One Week Late

Yes, I have just finished re-reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  It is the only one of the books that I've only read once, and it again was a thrilling experience.  Now without further ado I am off to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows while burning plenty of midnight oil!!

~Matt

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"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Ireland Queries

Yeah, I'm just home from the bar.  I think it was the first time I'd actually stepped foot in a bar.  But let me explain first.

Several of my co-workers from the Cincinnati Museum Center get together each Tuesday at a Cincinnati bar called Molly Malone's.  This is Trivia Night.  I couldn't participate for the longest time because I worked evenings and on the very rare instance I had Tuesday off I was either busy or didn't really want to go anywhere.  Now I just have Bible Study every other Tuesday, so I decided that I would finally attend when I can.  It was great fun, and I think that our team tied for fourth place.

Do you know the only winner of the Triple Crown with the name of a US city in its name?  I did.  This horse was the last living Triple Crown winner until it died a couple of years ago.  Seattle Slew.

~Matt

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"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Outage

If you read this blog and also post at the Section 77 Annex then please know that your browser isn't malfunctioning.  Dusty, who graciously hosts the Annex is having some difficulties with his hosting company and as a result things are down right now.  I'll mention something here when I know that things are back up an running--either that or you can keep checking the URL to see if the site is operational.

~Matt

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"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

On Target

I am currently meeting my goals, okay not all of them, but one in particular I have met thus far.  I started re-reading the Harry Potter series two days ago after work.  That first evening I finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  Yesterday I finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  Finally a minute ago I finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  Now after this point the books are a bit bigger, so I'm not planning to finish them in one night.  The only problem is that I'm afraid that I might finish before I can get my hands on book seven.

I don't want to cut things any closer, because I don't want to overshoot the deadline either though.  It is a tough dilemma.  Right now I'm going to go start on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as a way of distracting myself from the problem, ;-).  But before I go I do want to leave you with the closing paragraphs from book three.  I love reading such quality humour. I  was laughing (or at least chuckling) out loud as I reread this passage.

"What's that?" [Uncle Vernon] snarled, staring at the envelope Harry was still clutching in his hand.  "If it's another form for me to sign, you've got another--"

"It's not," said Harry cheerfully.  "It's a letter from my godfather."

"Godfather?" spluttered Uncle Vernon.  "You haven't got a godfather!"

"Yes, I have," said Harry brightly.  "He was my mum and dad's best friend.  He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's on the run.  He likes to keep in touch with me though...keep up with my news...check if I'm happy...."

And, grinning broadly at the look of horror on Uncle Vernon's face, Harry set off toward the station exit, Hedwig rattling along in front of him, for what looked like a much better summer than the last.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed these books.  Even when I'm re-reading them for the second time and I know everything major that happens, I'm still thoroughly enjoying the ride.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to say that all the way through Half-Blood Prince, but I'll try.  ;-)

~Matt

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"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Um...wrong number?

I just received a strange phone call.  It was a collect call from the Kenton County Jail.  Now I don't know anyone likely to end up in jail who knows my house phone number so I thought it strange.  Then when it gave me the recorded part where the caller identifies himself it was a male voice saying "It's me."  Well I didn't recognize the voice and was sure it wasn't anybody I know then--anybody who might call me would surely use their name...  But strange.  I wonder who they were trying to call.

~Matt

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"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Political fun

I just caught the last few minutes of Sean Hannity's new show Hannity's America for the first time.  It was interesting, somewhat like listening to his radio show.  I enjoyed the time spent, I don't often have time to listen to good political radio or TV.  He had an excellent section on how wrong Rachel Carson was when she wrote Silent Spring and how many mistakes she made.  All those mistakes have cost the lives of countless people in Africa who have died of malaria after DDT was banned and mosquitoes proliferated.

Anyway, that isn't the best part of the evening.  I'm now watching the 1/2 Hour News Hour on the Fox News Channel.  It is hilarious!  If you've never watched it give it a try!  And if I'm the last person to start watching, then you didn't y'all tell me about it before this!

~Matt

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"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero