (www.leakymug.com ) which turned out mainly to be about the film which although quite interesting I was a little disappointed as would have liked to have listened to more Deathly Hallows theorising.

The actual film comes out next week so hopefully I will go and see it, should be good, especially looking for clues for Deathly Hallows, with regards to what is left out or how certain things are done. :)

O.k so why did I say that?

Today, I spent 7 hours (an hour or so more that for the Luna casting last year, despite arriving for this an hour and a half earlier than that time) queuing at Earls Court to have my photo taken and then go into a room with the casting directors who were looking for someone to play Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. When we were all in there they told us to say our name and age, this bit I managed fine, wasn't shy or too quiet but then had to say something about myself. Now I wasn't the only one to go for the funny option with random facts but looking back I really shouldn't have said 'I really like queuing' and probably should have said 'My dream job would either be an actress or a director' but no,I went for the funny option and couldn't think of anything distinctive to say about myself. They were like 'awww good' when I said it and really I doubt they would not ask me back on the grounds of saying something silly an irrelvant if they'd thought I had the look for the part but still, looking back it's bugging me a little. I did have a laugh waiting to go in, chatting to the other girls around me and I have to say if the oppertunity arose I'd do it all again, though I may well go a little earlier.
I haven't definately not got the chance to go back for a screen test yet, as they were ringing some people supposedly tonight and tomorrow but I'm not overly hopefull.
Now I be rather tired, got up at about 7 this morning, and had been to a family wedding party in the evening yesterday, not getting home until about half 12.

Some things I just don't get

Why getting and being drunk is so exciting and something to be really proud of. This isn't a moan as such at people who do have that view, as of course everyone is welcome to do what they want and many people, including close friends do. But it isn't something I have a great urge to do, I just don't understand it. Why would I want to make myself out of control of what I am doing and then not be able to remember what I did. I can understand that drinking a little bit, making yourself just a little more outgoing, happier perhaps could be enjoyable and I have done that. However if you're drinking a lot with the purpose of changing your personality in that way, then clearly you're not happy with how you are normally. Would it not be better to try, however difficult it may be, to change your sober self rather than use something to artificially and temporarily to change yourself.

This lack of understanding can cause problems however when the majority of my friends seem to be ones who enjoy drinking, and they also seem only to have fun, and think mainly only of drinking. Parties can be fun, if people get to a certain drunkenness and the emphasis is on socialising and having a laugh rather than getting totally out of it, and in generally the boy's case's doing something incredibly stupid or dangerous or just plain mean to somebody else even if they do actually sincerely like the other person. That's another thing I don't get, why boys think it's fun to be horrible to their friends, but I'm a girl so I guess I'm not supposed to.

I thought I'd found a group of friends however that I finally had lots in common with, and yes I have some things, and yes I like many of them a lot, but I still feel apart from them. That is also not just because of the varying interests but because in part, of my shy and quietness, some of them still intimidate me with their loudness, although others I do now feel comfortable around enough to talk but I do still get referred to as the 'quiet' one which annoys me, along with the jokes/digs about it. It's not as if I do it on purpose, or that I want to be shy. It's something I can't help, something I'd rather change a little. Just so that I have the confidence to talk more and people actually notice me and know me for something other than just the fact I'm quiet.

Anyhow, I should stop this kind of rant, if anyone who is my friend and thinks any of this applies to them read this, don't take it the wrong way, I do, as I said, like you all, just don't understand some things.

Wizard Rock, well rocks.

For anyone not familiar with Wizard Rock, why ever not? Er... I mean it is rock that is to say music about Harry Potter, all sorts of bands exists with different styles of music ranging from The Whomping Willows to The Remus Lupins and Draco and the Malfoys. Apart from the great names they also make great music. O.k so I'll admit not all of them are the worlds best singers, but it's energetic, it's imaginative, it's fun. Some may laugh, some may just not get it, but some may love it. The most well known and I believe one of, if not, the first band to come about is Harry and The Potters. Now most of these bands are from America, as are these, but they were visiting for a U.K tour so naturally I had to go and see them. It was in a small youth centre, and arriving with my dad who later left me to it alone (none of my friends are really into HP enough to agree to come along - shame on them) and I was a bit unsure what to expect and didn't think there'd be many people there. I was wrong, o.k so there wasn't what you'd call loads, but there were more than I thought there might be and they were all rather more into it than I'd expected which was great. I admit I hadn't listened to a lot of these guys stuff, I'd heard some of their stuff, but mostly listened to other Wizard bands. So I could only sing along to a few of their songs but I had a great time. Spoke to a few people, one I'd seen before and the live PotterCast in London and lots had HP related items and wands (which I was jealous of - note to self - buy a wand) and some were even in costumes which I thought was rather cool. I bought a t-shirt, which is pretty cool too and a CD, couldn't resist I'm afraid lol. The gig itself I thought was pretty awesome, they were rather into it, and overly energetic, jumping around and such, I even jumped around for a while as did practically everyone, I also danced for most of the time, not worrying too much what people thought of me, all in all, it was a great atmosphere, which I think is a lot of what makes a good gig great. :)

Links -

www.myspace.com/harryandthepotters
www.myspace.com/theremuslupins
www.myspace.com/thewhompingwillows
www.myspace.com/dracoandthemalfoys

Other Wizard Rock bands can be found via the friend lists of those bands

http://www.pottercast.com/

Why do we always do this to ourselves?

