Confirmation

Monday morning

~I got up early today, for a Monday. I hate it when the clock goes off; I just want to curl up and sleep some more, but once I am actually out of bed, I prefer it if it's early. How contradictory is that? This morning I had to run down to the church and make a correction on a funeral bulletin before it got copied. The funeral is this afternoon, the second in four days. When I was in seminary I dreaded the thought of doing funerals but there is really often something very grace filled in planning and participating in those services.

~It's been very muggy here. Everything feels clammy. Not too hot, but the humidity makes it feel hot. I only got out our two window fans yesterday, because the temperature has stayed mostly in the 70s or low 80s at the most. Having grown up in the south, that doesn't seem too hot to me. We just had a brief (5 minute) shower. The air felt wonderfully cool for a few minutes; I wonder if it will be the kind of shower that clears the air, or if it will turn out to just make it stickier?

~I'm still debating on the camera, but based on people's comments and some further research, I've narrowed my choices down to the Canon XT or the Nikon D40. ETA I just found an Olympus that looks very attractive --the E500--anyone know it? I really want to buy one, but the Kid pointed out to me yesterday that we probably will need to buy another computer soon. He (mostly) uses our almost 5 year old desktop, and he thinks it is developing some problems. And we really can't share a computer--jeez, how spoiled does that sound?!

~Now it is raining while the sun is shining. My mother used to say something funny whenever that happened, "The devil must be beating his wife behind the door." That makes NO sense and I have no idea where it originated, but it's something she learned growing up.

~Yesterday was the last of my four Sundays as a solo priest while the rector is on vacation. I really did enjoy doing the services on my own, and preaching every week, and things went well. The next three Sundays I will be on vacation. This coming weekend I'm going to Seminary City and the City of Brotherly Love (where Elder Son's engagement party will be--actually that is in NJ, but anyway...) and then after a few days back home we're going to Maine--yay! And when we get back from Maine, the Kid will only have a few days before school starts. Where has the summer gone!?

~Somewhere along the line I dropped my Project 365--well, not intentionally, it just sort of happened. But here is a picture for today:

Advice wanted: DSLR owners

~I've wanted a DSLR for a while now. I can't really afford it, but I've been toying with the idea of just biting the bullet and buying it anyway, and next weekend I will be near a very good camera store. The one I've been considering is the Canon Rebel XTi but I know there are other options. So camera owners, tell me what you think. What do you have? What do you like? What should I be considering or need to remember before I buy (if I do)?

Down the rabbit's hole

I had all sort of plans to get caught up on errands and such today. But I slept in a little (til 8:00) and then started reading blogs after I checked my email. You know how you can read one blog and follow a link and then follow another link and then another, and suddenly you really don't remember how you got there? That's what it was like this morning; I was reading really interesting stuff and it was making me think, but when I looked up and it was after noon, I felt a bit like I had fallen down the rabbit's hole.

So I spent the afternoon and evening trying to catch up with the errands and chores, and mostly got them done, although there's still laundry to do, and I owe a friend a phone call.

My vacation starts in two weeks--yay! This week is already shaping up to be much busier than I'd hoped, and my list of things that I MUST GET DONE before I start vacation is getting ever longer. And I'd like to blog some of the stuff besides Harry Potter that has been churning around in my head the last few weeks. We'll see....

Whew!

I'm done--finished about 30 minutes ago. I would've finished sooner except for that pesky business of having to go to work this afternoon.

No critique here. I liked it fine. Maybe I'' be more critical later. But if you want critique, go over to Phantom's. There is a lively thread going on there.

I haven't had a marathon reading session like that since....well, since HP6 came out. What are we going to do now?

One prediction fulfilled--no spoiler!

As I predicted earlier The Kid finished HP7 at 9:15 this morning (having slept from around 4:45 to 7). He says it's worth it.

Back to reading (also as predicted I fell asleep after about 30 pages).

Live blogging from Midnight Madness

It's 9:30 and we're in the cafe at Barnes and Noble. Lots of people here, some in costume. I see a few Harrys, some Hermiones, generic witches and wizards. We brought the Dumbledore costume, but no one has donned it yet.

