On House Affiliations

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me what I would do if I was sorted into a House other than Hufflepuff in Pottermore. My response at the time was, "I've always believed I had at least some of the other Houses in me as well. So nothing will stop me from feeling like a 'Puff. Not even if I end up in a different House on Pottermore. It'll just be another House to be associated with more strongly. To be frank, it's going to be the most accurate House quiz because it's from JKR, but it's not going to be a substitute for her knowing me and for me knowing myself. I am and will always be a Hufflepuff in my heart."

I finally got to spend enough time on Pottermore (without it being out of commision for once!) to get sorted. Here's the thing - I wasn't sorted into Hufflepuff. I have indeed been sorted into Gryffindor.

Chapter 1: The Rise of the eReader

View the introduction and prologue here

When eReaders were first announced, I was intrigued. I had no particular desire to own one, but I certainly had an interest in playing with one to see what they were all about. This was made difficult by the fact that the only well-known eReader on the market was the Amazon Kindle. Since Amazon is a purely online company, there were no brick and mortar locations for me to drop by to see what this Kindle thing was all about. Despite that, I continued to keep an eye on the progress of the Kindle, reading about updates, improvements, and (after not too long) the rising competition. The only real draw these eReaders seemed to have for me was the fact that I could put so many books on it at once (there was also the little gremlin in the back of my mind jumping around shouting, "New gadget! New gadget!" in a shrill voice). All the eReaders I had seen at that point seemed a bit on the bulky side (with a surprisingly small screen), none of them looked attractive to me, and I didn't even want to think about the prices on them. The e-ink display was intriguing, but I'd have to see it to believe it and, as already discussed, that just wasn't an option.

After a while, I think the aforementioned gremlin in my mind worked his way forward enough to convince me that I should assemble an Amazon Wish List containing a Kindle and all the accessories that appealed to me or seemed necessary.

Introducing a Short Series

As many people already know, I recently purchased a Barnes & Noble Nook eReader, which I absolutely adore. Not long ago, I read a short article titled something along the lines of "An Avid Reader Who Loves His Kindle More Than His Real Books". While that is certainly not the actual title, it is reminiscent. After reading that, I felt inspired to write up my own story of why I love my Nook so much for my blog. To say the least, I got a little carried away and now I have quite a long story. Due to its length, I've decided to release it in pieces. Today I present.... the Prologue.

Why I Love Felicity (My Barnes & Noble Nook eReader): A Short Story

Prologue: Why I Love Physical Books
In recent years, since eReaders grew in popularity, I've noticed a development in the book industry. Publishers have been forced to offer their books in a new form: eBooks. Welcome to the digital age. Now the consumers have the option between physical books and eBooks. Note that I carefully avoid referring to the physical books as "real." I believe this would leave the idea, somewhere in your mind, that I consider eBooks as less than real or less than adequate. Since this is the exact opposite of what I'm trying to get across, I want to make the distinction clear. To some, the choice is simple - they love the physical books too well to give in to the digital age. I want you to understand just how much I, too, love physical copies of books before I explain to you why I love my eReader so much.

I'm one of those people who will walk into a used bookstore just so I can breathe in the scent of books that have been handled by no-one-knows for however many years, picking up dust, absorbing the scents of the houses they have lived in, and, without exception, becoming the perfect blend of age and wisdom. Before you ask, the answer is yes. I am still discussing how I perceive the smell of books.

LeakyCon To Do List:

• Make cds for people
• Get carry-on luggage from Grandma's
• Make cookies (unnecessary)
• Write down all the times and places I'm meeting people
• Do my laundry
• Make gifts for two individuals who may see this, so I can't say what
• Make more powerpoints for the HPA (unnecessary)
• Get final touches done on WRPCA winner envelopes/cards
• Pre-order live Wrock album from Leaky (save for later)
• Maybe register for the Michael Goldenberg or Hottttt Cheryl keynotes (unnecessary)
• Take a minute to breathe
• Complete at least these two projects at work before leaving
• Pack my bags
• Not forget anything (I think!!!)
• Gear myself up for being on a panel with some majorly amazing people
• Not be a bumbling idiot on the panel
• Make copies of Pat Hull albums for James
• Make a list of all the things I'm picking up for other people (get something signed for Chan, and I'm sure there's more!)

I'm sure there's more. I should have made a list like this much sooner. *facepalm*

I'm Awesome(ly Nerdy)!

So... the other day, there was a random reference to Pokemon by James. This reminded me of how I used to collect Pokemon cards when I was in middle school and then again not long after I started at University. Tonight, I looked over and saw the cabinet in which I have stored these items for the past couple years, taking them out to reminisce over every so often.

So I opened it and started giggling, looking at all that filled it. I had forgotten just how much I enjoy these little things in my life. I started pulling things out, looking through my toys one sort at a time. I started with my Pokemon cards. I have a rather large binder filled with them. I have a couple long cardboard boxes filled with more. I have a couple decks that I had built in individual cases. I have more just stashed around that didn't fit anywhere else. What I had nearly forgotten about, however, were my "special" Pokemon cards. Well, they're special to me. I once saw on eBay, an unopened box of 1st Edition base set cards... wait for it ...in German! I bought it and had more fun opening those booster packs than I had ever had in the past! I now have almost the entire base set in German but for a few cards that happened to not be in that box. Additionally, I had purchased a couple starter decks in German... both from the Fossil set.