Worry about something for weeks and weeks, try to convince ourselves it will be fine, know you're right but worry still the same? That's what I've been doing, about AS Level exams, English Language and Media Studies, the later of which having been completed this morning. Neither exam being particularly as bad as one would expect according to the amount I worried myself about them beforehand. I was ill (yep, again) before my first exam and although I was feeling better by the time the exam came I was still rather tired and my revision had suffered somewhat, therefore I don't feel particularly confident that I did well but I remain hopeful for somewhere near a decent grade, once the coursework which I enjoyed much more (I wrote one live gig review of two of my fave artist/band - a certain gorgeous Paolo Nutini and The Stereophonics, and I also wrote an article against animal cruelty, a subject I am rather passionate about) has been taken into account. The media exam today I felt went rather better but I shall not say too much (though I wrote rather a lot in the exam, only just managing to write everything down in time in both of them, mainly because I remember lots and try and include it all in some way, though that does not necessarily mean what I have included will get me a good grade) as not to jinx it in anyway. When I feel I've done well and are optimistic I tend to find I actually haven't done as well as I had though and am disappointed so I have decided to think pessimistically or realistically so as not to build my hopes up but having said that I'm sure hopeful thoughts will enter my mind, maybe ones that are slightly realistic but more likely ones that are me being overly-confident when I shouldn't be. I think sometimes I think I'll do fine, I always seem to, and then I don't and it thankfully brings me back to reality, that just because I've always been told I was clever, always got reasonably good grades doesn't mean I will, o.k so I haven't failed my exams, I got a D and a C in my first modules (I have just re-sit them both, having been told to do so my my teachers as they believe perhaps foolishly, perhaps correctly that I can do better) and many people would consider them great grades, but I have always had rather high expectations of myself which can be help but also sometimes a hindrance. Hopefully I shall be pleased with my results when I get think in August (I think) though I have to say I'm rather more nervous about my bf's results than my own as I want him to do well sooooo much and he is always so pessimistic about his abilities.

Anyhow, now the exams are over, I can stop worrying about them (until the next ones in January prob anyhow lol *rollseyes*) and enjoy rather few things. Firstly, I plan on doing a little re-invention of myself, ironing out a few shall we say unsatisfactory aspects of myself, not appearance wise but I plan to change my appearance a little anyway just to aid the re-inventing and emergence of the 'new me' by having my hair cut and then dyed/bleached although to what extent I'm as of yet undecided. I am also at the beginning of re-decorating, I have three colours I want to put in the room, o.k with accessories four but I think the way I plan it it should work out o.k, perhaps lol. Other exciting things include Harry Potter summer, o.k so it's not really called that but there are so many things going on, not to mention the last book :'-( being released. I am also working on a few stories, not for any real reason, though one project I'm yet to start is for a competition but only involves writing a small part of one. There's also the minor thing of driving, yup my parents have decided to let me loose on the roads, well o.k not quite, but they have taken me out a few times, I think I'm quite good but hopefully will be getting proper lessons soon, hmmm that could prove to be an entirely different story all together :P Anyhow I'm sure there was much more I was going to say but I've rambled on enough for today I think, oh actually, hmmm actually will start a new blog for that me thinks ;)

Easter Holidays - a time for relaxation and writing.

Well here I am, finally getting round to writing about my Easter Holidays. The two weeks were rather interesting for a variety of reasons. I wanted to go away, even just for a night, to get away from everything normal and be able to chill out and relax but I didn't get the chance. I did however do many things that was quite good. Firstly I've been driving. It is a little bit scary but also fun and will provide with me so much freedom once/ if I manage to learn everything and pass my test although I don't expect it will happen for quite a little while yet lol. Other things I have done include going to a random pond to sit and relax, going canoeing, going to Littlehampton, going to the Isle of Wight (Alum bay/needles = gorgeous views, almost tropical - clear sea, awesome cliffs lol). Also went to a party although that can't be counted under the list of relaxing things lol but it was fun. My bf did however go away for a week and leave me, however that turned out okay as it gave me some time to attempt to find myself again and try to arrange/make sense of my thoughts which probably makes no sense or sounds daft but there you go I probably am lol. I did some reminiscing about younger me whilst listening to Alistair Griffin's album which I hadn't listened to in quite a while which was fun and a bit sad at the same time for various reasons. I also realised how much I have changed in different ways over the last few years.

