Solonor's Inkwell

Tuesday night, all four of us went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Yes, we attended a Harry Potter opening. At midnight. During the work week.

“Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops.” – Mortimer Brewster

We arrived at the theater an hour before the movie thinking that we were so late…that there would be a mile long line to stand in. But no! When we got there, the theater was calm and crowd free. Maybe a little busier than it should have been for a late Tuesday night, but no legion of Potter fans camped on the sidewalk.

That’s because they were already inside.

Apparently, the theater decided to just open up way early and let everyone sit. All five screens that they had planned to show it on were completely full. So, we stood in line while they took a “Pirates 3” theater and reeled up Harry. I think they wound up adding 3 theaters.

To start with, if you’re going to go to this movie and whine about the plot, then just go away. I’m as big a book Nazi as they come, but there is no way they could have filmed this huge book and kept everything in precise order without making a 15 hour movie. Yes, there were some things left out that I would like to have seen. Yes, there are some twists of logic that stretch things a bit far. However, none of these things takes away from this being a cool summer ride. I’m not going to talk further about the movie, because it’s only Thursday, and a lot of you haven’t seen it, yet.

Now to the snow day…

For us supposed adults, getting up to go to work after arriving home at 3 AM the night before is fine when you’re 25. When you’re 45…not so much. So, imagine my childlike glee when they called me from the office at 7:30 to tell me that the A/C was broken and that we should stay home!

Why can’t I be this lucky with the lottery?

Of course, that luck only extended to me. My poor spouse and daughter each had to go work an 8 hour day of retail, but this is my blog. Let them go and whine on their own. I got to sleep and play video games all day! Wheeeee!

(I’m so gonna get smacked when they read this.)

Since I was tagged by Dave, by the laws of the mystic order of blogdom I am compelled to share with you these fascinating facts. Get some coffee and try to stay awake, ok? I’m sure I’ve posted more than one of these already at some point.

First, the ritual reading of the rules:

1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don
   

It’s been a packed few days since the Epic Meeting. In the time since last Wednesday, I spent a really good day with a client, had a great time hanging around with my brother in Philly, turned 45, went to see one badass movie, finished “American Gods,” finished a LOTRO quest, laughed until my head exploded playing D&D with my son and his friends, and completed my revised Oscar Do-Overs movie list (not to mention various and sundry things like doing the dishes, cleaning the pool and going to church…well to Sunday school before skipping out…yes, we actually skipped the church service to come home to clean the house to get ready for the arrival of a group of juvenile delinquents to play a game that is the tool of the devil… stop judging me!).

Buzz? Not so evil. Would steal his house, but he said we have to feed his huge family at Thanksgiving. Pass.

Philly? Hot as hell. Still, love walking around the city. Saw a blind woman playing a glass armonica in a Quaker meeting house. Had an actual Philly steak sandwich actually in Philly for the first time. Meh. (To be fair, the line for the good place was around the block, so we popped into a little side shop that probably wasn’t the best.) Got coffee at Old City Coffee. Caffeinated heaven in a paper cup. Will never visit Starbucks again.

Birthday? Went to our favorite Indian restaurant to find it closed for renovations. Found another one down the road that was almost as good and cheaper. Yum!

Die Hard? Not even remotely believable. Loved it. Even the PG-13 cop out, the addition of a dorky partner, a fairly lame cameo by Kevin Smith, the most boring ass crime imaginable (cyberterrorism), and (let’s face it) age couldn’t stop Bruce from kicking ass in an enjoyable fashion. “Mr. Willis’ Wild Ride” is what summer movies are all about.

Just got a call from the globetrotting youngster. She has landed in DC and looks to be on time for arriving home tonight (not holding my breath on that).

We have been experiencing a strange phenomenon here at Casa del Norton. We’re missing her something awful.

I don’t know why, but last time she went on an extended trip, it wasn’t so bad. But this time….holy crap, I can’t wait until that kid’s back home.