Harry Potter

I've just finished rereading all 7 Harry Potter books, a task I set myself at Christmas. Last July I was lucky enough to be one of the 1700 people who met J K Rowling at the midnight launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and here's an account of that night:

Our allotted slot was 2 o’clock so we left our hotel (my mum insisted on booking a hotel) around 1:30 and arrived at The Natural History Museum at 1:45 and joined a long queue outside. We were sandwiched between a pretentious family of 4, the children looked like Rod and Tod from The Simpsons and their conversation revolved around the gargoyles on the apexes of the roof and a really cute couple who were at sixth form and were discussing myspace.

Around 2 o’clock a security guard appeared and announced JK Rowling would be taking a 20 minute break and then they would start letting people inside again. Half an hour later we were given free smoothies and the queue began to slowly move inside. We got inside about 3 and we were given our Goody Bags which contained the Book, balloons, stickers and a bookmark. We then faced another wait in the holding area inside, we did have a nice hot chocolate whilst we waited though. About 3:45 we joined the queue to meet Jo, I had managed to read the first chapter by then, but only because a kid behind me seemed determined to spoil it for me, Mum had unwittingly read a passage from the last chapter and knew who didn’t die.

Finally it was my turn, I handed my book to Jo and said “Thank you for signing my book, I’m really looking forward to reading it “ she replied “I hope you enjoy it” I said “So do I” then she said “it’s my favourite”

Next, it was Mum’s turn, Mum said “You must be getting tired now” and Jo replied “No the adrenalin has started to kick in, thank you for coming” (I’m not sure if this is verbatim as I didn’t hear their converstion)

It was 4 by that time and I was ready for bed, worth it though

Resolution #9 - Get a Fringe

I've wanted a fringe ever since watching Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation back in 2003, but I've never had the confidence to go for it. In the meantime I've had bobs, I've gone blonde, I've gone back to brunette and I've grown my hair long again.

On Saturday I decided it was time to bite the bullet and get a fringe cut in (the photo on the left is an artist impression as I haven't had a photo taken yet!) It looks pretty good though, even if I do say so myself, I've just about gotten used to it, apparently it brings out my cheek bones and eyes. Last year when I went back to brunette a lot of people remarked I seemed happier than when I was blonde, so I'm hoping that my new fringe will bring me a new confidence.

Resolution #8 - Watching the News

I've never really been a big fan of the news, I generally find it quite depressing as it's always horrible things that are reported, however my ignorance about current event is quite shaming. So in a bid to become a more rounded person, I have decided to take an interest in the world affairs. Every morning I watch the news at 8am on GMTV, I haven't really started watching the 10pm news yet though, but I do now spend more time everyday reading the various news stories on the BBC website, well mainly the ones about showbiz news like Britney Spears' hospitalization, but it's a start.

Pub Quiz

Tonight there is a pub quiz at work, well technically it is a restaurant quiz, as our company has hired a restaurant from which to host it, but the general emphasis is on the quiz and not the location! This is the 3rd quiz in 2 years and I have high hopes of coming in the middle somewhere, it's all actually quite strict you are only allowed 6 members in your team and team have to be submitted 1 week in avance to secure a place. There will be 5 rounds and a picture round, last time my favourite round was about luxury items like caviar and rolex watches. We also get copious amounts of free wine, beer and pizza. The winners will get bottles of champagne and the losers will get a wooden spoon. The quiz is normal over by 9 and then the serious drinking starts. Several more serious teams have been practising all day, my team has been practising drinking!

Masterchef

I have a new addiction to the cookery show Masterchef. When I was growing up Masterchef was quite a naff show, even though I loved it. It was presented by Lloyd Grossman and each week 3 chef from a different regions would compete, there were nine heats which lead to three semi-finals and a final, the winner was given the dubious title of Masterchef 1993 and not much else as far as I can remember. There was a red, blue and yellow kitchen and each chef had a couple of hours to cook a very pretensious 3 course meal. The judges Grossman and 2 other semi famous people would deliberate, cogitate and digest before reaching a decision.

Thankfully the format has been updated and now the prize is your very own restaurant. It now starts with 6 contestants per show and runs 4 nights a week for 8 weeks. We are currently on the firts heats where for the first challenge the contestant are given a variety of ingredients from which to make one dish, for example liver, bacon, potatoes, smoke haddock, cream and summer berries, I always like to imagine what I would cook at this stage, it's never very inspired. The best 3 go through to the next round, which is to cook in a professional restaurant for one service, I don't think I would particular relish this part of the competition and it doesn't really seem to have any bearings on choosing the winner. The final stage is when the contestants get to cook a two course meal of their choosing for the judges, I have yet to decide on my two courses. We haven't got to the semi final yet so I'm not sure how the competition progresses, but I can't wait to find out.

Juno

Tonight I went to see Juno at free preview screening organised by the lovely people at the Sunday Times. I had seen the trailer for Juno and thought it looked really funny and fully intended to pay to see it when it is released in England next week, so it was great to see it for free and early. Unfortunately the film did not live up to the trailer, that's not to say it isn't a good film, it's just not that great either.

Juno (played by Oscar nominated Ellen Page) is a 16 year old girl who just found out she's pregnant, unable to go through with an abortion, she decides to have the baby, but then give it away to a couple who can't have children. My main problem with the film is that I can't believe 16 year old American teenage talk the way Juno does, she so sarcastic and wisecracking that the dialogue sometime seems a little forced, a little to hip, a little to trendy. That said Ellen Page is a very good actress, and the supporting cast is also excellent. The film reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine. There are some extremely funny and touching moments and the soundtrack is great. I did enjoy the film, but I wouldn't rush out to buy the DVD, or buy when it's on sale.

Resolution #7 - Going Wireless

So I don't really think making my laptop wireless is going to make me a better person per se, but you never know, prior to this weekend I could only use the internet in our lounge and seeing as how I normally avoid our lounge, I wasn't using the internet at home. This is actually probably a good thing, but at the moment I am job hunting and flat hunting so I need to be able to access the internet all the time. So now I am experiencing the joys of a hazy internet connection in my bedroom and it has made me very happy!