I have also been occupying myself by means of writing a book. It's a semi-biographical story with Beth being the main character. Towards the beginning, it is very much based on true events however details and characters have been altered/exaggerated/imagined along the way, As the story goes on, partly because it will reach a point at which I currently am so will have to, events will begin to be completely made up however Beth is very much me in many ways and her feelings and opinions for the most part will most likely be my own. So far I have about 115 pages (although it is a small book - which happens to be made of black fabric for the cover and oldy looking cream pages inside which attracted me lol) but I am adding to it almost every day. Having read it back to myself I have wondered if it is indeed too personal and if anyone whom the event concerned at the time read it they may realise which may not necessarily be bad but I'm not sure. The story really is a love story, describing a girl's journey through love and life (starting at college age), showing the temptations and disappointments as well as the good things that life often brings. I decided not to include too much technology in my story as I think books should be an escape from those things which is why I love Harry Potter as in the wizarding world they do not really encounter a lot of technology, and to me that benefits them and the story itself. I also love Jane Austen (mainly Pride and Prejudice) and the time period in which her books are set as I love their way of life and their language usage, because of this the way in which I tell my story, in parts has the feel of such books. I have tried to replace more modern things in my book with more old fashioned things although the story is still rally set in the present. Perhaps in a village where old traditions are still adhered to and technology and all such things associated with modern times are not as evident or important. I do kind of have ideas as to where my story is going and how it will end although there are a lot of areas in which I am still unsure, I don't have a title for it either yet, that may not be properly decided upon until the book is finished. After I have written it, if indeed I do finish it, which I hope I do, depending on how long it ends up being I don't know what I'll do with it or if I will let many people read it. Not without cutting bits out or changing things anyway. So far only my bf has read all of it and even then I wonder if I reveal too much of myself inside the words. I guess that is what sometimes makes a good book though, when you get to see inside of somebody else, spend a bit of time in their mind and get an idea of what they are like. Then again to most people who do not know me it will just be a character.

Now though, it is back to college and preparing for the slightly worringly fast, approaching exams which I'm sure you will probably all hear about at some point. I actually sometimes enjoy exams which probably makes me sound rather nerdy indeed, and well partly, I am but these I am not so as I didn't do as well as I'd hoped in the January ones so have re-sits as well as the May/June ones which is going to be added stress and revision and confusion so I worry I will not be able to do any better although hopefully if I get myself into gear and start revising and concentrating on college and the exams I might do. Talking of that, concentrating on college is a rather tricky thing to do when there are HP and POTC films coming out very soon. There is also this little thing of the LAST Harry Potter book being released, and although that is not until after my exams are finished, I would rather be re-reading books 1 -6 and participating in much theorising while I still can that revising for exams but oh well I guess I'll have to attempt some good time organisation/revision planning (hmmmm yea not a strong point, I like making plans/lists as I am that sort of person but sticking to the plans rarely proves to be so easy) and multi-tasking. I do ofcourse have my bf to keep me smiling through the stresses and upset (if Harry dies, which he won't do, hopefully) that may occur. So let the fun begin... :)

I've been to the BBC, oh yes.

Last week I went on a media trip to BBC T.V Centre, which is something I've wanted to do. We had people who gave us a guided tour of the place, which involved seeing where all the news comes in and is organised and whatever although we could only see it from behind glass. They also took us to the CBBC area where we saw the control room where the shots that are shown and stuff is decided and carried out. This was of particular interest to me, I could imagine myself doing something like that perhaps. The whole atmosphere is something I'd love to be part of. We also went into a filming studio where I sat on one of the presenters chairs lol that was cool. Although they pointed out that the sets look a lot better and bigger on screen than they do when you see them in person. The Blue Peter garden was cool although small, I haven't really watched it recently so didn't have an image of what I thought it would be like exactly though.
Another area we went to, was the weather. Here they had a screen like those actually used in the T.V weather forecasts, that they used to demonstrate how the blue screen works, the reference to Harry Potter in their explanation which, if you know me you'll know this quite predictably, kept my interest hehe lol. The penultimate place we were taken was a mock studio designed specifically for the tours were they did a fake news bit and some Weakest link with a few of the group helping out with this and in the mock control room.
The last place we were taken to, via many corridors with green rooms, dry cleaners and even a hairdresser, was the shop. It was here that I bought what I think is a rather cool pen which says BBC on it. :P lol

To be continued... (probably lol)

Well I'm back to continue this post, as I said I would, although a few days later than I had planned. After the, suprisingly short, visit to the BBC, we all got back on our coach to head off to the Science Museum. Here we grabbed some lunch after walking up and down the corridors past various large stuff such as cars, weapons, and planes trying to find the place we were looking for, and then we took our seats inside the IMAX to watch Deep Sea 3D. The screen, as we were told, was rather large and it was quite a cool experience, calming almost at points, as it was as if we were swimming in coral reefs, I could almost have forgotten I was really in a cinema, if there weren't railings at the front also in my view, that is. However the fact it was narrated by Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp had no bearing on me enjoying the film ofcourse. ;P Though saying that, I don't know if I would have known this had I not read it previosley/seen it in the titles.

After this, we boarded our coach and headed home again having had an overall enjoyable day.

January Results

Well I went to college feeling excited about getting my results, I left college feeling dissapointed about having got my results. I didn't fail, I didn't do as bad as many people but I was dissapointed with what I got. I got a D in English Language and a C in Media. My C was I think to be expected as on the day of that exam my mind was quite distracted thinking about whether I'd manage the exam without being sick and I knew as soon as I'd come out of the exam that there were things I didn't mention that perhaps I should have done but part of me had still been hoping for higher. I don't know how close I was to getting a B would be interesting to find out. The D I got was my most annoying as after getting an E in my mock I spent alot of time revising everything I'd been taught and I wrote alot in my exam and felt confident that I'd written about most of the things I needed to and done well so was expecting to get atleast a B if not an A. The teachers were confused by the low grades and so are sending some off to be re-marked. They said that some have gone up from a D to an A after being re-marked but to not get our hopes up as they could alwya sbe re-marked and be given an even lower grade. It would be great to find they do get put up but if not I'll probably be doing a re-sit and as apparently these are put on the same day as the next exam in May it's going to be a little stressfull, and I worry that I'll mess up the next as I'll be trying to remember everything for the re-take one but hopefully it will work out o.k. It is still a pass and coursework (which I enjoy doing more and am more confident with) will count towards the final mark so should be fine for getting me through to be able to take the course to A2 in September *hopefully*. :)

The best live PotterCast in London ever!

