Harry Potter Party

A friend of mine organized a Harry Potter Saturday night premiere party and it was a blast. He rented out a theatre (200 seats) for a 9:50 showing of the new Harry Potter movie and invited about 80 people to attend. The movie was fantastic--possibly one of my favorite H.P. movies so far--but the real fun was at the pre-party.

From the get-go, John and his wife did it up right, including invitations with the Harry Potter font addressed to, for example, "Dena Harris, 4 Privet Drive, The Cupboard Under The Stairs..." When we arrived at their house, there was a golden snitch attached to a ceiling fan so the snitch circled round and round above us all night. The party was from 7-9 and John had a 2-hour tape playing scene highlights from the first three Harry Potter movies.

Then there were the 2 miniature Greyhounds or "house elves" as they were referred to for the night. (We were warned not to give them socks or clothing of any kind as they were but looking for the chance to escape!) There was a sorting hat on the front table surrounded by house pins, face down. You had to choose your pin and discover what house you were sorted into. Blair and I both  made Gryffendor, but my friend Maggie ended up in Slytherin. (We let her sit next to us in the theatre anyway.)

Then the food. Oh my God. The food. I can't even begin to imagine the time/expense that went into providing this spread. A full table of cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, cheesecakes, chocolates, any flavor jelly beans (Blair tried one called "booger"), candies, truffles... it was a feast for the eyes and the stomach. 

Then you moved into the kitchen for vegetables, cheeses, crackers, beer, wine, and soft drinks. And THEN you moved into a third room which had a running chocolate fountain and strawberries and cakes and pretzels and cookies for dipping.

The really cute part was that EVERYTHING was labelled. So you didn't eat a truffle, but rather a "Professor Trawley Truffle." Or a "Dumbledore double-chocolate cake." I'm not really doing it justice, as they had clever names for all the food items. I wish I'd thought to bring my camera to show how well staged it all was.

Lit candles around the house completed the ambience. It was spectacularly well-organized, with John visiting most guests the week before to drop off tickets. It was adults only and we had an entire theatre to ourselves. Blair and I didn't even mind being out until 1 a.m., and you know what early-to-bed people we are.

I'm eager to go see the movie again and very much looking forward to the final book coming out this weekend. I'm going to place my bet that Snape turns out to be one of the good guys and Harry doesn't die. I hope. Fingers crossed.

The Beetle Who Went On His Travels

Ever heard of this Hans Anderson fairy tale? Me neither. But it's the story I'll be telling for my next Toastmaster's speech. I'm working out of the "Storytelling" advanced manual and my first speech project is to "tell a folk tale that is entertaining and interesting." I decided I'd have a better chance of holding everyone's attention if I picked a story hopefully no one is familiar with.

I just started practicing the 7-9 minute speech and it's starting to come together. Storytelling is a lot different--and in my opinion, a lot harder--then straight speech giving. There's more "acting" involved and pace and rhythm take center stage. Right now, I think I sound like I'm talking down to my audience vs. relating a story. Have to work on that before the speech next Wednesday.

So if you come to the door and hear me muttering about beetles, I haven't lost it. I'm just practicing.

Bathroom Graffiti

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That seems to be the attitude of The Green Bean, a coffee house I frequent as they have free wi-fi and will allow you to occupy one of their tables for hours on end with only the purchase of a small coffee. Kind of an artsy place as well, great for the creative spirit.

For the past several years, the Bean has suffered from bathroom graffiti (At least in the ladies room. I can't speak for the men's.) Inked commands to "Love God Now!" countered by the "God is a lie" and "Smoking weed is good for you" agendas.  The scribbling was out of control, with barely an inch of wall space left and "fights" taking place via writings on the wall.

The other week I noted that the Bean had taken action and painted the walls black. Depressing, but I supposed effective to stop the writing. Only they didn't stop there. I discovered today the black wall is actually a chalkboard and they've provided a big basket of thick, colored chalk for the messengers to write away with. I find this a clever way of keeping walls clean (one swipe and an offending message or language is gone) while still satisfying customer desire.

One thing that interests me. Some of the writings on the wall are rather bizarre and I have a hard time picturing the people I see at the Bean as writing them. But who knows what goes on in private when it's just you, a toilet, and a piece of chalk, eh? Power to the people...

Getting the Hang of This Pet Sitting Thing...

Okay, things have improved. I brought the dog in at noon and he, the kitten, and myself all took a little siesta together in the family room. (The kitten fell asleep on my chest with his arms reaching up and circling my neck in a hug. OMG! I am sooo going to miss snuggling with this cat!) Then, since it was so hot, I let the dog stay in which is fortunate because it just poured rain here a few minutes ago. Not having to deal with wet dog is reason enough to be grateful.

When I went back to let the dog out for a quick pee, he had eaten all his food from this morning. I gave him the rest of his mosit food and he gobbled that down too. Yea! Eating dog! The cat was also prowling around so I let her in and she ate her food. Success all around, with the small exception of the kitten who insists on ignoring his food and instead knocks giant kibbles out of the dog's dish to munch on. Go figure.

I have accomplished little today. My mind has been with the animals most of the day. I know I make what should be the simple task of feeding them twice a day into something much bigger than it needs to be, but that's my personality with pets. I am VERY MUCH looking forward to being off the hook for their safety and well being. Two other numbers are stepping up Wednesday and Thursday and then I'm back on duty for Friday.