Revised Column about Harry Potter

HED: Harry Potter Mania


DEK: J.K. Rowling has turned our world upside down.

BYLINE: Jamie York

WORDCOUNT: 482

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The inspiration for this column came this weekend at a Harry Potter marathon with a bunch of friends. Unlike my friends, I have never read the books, only seen and loved the movies. My mom would not let me read them as a kid because of the witchcraft. Apparently, I was the only kid who listened to her mother. Anyway, we are watching the first movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, when Hedwig, Harry’s owl, came on the screen. Everyone in the room in unison says “Poor Hedwig.” Then they turn to me. I say nothing. My friend closest to me, Jim, says, “Oh yeah, you haven’t read the books. You’re so lost.” The whole room begins to chuckle.

I don’t find it funny because this is not the first offense. Every day that the Harry Potter premiere gets closer, the more they taunt me. They have little inside jokes about the books that they love to rub in my face. Jim once told me that they were the best books ever and I am missing out. Now, I am not saying all Harry Potter fans are this cruel; just some fans. It astonishes me that they make fun of me for not having read the holy book series. When did reading become cool?

Reading wasn’t always cool. I remember being called a nerd for always having a book on hand. Now I am being made fun of for not reading. It doesn’t stop there, though. Harry Potter has created a mania. My friends have wands and know several spells. They started a club called The Circle of Wands. They were sorted into their houses, chose their wands, and even decided what their patronus animals would be. I personally would pick a howler monkey. Even though this club seems a bit much, they have a waiting list of more than 60 people dying to get in.

All of this brings me to my point. When did the majority become nerdy? Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact people are actually reading, but the fan base has never been this huge for a book. The minority used to be the geeky kids, myself included, who loved books. I would live in my school’s library after school. Now, my friends and I are going four hours early to get a good seat for the midnight premiere this Thursday. Furthermore, fans will be dressed in their Harry Potter apparel to show their devotion. I will be wearing a muggle shirt which seems befitting. When did dressing up, other than at sporting events and Halloween, become the norm? J.K. Rowling has made being nerdy not just acceptable, but in.

All in all, the Harry Potter mania has defied the odds and become all the rage. I say that’s wonderful, but for the few of you who are like me, the taunted outsiders, hold your ticket high and wear your t-shirts proud. Remember, they are more likely to be disappointed than you are.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Hi Everyone,
Well this is my last post and it just happens to be the last episode of Glee (funny how things work out). This episode was one of my favorite of the season. I don't think it was a good way to end this half of the season, but it did leave on a good note. Here are my final bullet points:

• I loved the Grinch references throughout the episode. Sue made a great Grinch. I laughed when she was dressed as the Grinch. You got to love her on this show. She is the Grinch in a sense; mean to everyone, but really cares about others. I loved the way they ended it with her spending Christmas Eve with Will and the Glee Club.
• I love that Brittany still believes in Santa Claus. I'm with Artie; I would still like to have that child-like innocence and belief. Speaking of Artie, he is a great boyfriend. He was so mean to Tina, but with Brittany, he is a great guy. He went to such great lengths to give Brittany a great Christmas. He is such a sweetheart.
• I love Coach Beiste. I want to know some one like her. She is so cool. Not only does she go see Brittany to help out Artie, but she buys Artie that device to help him walk. She really is a Santa because she is so selfless. She made me cry. I want her to have a bigger role on the show.
• I want to punch Finn. He is so stupid. I'm wondering if Rachel and Finn are doomed to keep this  love/hate relationship going because it is starting to get really annoying. Also, I think Jessie will come back. It's just a guess, but I'm pretty sure about it.
• As for the songs this week, I loved them. I'm a little biased though because I love Christmas and I have been listening to Christmas music nonstop since Black Friday. I like the song Kurt and Blaine sang. It was so cute. I also really liked Rachel's songs to Finn. My favorite songs, though, were the ones from the Grinch. I love the Who Song that they sang in the teacher's lounge. I touched my heart. Their song choices were great this week.

All in all, it was great episode. It didn't really end this half of the season, but it left the audience feeling really good about the show. I will miss the show until it starts up again in the Spring. Thank you to everyone for always saying such great things about my blog. I will miss our class.

Here are two of the music performances from this episode:





I do not own the rights to these videos or picture.

Who Could Have Predicted a Tie?

Well, this was an interesting episode for glee and I am just going to take it character by character.