O.k so the title is a little bit of a reference to John Noe's previous mentions of each PotterCast being the best whatever number it was on each and every PotterCast but it is a true enough statement, atleast for the moment, perhaops it will change when/if they return to do another, hopefully the next time with Sue too. So anyhow if you're wondering what I am on about, last Saturday I went to London, first to attend a Podcast about Harry Potter being held in a Borders in Charring Cross Road. I left on the train at about 10am and arrived at the Borders store at about 11 and as the podcast wasn't due to start and couldn't see many people about Iwent off elsewhere to grab some lunch. A little over an hour later I made my way back to the Borders store and upstairs to find that earlier I had been looking on the wrong floor and that everyone was on the next floor up so there wasn't many chairs left. Also nearly as soon as I arrived, a lady photographer grabbed me to ask if I'd mind having some photos taken along with some other Potters fans as I had my PotterCast t-shirt on. A group of 4 of us, were taken to the front, to stand infront of a display of the Potter books to pose whilst holding the books. After they'd finished with us, I decided to sit on the floor at the front, just to the side of where Melissa and John (the Podcasters) would be sitting shortly. This proved to be both a good and bad idea as although I had a good view, I also got rather still legs from sitting for over an hour with my legs bent in positions they shouldn't be for that amount of time. A little later than the scheduled start time, Melissa and John appeared and sat down in the large Border's chairs that had been supplied for them and picked up their microphones ready for the podcast. They talked about their experience in England, and their trips to see the various plays currently featuring some Potter actors and actresses. Talk then turned to the HP games and then to theories and questions about the books. There were many interesting theories although I think I'll need to re-listen to the podcast to remember what they were now! (If you want to listen go to - PotterCast.com or see the little advert thingy I have for it on the left). Once the Podcast had regrettably finished, the hosts hung aroudn for awhile talking to everyone, I wasn't sure what to say to them but I got my phot taken with them which was cool, I also didn't have enough courage to talk to anyone else there, I was hoping to meet some people form the leakylounge.com forums and I did recognise one or two people but I didn't, hopefully there will be another oppertunity to do so (perhaps at another Podcast from a different Harry Potter website ;P lol). After awhile I left the Borders store and made my way to Oxford Street to do some shopping. I found some fingerless long, stripey, purple and black pirate themed gloves and pirate themed socks on a stall that i couldn't resist buying and I aslo bought a top from Topshop that says - 'Pick flowers not fights' which I thought was rather cool. The Topshop there is rather huge, there is almost one floor entirely of accessories and such things. Thankfully it wasn't as hot this time, howeever it was rtaher busy. I qutie like the whole busy atmosphere London has but I also love the atmosphere when walking back in the evening when it is all dark and a sort of hushedness about when walking across a bridge over the thames, and the traffic and other nightime noise is just quiet background noise and you can see the lights and everywhere seems friendly and calm (near the London eye this is) I just love it. I don't think I would be able to stand London every day though as it does get rather too hectic and shopping with lots of people means you miss lots of things you might have otherwise seen. :)

Timmmmber

That would have been a good word to have shouted at certain times yesterday afternoon. I took two partly willing volunteers, previously mentioned in last blog. to a little wooded area to film scenes (mainly sword fighting) for my media project (a trailer for a pirate themed film) both dressed in pirate gear, my bf making a rather sexy pirate I have to say. I do have a little obsession, no really I'd say it's a large interest in things piratey so it was pretty safe to predict I was going to incorporate pirates into my media and then enjoy watching bf dressed as pirate (complete with hat ala Captain Jack Sparrow) probably a little too much much. Though part of my reason for enjoying watching him was because I got to laugh at him and other pirate volunteer fighting, hurting themselves and bf attempting to swing on a tree that was never going to hold his wait hence the title to this particular blog. Despite having not overly serious volunteers I did manage to get most of the scenes that I wanted to filmed. Today I also filmed some more stuff for my trailer - this involved me going to Portsmouth, on HMS Victory and having a look around and then on a harbour tour (being a partly open roofed boat meant it was a rather cold but enjoyable - and also I find rather calming as I find most boat/canoe trips often are - none the less 40ish minute trip) on which I filmed part of the HMS Warrior and open water shots that I hope to edit so that they appear as if a pirate ship is in an ocean rather than an old ship in Portsmouth Harbour. I also took the advantage of their being various gift shops to do some shopping, filmed some random stuff, and bought a pretty though quite possibly over priced turquoise shell, a pencil with the Mary Rose on the top of it, a purple feather pen, a canon ball keyring and some chocolate for my mum. None of those things did I really need but I was just too tempted to leave the shop without them, having already spotted these possibly - possibly not - brilliant finds. I returned home happy, although rather cold and quite probably facing the prospect of red wind burned cheeks to have to try and conceal before college in the morning.

Going back to Wednesday, Valentines day, as I did mention this beforehand I felt I should go back to it and say that it was a good day, spent at home watching a DVD (Just like Heaven, which is a reasonably good film I thought with quite funny parts, and although it was quite predictable in parts, it was also unpredictable in others, it also had a happy ending which of course if you are a regular reader you'll know I like) and generally hanging out with my bf which was lovely.

