blog laziness

Did you watch the Tonys??

SUMMER! WOOOOOT! Where are you excited about going? what do you wanna see while you're there? What do you wanna do? etc etc

Melissa,

I've been thinking about this topic for a few days. The status of the local book store and will they be around for much longer? Since you attended Printers Row Book Fair, are going to be at Andersons for the book release and PoterCast is sponsored by Borders you may have some interesting insight to this topic.

Here's an article that touches a little bit on this subject. http://tinyurl.com/yvsxe8

Travel safely.

Best, Mike (aka LostLongbottom)

You should blog about the random things that remind you of musicals. =]=]

I'm bad at coming up with good Blog topics for my blog too...even though it's never used...okay i'm out. Go look at someone else's comment. I bet they have a brighter idea than mine.

CIAO! Hope you're having fun! =]

p.s. Tomorrow is my last day of school! You should dance with me! =] *dance time* ^^

Hi Melissa.
Now that you are travelling, have you started work on your book? You're meeting fans and seeing this phenomenon stark. Its so immense that it makes one feel so small and minute..It would be a tough job condensing it all in a book..
Any fears??

Hats off to you for such an attempt.

Also, when you publish the book, where will it be available? I'm in India...will it reach us Leaky fans here?

Jason's songs on Virb sound great! I've never heard of that website. Thanks for the link. Did you notice that Harry and the Potters are listed under Rising Artists on Virb?

Blog subjects... Hmm... I have a hard time thinking of subjects for my own blog most of the time. Oh, wait! Here's question. What kind of music have you guys been listening to the most in the car so far on your PotterCast tour? Wizard rock? Something else?

Oh Melissa,

As I read your blog about not having a blog topic, I think back to all of my own myspace blogs where I just randomly typed thoughts that entered my head.

Just now, I was wondering how belly-button lint occurs....I don't get lint in my ears when I wear a toque, so why my belly-button?

That's my suggestion to you. Let your fingers type out the random thoughts that pop in. Then you can look back after a half-hour and realise how odd or very normal your brain process is!!!

I tend towards odd FYI :)

*Oh, and did you ever notice that Daffodils look like trumpets?

Something non HP related - where would you live if NY wasn't an option? Also, what are your three favorite restaurants, and what do you order when you go there?

Umm...

How/When did your love of theater start?
Do you prefer musical theater?
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Do you like your new apartment?
Favorite books(aside from the obvious haha)?
The JKR interview. -that can never be over-discussed can it?

Please don't feel obligated to address all, or any, of these. They're just the questions I came up with; random though they are.

Happy touring!

I tried to be adult but I can't help it.

PDA defensive tactics?

Any road trip stories would be fun to hear. Drive safe!

Will you get to interview JK Rowling again this summer?

I tag you for the eight things meme I did on my blog, if you haven't done it already.

Write an Appreciation of something -- a really in-depth explanation of what makes something great. It could be a person, a song, a food, a night, a book, a movie, a show, your cat. Explain the Zen of _____________.

Reread Books 1-6 and write up notes on your experiences.

Ridden any good roller coasters lately? :-)

How did you become a journalist?

Okay, this probably isnt really anything exciting or stuff that we dont already know, but what about a post containing a day in the life of Melissa Anneli or something like that where you say what you did for each hour of the day - maybe for one of your more busy potter days i nteh coming weeks.

Could you write about.....
The progress of your book
What you expect this summer to be like
Your years in school
Your craziest fan
and lots of random stuff. Random is wonderful!
Love from a fan,
Michelle

Any good ideas for car games? I wonder how many total hours you will spend this summer in the car...but i am sure you all will find ways to entertain each other.

I second the restaurant idea! And the non-hp books that you enjoy...i am always adding to my book list.

How will it feel after this summer is over? What do you want to do after you finish your book?

Do you ever need a break from the HP world? How do you escape?

This is such a fun idea!! I can't wait to read the responses to all these questions. :) I hope the summer goes well...and i was wondering if there was anywhere we could donate to a gas money fund for you all...i know this adventure must be pricey, and i would love to contribute if at all possible. You have done so much for us, i wanted to give back!!
See you in Wichita (my hometown, where it is often referred to wich-a-titty city :)
Kendra

did you watch the Tony's?
I'm into Spring Awakening now because of the performance from the Tony's. =]

I've been wondering about this for a while, but I don't know if you'll be able (allowed?) to answer it. I think it's fantastic that PotterCast has a sponsorship from Borders, and it's awesome that they saved the day with an extra recording of the Phoenix Rising 'cast, but how does it make you feel to be sponsored by such a huge corporation when you read about the small bookstores that are being put out of business by them? Does it feel a little funny with all the news about indie stores that can't carry Harry Potter because giants like Borders offer such hugely discounted prices? It's just that I think I remember a PotterCast episode that started off with the usual "brought to you by Borders" and then you all went on to talk about how sad it was that indie bookstores can't compete, and it just seemed a little ironic.

