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calikatnindiana- July 22nd, 2007
Let me start with saying that I had been planning to attend several functions this week- the celebration of a colleague's change in employment, a bridal shower for a friend, several work appts, but most importantly, for the last three weeks I have been planning to attend the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow's release party at Fourth Street Live, much to the horrification of friends and work colleagues.... I had written it on my calendar at home, my planner for work and the calendar I keep above my desk.... this event became a focal point in the last weeks- something to look forward to and anticipate as I struggled through the daily grind and often grinding moments of my life of late..... I spoke about it to anyone and everyone who would listen- often hearing names like "geek, nerd and dork" in response to my enthusiasm.... I cleared events from my weekend to allow me ample reading time- telling family and friends not to call until Sunday afternoon so I wouldn't be interrupted, refusing invitations out Friday and Saturday.... you get the picture, right? He who must not be named struck late Tuesday night- my foot was broken by a tantrum and a falling table top lateTuesday night. Being the spendthrift I am, I decided to wait until Wednesday morning to go the dr because it would save me $70!! (And I hoped that the crushing pain in my left foot would be gone, thus negating the need to go OR possibly mess up my plans!!!) The dr.told me to keep my foot elevated and non-weight bearing then put me off work until Tuesday the 24th, and on crutches for "several weeks." I have to make a follow up appt with my primary doctor to get the full x-ray report but at the time, the dr said I fractured the bone in the middle of my left foot vertically down the bone and probably broken several bones in my big toe and the ball of my foot. The dr gave me a WONDERFULLY fashion conscious navy blue and white open toe sandal and spiffy crutches.... Oh and pain medication that doesn't help at all.... My reaction? "Crap! How am I supposed to get my Harry Potter book Friday night???" Yeah, it was logical right? Anyway- I went home and notified the guilty party and began plotting ways to get my harry potter book! By mid afternoon, it was pretty obvious by the pain radiating from my foot, that there was no way I'd be attending the Fourth Street release.... I toyed with punishing the guilty party by making him go instead but knew that probably wouldn't work.... By evening, I was totally depressed... In desperation, I logged onto Amazon, praying they were still taking orders to be delivered on the 21st. (I KNOW!! Completely unrealistic, but did I mention the pain meds weren't working so my brain was not rationalizing well.... or rather, maybe is was rationalizing too well???) They weren't.... I threw a bit of a tantrum, calling the guilty party several unsavory names and accusing him of plotting against me, hurting me on purpose to stop my attendance!! (As I mentioned, I wasn't thinking rationally...) As depression set in, I opened my email to spew my anger and hurt to the only person who truly understands me (thank you Washte for not laughing at me).... Half-heartedly I scanned my email, looking for something from a real person, not a mailer or e-letter or what have you.... Nothing- no one cared.... Did I mention I was feeling a bit sorry for myself?? I laughed as I noticed a missive from Amazon waiting for me.... "Great, rub it my face that the whole world will be reading Harry Potter Saturday morning and I will the only one, leg elevated because someone couldn't handle the puppy being on the couch, NOT reading this book!! SO NOT RIGHT!!!" Debating as to trashing it without opening or not, I decided to torment myself by reading any detail I could about the upcoming book- I opened it.... "....courtesy email stating that your book is being readied for shipment..." 'What book? I haven't ordered anything from Amazon...' Scrolling down the page, searching for the name of the book, my heart stuttered.... my eyes widened.... "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? But, I cancelled that when I decided to attend the release party....didn't I???" Hoping against hope, fingers trembling, I clicked the link.... taking me BACK to the Amazon page.... I searched my account page... no mention of this book.... frustrated, feeling as if I have been struck by a death eater's curse- I called the customer service line.... DAMMITT!!! CLOSED!!?? How can they be closed??? Do they not realize what is at stake here??? I continue clicking through account settings, hoping, searching... I can find nothing to give me hope, nothing to dash my hopes either.... Frustrated, I shut down the computer, scowl at the guilty party and hop (yes, literally) to bed.... In the days to come, Amazon's customer service lines are continually busy, offering no solace- neither does another email appear or that magical link stating "yes Renee, you really are going to receive the Harry Potter book despite the death blow to your foot and well-planned weekend..." My hopes rise, despite the rational part of my braining saying, "you know it won't really be here.... it was a mistake...." Friday, continuing to struggle with the events of this week and my inability to attend the release party, I notice a strange charge in my bank statement online.... from Amazon..... Could it be??? Still, no answers on the website or by customer service.... I struggled through the evening, watching the Potter-mania unfold on T.V. before me, being unable to participate..... The guilty one attempted to distract me several times only to receive scathing looks and bitter replies..... Midnight dawned.... no owl miraculously or magically delivered my book.... disappointed, again, I hopped to bed.....scowling at the guilty one- thoughts of Crucio ringing in my head as I watched him slip carefree into the bed and off to sleep.... Saturday- suspended between the depths of dispair and the Olympus heights of hope, I waited for the mail appear.... would it be here?? Amazon is not known for delivering on time for release dates- at least, not for me..... "did you check the mail? What do you mean??? Go check???" I realize 8 a.m. is rather early for mail delivery but, it could happen right??? Damn!! not yet.... 9 a.m., 10 a.m. still no mail.... frustrated, I turn on the TV- Potter-mania in full swing.... station upon station showing kids and adults camped out with their books, voraciously reading.... I growl in frustration.... where is the mail??? 3 p.m. my son is asking to leave the house to work on a friend's car and then go to work.... 'Who will check the mail for me?? What if my book comes and I cannot get out there to get it??' My loving and favorite son, understanding his mother's pain and anticipation, brought in the mail.... underneath it all, a box- white with gold and black writing- a notice to all muggles.... MUGGLES??? I jumped from my chair- only to crumple back into it in tears, cursing myself for standing on a broken foot.... "Give it to me!! My precious...." I stroke the box lovingly, with tears in my eye... "thank you son.... you may go..." His response.... "Yeah, okay Mom.... " I call everyone, changing my plans of self-pity for the evening to one of celebration and reading.... I wait until the house is empty, the phones silent.... I remove the tape from the box, peeling the cardboard away to reveal the golden, illustrated box sealed inside.... my heart raced.... hands shaking, I slowly removed the book from it's plastic encased box.... gently removing the cover, I note the beautifully illustrated picture of Harry, Hermoine and Ron atop a dragon before bending the cover to leaf through the opening pages.... I struggle not to leap to the end and reveal all in my impatience to know the truth.... "Is Dumbledore really dead? Will Sirius come back?? Is Snape really evil??? Will Hermoine FINALLY kiss Ron?????" Once begun, I spent all night reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Breaking finally at 645 a.m. to sleep for several hours so I could finish the last four chapters at leisure after processing the twists and turns....
All I can say, WOW!!! But I'm sad it's over.... and I hope the movies do the final books justice.... I was a bit disappointed with how much was left out and unexplained by the last movie..... Samantha is reading the book now.... Frnbear and my Mom have dibbs on the book next....
No spoilers here.....
'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure.... '
sympathetic
chipper
geeky
creative
confused