Meme and Harry Potter

gacked from taradiane8 things you can't live without: books, food, water, trees, dogs, little furry animals, beautiful things to look at, paper to write on.7 things you're looking forward to: earning my own money, going to England, earning a Masters, buying lots and lots of books, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Cassie Claire's first published book, my own works being published.6 things that make you happy: reading, watching good movies, writing, thinking through characters, rain on a day that I can stay home, pretty things.5 things that suck: unemployment, fussy people, rude people, sleeping so late or so little that you get a headache, headaches in general.4 things you do every morning: put on my glasses, put my hair in a ponytail, eat something, drink tea.3 people you think are hot: Jon Rhys-Meyers, Viggo Mortensen, Johnny Depp2 movies that you could watch over and over: recent ones: Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean; old ones: Labyrinth and anything by John Hughes.1 person you couldn't live without: my sister. Plus, I think my own personal most-returned-to theme would probably be redemption. Struggle, perseverance, that sort of thing. I like the stories where every possible advantage is taken away, yet the main character succeeds in the end, anyway. I'm a happy ending sort of girl, mostly . . . the people I write about become so real to me that I can't bring myself to end things on a bleak note for them. . . if I wanted that, I'd stay in reality, ya know? Lends itself very well to my Draco, it does. If I even have a My!Draco. Poor thing, he's either completely disowned, completely insane, or both, in my stories. I agree, it is hard to work out a way in which Harry and Draco could ever be happy together, but that, in a way, is what keeps me reading, and also what keeps me writing. The unending quest for the perfect love, maybe. This may play more into my own issues than into Draco's or Harry's, but it's that romantic little thought that comprises my whole raison d'etre, or raison d'escrit, maybe.JK Rowling likes to talk about the bad boy syndrome when trying to deflect all the sympathetic love she (however unconsciously) instilled in her Slytherin characters. Draco's certainly a "bad boy", but I don't think its the bravado and the bullying that makes us all swoon. For me, at least, it's not the bad boy, but the insecure, confused little boy that I love. I guess it taps into the maternal instincts that I, as a Cancer, am supposed to have in spades. In a way I want what you want, all the pain and the hurt and the misunderstanding and humanness, but I also want deep understanding and comfort at the end and the kind of love that burns, yes, but doesn't consume anything that it can't regenerate.Which may or may not end up being possible for Harry and Draco. I fully agree. Doesn't stop me trying, though, does it? Originally intended to be a comment to someone else's LJ post, but it got too long.

the more things change the more they stay the same.

On August 4th, about a week ago, at an amusement park, I saw Hanson perform. There, I've posted it. You, dear reader, can not be expected to imagine what a big deal this has been, in the inner workings of Lanie-land. Not because of any remarkable happenings, no --though I did get rather close to Isaac, not one of them even looked in my direction--but because of my reaction. These last two months, it seems that I keep surprising myself over and over, reacting to things in new and unfamiliar ways, and this has had the unfortunate effect of throwing my expectations of my self-knowledge off-course just a tiny little bit. Okay, fine, a bg bit. I know, blah blah blah. Okay, here's the deal: I enjoyed it a lot, but not as much as I once would have. The last few times I saw them, my heart leapt in my chest. But this time . . . no leapy leapy. And for a while I couldn't figure out why, which is the reason I've been having such a hard time posting about it (and that's strange in itself, me not posting immediately about seeing Hanson . . .). I've thought about it and thought about it, and I think the reason they seemed off is because their hearts weren't really in it.Having said that, now I feel bad. I don't mean to say that they didn't sing their butts off for us and do an amazing job, just that, well, they didn't seem too happy to be there. They sang three songs, and then told us to catch them in Tulsa the following Sunday, if we could. After that, zoom, they were outta there.Can't blame them, really. After all, Tulsa's home to them. I'd be in a hurry to get going too. It just surprised me, that feeling. Things are changing too darn fast. Stop the world, fellas, I want to get off.

