The Beginning of the End

Among the most highly anticipated events that occurred over my aforementioned bloggy hiatus has to be something that I've been waiting about 11 years for -- ever since I finally gave in to my Grandmom's persistence and begrudgingly opened the cover of a "silly children's book" one summer at Bethany Beach -- the beginning of the end...

Yep, that's right: The first installment of the last movie in the Harry Potter series... The Deathly Hallows.

I couldn't have been more excited. Or more prepared... I dressed up as Hermione last Halloween. I re-read books 6 and 7 over the summer. I intently watched as sneak peeks were featured throughout several Harry Potter Marathon Weekends on ABC Family (even though I own all but two of the DVD's...). I eagerly awaited every single new trailer release, and replayed it until no details were left unnoticed. I spent a recent Friday night (ok, two actually) watching the 6th movie, The Half-Blood Prince, with friends. I purchased tickets to the first midnight showing of HP7.1. I nerded out with some of my favorite fellow wizard-wannabes and stood in line with all of the other crazies for over an hour on a Thursday night. And then...

I laughed. I screamed. I hid my eyes. I cried. I woke up the next morning after 3 1/2 hours of magical dreams and was quite disappointed when my thoughts of "Accio Starbucks!!" went unanswered... In short: I loved it.

Sure, some purists are upset with slight deviations from the novel. But as a loyal fan for over a decade, I think that overall the movie did JK Rowling proud. And now I'm left to find ways to get my wizarding world fix until HP7.2 is released in July 2011...

Luckily, little gems like the following keep popping up. It probably comes as no surprise that Daniel Radcliffe has been among my Top 5 celeb crushes for quite some time... and this giggle-inducing video may have just edged him closer to the #1 spot (watch out, Henry Cavill...):

I Am Harry Potter from Daniel Radcliffe

Sigh. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If loving a teenage wizard is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

Well, hello there

What is it about watching Christmas movies on TV? I mean, I can literally see my copy of The Holiday sitting patiently between Pretty Woman and the animated classic Frosty the Snowman (stop judging, please.), just waiting for me to drop it into the DVD player... But for some reason, I'd much rather stay snuggled on the couch under my fluffy pink blanket and watch it on TNT right now -- commercials and all.

First of all -- Jude Law, how do you still make me swoon? So. Dreamy. Sigh.

And secondly -- I want a friend like Arthur Abbott. Love this. Lots:

Arthur Abbott: So, he's a schmuck.

Iris: As a matter of fact, he is... a huge schmuck. How did you know?
Arthur: He let you go. This is not a hard one to figure out. Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend.
Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for goodness' sake! Arthur, I've been going to a therapist for three years, and she's never explained anything to me that well. That was brilliant. Brutal, but brilliant.

Oh, and p.s. I guess this means I'm back from my unplanned bloggy hiatus..? I'm sure I'll get to updates on the fun and frolic that's been happening over the past seven or so months (Did I mention I moved? And one of my best friend's got married?? And I discovered the deliciousness that is extra dirty vodka martinis?). But quite frankly, that's all a little daunting for one little lazy Sunday afternoon post...

... So for now... Hello, again :)