It's unreal how excited people are about this. On the NYTimes webpage there were pictures of Potter parties all over the place. I wish I were in the city. Apparently in SoHo there is a full scale model of the Whomping Willow, and in Union Squire there is a very realistic looking Hagrid.

I've been thinking about how excited the Kid and his friends are, and I realized that they are the generation that really grew up with Harry Potter. The Kid started reading the books in second grade, and now at 15 he's almost the same age.

It's about 10:20 now and the crowd is still growing. The line to pick up wristbands is very, very long. I'm very glad we got our earlier. We are in the "B" group-the groups go all the way through the alphabet and then into numbers, I think. Could be a very long night for some folks.

I temporarily lost possession of my computer and my table to a gaggle of teenage boys. After wandering around for a while I reclaimed my computer and found a new table. The number of boys at the other table is growing.

I tried listening to JK Rowling, but it's too noisy in here, and I didn't bring any earphones. Next to me a group is playing "Apples to Apples, the HP version" but, honestly it doesn't sound like they are having nearly as much fun as we have when we play Apples to Apples.

At the risk of sounding cranky, it seems to me that B&N could've sprung for some better costumes for their employees. Most of them are pretty lame.

There is someone walking around upstairs who totally has Lucius Malfoy's hair. She really should have dressed up! I'm regretting not getting out my witch costume now, but I think the Kid would have objected to me being that conspicuous. Once we got here it became very clear that I was on my own. I sort of miss being here with a kid --the small k kind.

11:00 now and the costume contest is about to begin.

Just a minute ago two parishioners walked up behind me and my pseudonymous blog. Fortunately, I don't think they really noticed what I had on the computer. I had not foreseen that possibility when I decided to blog here tonight.

Oh, good, I don't have to move to see the costumes...I am reluctant to give up my table in the cafe at this point.

BTW, it's freezing in here!

Apparently the Kid's friend who has my Dumbledore costume decided not to participate in the contest. Too bad, because I think he would've won. But it was mostly younger kids.

Crap. The Kid just called me---he and his friends went outside to get a drink from the drink machine and they won't let them back in. Signing off to see if I can rescue them.

Okay, it's 11:25 and I'm back. They finally let the kids back in after they started lining people up at their stations around the store. I'm letting him stand in line...he has the bracelet anyway. But I only paid for two hours of internet and it will probably be up soon.

This is my third "Midnight Madness, " each at a different location. Again, at the risk of sounding cranky, this one is the least well done of the three. I would've thought with the last book they would've gone all out. Then again, they probably knew they didn't have too.

It turns out the Kid's friend wasn't in the costume contest b/c they were shut out then. Too bad. The prize was getting to get the first book.

I'm so pathetic...I just paid for more internet....it was only $3.99 but still...

A few minutes ago a guy standing behind me said, "Are you blogging this? Cool."

Not sure why they made people get in line 45 minutes before the books will be released. There are a lot of people here, but not so many that it would take that long to get people in line. They just closed the cafe, too. I know it's beyond their regular hours, but they are losing a lot of business.

WHY does it have to be so cold in here?! I have on a long sleeve shirt and jeans, and I'm freezing.

The Harry Potter glasses they are passing out are WHITE. What were they thinking?

Fifteen minutes to go, and it's starting to quiet down.

I'm sure this running commentary is the most boring blog post ever, but it's kind of fun, and I don't have anyone to talk to.

I'm starting to yawn now. I really really want to stay up and read but I know I will fall asleep not long after I sit down....no matter whether I read in the kitchen or the living room or in my bed. That being the case, I might as well go to bed where I'll be comfortable!

Just over 5 minutes to go now! The anticipation is palpable. Will there ever be another book that causes excitement like this?

Two minutes to go!

Okay, the countdown is about to begin, and people are yelling. This is it!!!!

Now how long will it take the Kid to get through the line?

The first people in line just got their books and they are being cheered. But really some people are going to have a pretty long wait. They do have their checkout lines pretty well organized.

It does appear that being a "B" is a distinct advantage. Okay, the Kid wants me to get in line with him; he's worried about using my debit card without me.