Ramblings in lieu of sleeping

I started to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone a few months before the first movie came out. I had trouble with the first chapter, with getting into the story. Something kept me reading, however, and by the time I was finished I was hooked.I remember being excited by the alchemical references (alchemy being an interest of mine) and impressed and entertained by the intricacy of the wizarding world, even in the first book when it was not nearly so developed as it has become. I adored Dumbledore, loathed Snape, hated Malfoy, and came away from the experience desperate to know more about the lot of them.Lucky for me, I began reading the series with four books already published, and I devoured the rest with an intensity I had not known since my love affair with Jane Austen a few years earlier. I wanted to know everything; who Voldemort really was, what Harry's scar meant, where Ron lived . . . everything. I was not disappointed . . . until I reached the end of Book Four and realized that I now had to wait. I reread and reread as I do the books I really love, and soon I could recite whole scenes. I began to wonder about Snape's history, and began to suspect certain things that turned into theories, some of which were corroborated when Book Five was published. I began to enjoy Malfoy's snarky remarks, and even agree with a few. But Malfoy's the villain! I told myself. Snape's an oily jerk! Myself didn't listen. I don't know when exactly the books became all about Malfoy and Snape for me, but they have. I think it's because of my pre-existing love of Byronic heroes, and those two are certainly on their way to becoming just that (they have all the symptoms, shall we say). It's getting increasingly difficult to hold this opinion about Draco,, though . . . Book Five Malfoy is depressingly similar to his thrice-dratted father--with one important exception. Draco elicits a certain amount of pity from me . . . Lucius emphatically does not.I It's the same with Snape: I empathize with Snape-the-teenager infinitely more than with James-the-teenager, or even Harry-the-teenager, really. I care about them because they in a sense need someone to care about them. Harry doesn't really need my sympathy, he's got the Weasleys, Dumbledore, and the whole of Gryffindor house, not to mention the whole of Hogwarts (minus Slythies) behind him. Snape and Malfoy don't have anyone.You could argue that Draco has his "gang" and his parents, but I would dispute it if you did. Having subordinates is not the same as having friends, and Draco's parents care more about Draco's duty as a son than about him personally (IMHO). As for Snape, friendship seems to have always been about power for him, in the same way, perhaps, as Peter Pettigrew. He joined the Death Eaters for protection against the James Potters and Sirius Blacks of the world, and how sad is that? Dumbledore trusts him and defends him, but treats him more like a spoiled child than a friend. Much as I like to entertain the thought of a friendship between McGonaghall and Snape, I think the movie is clouding my judgement there. Maybe, though, there is a sort of rivalry between them that is more friendly than either of them knows. I hope. I like to think that. But I wouldn't bet on it.

The Great Closet Clean-Out 2004

Yep, it's that time again. Time to clean out le boudoir de moi, starting with that most upsetting, emotion-stirring, and memory-ridden of spaces: the closet. *cue scary music* What on earth made me venture into and presume to tame that cavernous black hole, that collection of odds, ends, and dilapidated T-shirts that I haven't gone through since the eighth grade, you ask? Well, it all began, as most of my projects do, with a book. Ready to Wear: An Expert's Guide to Choosing and Using Your Wardrobe, written by Mary Lou Andre, to be exact. As a person who loves to be given guidelines for proper organization (priggish little pedant that I am), it's manna. Yeah, from there.So in a fury of enthusiasm I began. I've spent the last three hours sorting through every single thing in my closet. Some things surprised me (I have thirteen pairs of jeans, for one . . . o_O Who knew?) and some things didn't (I have way too darn many T-shirts). Anyway, prodigious digging and reminiscing and a bit of disgust at some of my teenage tastes (jelly shoes--gah!) ensued, and I finally reached the back of the closet, or should I say the sad-ripped-things graveyard. Adios, old high school t-shirts. You served me well, but it is time to say farewell (is it strange that I now have the chant "Now is the time, let her go in peace" chant from The Craft running through my head? Yeah, probably) Long may you . . . biodegrade.One more thing: I've decided to pitch the funeral dress. It just seems morbid to have it lurking around in the back of the closet, insidiously influencing things. Bad karma. BEGONE!! *does the closet-cleaning dance* Ahhhhh . . . I feel better already.To all those with messy closets: TAG, you're it!!

