First Thing’s First

Jul 08, 2008

Posted by: John Admin

Uncategorized

I was thinking the other day just what I could possibly blog on related to Harry Potter. Not that I couldn’t ramble on for hours on end about it. What with theories and fanfiction and the ever aggregating news feed we could all rant until we were blue in the face if given the proper outlet. With so much to talk on, where do I start? More importantly, how can I keep it interesting?

Well keeping you intrigued should be simple enough. You see faithful reader (bit pretentious, I know, but play nice and just say “hopeful” instead,) the truth is you’ve got quite the little fangirl to contend with now. Here are a couple tidbits for all you fact fans. When I was seven my dad had me watching reruns of Star Trek: The Next Generation. If UPN or the WB (god rest their networked souls) was airing Alien or Predator- not the “vs.” nonsense, I’m talking originals people- we would bake cookies in celebration. I checked out as much Sailor Moon and Dragonball Z as I could while I collected as many Animorph and CS Lewis books as I could afford- all this before I was a teenager. I’ve honestly lost count of the number of things I consider myself to be a rabid fan of (and all this is forgetting that as a Boston native my attachment to the Red Sox borders on insanity.)

But for me, nothing- and I mean nothing- quite ever compared to Harry Potter. I can remember it all. The first time I opened Sorcerer’s Stone and was introduced to the whole cast. This led me to my first fansite. When Prisoner of Azkaban had me awake into the wee hours reading for the very first time (5AM is pretty late for a twelve year old dontcha think?) There was my first midnight release party, my first midnight movie showing, my first wrock concert and my first fan conference (those happened together.) There was the first time I read Book Seven. All these incredible firsts; vivid memories filled with color and emotion and. All this thanks to the little boy wizard who could.

And yet, while I know that Harry Potter may well be the most important influence I will ever encounter in my life, I also know I should be thanking all of my earlier objects of attention: my early love for science-fiction and fantasy, entertaining stories, exciting plots, and memorable characters; I had my father’s fanboy blood and my mother’s feverish encouragement to read.

That’s where you all come in. (Thought I’d forgotten you?) See, I chose to write my first blog on beginnings, because I know many of you are right here with me. I saw you nodding your head fervently as you relived your own experiences along with mine- absolutely unique but so similar. I’m here right now because Ripley took on the alien when Jean-Luc Picard said “Make it so.” Because Ash just had to catch ˜em all while a group of anonymous teenagers battled the Yeerks. They all led to me Harry Potter, and now he’s leading me on further to discover new and fantastic worlds in literature and movies and television.

So here I sit: just a college student with a little too much time on her hands, clacking away at a keyboard, following Harry’s lead on a never-ending journey- and you’re all welcome to come along for the ride.

Next time I see you it’ll be down to business. See, I recently met this Doctor and the emotional state he’s put me in feels like déjà-vu¦interested?





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.