UPDATE: 12:45, and we're home with our books. We were out of the store with books in hand by 12:10, and I have to say it was pretty funny watching 3 teenage boys literally running to the car with their books. In the 30 minutes it took us to drop off the friends and get home, the Kid read 32 pages and said "oh holy crap" at least three times.

So I'm off to read now...

The countdown has begun

I spent today writing my sermon so that tomorrow would be free for reading. We've already been to Barnes and Noble to pick up our wristbands; at 6:15 the place was already a zoo. We (me, the Kid and two of his friends) are going back around 9:00. They have suggested that I "live blog" the event. If B&N had free wifi I would, but I don't know how willing I am to pay for that privilege.

I actually have a great Dumbledore costume that I wore a few years ago. I pulled it out and one of the Kid's friends may wear it. If he doesn't, I may. Surprisingly, the Kid didn't seem mortified by the prospect. I could dress at McGonagall, but that outfit just looks more like a plain old witch. I may still do it, though.

We're all such geeks :)

Potter obsessed?

At least I'm consistent ...as seen at APL's What Harry Potter Character are You? Hermione Granger You are a smart and intelligent person. You use your smarts to help out friends. You can be emotional at times but you always seem to be in the mood to help someone out. Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

I'm not really surprised *

*

You scored as Hermione Granger, You're one intelligent witch, but you have a hard time believing it and require constant reassurance. You are a very supportive friend who would do anything and everything to help her friends out. Hermione Granger 75% Severus Snape 65% Remus Lupin 65% Albus Dumbledore 60% Ron Weasley 55% Harry Potter 50% Ginny Weasley 40% Sirius Black 35% Draco Malfoy 35% Lord Voldemort 10% Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com

Hitting my stride

My boss is on vacation! So ever since I came back from Vermont after July 4, I've been on my own. Yesterday was my second solo Sunday, and a number of people quite solicitously asked how I was doing by myself. I appreciate their concern, but the truth is, I like being solo. I will hasten to add that I have not had any pastoral emergencies, and it's a fairly quiet time of year, but that said, I like what I'm doing. I like preaching every week, and I feel like after stretch since Easter when I've felt like my sermons were lackluster, I'm hitting my stride right now. And I like leading the service, presiding at the Eucharist, so doing all three services on the weekend doesn't feel burdensome at all--it feels like a privilege.

Yesterday's main service was "good church"--the kind that felt like we were community, that felt uplifting--good music, good singing, the sermon seemed to go over well, God's presence was palpable. It's not always like that; as a priest I can come away from a service so distracted by the details that I don't feel like I've even been to church. But not yesterday. I'm grateful for those times.

Wotcher, Harry!

1. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite and why?

I can't choose one as a favorite; I really like them all. The first time I read Order of the Phoenix, I thought Harry was way too whiny, but I didn't think that the next time I read it, so I'm not sure that I have a least favorite, either.

2. Which character do you most resemble? Which character would you most like to get to know?

I think I most resemble Hermione or McGonagall. I would really like to get to know Dumbledore.

3. How careful are you about spoilers?
a) bring 'em on--even if I know the destination, the journey's still good
b) eh, I'd rather not know what happens, but I'm not going to commit Avada Kedavra if someone makes a slip
c) I will sequester myself in a geodesic dome to avoid finding anything out.

I may sneak a peek at the end--I've been known to do it before--but I don't want anyone else to tell me.

4. Make one prediction/share one hope about book 7.

I hope that neither Harry, Ron, Hermione, nor Ginny dies. I hope there is a happy ending.

5. Rowling has said she's not planning any prequels or sequels, but are there characters or storylines (past or future) that you would like to see pursued?

I'd like to know more about the prehistory--what was Hogwarts like when Dumbledore and McGonagall were students? And I'd like to know what happens after.....do Ron and Hermione end up together? Harry and Ginny? Who goes back to teach at Hogwarts? What happens to Lupin and Tonks?

Truth be told, whenever I read a book or series in which I really feel engaged with the characters, I want "more" and that's definitely true in this case.

Harry Potter and other stuff

~First things first: Shiny new water heater installed Monday morning. Hot showers resumed. When I was a kid I thought "living in the old days" sounded like so much fun. However, I don't find heating water on the stove to get a warm bath too fun.

~Sunday I preached about the Millennium Development Goals, and it did cross my mind that my taking hot showers for granted was a definite sign of my privileged status in the world.