I'm currently reading The Devil Wears Prada, got to about chapter 16 so far, I'm still interested which is a good thing but I have found that I haven't had that grip that makes me want to keep reading on and on until I finish the book in a day having said that it is still an enjoyable read, despite the slightly negative reference to HP ;P lol. I'll give you my further opinions on this book once I have finished reading it. I'm not entirely sure where it's going or how everything will end up so I guess you could say it isn't predictable, though not everyone will necessarily class that as a good point. I also watched another DVD this week - ElizabethTown, which is a rather strange film, slightly unbelievable in places and I slightly lost interest in other parts and was doing other things at the same time as watching but I liked the way it ended with you not knowing if they were going to end up back together and it was a happy ending again lol and don't they make a gorgeous couple. :)

If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise

O.k so you would have been had my previosley willing volunteers not decided to not get alot of sleep last night. I had planned to film some scenes for my media project - requiring to boys to dress up as pirates, me wear a long dress (originally made to be a LOTR elf dress) and film various stuff such as a sword fight. Had any dog walkers happened to see this potential amusing scene unfolding it would indeed have been a big surprise, but that will now have to wait until another day. Dog walkers in the area beware! lol.

As it happens, I still went to aforementioned woods with one, er... 'willing' volunteer (aka my bf), to do a bit of location spotting which I thought was fun, not sure said volunteer did though, let's just say it was rather muddy.

On other news, it be Valentines day tomorow, I have present and card ready, just about and things planned for it so I'd like to think I was reasonably prepared, makes a change, though I am still considering a trip to the local shop tomorow morning incase I change my mind lol.

Some rather exciting news next, well I thought so anyway, PotterCast, the Harry Potter podcast that I may have mentioned once or twice in my blogs ;p is set to do a live podcast over here in the U.K which I shall hopefully be able to get to *fingers crossed* and wear my PotterCast t-shirt with pride lol. This is also rather exciting, not just because I'll get to see the podcasters, or some fellow U.K HP fans but also because hopefully there will be some book discussion which will act as the next best thing to being able to get to any HP conventions (which I can't as the one here in London requires attendees to be 18 which I won't *quite* be when it is happening) before book 7 is released. So I'm rather happy about that, still trying to find some gigs to go to though, my list of gigs to go to is rather shorter than last years was, with the grand total of none, although I do have a comedy gig booked up and another a maybe at the moment.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

In true Sue (PotterCast) style my response to this is at first squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I first noticed mentions of a book 7 release in myspace bulletin titles and quickly headed over to www.leakynews.com to check if this was true. It was - July 21st will see the last in a series be released. I was rather excited when I first read this news but then it hit me, this is the last, the final book, no longer is the reasurance that she can't kill Harry because there will be more books. There wont. However stupid this may sound to those not a fan of the HP series, the final book makes me feel a little sad. It is said that apparently Waterstones are to set up a helpline for people once they have read the final book, I don't expect I will ring but if J K Rowling writes the deaths of any of the main characters it's pretty likely my eyes wont stay dry. I'll admit, I'm emotional, books. films can often quite easily make me cry and the HP books are no different. I become attached to the characters quickly, connect with them, adore them. If they are to die, it's likely I will cry as I did after book 6. I think this shows Jo's talent for writing. The ability to move me to cry uncontrollably about a fictional character's death, even if it be only for a short awhile until I pull myself together and remember that it is after all just that - fiction. Fiction however can be wonderfull, a place to emerse ourselves in, to escape from our current reality and the stresses of every day life. Discover a world completely different to our own, yet still be able to identify with certain aspects, learn, be entertained. The HP books and also to an extent the films (although the books have always remained my favourite of the two) have allowed me to cheer myself up when I've been feeling down and given me something to discuss and theorise about. The Harry Potter experience now, is more than just the initial reading of the books, I've seen the films, I have been to autograph shows to meet the actors from the films, I've had my mum make me a costume, I've based Halloween costumes on things from HP, I've played the computer games, I've bought merchandise and film cells and posters, I've joined serveral websites, I've listened to a podcast about it, I've longed to be able to go to a HP conference and been a little annoyed because I have to be 18. I've lived Harry Potter. To see this come to an end, is a little scary. O.k so it is only the books, the rest will continue for a few more years atleast I expect, there will still be films to release and actors to be met, conventions to be gone to.However I fear it will no longer be the same, answers of questions from previous books will be known, unanswered questions in this last book may never be answered so theorising will no longer be the same. Beloved characters gone, even though the never really existed in the beginning.

O.k so at the moment, I'm excited and thinking about where to go to get the last book, debating where there will be large book release events, where I can emerse myself in the excitement of hundreds of people, all waiting, nervous excitement surrounding me, most hoping no one is their to spoil this last book for them before they themselves can finish this final book.

I just can't get enough, it makes me so happy

Well that title could be applied to many a thing in my life at the moment, but doesn't actually have alot of relevance to what this blog is planned to be about (the intended subject could be forgotten if i get distracted, thinking about it i'm not entirely sure what the reason for posting this was anymore) but it is from a new song posted by Tabby Callaghan which I rather like at the moment. :)

I'm now feeling rather better, been back to college, did my media exam (which I think went o.k, though I came out and was soon reminded of lots of words I should/could have included but my mind was slightly on thinking about having been ill so my mind wasn't as into it as I prob should have been, but I still hope that I did do o.k as I did write alot about some things, just didn't include a few other things and some of the media jargon I knew), and I've been to play pool and things, still got a bit of a cold though. I've been planning my Media a bit more, I now have another volunteer so it's just a case of getting them to a good place and filming it. I've also been having a look around for some music to go with it, at the moment I'm considering songs by either Tabby, Stereophonics or The View though I could still find something else.

