What is Fandom?

Fandom is focus. Fandom is obsession. Fandom is insatiable consumption. Fandom is sitting for hours in front of a TV screen a movie screen a computer screen with a comic book or a novel in your lap. Fandom is eyestrain and carpal tunnel syndrome and not enough exercise and staying up way, way past your bedtime.

Fandom is people you don’t tell your mother you’re meeting. Fandom is people in the closet, people out and proud, people in costumes, people in T-shirts with slogans only fifty others would understand. Fandom is a loud dinner conversation scaring the waiter and every table nearby.

Fandom is you in Germany and me in the US and him in Australia and her in Japan. Fandom is a sofabed in New York, a roadtrip to Oxnard, a friend behind a face in London. Fandom talks past timezones and accents and backgrounds. Fandom is conversation. Communication. Contact.

Fandom is drama. Fandom is melodrama. Fandom is high school. Fandom is Snacky’s law and Godwin’s law and Murphy’s law. Fandom is smarter than you. Fandom is stupider than you. Fandom is five arguments over and over and over again. Fandom is the first time you’ve ever had them.

Fandom is female. Fandom is male. Fandom lets female play at being male. Fandom bends gender, straight, gay, prude, promiscuous. Fandom is fantasy. Fandom doesn’t care about norms or taboos or boundaries. Fandom cares too much about norms and taboos and boundaries. Fandom is not real life. Fandom is closer than real life. Fandom knows what you’re really like in the bedroom. Fandom is how you would never, could never, be in the bedroom.

Fandom is shipping, never shipping, het, slash, gen, none of the above, more than the above. Fandom is love for characters you didn’t create. Fandom is recreating the characters you didn’t create. Fandom is appropriation, subversion, dissention. Fandom is adoration, extrapolation, imitation. Fandom is dissection, criticism, interpretation. Fandom is changing, experimenting, attempting.

Fandom is creating. Fandom is drawing, painting, vidding: nine seasons in four minutes of love. Fandom is words, language, authoring. Fandom is essays, stories, betas, parodies, filks, zines, usenet posts, blog posts, message board posts, emails, chats, petitions, wank, concrit, feedback, recs. Fandom is writing for the first time since you were twelve. Fandom is finally calling yourself a writer.

Fandom is signal and response. Fandom is a stranger moving you to tears, anger, laughter. Fandom is you moving a stranger to speak.

Fandom is distraction. Fandom is endangering your job, your grades, your relationships, your bank account. Fandom gets no work done. Fandom is too much work. Fandom was/is just a phase. Fandom could never be just a phase. Fandom is where you found a friend, a sister, a kindred spirit. Fandom is where you found a talent, a love, a reason.

Fandom is where you found yourself.

Post-Potter Depression

I know I'm not the only one out there with Post Potter Depression. This is a story that many of us have grown up with for the past 14 years.

There are millions of people out there that have grown up with this story that are now trying to figure out what next. Yes, some of you out there think it's a bit ridiculous for us to be so torn apart by the fact that it's all over. You think that it's just a movie. You think it's just a book. You think it's just a story.

But it's not.

I remember getting the first book on my seventh birthday. I remember all of the book releases, every midnight premiere. I remember the late nights trying to finish the books before anyone else. I remember locking myself in my room when I was young so people wouldn't spoil the endings for me. I remember all the friends I made in each new school because people would see that I, too, was a Potterhead. I know all the late night conversations trying to decide if Snape was good or evil. I've grown up with Dan, Emma, Rupert, Tom, James, Oliver, Matt and Evanna for the past ten years. I've seen them on Platform 9 and 3/4 until the final scene, sending their own children off to Hogwarts. I've cried with Harry after he lost the only family he has ever known, Sirius. I laughed at all of the ranks pulled by Fred and George. I cheered at Dobby being unintentionally set free by Lucious. I mourned his death, always remembering that Dobby has no masters because he is a free elf. I cried when Dumbeldore died and I refused to give up on Snape. I stood by Snape through everything, I knew he couldn't have been evil. I was overjoyed to be able to prove to people that I was right after reading The Prince's Tale. I was proud of Narcissa for lying to the Dark Lord just for the chance to see her son again. I cheered when Ron and Hermione finally were able to be together. I cheered when Kreacher led the house elves into battle. I cried when Fred, Lupin, Tonks, Colin, Lavender and 50 other students died at the final battle.