To continue, I next took a quick peek at my old Magic cards. I don't have many, but it gave me a good laugh at how I got many of them. You see, I had a Swamp deck back in my day. I didn't have many cards and wanted to make my deck better, so I went around to my brothers and step brother to see if they wanted to give me any. My step brother, in particular, was very helpful. He had a bunch scattered in his desk drawer. Of course, it turned out that he used to stash is illicit green smoking substances (XD) in that drawer. So I ended up with a ton of cards that smelled strongly of marijuana. Cracked me up.

Anyways, so then it was time to look through my Harry Potter TCG cards. I have a binder filled with some from each set I have (my old 'Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion' binder with a Potterpuff image on the cover). In addition, I have a two player starter set, an old box from the Diagon Alley set, my own deck (Quidditch and Potions headed by Oliver Wood), and a slew of unopened booster packs!

I have officially decided that I will not yet open these booster packs but wait until one of two things: either LeakyCon or when James comes to visit (hopefully with Christie in tow for the weekend!). Either way, it will be so much more fun with friends who are as crazy about HP fun as I am and I'm already excited!

So the whole time I was going through these things of mine, I kept thinking to myself, "I'm awesome! I love this stuff! How can that not be awesome!?"

If you'd like to look at many more pictures of these things, check out the album here!

WonderCon '09

A week ago, I went with a few friends down to San Francisco to attend my first convention - WonderCon. Let me just say it... freaking awesome day! I met people I admire, people I love as actors, and people whose comics I enjoy. I also found out about various comics, music, and other such nerdy things that I would love to learn more about!

We got to the con a bit later than we had hoped. Christie and Mojo were already inside and waiting in line to meet Felicia Day. They said the line was already cut off and she was supposed to leave soon, so I ran and snuck into line with them. Terrible, I know... but the fact that Felicia Day was there and doing that signing was the number 1 reason I went down there in the first place. While we were in line, Mojo pointed out Kim Evey, the producer of The Guild. He, being an employee at PAX, knew her and introduced Christie and I briefly. Then it was time to meet Felicia Day. They were sold out of Dr. Horrible DVDs, so I had to satisfy myself with just The Guild instead of the pair. Felicia Day signed it and chatted with Christie and I. She is totally down to earth and extremely fun to chat with. Great times!

Next on the list was Adam Baldwin. Oh Adam Baldwin. I can't deny that he's amazing. A great actor playing a phenomenal character in Firefly and Serenity. Gotta love him. When I first got up to him, I was a bit worried that I would be disappointed when I met him - that he would be rude or apathetic. And at first I thought my fears were manifesting themselves. But in the end, Adam Baldwin was just a stand up guy who was extremely pleasant and nice. It was a rare pleasure to have the opportunity to meet two people I admire so much as actors and have them both turn out to be just great!

After Adam Baldwin, I decided to do a bit of wandering. I came across a ton of comic book writers and artists. Really just anyone and everyone who wanted to spread the word of their work and hopefully make a sale or two. As I was wandering, I would stop whenever something was at all intriguing to me and have a chat with the people behind the tables. In the end, I had a ton of great conversations with people, artists, and writers. Some of them were just so excited to have someone so much as talk with them, it was pretty hilarious. I think they just sit behind those tables all day long for three days and have hardly anyone actually stop and talk to them. So in the end, it turned out very well because a few of them were just so grateful they even gave me free stuff. One woman, after telling me about her book when I asked, decided that she had a feeling about me. As I was walking off she called me back saying, "Wait a minute! I have a feeling about you. I just have this feeling." At that moment, she grabbed a copy of her book, asked me how to spell my name and signed it to me. I have been reading Watchmen so I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but once I have, I've promised to email her and tell her my thoughts. I want to send anyone interested toward her site, though. She was just so nice! The book is called Fortress and you should totally check her site.

In addition, I got to meet Ted Naifeh, the writer of the Courtney Crumrin graphic novels. I had no idea he would be there, and when I saw him selling some original artwork, it was all I could do to walk away without the intention of finding one of my friends to borrow a bit more money from. Sadly, he wasn't as nice as I would hope - more interested in making a sale than talking. Once I told him I didn't have money but I greatly enjoyed the Courtney Crumrin stories, he just lost interest in me entirely. He did have little things to hand out for free and was nice enough to sign one for me anyway... so at least there was that much, right? Better than nothing, I guess. Like I said, though... he had some original artwork there and I wanted some of it so badly. I guess I'll just have to wait until the next time he's at a con or something of the sort nearby and I can afford to spend a little extra cash on it.

Anyway, other than all that, it was mostly hanging out with friends, attending a couple panels, and just having a generally good time. I can't wait until the next con, to say the least! PAX, here I come!