I've just realised I'm a bit behind in listening to PotterCasts, I've been a bit busy whenever I've come online, o.k so mainly talking to people (my bf mostly) on msn but that's not the point lol, I have been busy doing some work aswell. I've got a few IT assignments done and handed in but I also have another couple to be working on which could be tricky and time consuming. There isn't as much pressure to get that done as there is for my media and english though. I've almost finished my first piece of english coursework, a article for an Animal Aid magazine so am starting to thinking about what I'll do for the second piece, at the moment I'm thinking it will most likely be some sort of reviews page for a music magazine. I think aslong as I spend enough time on this I will get it done in time. My media however, which is also due about March time, is a bit more of a concern as it involves filming which I'm just not sure when I can get time to do and then I'll have to edit it and then write an evaluation and if you don't get it in by the deadline you fail, so that's a little scary, but I just need to make sure I set aside enough time and get on with it i guess.

I'm still on the search for gigs and other things to go to lol, and I watched 2 new dvds recently - The Sweetest Thing and Wimbledon, both quite good films with happy endings which is something I do like, TST is a rather sexually charged film though I have to say, and W is rather sweet with a nice bit of comedy thrown in for good measure. All in all two rather enjoyable films but Wimbledon would prob be my favourite out of the two.

looks like it's going to one of those days, when you just can't get along

Well to quote a little Riccardi song, from Friday afternoon/evening until today has been one of those days. I've been rather unwell and just lazed around, had two days off college (I've worked out, including two days where I missed lessons due to exams, I have missed in just that time, 9 hours of IT out of the whole 10 I have a week, considering I don't always like this lessons and it can be boring and tiring that's a lot) and have been feeling lifeless but I'm feeling better now, thankfully because being at home endlessly isn't much fun and as sad as this is, I actually miss going to college. I did miss an oppertunity to see Lenny Henry at the weekend though, but my parents went and I'm not too bothered as I don't think his humour would have all appealed to me, so really it's only the wasted money on the ticket that annoyed me. I have got some tickets to see Frank Skinner, which hopefully I will be able to go to and enjoy. :)

1 down 1 to go

Well I have 4 exams in total (not including the silly general studies exams we supposedly *have* to take) to do over this year which is a considerably fewer amount than when I had to do my GCSE's. For this month I only have 2 - English Language, which I did and I think went o.k *hopefully*, and Media which I have next week. I'll then have until June for the rest, hopefully I won't have any to resit. I was unwell yesterday afternoon and today but hopefully I'll be feeling better very soon so I'll be o.k for my Media exam.

2007 - Nope I couldn't think of a more interesting title

Well it has now been 2007 for a week so hope it has been a good start to the year for everyone.

Last year I had quite a few gigs and things planned around this time, this year I have tickets for one comedian, hopefully will get some for another soon and maybe for another at some point too but there is a rather sad list of no gigs to go to yet. I hope to see Tabby again this year so will have to keep an eye out for gigs, Albion have mentioned that there will be some exciting announcements soon so hopefully that will include some gigs. I also would really like to go to the Reading festival but will have to wait and see if that's possible this year or not. I have considered booking up to see The Feeling again this year but haven't done as of yet, and I wanted to see Paolo, but the London gigs are during the week so not practical thought knowing me, I'll give in the week before and go on a desperate search or bidding spree on Ebay lol. I do hope to see some of the not so famous bands/artists this year too and there's a few more famous ones that I'd quite like a chance to see. I want to try and out do last year but I'm not sure if will lol. :-)

Back to now, I've realised I'm really quite competitive, think Monica in Friends. I've been going to play pool with my bf a few times and well he beats me a lot, now I don't think I'm that bad in fact I have one or two really good shots (that may be luck but that's not the point ;P) yet I still seem to loose even if I catch up from far behind or am winning for a lot of the time and well I don't like loosing. Because of that I get what you might say is a little angry, not in the I'm going to go beat someone up way but in the I'm prob going to swear a little more than I normally do and hit the ball probably quite a bit harder than I should, resulting in either a good/lucky shot or the white ball going flying off the table and narrowly missing the people standing around the other table, who were thankfully people I knew from college but the fact remains I like to win. Personally I think perhaps beign an only child has had some effect on this, well that will be my excuse anyway and I feel I may be making a return trip to play again somewhen soon to try and prove I can win. :P I've just noticed I used the word somewhen, although apparently it isn't a word. I've used it for as long as I can remember and never realised that it isn't actually a word until it was pointed out to me. I'm not the only one to use it though but the people who don't (aka my bf :P) like to point out the fact it isn't a word, I have plans to get a petition or something with all the people I can find that use the word and send it to whoever writes the dictionary's, whether I'm actually sad enough to do that is yet to be seen ;) lol, if you do use the 'word' somewhen or have an opinion on it please leave a comment, would be interested to see how many people do in fact use somewhen.

