Back from the Beyond, Plus Beedle the Bard Countdown

I live! sorta. Here are some updates from the House of Hufflepuff... :)

First up: Finally, it's here, a very fun Beedle the Bard countdown via Leaky (think M is going to post about it sometime here today)-add it now because the book will be here in just a few short weeks lol, but at least we have it now. SPIN ME BEEDLE,love this :)




Two: Apologies for not writing more. People have been emailing and I'm still dreadfully behind on stuff from this summer, let alone now. Life has that pesky way of interfering with the fun stuff, like blogging here lol. I've had the usual profession obligations, and my personal NON POTTER other activities people etc, plus the family takes precedent and weve had some health scares that have been weighing on me... Sometime I cant breathe, sometimes I think ok Im done with Potter time to go. other days its hard to muster the enthusiasm when people complain complain complain about every tiny thing-put it in perspective and its just...well it can make you go why do I or we bother? Then again, when you think of how cool it will be to get the Beedle book, or realise Leaky Con is a few months away, or see that excellent trailer and remember the films are still yet to come, it can re kindle the flames of the magic I guess but man it can be hard. Still I suppose we all feel this way, esp of late. Oh I still have my love of Harry Potter of course. Leaky still takes up a huge chunk of my life, and now that we have to do those weekly PotterCast vlogs on Youtube, thats more time away from my free time if you will, so enjoying a bit of writing time has been sacrificed of late-alas.

Three: Speaking of Potter, I had a great time in New York recently. SUCH FUN spending time with everyone! I went the weekend of Melissa's book release, and went a couple days early so I got to spend Halloween in the city. While there I:

-got to go ice skating in Rockefeller Center. O.M.G. Old bat. on ice. I had not been on skates in at least 15 years and I must confess while so not pretty it was so much FUN. I had not intended to try this, due to financial concerns (end of trip, needed to save last of cash for cab and food) but mostly concerns about being old, dearly out of shape and particularly grossly nonathletic and being unable to attempt such a feat without disgracing my self by wiping out in spectacular manner in front of the press corp which was setting up for the next day election coverage, as well as the hordes of tourists there, and more importantly afraid of breaking something. Thanks to Melissa, who at the end of the time there lent me her skates and then we quickly switched so I could sneak on the ice, plus she lent me her Gryffindor scarf for courage as mine was badly flagging. Then under the great patience care kindness and steady hands of Frak, Lizzie and esp dear dear Edward I made a singularly hilarious trip around the rink, topped the welcoming applause of a watching tourist family from France who actually stood and applauded when I made it back to Melissa by the gate LOLOL absolutely hilarious. But JUST LIKE IN A MOVIE I felt too, being on that ice, a place seen in so many movies and shows-very magical if you will.

-I also had a MARVELOUS time at the NY HP group's Halloween ball, (aka The group who shall not be named). These are all truly good and fun people and never fail to impress me with their warmth friendship and kindness that they greet me with each and every time-such good people, proving Potter people rock!

-had some fantastic food, lots to drink :) (Im serious my friend Addie and dear Kimmy and I need to organize our Corona con, I think a lolo trip to Vegas or Cancun is definitely in order!), wonderful conversations with people I dont get to spend enough time talking with normally, just time well well spent with some people I care for very much, celebrated the release of Harry a History (proper post on that coming soon), talked to the team who made We are the Wizards documentary, saw places and sights in the wonderful place that is New York City and made me realise all the more I need to move to a city again on the east coast. LOVE LOVE LOVE it there on the East coast (made coming back to michigan all the more depressing)

-LOST MY CAMERA, so Ive no photos to show :(((((((((((((((((((((((
Very bummed indeed. Not sure when Im going to get a new one either. Had been wanting to get an iPhone for my holiday present as my cell is all kinds of poo and works only on and off, but financial pressures are on so that had to go, and coming up with cash for that plus now for a camera is errm daunting. aw well times are tough everywhere. at least gas prices are down! The only way too I can make those pcvlogs is using the camera on my macbook, so if anyone has any ideas suggestions etc for ways to shoot with a laptop attached let me know :) I still feel very very awkward and uncomfortable seriously doing those each week, but thanks to those who have commented and those who also subscribed to my personal House of Hufflepuff channel. I hope to try and figure out more time/ways to get stuff up on there very soon as well


-hope to be making a return visit to NYC very very soon...hmmm now I wonder what thats all about....
;)