• I don't think Kurt is going to last at his new school. Sure there is acceptance, but Kurt cannot really express himself. His wardrobe is the same everyday. He was discouraged from being dramatic in his music. Plus, he does not have a voice in the new glee club. His new glee club is so strict and reformed. Kurt needs the crazy New Directions.
• I was proud of Rachel and Kurt this week. I love their friendship and they would be great friends. They really need each other and I hope they don't lose that.
• I really am starting to dislike Finn's character and I am more mad at him than Rachel. Yes, she shouldn't have made out with Puck, but let us examine everything Finn has put her through. Beginning of season one, Finn was with Quinn, but kept stringing Rachel along. When they are both single, he decided he did not want Rachel, but in the same show, he decided he did want her only because she was no longer available. Throughout the rest of the season, he kept trying to break Rachel and Jessie up by claiming he loved her, but slept with Santana. Now, Rachel finds out that Finn lied to her about his virginity, but forgives him. Rachel screws up though and its over. He is becoming too frustrating.
• I was really upset with the glee cast. I know they were suppose to be acting selfish, but it seems like they have been doing that all season. Without Kurt to give them a cause to fight for, they are not united. They all like a bunch of spoiled brats.
• I'm kind of glad that Emma married Carl. He is really good for her. At the end, though, she didn't look happy when she was hugging him. I know it will be bad for Mr. Schu, but I have a prediction. I think Terri is going to be pregnant. This is just a shot in the dark, but I could see the show going that way. I really hope not.
• As for the songs this week, they were pretty good. I didn't care for "Hey Soul Sister." It seemed really stiff which is how I am starting to see that group. I didn't really care for "Valerie" although the dancing was good. I did like "Dog Days Are Over" and "Time of My Life." I like when Quinn and Sam sing together, but New Directions needs to find a new way of entering besides down the aisle, serenading each other. The final song was a lot of fun. It was not a great sectional set-up like normal, but still entertaining.

All in all, it was a pretty decent show. I thought that it was the last episode, but apparently not. They are doing a Christmas episode (explaining the Christmas cd) and I am excited because I love Christmas. However, I don't think it will be a good end to this half of the season. They probably should have done it before this episode. I could be wrong though. We will see.
 If you missed this week's episode, here is the Glee-Wind:


I do not claim the photo or video.

Weddings All Around

Hi Everyone. I'm sorry I am just now writing about Glee, but it has been a crazy week. I will do my best to rehash this week.

• Sue was great this week. Only Sue would marry herself. Plus, her wedding dress was perfect for her. It was very Sue. Carol Brunett and Sue were a great duo on this show. Also, I love how great she has been to Kurt. Even though she gives him nicknames, she really does care about him. She gave up ultimate power (in a high school) to help him catch the bully. She is so great.
• It was only a matter of time before Kurt and Finn's parents got married. I loved their wedding. I want to sing and dance down the aisle at my own wedding. It is perfect because no one can complain about my (makes dogs not only howl, but kill over) singing and (that is way too white) dancing. Their wedding just looked like a lot of fun to make.
• Sam was so cute this week. His speech to Quinn when he gave her the promise ring was perfect. My heart melted. He is too cute. I love them as a couple.
• I was so proud of the boys this week. All of the boys, except Finn, really stood up Kurt. Finn did get his act together in the end and showed Kurt that he was happy to be his brother. The boys on the show have really matured. They're a family now.
• I wish Kurt wasn't transferring schools. I know it wouldn't be fair of the glee club to ask him to stay, but the glee club will not be the same without him. I hope he comes back.
• Finally, the songs this week were pretty good. I liked all the music the glee cast sang. Sue and her mom's song was a little weird; not a huge fan. Finally, Mr. Schu singing Sway was really sexy. All in all, not a bad group of songs.

So, this week was pretty good; it was not one of my favorites, but still pretty good. I think next week is the last episode. I am a bad person because I found a performance for next week's episode. To make you all bad people too, I posted it below. Enjoy.



I do not claim rights to this video or picture.

Singin' in the Rain 2010

Glee was a great episode this week; not as great as last week, but still pretty good.

• First of all, I love Gwyneth Paltrow. She was great in this episode. She was good for the kids, at times a bit much, but still pretty awesome. Anybody else want some sparks between her and Mr. Schu? I really like Emma with John Stamos and I am not sure if I want her to leave him for Will. I'd like to see Will and Holly try it at least.
• Sue is the principal! I can't decide if this is going to be terrible or good. I think terrible is more likely, but Sue does show her caring side every now and again. Also, I love Coach Beiste. She is going to be the one to bring Sue down a few pegs, not Will. Anyway, Sue as the principal is going to be interesting.
• Will should not have slept with his ex-wife. She is a few steps from killing him in his sleep. She is crazy and this probably put her closer to the edge. We haven't seen the last of her.
• Holly Holiday's way of teaching is interesting. I don't know if I would have liked her as a teacher when I was in high school. I definitely would have thought that she was nuts. I don't think my school would have even hired her. We were a no nonsense kind of school. Maybe we needed a teacher like her to change that.
• Finally, I did enjoy the songs this episode. I liked "Forget You" (not the real title which I will not write). I also love Chicago, but that wasn't my favorite song from that musical. My favorites, though, were "Make 'Em Laugh" and "Singing In the Rain/Umbrella." Singing in the Rain is one of my favorite musicals. I thought that the last song was a nice mash-up of a contemporary and a classic.

