kids
- The big screen really does make a difference. There are so many subtle details in the backgrounds of many scenes.
- Chris Columbus is a master of blocking.
- All these years I’ve been watching the extended versions. The first time I watched HP was with my wife. I never read the books (except for the first one with a friend in college). I was a bit too old for the first one when it came out and was in the military, deployed after 9/11 and all that when the movies started releasing. So it wasn’t an objection to the films but was just doing different stuff.
- Basilisk is much more terrifying on a large screen.
- I can’t handle when Amos Diggory “my boy!"—it’s too close. I understand that pain and no one ever wants to feel like that, and I wouldn’t wish that pain on my worse enemy.
- Goblet of Fire might be the most interesting of the films because it marks the shift from idilic school boys stories to serious literature
- Was Harry looking at Ginny or someone else when Patel said “she’s beautiful” (but was looking at Hermione in the other direction)?
- Dobbie’s death might be the most heartbreaking loss in the whole series. He was a free elf.
- Speaking of free elf, I missed it the first time but Dobbie has shoes, like sneakers or something, when he’s at Malfoy manner. Loved that detail.
- The Christ allusions are so much more obvious after all these years; and though JKR has been open about that intentionality, and her own doubts, I couldn’t help but chuckle at all the concern from Christians circa 1999–2007 when the books were coming out.
- Fred Weasley’s death hit my son too hard (see #5 above). My kiddo held my hand and got choked up. We talked about Paco a bit in the theater and on the way home. Much as we loved that boy, we agreed, he would have been a Slytherin—what an ambitious troublemaker Paco was.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 🍿
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 🍿
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 🍿
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 🍿
Fun times at the library 📷
Speed-Running Harry Potter in Cinema
My oldest started, and finished, Harry Potter this summer. He read the first book in a day and half. Although he slowed down a bit as they got longer, it still took only about seven weeks to read seven books.
So we rewarded him by taking him to see all eight films for the 25th Anniversary re-release in cinema. I had seem them all on DVD/Blu-Ray with my wife about 12 years ago, but not since. (A few we watched after he finished the first couple of books, then we stopped once we knew were going to take him.)
Some random, loosely connected thoughts, on seeing them in theaters.
Watched (popcorn emoji for the days we ordered concessions):
Last night, the big kid finished readying Harry Potter. About a book per week.
Find someone who loves you the way this girl loves ranch on her pizza.
My oldest has read the first five Harry Potter books in July. The kid is on a mission. 📚
My oldest is speedrunning through Harry Potter this summer. He didn’t start until after Independence Day and is already a quarter through the fifth book.
Eating her donut this morning my 5 year old started sobbing. When my wife and I asked what’s wrong, she said the chocolate glazed with sprinkles was Paco’s favorite. She misses him so much it breaks my heart.
It’s all fun and games until your kids are literally screaming at each other over Animal Farm on the Nintendo Switch.
Based on the crying and genuine heartbreak from my 5-y/o, you would be forgiven for thinking I violated the Geneva Conventions. Nope. I gave the baby raspberries to make her giggle. Big sis never saw me do it anyone else. She thought this whole time it was just a special thing between us.
Finished reading: Project Hail Mary: A Novel by Andy Weir 📚
First book I read with my kid. He listened to the audiobook this week while I read it on Kindle. A nice experience to bond over the rich story.
Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin Ohio.
And later we were part of the world’s largest “human shamrock”
Last year, I took this snapshot of Paco while we waited in line for Santa at a farm that does holiday events. It was a moment of peaceful calm for my otherwise very energetic boy.
This year, my wife took the kids to the same event last minute. My oldest had his siblings recreate it for me.
Out of the blue, my soon to be five year old (next month) started sobbing about Paco. Man does it hurt that I cannot take this hurt away.
Paco’s been gone nine months, today. Miss that kiddo so, so very much.
Paco loved Thanksgiving. And while we have so much for which to be grateful, there is also a giant hole of love without him. Last year he won that plunger on Thanksgiving and every day after it became his sword, magic wand, scepter.
Today, I’ll have it with me.
My heart hurts today.
🎥 Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1983) - ★★★★★
Introduced the big kid to the Smooth Criminal yesterday, so naturally he asked to see more classic MJ today. Pulled up the GOAT.
Ladies and gentlemen… TEN YEARS
Honestly, I am having difficulty believing it but the math checks out.
Happy birthday, Paco. You are missed, and so loved.
We’re making this your day, kiddo.
IDK how she knows about them, buy my 4yo has me writing the music notes to the songs she’s singing a cappella. “Like, wait—music notes?”
“Yes,” she said, emphatically.