In the meantime, will be off to see family and friends next week for Thanksgiving, hope those who are celebrating this will have a warm joyus blessed and happy holiday!

xxxx

I solemnly swear today Im up to more goofballness... (if that is even a word lol) Right, as part of PotterCast we are doing video blog extras for our YouTube Channel, and today, TUESDAYS = SUZETUESDAYS. Good lord! well errr here is my first attempt at this. I havent been to active with my House of Hufflepuff channel yet so keeping up with this weekly will be a challenge for me to say the least. Melissa is on Mondays, Dawlishgoober is Thurs and friday will be made fabulous by Frak! Anyone with idea or suggestions of things for me to do for these installments please owl me at Sue@the-leaky-cauldron.org please!

One Year Ago and the Head of House

Sometimes I feel like I'm in some crazy wacko dream with all the things that have happened to me since I was lucky enough to join the Leaky Cauldron, become the senior editor, work with such incredible talented amazing people, and even get to be a host on PotterCast; the events of a year ago certainly still feel like a dream. So MUCH happened during those few hours at the legendary Carnegie Hall in NYC, and frankly so much has happened and changed since, but wow. Looking back at all of this, I still cant believe that it happened, that we have the final Harry Potter book, that J.K. Rowling gave that incredible reading and answered all those questions, topped by the astounding fact I'd gotten to meet her that day with the Leaky Senior staff personally (ok the 3 hugs were pretty damm awesome) and then interview her later on PC, and get this incredible gift from Jo-WHY?? ME ? say what??? I still am astounded by it all.
Forgive the incredibly self-indulgent (again ) of this but today thinking about all of this is such a boost, a cheering draught if there ever was- so cheers all around and
SQUEEEEEEE
SQUEEEEE
AND A SUPER SQUEE too for a Hufflepuff now running Leaky! :)))))

Hugs and Happiness,
Sue

ps- the people in that photo are (l to r) Melissa Anelli, Alex Robbin, John Noe
J.K. Rowling, Sue Upton (me) and Nick Rhein

Random "Deathly Hallows" Casting thought

Utterly random, but Im sitting here working and listening to Stephen Fry's excellent narration of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and my thoughts turned to the Deathly Hallows movie....I wonder if they will cast young Dumbledore and Grindelwald for the films? I figure they will (if Kloves even has it in there) use that backstory as either aa single trip down the pensieve Dumbledore , perhaps some expository dialogue from Aberforth, or maybe even a Quibbler article or info from Xeno or something...or maybe Rita if we are lucky enough to see Miranda Richardson reprise her role (and excellent portrayal) of Rita Skeeter....hmmm

edit: Ok I admit, I would REALLY like to see Jude Law in a Potter film...just saying...between him and Jason I think it would make for a most visually enjoyable film ;)


Pensieves and Ponderings,

Sue


ps thanks so much for all the amazing and I do mean truly lovely mails I've gotten over the past few weeks. The folks in the Harry Potter fandom are a kind, bright, hugely perceptive and damm caring group of people; Im at a loss what to say other than thank YOU! plus Mike esp I think you are wonderful, I havent forgotten I promise and will owl you soon I promise

New Wizarding Classic

In the past few days on Leaky, I posted about some new cover art coming out of Scholastic the US publishers of the Harry Potter novels. A few weeks ago, I posted the incomplete but >entire cover for Beedle the Bard, and coupled with the discussions of the outtakes from Melissa's book and the interview segments from J.K. Rowling not contained in Harry a History, its all made me quite anxious to read Beedle the Bard. Taking another glance at the >formal titled cover of Beedle, along with the new artwork from Mary GrandPre, the words "A Wizarding Classic from the World of Harry Potter"

Perhaps I'm just a hopeless dreamer, die-hard fan or a bit of a goof (more likely all three) but to me, this says we will be seeing many more books in the future that fall under the "Wizarding Classic". Sure it will be chock full of those Beedle fables, but it's the commentary and background from DD, on things such as the Elder wand, MALFOY FAMILY, NHNick that appeal most keenly to me. If anyone is reading this and is a HarryPotter fan, what part in Beedle are you most looking forward too? What future Wizarding Classics do you hope we might see?