All in all, it was a pretty good episode; not one of my favorites, but still pretty good. I can't wait for next week.

Here is a link to this week's episode

Here is a clip of "Forget You"



I do not own the rights to these videos or pictures.

I Knew Sam Wasn't Gay!

As you can tell from my title I am pretty excited about this week's Glee episode. This week's episode surprised me and made me so happy with Glee again.

• I knew it; I knew it. Sam isn't gay. There was a lot of debate about Sam's sexuality, but this week's episode silenced all suspicions. Not only did Kurt's real love interest enter the picture, but Sam's problem while making-out with Quinn confirms that the boy is straight.
• I love Blaine. He is nice, confident, and really cute. Figures; a guy worth fawning over and he is gay. Anyway, he is so good for Kurt. Kurt not only needs a boyfriend, but a friend to help him in his high school Hell. My only worry is that Kurt will want to transfer schools. Blaine talked him out of it for now, but who knows what will happen later in the show. All in all, I really want this couple to work.
• Speaking of Kurt's love life, I feel terrible for him. His first kiss was with a guy that can't cope with the fact that he is gay and so he takes it out on Kurt. A first kiss is special and unforgettable. Luckily, he has Blaine to comfort him.
• Poor Coach Beiste. She is so nice. I feel so bad for her that they would use her as cold shower of sorts. I am so happy with Will this week though. That was so wonderful of him to kiss her. I was afraid she might take it the wrong way, but I'm glad she saw that he did it as her friend. I really like their friendship on the show.
• I enjoyed Artie and Puck's story this week. Artie is becoming a stronger character. Puck isn't a bad guy, he just needs Artie to turn him around.
• Has anybody else noticed that everyone in the glee club is either dating or likes another member. For example: Rachel and Finn, Sam and Quinn, Mike and Tina, Artie and Brittany, Santana and Puck. The only two not together are Kurt and Mercedes. Kurt is gay and has is love interest. Poor Mercedes is just out of luck.
• Finally, even though they only did four songs, the songs this week rocked. I loved both the girl's and boy's mash-ups. The girl's performance made me want to get some leather pants and rock out (I do not own any). The boy's performance was so sweet. "Teenage Dream" had to be my favorite though. That was so smooth and sexy. I want to here more from this group. I was so happy with them this week.

All in all, Glee really impressed me this week. They surprised me this week in a good way. It feels like last season. Glee is making its way back to being great.

Here is the song "Teenage Dream" from the show this week. It was one of the sexiest performance this season. Again, sorry if the video is really big. I have given up trying to fix that.


Here, also, is the video for next week's show. It looks to be another good episode.

Glee Review

Seeing as there wasn't an episode of Glee this week and following our last assignment, I am going to give a review of Glee so far. As you can always assume, I am going to use bullet points.

• Mr. Schu is a very annoying character this season. Is it bad to say that I really don't care about his story anymore because he seems to be going through an early mid-life crisis. I really can't sympathize with his character.
• Rachel and Finn don't have much drama this season. I can't decide if I like that or not. I do want Rachel to sing more ballads. She has such a great voice and I want to hear more of it.
• On the positive side, Sue is her usual offensive, hilarious self. She makes the show for me right now. I really want her to sing again. We need more Sue.
• Kurt is really angry this season. He has a lot going on, but I feel like he is always depressed. On the other side, he is the only character that continues to give great vocal performances. I love hearing him sing.
• All in all, as for the plot, I feel like that they are trying to give too many characters the spotlight. No one seems to be the star right now and its driving me insane. I think that the other characters do need some time, but the focus should remain on Rachel, Finn, and even Kurt (just because I love him). I do like Quinn and Sam's story, but as for everyone else, it gets overwhelming at times.
• Finally, the music for this season has been just alright. A couple of songs have been pretty good (example: Kurt and Rachel's duet "Get Happy," "Lucky," and "Sing!"), but when I am listening to the cd, I know that there will be several I skip. They are just not giving knock-out, amazing performances.

All in all, Glee for me gets a B. I still will religiously watch the show every week, but I am not too pleased with this season. I am still waiting for the wow factor and I really hope that they manage to do that soon.

For Fun: I found these videos the other day thanks to MTV News. They are funny musical "glee-caps". Here is the "glee-cap" for the Rocky Horror Picture Show Episode:

MTV Shows

For the other glee-caps, go to: MTV Glee-Caps