~The Kid and I saw HP5 tonight. I thought it was really well done considering how much they had to cut out for time. The Kid thinks that they should make 4 hour "geek" versions that leave everything in. I'd watch if they did.

~Our books are preordered (2 of them) and we will be at the bookstore at midnight to pick them up. We've picked up the last three books that way; the Kid may have had his 15 minutes of fame last time. We were at a large Barnes and Noble in Manhattan and he was interviewed and quoted by the NY Times.

~Prognostications are being made all over the internet about what will happen. I only have two things to say: Harry can't die, and Snape is evil. Of course, I could be wrong.

~I will predict that the Kid will have the book finished by mid-Saturday morning. I, on the other hand, can't stay awake that long. I just need to get my sermon written that Friday so I can read all day Saturday.

~I want to know how things turn out, but damn, I really don't want this to be the last book.

No.Hot.Water

~And apparently no plumber either, since he hasn't returned my call.

~Do you know how much I hate this?

~We discovered the lack of hot water this morning when the Kid went to take a shower before going to work.

~Not only is there no hot water, the water heater is dripping on the basement floor. Can't be a good sign.

~The Kid only has to go wash dishes. I have to preach and preside at a Eucharist. So it will be a cold shower for me.

~Sigh.

Back Safe Home Again

~We arrived home from Vermont about 30 minutes ago. It was a longer trip back than there by at least an hour--more traffic, more construction, heavy rain in a couple of spots--but still not a bad trip.

~But I hate it that it always seems depressing to be back here for the first little while. I'll get over it, but after two years here (as of yesterday) I would've thought that this would feel more like home.

~We had a wonderful albeit too brief time in Vermont. Tuesday night we had a picnic by the lake and watched the fireworks. Wednesday Mr. LS, assisted by NSLS, his mom and a host of "grill watchers," cooked an incredible feast. Me, I was out of my element among so many good cooks, so I spent time on the computer downloading and reformatting some of NSLS's wedding pictures. Yesterday we were pretty lazy--did a little shopping and had dinner at our favorite pizza place-which will never be the same, I'm afraid. LD#1 worked at this pizza place through high school and college, and a bit beyond, and we're all attached to it. It will still be there but the owner is moving to Utah in September.

~Today the Kid and I headed home after a stop at our favorite bagel shop to pick up sandwiches for lunch. Both of us have to work this weekend.

~I emptied the ice maker before we left Monday morning, and apparently when I put it back, it didn't slide in all the way, because the freezer door was not quite tightly shut. Argh. Nothing feels really thawed completely, but it definitely wasn't as cold as it should have been and there was a little bit water on the floor. At least there wasn't much in it--frozen dinners mostly.

~Guess I should finish unpacking now, and think about the sermon I need to write.

Happy Fourth of July

On the road

~The Kid and I left home yesterday morning and drove to northern VT to visit LD#2 (known to some of you as NSLS) for the Fourth of July holiday. We'll be here until Friday. I love this part of New England. It still feels like home, even though I moved away five years ago to go to seminary.

~It is chilly in New England....61 degrees as I write (about 9 am). It's chilly where I live, too. I forgot to pack my sweater, so if we're going to watch fireworks tonight I may have to go buy a sweatshirt.

~LD brought some old pictures back from my mother's house...some I don't remember ever seeing and some I haven't seen in years. Oh, the memories! I want to scan them, and if I do, I'll post some.

~I have a whole list of places to go....mostly to get things I can't get where I live, and to some of my favorite places I miss. My main stop today will be the bookstore at the Cathedral. I miss having a bookstore with a serious religion section where I live. I order things on line, but I want to browse...

~LD's in-laws are arriving this afternoon. We are going to have a picnic by the lake and watch fireworks tonight. Should be fun. I got some great pictures last year and I hope I'll get some tonight.

~We were chatting last night while LD and Mr. LS prepared dinner, and the conversation turned to blogs...perhaps some of your ears were burning. Really, it's like you're our neighbors or something. Mr. LS and the Kid, who aren't blog readers, just rolled their eyes.

~I really appreciate everyone's kind comments to my post below. It means a great deal to me.