Greetings ,

After work, we were off to the premiere of Harry Potter & The Sorceror's Stone. We'd been impatiently waiting for it for months, ever since we got hooked on J.K. Rowling's books this summer. 

The premiere of Harry Potter is a once in a lifetime, movie-going experience and we decided to see it in a spanking new, high tech theatre.  Last Sunday, we stopped by the ticket office at the AMC Theatres at Downtown Disney to purchase our advance tickets. 

We arrived with time to spare and had an early supper at Y Arriba Y Arriba.  For $7.99, I had the most delicious chile relleno, made with a fresh Anaheim pepper stuffed with cheese and crowned with guacamole and sour cream, with generous portions of
spanish rice and beans, and salsa, muy enchiloso (very hot), just the way I like it.

DH had fish tacos, which he enjoyed as well.  The service was instantaneous, and we still had time to while away, which we gladly did at the bookstore next to the theatre.

The Compass Bookstore is a terrific store; it originated as the West's oldest independent bookstore -- since 1851. Now, I love books, so of course I just had to check out its latest books.  Never mind that I was just there last Sunday.  Never mind that I was hotly anticipating the movie.

DH browsed the magazine/newspaper stand outside, while I browsed inside the store, reading snippets of The Prayer of Jabaz:

"The prayer is a simple one:

 "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.'

 So God granted him what he requested."

It is the perfect little bookstore with kid and grown-up books on cherry wood shelves and an adjoining cafe that serves coffee, pastries, and biscotti. Just outside the bookstore are wicker tables and chairs, where I read my favorite paper, The Orange County Register, last Sunday.

Finally, the time for Harry's movie arrived, and we strolled back to the theatre. Inspired by the décor and atmosphere of the golden days of Hollywood, the AMC Theatres at Downtown Disney are fabulous.  With loveseat-style stadium seating and surround sound, there is not a bad seat.  Ensconced in plushy, red partially reclining chairs with ample legroom, we were launched on our E-ticket ride of a movie.

For the next two and a half hours, we were transported to Harry Potter's world, loving every moment of the beautiful scenery, lavish sets, birth of friendships, good triumphing over evil,  and just desserts -- and I don't mean chocolate frogs. Much is and will be written about the movie elsewhere, and I will not ruin it for you.  I'll cast an invisibility cloak over the plot, casting and scenes, and reveal only the following: 

Just as the books are multi-generational mega-sellers, so is the movie. Yes, Potter-mania hit us, full-force. We are bewitched.  We are caught in its spell.  We plunged into it whole Hogwart.

Suffice it to say, we LOVED it. This movie was made with great care, affection, and faithfulness to the book.  Thank goodness the studio muggles didn't sell out. Sound of Music is the only movie that I've paid twice to see in the movie theatre. Well, Harry Potter is the second. DH feels the same way and now we're looking forward to our second movie viewing. 

In the meantime, I'll enjoy the music by John Williams: Soundtrack of Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone and the haiku written by Potter fans, including these:

There she goes reading
reading, reading, and reading.
It's Hermione.
~ Author Unknown 

Hermione's one
intelligent wizardess
female brain magic
~ Jaki, age 45 

Needless to say, I identify most with bookworm, Hermione [pronounced: her my' oh nee].

The interviewer on the news tonight was interviewing the kids in line:  "What magic power would you wish for?

My choice would be the invisibility cloak, a large, silvery wrap that turns the wearer invisible.

I am an observer; my observational skills could rise to new heights.  I like sinking into the background; I could be as discreet and unobtrusive as a fly on the wall.  It would also come in handy getting into restricted areas.  And last, I could tweak the noses of those who say, "Hogwash!" to Harry Potter books and this movie.

Yup, the invisibility cloak is what I want for Christmas this year.  

And if I don't get it, I won't be disappointed as my wish will eventually come true.  One day, I'll become as invisible as my guardian angels who gather around me, even as I type this.  

"Life is a Gift."

Sincerely,
Author Unknown

P.S.  If you would like to share a portion of yourself  with words, in response to this journal entry, you may do it here.  

"The only gift is a portion of thyself..." Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

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