I want to stress that there's no judgement in this post. Borders is doing a wonderful thing by helping you guys do things like go on tour, and I don't want this to come off as "you're all hypocrites". I still shop at Borders fairly frequently, though I try to support the little guys, too. I was just wondering if you're ever contemplated it or anything, is all.

Hey Melissa! Ok so now that Jo is making plans to come to the US during the fall, do you think there's any chance you will get to interview her again....except this time in New York? Also, do you think she could ever be featured on PotterCast?

Hi Melissa!

Judging from the recent pics on your flickr, you look fantastic! How's the fittingitin business going?

I hope the book writing is going well.

Take care.

Just the one question:

a) Have you always known you wanted to become a journalist? Or was it something that you sort of "discovered" in college?

:)

Hey Melissa, How about telling us a little something interesting about each city you visit? About an interesting person you've met?

Also, how's the running program going? :)

First off, after looking at your most recent pictures I have to say you look fantastic!! My question is how is Moochka?

Talk about how you found Harry Potter or how you've changed since you first read the books, or talk about the writing's going - if there's anything that you didn't expect that's come up. If you're getting sick of Potterish topics, talk about an experience you had, a place you went, a show you saw that you really enjoyed. What are you most looking forward to this summer? What do you plan to do post-Potter?

Hello Melissa,

I'm a kindergarten teacher from New Jersey. I have a theory about how the Harry Potter series will end. I would like for you to take a look at it.

Malice and Ulterior Motives

In my opinion Severus Snape is a bad man. Many say that now he is not bad, but is a double agent. The interesting thing about double agents is that you never really know whose side they are truly on; or even more importantly if they are on any one side at all, preferring to use what they can from both sides until ultimately both sides cancel each other out leaving the double-double-crosser as the true victor.

Throughout the novel Snape is repeatedly described as having bat-like and spider-like qualities. Bats are bloodsuckers, and arachnids spin webs to entrap their prey, once caught they are sucked dry of their innards until only a husk remains. These are the perfect descriptions for a man who has laid out webs of deceit all around him and uses those that he ensnares to achieve his goals.

Snape can easily lie to the entire Order of the Phoenix. He only had to fool one member. With Dumbledore backing him, the other members blindly accepted Snape and everything he did without question, wrongfully assuming that their all-knowing leader knew best. I think that this is why J. K. Rowling makes a point for Dumbledore to inform Harry that he makes mistakes. To banish the notion that he is somehow more than just a man.

Fooling Dumbledore could have been as easy as tugging on his heartstrings – The Dark Lord, however, is another matter.

“The Dark Lord, for instance, almost always knows when somebody is lying to him. Only those skilled at Occlumency are able to shut down those feelings and memories that contradict the lie, and so utter falsehoods in his presence without detection.” (Order of the Phoenix; Occlumency, p531)

During this conversation with Harry, it seems obvious that Snape is talking about himself. Never one to pass up an opportunity to “toot his own horn” Snape implies that he has the power to lie to the face of the Dark Lord. This also applies to Dumbledore; if Snape can utter falsehoods to Voldemort you could also argue that he can lie to Dumbledore. Intricate webs wonderfully weaved though they might have a tendency of coming unraveled.

I think it no mistake that Snape lives at Spinner’s End. The imagery speaks for itself. However, titling the Chapter “Spinner’s End” evokes a dual meaning: The end of the Spinner – The end of the web. It is in this chapter that Snape makes the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa.

“And, should it prove necessary…if it seems Draco will fail…” whispered Narcissa (Snape’s hand twitched within hers, but he did not draw away), “will you carry out the dead that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?” There was a moment’s silence. Bellatrix watched, her wand upon their clasped hands, her eyes wide. “I will,” said Snape. (Half-Blood Prince, Spinner’s End, p36-37)

It is at this point that Snape has been forced off his fence, where he has been happy to sit and watch the world move around him. Snape’s hand twitches and he pauses. His hesitancy shows he understands that he may regret this decision. But he was backed into a corner. Showing his intentions to be anything other than for the Dark Lord and the protection of his own, especially in front of Bellatrix would certainly have meant his death. I think Phineas Nigellus puts it best in Order of the Phoenix; “We Slytherin’s are brave, yes, but not stupid. For instance, given the choice, we will always choose to save our own necks." (p494-495) This notion fits Snape to a “T” in two moments, the reason he makes the promise in the first place, and then when he finally has to kill Dumbledore.

Throughout the novel J. K. Rowling makes certain to let you know that Snape has no idea what Draco’s task is. I am certain that he did not expect the murder of Dumbledore to be a task that the Dark Lord would have given a child. When it becomes clear that Draco is too much of a child still to make up his mind to commit murder, Snape would rather kill than die himself. It could seem that there is a possibility that Snape was still working with Dumbledore and his death was planned. However, when we hear Slughorn’s description of how one makes a horcrux it seems clear that this cannot be.

