Avada Kedavra-ed

I tried not to do it. It's ridiculous. Magic and wizards and little children running around in robes... but somewhere in college, I caved in. I read the damn books. Now I'm hooked. I'm sucked into the vortex and I can't get the hell out. Not that I want to get the hell out... I'm talking about, of course, Harry Potter. What is it about this book series that grabs us and pulls us so far in that there is no hope of escape? Few things give me goosebumps, but when I hear the stupid theme song for Harry Potter it's game over. I can't help it, I love it. The thing that gets you isn't necessarily the writing, but the characters. The writing is okay, and gets better and better as the series continues, but the characters have such an element of humanity to them that we can relate (even if we don't have that magic thing going for us). It's also cool because my generation grew up with them. They were a few years younger than us, but it didn't matter.

Even with all the supernatural stuff running around in the plot, there's still a very strong emotional attachment to the characters which makes this series unlike any fantasy books I've ever read. Magic is fun and stuff, but when people die in other fantasy books, I really really really don't care. It's more of a "oh, guess that sucks" moment instead of bawling over my copy of the Half Blood Prince at one in the morning because Dumbledore just got sent to that giant cauldron in the sky. It mattered. I was sad. Damn near depressed. That's why the books are good; I care. I freaking care what happens to the characters and that's more than I can say for a LOT of books that I've read. That's why I can't get out even if I tried. I've tried to write a few short stories but I could never form the emotional attachment to the characters that's so crucial to the reader. This attachment is what turns a "meh" story into an amazing story. Props to J.K. Rowling who just kept getting better as the years went by and ended up turning all of us into her minions.

Rage of the Road Variety

I never used to be an angry person. In fact, I don't really consider myself an angry person most of the time. But recently, I find myself wanting to stab people in the eye with a toothpick. Or perhaps many, many tiny needles. Can no one drive? Anyone? Anyone? Yeah, didn't think so. It all started with my recent Thursday commuting to Karate. It's not that far. An hour at most. That's unfortunately based on the assumption that traffic is, y'know, moving. Or it isn't raining. Or there isn't something shiny on the side of the road that everyone must slow down and look at. We live in Colorado people: land of insane blizzards and the occasional flash flood and you're going 30 on the interstate because it's sprinkling outside?! What is the problem? Why are there people who insist on being in the left lane when they're going the same speed as the slowest person on the interstate? Why? WHY?! All I wanna do is get to Karate before it's over at 10 and not get killed in the freaking process.

Now it's not just Thursdays. It's everyday. Yes, everyday I'm cut off by someone who then drives 10 miles below speed limit. Everyday I'm left white-knuckling the steering wheel because they just HAD to make that left-hand turn while I slam on my brakes to oblige their adrenaline rush or whatever the hell it was they were going for. They say more people die in car crashes than air planes every year. Yes, I believe that now.

I know that it could be worse... much worse. I've driven through Vegas. Los Angeles. Spring Hill Florida (don't laugh, you have NO idea). But seriously. This is madness. I'd rather be on the road surrounded by student drivers because at least they're trying to be careful. That's a lot more than I can say for the people I encounter just going to work everyday. I understand those with road rage now. Also, I have a paintball gun. Just throwing that out there next time anyone decides to cut me off, go slow and then flip me off when I pass them.