hmmm

Is it mean to want to ask the nice fundamentalist Christian bookstore lady if they by any chance carry Harry Potter? Future reference for those who owe me gifts (or just feel generous or something) We wants it, yes precious . . . . Is that not just the neatest thing since sliced bread? Methinks it is.

*is only doing this because bored*

1) Your HP nickname: Lady Relaynie mostly. To a few, Rey.2) Do you write fanfiction: Some.3) Draw fanart: Some. 4) Review much: not too much, no5) Read too many fics: no, I read just the right amount DUH6) Favorite house: no favorite7) Favorite Gryffindor student: the twins8) Favorite Slytherin student: Draco Draco Draco9) Favorite Ravenclaw student: Luna Lovegood10) Favorite Hufflepuff student: Hannah Abbott, I guess--Ernie and Justin get on my nerves.11) Favorite teacher: McGonaghall12) Favorite overall character: Draco Malfoy13) Favorite adult: Severus Snape14) Canon/fanon Draco: Both. I get frustrated with canon!Draco about as often as I get frustrated w/fanon. Fanon!Draco has things to do besides be Lucius, Jr., which is a Good Thing (tm). But Canon!Draco has the advantage of being the original.15) Canon/fanon Snape: Canon. I only like Fanon!Snape when I'm in the mood for pRon.16) Voldemort or Dumbledore: Dumbly-dore. Voldemort is racist bigot from hell.17) Cho, annoying or not: rather annoying (Madam Puddifoot's, anyone?)Shipping: 18) Your OTP: Draco/Harry mostly, but allows for Draco/just about anyone19) Other ships you sail: Draco/Ginny, Draco/Hermione, Ron/Hermione, Sirius/Remus, Harry/Luna20) Intruiging ships: Snape/anybody, Marauderfic, well-written anything, really.21) Disliked ships: um . . . Snape/Harry (unless very intelligently written), Harry/Hermione (too obvious), Percy/anyone (not happy with Percy at the mo).22) Ships hated with a passion (erm... this is optional :X): Bellatrix/anyone. Hello, she's a NUTJOB, not a pleasantly eccentric hottie.23) Het, slash or femmeslash: Het and slash. Not much femmeslash.24) H/Hr or R/Hr: Ron/Hermione, thanks.25) D/Hr or D/G: If I had to choose between them, Draco/Ginny all the way.26) H/D or H/SS: Harry/Draco OTP, but H/SS in certain moods.27) Older gen, younger gen or cross-gen: doesn't usually matterFanfiction:28) Canon or AU: Canon preferably, but AU if genuinely intriguing.29) Fluff or angst: full-on angst lover30) Darkfic: depends. a nice gothic mood is okay, bloodplay is not.31) OOC or IC: in-character unless there's a very very good reason for it to be otherwise.32) SuddenlyVeryPowerful!Harry: Passe but potentially entertaining33) One-shot or chaptered: depends how much time I have34) Novel-length: number one cause of sleepless nights35) Gen, het or slash: Dunno what gen is, but het or slash is great.36) Drabbles: love37) SuddenlyVerySexy!Draco: fun for everyone (but hey, isn't that an oxymoron anyway?)38) Fanfiction Pet Peeves: Immature NC-17. yep, that's pretty covers it.39) Canon or Fanon: both40) Many ships in one fic: eh . . . which ships?Books:59) Cried for Cedric: teared up, but didn't cryCried for Sirius: like a baby61) Dark or Light Side: light62) Did the explanation of the prophecy satisfy you: not really. it seemed like common knowledge, not a prophecy. I have complete confidence it will turn out to be more, however.63) Which character needs some more development: DRAAAAAACOOOOOOOOO!!! Make him evil, I don't care, just make him DO something! Give him a reason to exist, I beg you, Jo!Fanart:64) Favorite artist(s): lots of people. My absolute favorite picture of Draco EVER was drawn for the Draco Trilogy, and has the initials LMR on it. This artist has also done beautiful pictures of the twins and Bill. I think they might be on the HP Lexicon, but I could be wrong. 