So no, this is not just a story. This is the biggest part of my childhood and my life that has just come to an end. That is why there are millions of fans around the world that are mourning the loss of this second family. And to anyone out there wondering why children, teenagers and adults alike are flocking to theaters and cluttering your twitter, facebook, tumblr and whatever else they can with Harry Potter, there is a reason. We are all mourning and celebrating the best 14 years of our life.

"This is it"

"The big one."

"The one we've all been waiting for"

Yes, I do know that is from The Philosopher's Stone before a quidditch match, but this just seems to fit the final movie perfectly. I wont say anything to ruin the movie for anyone out there, but I will say this: It is the most amazing, epic and perfect movie ever.
 
For the most part, I have been pretty pleased with the Potter films. Some have been beyond great, others have been flawed, but this final epic film is easily the best Potter film bar none. It's full of epic sequences, brilliant performances, and it's never short of thrilling. It's one of the most enjoyable films I've seen all summer. Ever really. I honestly believe that it will end up the best movie of the summer. Yates directs this film masterfully. It's always entertaining and completely surprising. It's a true treat for all the people who have been following this franchise since the first film was released. It's definitely sad that it's over, but this is a fantastic way to go out. Harry Potter says good-bye with a bang. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all grown since the first film. They each give their finest performances of their careers. You can truly sense the raw emotion in their performances as they act their hearts out because underneath they knew they'd never visit these characters again. The three young stars leave it all on the table and wear their hearts on their sleeves in this film and it really added a poignant feel to the film. Also, Ralph Fiennes, always chilling as Voldemort goes out with a bang as well. This is arguably his finest Potter hour as well. Everybody behind and in front of the camera were truly on top of their game. Fantastic acting, cinematography and fx. The actors have grown so much, I really think they finally found their comfort zone in this one and the result is an epic conclusion that yanks at your heart in those moments of quiet, but doesn't let you wallow there too long before using simple comedy through the acting to pull you out and back into the action.

What else can I say? If you're a big fan (or casual) of the Potter series, you will truly enjoy this epic and truly stunning final chapter in this exciting franchise. It's one of the best franchises Hollywood has ever seen and this final installment proves it's merit. The Harry Potter franchise was an enjoyable experience and they truly saved the best for last. This is a gem for the hardcore fans, they will surely not be disappointed. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part II is the most impressive Harry Potter film yet as they saved the best for last. It's the closest thing to a masterpiece that we've seen this summer. I'm going to miss you Harry Potter, thanks for a truly incredible ride!

Yes, I came home and re-read the ending. Yes, I cried when Harry was having that final conversation with his passed loved one. Yes, I cried when Snape was killed and we watched his memories. To conclude. It was awesome, emotional, perfectly-paced and there will be nothing like Harry Potter again in my lifetime. Yes, I'm a dork. And I must say, I feel sad and kind of empty now that it has truly ended...

I'm really looking forward to tonight. This week has been... Tough, to say the least. And I'm glad it's going to be over soon. Austin has told me that tonight we're going to get coffee, get a couple bottles of wine, build a blanket fort and have a Harry Potter marathon. He knows how to cheer me up. This is just one of the many reasons I love him. How many other people would be willing to drink wine in a blanket fort and watch Harry Potter? Not many.

14 days, 14 years

As of today, there are only 14 days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II comes out. Yes, I will be seeing it at midnight. Yes, I will cry.

I've grown up with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Luna, Hagrid, Snape and the rest of Hogwarts. The first book came out 14 years ago today. This has been my childhood. I've grown up with all of them, I've seen them grow up. I received the first book on my seventh birthday from my brother, I guess we can all blame him for me turning into a Potterhead. I remember all of the times growing up when I wanted to escape from the life I had and the hand I was dealt that I would grab The Sorcerer's Stone and start from the beginning. Evey time we would move (and being a military child, that was quite frequent), I would read them all again.