In an attempt to regain any street cred I prob lost a long time ago I did do something a little cooler than arguing about the word somewhen and looking it up, I went shopping. I'm not a huge fan of shopping, mainly because I can never make up my mind, or they don't have what I want and I get fed up but it can be enjoyable for awhile, especially if you are in places with sales or cool things. I love Topshop, it is a fact that can't be denied, I could prob spend a lot of money in that shop, though with some of their prices that wouldn't mean buying a lot but I do get student discount which makes me feel happy. Today I bought two tops and a bag, the bag was the only thing in the sale, but the fact that it was a bag that I liked before it went into the sale was somewhat (which actually *is* in the dictionary! :S) satisfying. I also went into Claires, I don't often find anything of interest but today I found a guitar necklace that was half price from £3.50 which I though was a bargain and a very cool pirate themed coin purse with one of those catch things that I like because it kind of reminds me of old fashioned things, vintage would be the more impressive sounding word to use I think.

Talking of impressive sounding words, I have an English AS Exam this week, which I am a little nervous about, I've done some revision, probably not as much as I should have done but there is still time, I know most of the terminology but it will be a case of what texts I get, whether I can remember the words to use and whether I can put it all together make it sound impressive and make sense and actually answer the question being asked. Easy, then...

I also have a Media AS Exam the week after, but I am a little more confident about that as I got a higher grade in my mock though I'm still a little apprehensive of course. I also currently have coursework for my Media which we are just starting. I'm doing a film trailer, I got a video camera for Christmas, I've done my storyboards, so now I need to film it. This could be interesting seeing as my film is about pirates on a search for the truth about one of their ancestry. I have one costume, one willing volunteer and some prob rather ambitious ideas, yes interesting is definitely the word I'd use to describe trying to film this. I shall hopefully try and update you all with my progress with that when I can. Also if I get any gigs I shall probably come and let you all know.

My 2006

Well 2006 has certainly been a busy year with many things happening throughout the course of it. Many changes have come to pass yet some things remain the same. I've changed from being at school to being at college and have a different group of friends now. I'm missing my old friends although I see some of them now and again, I do miss being at school occasionally and it still feels a little strange being at college but I am very glad that I have found a lovely group of people to be friends with, college wouldn't be much fun without them so despite the very small chance there is that any of you will read this I'd like to say thanks for welcoming me into your mad but wonderfull group.

On a different note, I've been to quite a few gigs and events, which I believe was one of last years resolutions ;P.

This year I've been to the following autograph shows -
Collectormania G-mex in Manchestor (Met 5 people from HP)
London Film and Comic Con (was in LOTR costume) (Met Elijah Wood)
Collectormania 10
Collectormania 9 (Met 4 HP people)
StarConUk (Met 2 HP people)

Premieres I've stood outside of -
POTC 2 (got no auto's but saw Orlando Bloom, Bill Nighy close and Johnny Depp from afar)
Driving Lessons (Got 4 autos of HP people)
Gigs -
Tabby & The Tsars
Alchemy/Tyler (x a few :P)
Alistair Griffin (x 2)
T4 on the beach
The View
Riccardi
The Storys
Paolo Nutini (x quite a few :p)
Larikin Love (Street teaming)
Spargo
The Feeling (x a few)
Various music events in London in the Summer (Canary Wharf, Clapham Common)
Few local things (Acoustic Fridays/BOTB)
Comedian - Ed Byrne

I've done a dance exam and been to the presentation to get a little award thingy lol, went to a casting for Harry Potter (HP), an animal aid fayre, did a sponsered walk, spoken to 3 Americans and someone from HP films at 4am in the morning on Skype and my question was played on the podcast (PotterCast.com), been made a moderator on a forum for the aforementioned HP podcast, have also sent filks and impersonations to said podcast though they weren't played I don't think lol, I started a HP fanfiction, done my GCSE's, went to my Prom, went to a few random parties, my mum made me a Hogwarts Robe and I've been collecting things for my Luna Lovegood and Captain Jack Sparrow Costumes, I went trick or treating and to bowling in a improvised Death Eater cloak lol, played Pool quite a bit and at College I have joined the Student Council which is something I knew I wanted to do before I went so was glad I didn't let my shyness stop me, though that and other things did stop me from doing other things but I hope to change that at some point or something.

Books read -

Lousise Bagshawe - Monday's child & Tuesday's child
Jane Austen - Pride & Prejudice
HP books again probably lol
Books about J K Rowling

Books started but not finished lol -

LOTR
Johnny Depp - A kind of Illusion

Books I attend to read/finish next year -
LOTR
Wuthering Heights
Some more Jane Austen books
Billie Piper autobiography
Another Louise Bagshawe book

Films watched (for 1st time)-
2 versions of Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility
Emma
Kate & Leopold
Sweet Home Alabama
Casanova
Calender girls
Driving Lessons (in cinema)
POTC 2 (in cinema and on dvd)
Ladies in Lavender
Corpse Bride
Maid in Manhatten
In Her Shoes
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

So all in all I think it has been rather a busy year, I'm hopefully off to a party this evening (at which my new group of friends and bf will be) so should be a good way to bring in new year which will hopefully be a good one. Thanks to everyone who reads this who has helped in whatever way make this year a good one and I'd like to wish a Happy New year to everyone who reads my blog. Thanks :-)

Why do you have to go and make life so complicated?

