I just found out

My husband really likes talking animals. So he's really happy about Underdog, and he likes those cows who shill California cheese. I guess you never stop learning things about each other.

I'm a geek, I'm a geek and I don't care who knows it!

Just in case you weren't sure, I'm a total geek. Not in the technically savvy kind of cyber cool kind of way, but in the I-joined-an-online-HarryPotter-reading-group-and-reread-the-
entire-series-one-chapter-at-a-time kind of way. Yes, that's right. We started in March and we read and discussed minutiae and wondered and theorized and generally helped build the hype and anticipation for the seventh book.

And yes, I dragged my very game husband to a "Deathly Hallows Ball" at our local Borders. I had reserved a copy in Pennsylvania, but long story short, our anniversary plans changed at the last minute and we stayed in DC, where I had to wear a purple wristband, designating me as one of those silly people without a reservation, and the last to get in line. Sigh.

Anyway, the party was not so much fun as funny, but I wanted to go because it seemed really zeitgeisty. I'm not sure when there will be another such an event for a children's fantasy novel, or any book release, really.

They had a spelling bee, which I would have kicked arse in if the only people participating weren't either under 13 or seemingly mentally ill...there was also a costume contest for which I would have dressed up as the best ever Rita Skeeter if I was just slightly more geeky. They had a "Great Snape Debate" (for those of you who don't know, Snape is an ambiguous character who might be evil or he might be good) during which the most compelling argument was that Snape was surely good because he was "totally emo" when he was a kid, delivered by a young goth-ish looking girl with her hair sprayed pink (like Tonks!). There was a raffle for first place in line, which I really wanted to win, but didn't. There was also a raffle for a poster of the cover signed by the artist which I really didn't want to win, but did. Anyone who wants it, let me know and I'll send it your way.

Anyhoo, I got my copy around 1:30 in the morning, read the first chapter around 2am, and fell asleep. My excellent husband told me it was okay to bring the book with us on our camping excursion, but we forgot the flashlight. I read one chapter by firelight, and another in the morning. The rest was read in one sitting.

So, now you know. I love Harry Potter, just like most of the rest of the world it seems. Do not resist. Read the Potter. Love the Potter. Viva Potter!

Ah, Bureaucracy.

I got the best letter the other day from my university. Apparently, my degree cannot be conferred, because they are waiting for my study abroad credits from Fall '05 to post.
"In reviewing the records of graduating seniors, we find that you did not complete
Study Abroad Credits not posted-FA '05
For this reason, we cannot award your degree at this time."
What? Are you serious? I didn't graduate after all? But I was there, in front of the capitol wearing that ridiculous hat!

In the middle of firing off a nasty email to Arcadia and the people in charge of the Italy program it occurred to me that I didn't study abroad during the Fall '05 semester. I was gone for Fall '06. I had originally applied for Fall '05, but when we thought Joe's book was coming out then, I deferred to the next year. Apparently they don't have records of this, nor do they bother to look at my transcript, filled with classes at GW that semester.

This isn't cleared up yet, the guy is out until the 18th, but I'm hoping it won't take much to get my actual degree. Should I take in some pics of me in the silly hat when I go?