scarlettina: (DrWho: Harry Potter)
[personal profile] scarlettina
Tonight after the Clarion West party (::waves hi to everyone who was there::), [livejournal.com profile] mistymarshall, [livejournal.com profile] mikigarrison, and I headed over to the University Bookstore for their Harry Potter blow-out. The store was jam packed, spirits were high, there were snacks and crafts, balloons in Gryffindor colors, and lots of folks in costumes. Upstairs, they had set up a stage for WizRock, a program of 5 bands playing throughout the night. When we got upstairs, the Weird Sisters had just taken the stage; they rocked! (My ears are still ringing.)

One of the reasons I went to the party was that, though my copy of the book will be arriving tomorrow (Amazon promised!), I wanted to be a part of what's clearly the cultural event of the year. I knew it would be fun, and I'd never been to a Harry Potter release celebration before. As [livejournal.com profile] mistymarshall put it, the place was full of squee. It really just filled my heart to see a book create this kind of excitement and community. I didn't stop smiling for a minute. There was a countdown to midnight and big cheers as the clock struck twelve. My friends took off for their lines, and I took off because the crowd was beginning to get to me and my feet were killing me.

I took a bunch of pictures with my phone (should have brought my new camera!), and you'll find them under the cut, with comments. Many of them are a little blurry; I'm fairly sure that [livejournal.com profile] mikigarrison has clearer versions and other shots I'll have to share later. In the meanwhile, here are pictures of the party (including a shout-out to [livejournal.com profile] jaylake and no spoilers).

The crowd was huge and very excited.



The store created a Marauder's Map to help folks get around.



We each took our turns as Ron and Hermione.


Dwayne Wilkins guards the first stack of books to be sold. He was surrounded by media as he did it. There must have been three video cameras and three photographers. I look forward to seeing him in the news tomorrow. This one's blurry but it gets across the chaos. And you've gotta love the big grin on Dwayne's face.


That's our Dwayne: we knew him when...


The media photographing the first kid in line (dressed as Harry, of course) with his copy of the book.


Of course, since my copy of the book is coming in the mail tomorrow, I had to compensate with something else. I hope no one was looking.


From here out, I suspect I won't be online until I get the book and read it. If I can manage to stay unspoiled, I will.

Happy reading!

Date: Sat, Jul. 21st, 2007 02:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com
Well, I guess we won't be seeing you today sigh

Date: Sat, Jul. 21st, 2007 03:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sleightgirl.livejournal.com
I'm starting mine today at work!

Your blowout looked a lot more fun than ours...more organized anyway...glad you had fun and happy reading!

Date: Sat, Jul. 21st, 2007 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] skidspoppe.livejournal.com
Those are some fun shots!

And nice shout out to Mr. Lake there...

Date: Sun, Jul. 22nd, 2007 02:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gamethyme.livejournal.com
[livejournal.com profile] setauuta went to the Everett Mall event, and seemed to have a good time. She got home late, and then read for a few hours before coming to bed.

I, by contrast, spent a good chunk of the evening asleep.

Date: Sun, Jul. 22nd, 2007 01:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jaylake.livejournal.com
Oh, the shame of Mainspring!

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