65) Favorite drawing style: realism appreciated, pencil, ink. not averse to other forms though.66) Love fanart of: scenes from the book, different characters, places67) Fanart Pet Peeves: no pet peeves as such. I don't much like anime or chibi drawings, but that's just me.68) Stick art. depends69) Shiny: never had a picture shine at me . . . *looks at author of quiz with weird look on face*70) Anime/Manga style: not much into, except occasionally71) Realism: love72) Cartoon: occasionally works3) Gen or shipped: Both. Misc.:74) Blaise's gender: I didn't care much before, and now that it's confirmed as Male, and I still don't care.75) Tom Riddle's eye colour: dunno, just dark76) Luna fan: I like Luna.77) OC's, done or not done: No. 78) Liking Weasley ships with 'Flame' or 'Fire' in the name: depends on the fic. Fire and Ice is D/G, right? Yes, that.79) Weasley love: the twins are fun together80) Malfoy love: Draco/anyone, baby. Lucius is a bastard and does not deserve love.81) Potter love: Lily/James, sure. Harry/Lily or James? no way.82) Is Lucius really 49: No. It says quite clearly in OotP that he is 41. (blushes as realizes that she sounds like a gigantic nerd, knowing that)83) Brilliant ship name (Don't need to ship it, though!): I don't know ship names . . .84) Plain stupid ship name: See above. 85) Voldemort. Bald. Yes or no: yes. if he's got hair it's done by Gollum's hairdresser.86) The power He-Knows-Not and the power that saved Harry is: I think it's love, possibly compassion.87) Your view on Hufflepuff-ies: I like Hufflepuffs . . . I think I AM a Hufflepuff.88) Should Ron say 'Bloody Brilliant' more then once?: in the movies? no. Repeat after me, Mike Newell: Ron does not have to say the word "bloody" in every film!89) Hermione. Pretty. Am I right: I think she's pretty in the way that nice people are pretty. Also, she apparently cleans up well enough (Yule Ball).90) Best HP fanfic ever: Draco Trilogy, by virtue of being the first I ever read . . . still the best.91) Rec the 2nd best, too: Urm . . .well, it's not necessarily the best, but I remember one Draco/Ginny. Something to do with grey sweaters. *loves*92) Did HP change your life dramatically: nah.93) Marauders. Like or dislike: ehm . . . dislike fifteen-year-old Marauders. Of the two currently remaining, I love Moony. Wormtail SUUUUCKS.94) Prongs, Moony, Padfoot or Wormtail: Moony. Padfoot. Don't know enough about Prongs at this point to like him.95) Could Lily have been an animagus too: I don't know why . . . she didn't particularly like the Marauders when they were learning it.96) What animal Lily would've been: I don't know . . . a fox?97) Did Harry pass his Potions' OWL's : I suspect yes, because he needs to remain in contact with Snape.98) Did Ron: I somehow don't think so.99) Is Harry going to die or will he survive: I think he'll live.100) What gives you the most warm fuzzies in your stomach in the whole HP-verse: in the whole HP-verse, movies included, I love Hogwarts at Christmas, the most.Bonus question: 101) Did you like this survey: yeah, I suppose.

Eowyn Challenge

PIMP.As a friend was kind enough to point out to me, my commitment to this makes me a dork. I readily agree. But as my mother said when I told her about it, "Hey, whatever works."