O.k so quoting a certain Avril Lavigne song there but it is in a way appropriate although not entirely somebody else's fault yet there actions have indeed played a part in my recent sadness. Lets just say I am no longer with boy mentioned previously however I have found myself liking another which I now think/know is a feeling recipricated. So for various reasons my life appears to be a little less complicated and much happier at present, in that respect anyway. It does however appear to be somewhat busy hence the lack of updates recently. I have to comment on the content of my blogs before mentioning the reasons for my busyness as I have been reading back my posts and this one so far and it appears to me that my sentences are somewhat sophisticated in my use of words and the way in which I structure them, I believe I watch too many period dramas such as Pride and Prejudice which influence the way in which I like to speak. I do have, and think I have mentioned before that I do have a love of the ways of these type of programmes and films.

Anyhow back to why I'm busy, which is a little annoying considering I'd like to have met up with certain people this weekend and I am usually bored but this week I have several things to do. Firslty, the most important, yet the thing that I least wish to do, is my IT work, we have to write a specification for a computer workstation, which I'll admit to not finding atall easy and which was supposed to have been in yesterday. I hop to have it done before I go to college and see my teacher on Monday though. Before then I have a gig to go to this evening, a certain Paolo Nutini, o.k so I have seen him many a time but I couldn't resist going again. I managed to get them on ebay, I was outbid in the last minutes but gave in and increased my bid and managed to secure the tickets for a price only slightly over what normally would have been payed for them. I didn't want to buy some for an extortainate price from someone who was selling them only to gain profit. On Sunday, hope to perhaps visit London again, to go to something at which I hope to get christmas gift ideas. Talking of christmas it is fast approaching it seems, well lights are already going up everywhere and I have now started to open my Pirates of the Carribeann themed advent calender. :p :)

Don't be afraid to shake your ass and misbehave

I went to see The Feeling on thursday night at Oxford Brookes. I thought they were great as per usual. The venue wasn't overly big but was quite good. This was my 5th time seeing them I think - the atmosphere was good - the support - Luke Toms were good but also a little strange. Dan's voice was going at the end, so encore was done by I think it's Keiran (may have been Kevin lol) who sung the Beastie Boys song - Fight for your right to party (don't know if that's the right title) which was good and funny. I wasn't right at the front, I actually moved back for them because I was too close to the speakers but once I'd moved a little bit it was fine and I had a good night. I bought a T-shirt and a badge too, I'm sorry but I can't resist buying merchandise and badges.

On other news this week, I've been watching make me a supermodel - I think the wrong person went out of the girls - I think Senait should have stayed. Out of those who are left I believe Mary Anne should win as she has that something different. On the subject of reality tv competitions - I think the wrong person also went in Strictly come dancing. Peter was clearly the worst dancer out of all of the celebrities. I'm afraid I can't stand watching X Factor anymore, it's too fake, over the top and too much about the judges. I like to watch Robin Hood though, o.k so it can be a bit cheesy in places but I like it, and the actor who plays Robin (Jonas Armstrong I think) is rather hot ;p :) Oh btw it's my birthday on tuesday. :D

Sorry

Hey, sorry for the lack of updates over here and I know I was going to blog about PotterCast but I haven't got round to doing that yet apart from 1 episode. I do plan to as and when I can though. Not that my opinions on whatever the topic happens to be matter overly but I shall post them anyway. On the subject of my life, seeing as this is what my blog should be about I guess I should mention it atleast a little. Well I am at college still, I haven't quit - whic his prob why I now update this less as I am busy, well kinda lol. I should be lets put it that way. I get the feeling I'm not doing enough work out side of lessons but hey, hanging out with my new mates and writing this is more fun :P Oh also I got myself a new boyfriend incase you're interested, which is always cool. :P :) I'm off to a gig this week too - The Feeling which should hopefully be good. I haven't been able to get hold of Paolo Nutini tickets though which is a bit of a bugger but I haven;t given up on that one just yet I;m sure I'll be able to atleast try and get some of ebay or scarletmist. I hope anyway as I don't want to go through December not seeing him as he rocked the last time and I'd like to get my total of gigs up to 9 before this year is through ;P. Another gig is one that was prostponed from before, which is coming up in the next few weeks - The View, still not got anyone to come with me to that one though, I can't decide who to ask lol. Anothger thing, which isn't a gig but is something I would like to go to if I can. Not sure if I will be able to or not as the trains are being awkward on the day I'd like to go. It's a convention at which Miranda Otto, Colin Baker and Jamie Waylett should be at so I'd like to go and get their autographs and listen to either the LOTR or Dr Who talks. Talking of LOTR I was watching bits of the one they showed on the TV at the weekend and I was watching the end opf it and despite the fact I kind of nkow what happens and have watched it before I still cry when he dies and when Sam says to Frodo that he's not leaving his because he made a promise and then a little later on Frodo tells Sam he's glad he's there - I can't help it, it just sets me off lol - I really want to finish the books as I started them but got confused so decided to watch the films and then go back to the books but I haven't got a chance to yet. I would like to before next year when there is a LOTR Convention planned that I would like to go to especially if the get some guests from the films. Anyways I'm running out of random stuff to write - oh it is my birthday soon (14th) - I don't really know what I'm getting though although I want a new phone and coat and a videocamera but don't knmow what out of that I'll get. I also wanted aparty but don't think I'm going to be allowed and I can't think of any other ideas (if you've got any party ideas feel free to leave a comment lol).