Me personally, I am hoping for "The History of Hufflepuff and a House Most Loyal: Tales from the greatest house EVER at Hogwarts," but perhaps I am a bit biased :P

In seriousness, I believe Jo could easily release a plethora of forthcoming books for charity, which I believe she will, including of course the Scottish book (S!!!) in this category, and they certainly would fall under the dictionary's definition of classic "of the first or highest quality, class, or rank."

Speaking of classics...I've been spending a great deal of time listening to music-loads of Herr Mozart, Frank Sinatra, John Legend, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Chris Issak, a great jazz saxophonist I knew personally called Joe Henderson, a smattering of Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer and John Williams, plus some Wizard Rock. that always makes me happy: lots of Christian and his Oliver Boyd, lots of Alex and The Remus Lupins which are among the highest played on my now almost full iPod, plus a few Harry and the Potters, the Malfoys, the Myrtles, Whompy, Ministry of Magic acoustic which I now adore, but most of all a group I really really believe will become considered a wizarding classic- The Mudbloods. Now, not only do they play intelligent lovely kick butt wizard rock, but the lead singer Adam Dubberly is quite the talented young man, and hes written several truly lovely songs that deserve more exposure and are as fine as anything playing on the radio today imo, such as the two videos below from a Youtube user called acciolove who posted performances of songs called Glenrock Falls and "The Fall"

A MAGICAL LUSH HOLIDAY

I interrupt my own blog to blather joyfully about my true obsession...LUSH products ;) have made me a very happy camper tonight with the announcement of NEW HALLOWEEN ITEMS PLUS THE CHRISTMAS PRODUCTS have been leaked/revealed to the press and crafty diehard lushies

THERE IS INDEED SUCH A THING AS

MAGIC

YEP MAGIC BATH BOMB to be exact, and a Witches Ball Bubble bar
*squeeful*

On the new Halloween LUSH product front, this was posted in the forum
Limited edition Hallowe’en products available:
• Pumpkin soap
• Witches Ball bubble bar (will be available through to December)
• Magic bath bomb (will be available through to December)
• Ghost shower gel (to be confirmed)

Christmas pre-sales:
Yes, we will have some holiday products too like Christmas Kisses, Christmas Party and Snowcake!

Look pretty press pic of the new Christmas/holiday stuff from the Lush forums too, including the precious (jingle spells and christmas party bb-no Bob this year tho, boo!, luckily I squirreled away one of the bars Lizzie gave me last year so Im saved )

The Crumpled Horned Snorkack Widget

I think it's safe to say that I love Leaky. We have so many people who work so hard each and every day on that giant staff, its not just one or three or four or ten or 20 but hundreds and hundreds over the years who have all contributed and still contribute each day to make the site what it is. There is so much each and every day to go do and see, and I love all the various forums, galleries, essays and such. One of my great joys still though is to go look at the fan art. To this day I still lament my severe lack of artistic skill.While our Harry Potter fanart gallery is chock full of great artwork from people all around the world and corners of the fandom, I love Frak's work obviously, Snakey is tres brilliant as witnessed in this piece:







and there is so much more that people should check out if possible


I also especially love Heather/Makani. She has such a wicked, lovely talent, great humor coupled with talent that makes me so happy.

One fabulous way to enjoy her work everyday is one I still enjoy hugely, and that is through the WIDGET /QUOTE conjurer on Leaky.
I know that Julie Tynion, who was once an editor and still remains one the most fab people and some one I greatly admire, spent endless upon endless upon endless hours typing in quotes from all the books, now I think soon the Deathly Hallows ones will be showing.

Popping over to Heathers excellent Acciobrain site, I saw she added more of her character portraits for the widget, which are all so brilliant. Gotta say tho, the Bellatrix one scared the crap out of me, lol imagine waking up early in the morning, clicking on my Macbook, my widgets pop up and there is that lunatic snarling at me -aaggggg :)
Anyway, if you haven't before, please be sure to check out her work. I am incredibly fortunate to have a commission from her showing at the top of this page, shes really just aces. Today, I had to laugh and laugh just now for I had forgotten about her sketch of Luna's illustrious father. At Terminus, upon seeing me in my awesome Head of House robes, Hotttt Cheryl told me that she liked them, then paused and said, you know, you really look like Xenophilius, but in a good way

LOLOL

It was such a huge honor to get to do that at Terminus, and I dearly love those robes -going to frame them so that awesome dragon on the back shows, its so beautiful. Anyway going through some pics today from Facebook, I think she's got a fair point indeed :)