By an act of evil – the supreme act of evil. By committing murder. Killing rips the soul apart. The wizard intent upon creating a Horcrux would use the damage to his advantage: He would encase the torn portion… (Half-Blood Prince, Horcruxes, p498)

To intentionally kill someone causes so much damage to your soul that it tears apart. It would not be in Dumbledore's character to ask this of Snape. Dumbledore's been trying to keep Snape away from the Defense Against the Dark Arts position for years because of his fear that it would tempt Snape back to the dark side. It doesn’t seem very likely that Dumbledore would risk Snape’s mortal soul. He trusted and protected a man who kills him in cold blood.

“Severus…”

The sound frightened Harry beyond anything he had experienced all evening. For the first time, Dumbledore was pleading.
Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face.

“Severus…please…”

Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore. (Half Blood Prince, The Lightning Struck Tower, p595-596)

The sound of his hero and protector pleading is even more frightening to Harry than facing an army of bewitched corpse-puppets. None of this moves Snape in the slightest. No longer able to ride the fence, Snape makes the ultimate decision to ally himself with the seemingly stronger faction. A faction not led by wounded old men. He goes on to toy with and torment Harry as he runs for freedom. Mocking Harry’s father as he deflects spell after spell. He shows that even after killing a weak and beaten Dumbledore that he can be as cruel as ever.

If this were true then why would he save Harry’s life over the course of all the books (i.e. while being jinxed by Quirrell), or more recently during his flee from the school? Was it because he is so loyal to the Dark Lord that he would ensure the boy’s survival just so Voldemort could kill him? Or is it because of something more?

We know that Harry is a powerful wizard untrained though he might be. There is also no doubt that many in the book see this as something he was born with. This may be true, however, what if his strength came from the events that happened at Godric’s Hollow? We know that Harry did not die because his mother sacrificed herself to protect him – a protection that lives in his blood and his skin still. We also know that Harry has some of the Dark Lord in him, something that was transferred into him when Voldemort’s death curse backfired. Voldemort had just committed the act of murder when he attempted to kill Harry. This means that a part of his soul was torn, as Slughorn described. What if because of Lily’s sacrifice this torn portion of Voldemort’s soul was transferred into Harry?

This would make Harry a Horcrux.

We know after this last book that a Horcrux does not have to be confined to an object.

"The Snake?" said Harry, startled. "You can use animals as Horcruxes?" "Well, it is inadvisable to do so," said Dumbledore, "because to confide a part of your soul to something that can think and move for itself is obviously a very risky business." (p506)

If it is inadvisable could this mean that the soul piece inside a living being can influence its container and be influenced? Couldn’t the explanation of why Harry has some of Voldemort’s abilities and strengths be because he is being influenced by the soul-shard that is inside him, just like the soul-shard of Tom Riddle in the diary influenced Ginny. The only thing that protects Harry from being consumed is the love and protection that runs in his veins.

I believe that Snape sees that this is true, and quite possibly has always suspected that a part of the Dark Lord resides behind Harry’s scar. In The Chamber of Secrets Snape tests his theory. He whispers the Serpensortia spell to Draco. When Harry responds to the snake in Parseltongue Snape has the proof. He looks “at Harry in an unexpected way: it was a shrewd and calculating look, and Harry didn’t like it." (The Dueling Club, p193-194)

It seems clear that Snape has a plan for the power inside Harry, and knows and understands more about Harry’s gifts than he is willing to let on to anyone.

"By attempting to kill you, Voldemort himself singled out the remarkable person who sits here in front of me, and gave him the tools for the job! It is Voldemort's fault that you were able to see into his thoughts, his ambitions, that you even understand the snakelike language in which he gives orders, and yet, Harry, despite your privileged insight into Voldemort's world (which, incidently, is a gift any Death Eater would kill to have), you have never been seduced by the Dark Arts, never, even for a second, shown the slightest desire to become one of Voldemort's followers!" (Half-Blood Prince, p510-511)

Up to this point Snape’s motivations have been fueled by a want to be powerful, respected and feared. The way he treats the children of the school are a clear example.

J. K. Rowling has said in an interview that Snape in a way is even more culpable for his actions than Voldemort because Snape was loved. She has also eluded in an interview that Snape may redeem himself in book 7. How can a man who is both culpable and possibly redeemable be innocent? Up to this point he is an evil manipulative horrid man who preys on innocent children and weaves a web of deceit and death where ever he goes.

Harry Potter is a Horcrux and Snape is evil.

I'll repeat the question and ask if you watched the Tonys just because I had a huge discussion with my choir teacher and a girl I never thought I'd have anything in common with about them.

Hmm, this might not be particularly interesting, but I'm curious about it. I just got done reading Anthony Rapp's book Without You, and I was wondering if you are the Melissa Anelli that he thanks in the acknowledgements? Because really, that would be so cool.

Hey Melissa!

I really like your blog. I was wondering what you thought the

**** SPOILER ALERT ****

inspiration might have been for Ron and Hermione's kids' names, Rose and Hugo. I was thinking they might have been named after Hermione's parents, but I'm not sure. What do you think?