And now, the last moving is coming out. I feel like a huge part of my life is over.

Yes, that may seem dumb, but it is what it is. I will always remember growing up as a child with Harry Potter. For those of us that have grown up with Harry, I don't think it will ever be over.

Thank you, J.K. Rowling.

Deathly Hallows Part II

Tickets have been released for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. Don't forget to buy your tickets. I will be going to the midnight showing, you should to. This is a movie you don't want to miss.

Deathly Hallows: Part I

I am so excited! Today, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I comes out on DVD/Blue Ray! I've had mine reordered for months and I can't wait to watch it again! I've been tracking it on UPS, it should arrive sometime today. I had it delivered to work just to make sure I was able to get it today.

And yes, there is a possibility that this is the reason I decided to come to work today.

Day 23: A Youtube Video

Unlike most people these days,  I really don't spend a lot of time looking for Youtube videos. I don't care about the funny cat videos, the people that think they can sing but they can't or any other dumb thing that people post on there. Since I do occasionally watch Tosh.0, I feel like that is enough time wasted on dumb videos.

But, I did find this. And I think its actually pretty great. Its a parody of "Like a G6" and I personally prefer this version over the original.

Day 13: A Fictional Book

I know everyone is expecting me to write about Harry Potter for this one, but I'm going to go a bit older. I'm going with Lord of The Rings.

Yep, Lord of the Rings.

I don't know of anyone out there that doesn't love this classic series. And since I just received my set of the 4-Disk set of all three movies, I decided to go ahead and reread them all. I must say, they are just as wonderful as when I read them for the first time when I was 6. These books are timeless (as I think the Harry Potter series will turn out to be).

Deathly Hallows: Part I (Also, Day 12: Whatever Tickles Your Fancy)

So, I know its been a couple days since I posted, but I wanted to post a quick snippet about "Deathly Hallows". I tried to wait to write a post because I didn't want to give too much away, and I'm going to try not to give anything away here, but I can't promise anything. And to anyone that might complain about spoilers, the books have been finished for several years. There are no spoilers anymore.

Anyways.... The movie starts out with a very ominous feeling and you can just feel the pain and loneliness that all of the characters are feeling. As things start to build, and the action builds very quickly, you get pulled into the story. I was a bit disappointed with the way Mad-Eye's death was handled, but I liked the improvements on Hedwig's. I'm a sucker for the twins, so I must say the Phelps brothers did a fantastic job and brought a bit of humour into the movie that would have left it otherwise quite depressing (which I could have lived with). The wedding was not a big part of the movie, but I'm glad it was included. They didn't have Harry in disguise, but I don't think it detracted from the scene at all. When the wedding received the notice of the Minister of Magic's death, things went crazy.Just as they should have.

Once the trio is on the run and they begin their search for Horcruxes, the movie starts to get slow. When Ron leaves, that's when things get to be a bit too slow (even for me). I understand that that part of the book is a bit slow, but I feel like there should have been more action. There were several scenes they could have added, but they didn't. And that's okay. It happens. When Harry and Hermione head to Godric's Hollow, things pick up again. The scene with Bathilda Bagshot... Creepy. As the story progresses, from here, its all uphill. Things are action packed. And emotional. And absolutely fantastic. When they're at Malfoy Manor, I got chills. And teared up during the torture scene. And the final scenes of the movie, I cried. Like a little kid.

Austin, who has never read any of the books (I know, I'm trying to get him to), loved the movie. There were a few things in the movie that he didn't quite catch the significance of, like the two way mirror and Dobby's death, but he still thought it was a very well done movie and kept up a decent pace. He's been a fan of the movies since Prisoner of Azkaban, so he wasn't too upset about us going to the midnight premiere. He wasn't too happy that he had to work the next day, but even he said it was worth being exhausted.

All in all, I think this was the best movie adaptation so far. And it is just that, an adaptation. Some people complain that the movies don't stick to the movies exactly, but I think that's okay. I think it is fine to change small things, leave certain things out, add something if you think it adds to it (just not to the extent that they did when they butchered Half Blood Prince). I'm now trying to patiently wait for Part II

Deathly Hallows Part I is Tonight!

