From the Camera Phone of a Pensive Pollyanna: Harry Potter Weekend

(There are pictures at the end!)
Although the weekend wore me to a frazzle, I really enjoyed my July weekend off. I drove to Austin so I could join Abbey, Bryant, and the Speirs in watching the final opening night of any Harry Potter movie. I had a great time for many reasons. Firstly, I got to be at another midnight showing! If you've never been to one, you're missing out on something. There is just something in the air at these shows. One of the most fun aspects of these midnight showings is the fact that those of us who show up for these late night movies are the craziest and most loyal of fans. I Imagine that perhaps 50+% of the midnight attendees were dressed in costume. I was--in fact--dressed as a Gryffindor girl myself, complete with tartan skirt (with matching hair bow), knee high socks, white button down shirt, and Gryffindor tie. I will admit that I'm way too old to actually be a school girl, but the fun is in the dressing up and the pretending and the being with like-minded friends. And believe me--my friends are like-minded. Have I ever told y'all that my 37th birthday party was a Harry Potter costume party? It was grand--as was last Thursday evening.
Some of the people at Thursday's movie had really creative costume design. I saw Fleur, Luna with the lion head, a snitch, Professor Snape, and I'm pretty sure that one young man was dressed up as Angelina Johnson. I like that someone thought of her because--though she is a minor character--I always thought she was kinda cool, yeah?
I got into line at 8:30. I intended to go to the church building to change. I figured I'd have a better chance of "prettying up" there than in the bathroom of a restaurant. I decided to check out the lines at the theatre first and saw that they were already wrapped around to the old Borders book store, so I nixed the idea of changing at the church building. Ghengis Grill's dressing room served as my dressing room!
I waited in line for a few hours 'til anyone showed up. You know me, though--I made some friends. I love talking with people who also love the HP world! We always have the best time. Bryant and Abbey showed up maybe about ten-ish and soon after they arrived, the lines started moving. We got inside and found great seats and had plenty of time to relax.
The movie was FANtastic! I really enjoyed it. I loved the acting. Rupert really looked like he was devasted over the death of Fred. One thing I wished they'd done the tiniest bit better was the Ron/Hermione kiss. You could see neither of their faces. His hair was in the way! No showing of emotion between them. I mean--come on! We've all been waiting for this moment for years and years! But it worked. that is really only a tiny complaint. It would have been a huge complaint if they'd had someone other than Neville kill Nagini. It almost looked like they were planning to have Ron and Hermione kill the snake. But--in the end--Rockin' Cool Neville, the snake bum kickin' hero killed her. YAY Neville!!! (p.s. it is your birthday in 8 days!) I will definitely be buying the movie when it comes out on DVD. But I won't be waiting that long to see the film again. I believe tomorrow I'll be seeing the 1:00 p.m. showing and Kelly is taking me to see (oh, and to see it herself for the first time) next Tuesday for an early birthday present. She is also taking me to lunch, I believe.
After the movie was really great, too. I'm sure if you're reading this blog, you know that I moved 14-months ago to a small town. I'm used to Austin and San Marcos, both of which are much bigger than Buna. I don't really mind the small town, but I desperately miss my large group of friends and our get-togethers. I miss eating at Whataburger after bible class or a movie and talking about everything from politics to whether or not Professor Snape is a bad guy or not. I miss HAVING friends who are near me. I was able to go eat with Bryant and Abbey after the movie and we had several of those old conversations (but with different words) again and it was just lovely. I really enjoyed it.
Friday, I got to spend an hour with a good friend, Sandra, who is going through chemo for her third bout with cancer. If you're reading this blog and you're a pray-er, please put and keep Sandra on your list. She is a precious, precious soul.
I had lunch with Alison--who, by the way, got me the job I have now! We had a great time. We at at L'Madeleine's! I really enjoy their food and the atmosphere and the tea is GREAT and they have WI-FI!
Afterwards, I drove down to Schertz--my co-hometown. I stopped at the flower shop (Contreras) to order some flowers for a friend who recently had surgery and ran into the owner's son (or is it grandson?) with whom I went to high school. It is amazing how the years can change us. I barely recognized him. But he was sweet as can be!
Then I ran over to Sue's Stitch and Sew on Main Street. My best friend from Clemens (high school) has worked there for forever! She is a grandma, now--by the way. I got to see her and my faux-great-niece.
I spent the rest of Friday with my Goughs. We watched movies and ate barbecue and laughed and had a wonderful time. Then I had to go to bed cos I was planning on awakening at 5:30 a.m. (which I did! I left the house at ten 'til six. YAY me!)
the drive home was hard. I had to stop by the side of the road to take a 30 minute nap, but I made it home and now--six days later--I'm finally recovering!

the sunset as I was getting ready to stand in line.

Blurry Bryant, standing outside the theatre, waiting in line.

Abbey and I waiting outside the theatre.

Harry and Voldemort, duking it out!

Abbey and I at Whataburger after the movie.

My costume. I was using a straw to perform an "Expecto Patronum" spell. I'm sure you're not surprised that it didn't work well. Ah well, the evening will make a good memory for any future Expecto Patronum spells I might need to perform.