Austin and I are going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I tonight at midnight! I am very excited to finally see it tonight!! I've been trying to be patient and not get too excited, but come on! Its Harry freakin' Potter! How could I not be excited?!

We're planning on getting semi-dressed up for the midnight showing and we're really looking forward to it tonight. Well, Austin is looking forward to it, just not nearly as much as me... I think he might only be going because I really, really want to. I'll be sure to post pictures of us there, and dressed up, and a review of the movie. I've heard from a couple people that were able to see it early that it is very well done, but be prepared to cry... So I might bring some tissues just in case...

Day 6: Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

Since today I'm supposed to write about whatever tickles my fancy, I figured I would use this as a great time to catch up on everything that has been happening lately.

Well, work has been absolutely crazy lately. Since the year is starting to come to a close, everyone in the office has been trying to work on budgets and calendars and holiday parties and all of that fun end of the year work. I've also come to the realization that I have quite a lot of vacation time left and not much time to take it, so I've been trying to figure out a time when I will actually be able to use my vacation days without completely inconveniencing everyone else. And having to deal with too much make up work. I hate taking a couple days of and then having a mountain of work once I get back...Anyways... Work has been pretty crazy lately.

And then there's all of the wedding stuff...

I've been able to finally pay off our photographer in full, which means I have one less bill to worry about! All $2500 has been completely paid off, with help to Austin's dad. We've got our florist paid in full, my dress is done, 2/3 of my bridesmaids and most of the caterer. I've been pretty stressed out about all of the wedding madness that I thought had to be done and we had to pay for, but I've come to realize that most of what we can do right now is already done.

I've also ordered and received all of our Save the Dates in. We had our engagement pictures taken a little over a month ago and we loved the way all of our pictures turned out. After showing them off to our family and friends, we realized that we wanted to do Save the Dates just for the fact that we could show off all of our pictures. After all, we had all of these great pictures, why not use them for something? So, we looked around on Vistaprint and found a great deal on Save the Date postcards . We were able to get 200 for about $50. Since that was such a fantastic deal, we decided to go ahead and order them and get them sent out by Thanksgiving. (And yes, the "we" I"m referring to here is more "me". Austin really didn't care too much as long as it didn't cost too much.)

I've been working on getting all of our addresses put together so I can make labels for all of our Save the Dates. Then I have to get stamps, which shouldn't be too much for postcards. Another great thing about getting our Save the Dates out is that we will have all of our addresses put together so that will be one less thing for us to worry about before we send out our actual invitations. So consider that two checks, one for our save the dates and one for having all of our addresses together!

On top of the wedding and work, I've also been trying to get things ready for Austin and I to go see Deathly Hallows Part I. Being the wonderful fiance that he is, Austin has agreed to actually get into it and dress up. If we weren't going to the midnight premiere I wouldn't have begged him to dress up, but we are. And he is. So in what little free time I have I've been trying to make a Gryffindor scarf for him to wear. I've also been looking around for a sweater that would pass as being a Hogwarts school uniform. And I finally found something! With less than two weeks to go, I found us sweaters! Now all that's left is for me to find a cute pleated, gray skirt....

Deathly Hallows

I just bought Austin and I tickets to see "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I". We are going to be able to go see it at midnight. I am sooo excited! This is the final book, thankfully split into two movies, and I'm sad to see it coming to an end.

Get Him to the Greek

This past weekend, Austin and I watched "Get Him to the Greek". It was a hilarious movie that I recommend to everyone out there. Its not quite a sequel to "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", in the sense that it follows Aldous Snow and his journey. Russell Brand is a genius of comedy, as is Jonah Hill. Oh, and P. Diddy is in it. And Aziz Anasari has a small role in it. And who doesn't love his stand up or his role on Parks & Rec? And Tom Felton has a cameo appearance.  Anyone that has met me, or followed me on Twitter, knows I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and an even bigger Tom Felton fan. So seeing Tom play himself in an already hilarious movie was the icing on the cake.

So I guess my point here is this: Go see "Get Him to the Greek". Now. You wont regret it.