Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: Bobby Valentine | Filed under: Bobby's World, Books, Family, Tucson
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Speaking of reading … Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released at 12:01 am this morning. Wow! What a night in the bookstore!
About a six weeks ago Rachael and I made a date for daddy-girl time: Friday, July 20 we would be at Borders Bookstore for the “Deathly Hallows Bash.” We reserved our copy. Yesterday we went up and got our wristband with our placement in the book buying (Silver with two bars in the first Borders … that means were in the second “huge” group).
We arrived at Borders last night about 9 pm and the place was already filling up. We found a spot in the children’s book section to be near the festivities. There was Harry Potter spelling bee. There was a Snape debate. And there was a costume contest. And there were some great costumes. Rachael was Hermione and looked great.
I was blown away by how many folks were there. There were thousands! I knew Potter was an “event” but I was not prepared for the numbers last night. Once midnight struck the only activity that mattered was getting your book and getting out of there. So you listened for your color and the number of bars and its placement on your wristband. We finally got our copy at 1:32 am and Rachael was smiling from ear to ear. I took the book and read the last page quickly and knew immediately what is going to happen. Now in the next day or so we will find out how they got there.
I hope we created a few memories for Rachael. I had a good time and I know she did too. Sometimes we have to read … the fun stuff too.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
July 21st, 2007 at 6:44 pm
My boys picked their copy up and spent a few hours reading after midnight before crashing out. It was weird to see JT, Alex, and a friend who slept over, all sitting silently reading this morning. Should have took a picture of that one!
July 21st, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Good job, daddy of two. What, no pictures of Rachael as Hermione?
July 21st, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Bobby,
I think it is important that we make great memories with our children. You did that last night. How awesome! I know it will be a night that she will always remember with her dad. Thanks for sharing it with us. My wife took our boys to see Transformers while I spent one on one time with our youngest son. Again, memories are so important. God bless. Oh, thanks for not telling us how the book ended. 🙂
July 21st, 2007 at 10:01 pm
OOOHHH!! I’m so jealous! I had to work last night so missed out on the HP festivities. I still remember last year’s & wish we could have gone again this year (our last chance!). My hubby & I are going to see the newest movie tonight … after we pick up our reserved copy of the last book! I’m so excited!
I’m with Carisse — I’d love to see a picture of Rachael as Hermione! I’ve heard Emma Watson isn’t coming back for the last movies, maybe Rachael’s interested in trying out for the part?! 🙂
July 21st, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Last night was a good time to score “daddy points.” I’m even managed to last night with my almost-18 year old who is heading off the college in a few weeks. He happened to be with us last night as we were coming home from a game night at friends’ house. It was a few minutes before midnight and our route home took us within a couple of blocks of Walmart. On the spur of the moment, we decided to go by and see if we could get a copy without too long a wait. It was almost the stroke of midnight when we walked in the store . . . to find a long line snaking through the store. By the time we walked to the end of the line, it started moving and it moved fast. Walmart had the thing organized great with several people handing out books to people in line and all the registers open. We were back in the car on the way home by 12:15.
I’m sure Jared would have bought the book on his own this morning, but going together and me buying the book for him was one of the precious few father-son moments like this we’ll have before he leaves us with an empty nest.
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Bobby.
Bobby.
Bobby.
After two posts on why we read, after showing such respect and honor for the writer’s craft and the power and beauty of a well-made story…
As often as you counsel us about respecting narrative structure and soaking in the story…
YOU SKIPPED TO THE LAST PAGE!?!?!?
Wow.
That’s all I can say.
Wow.
🙂
in HIS love,
Nick
July 23rd, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Nick,
I fell pray to an evil spirit. I had to know …
It was a serious moment of weakness!
My spirit was willing but my flesh was so weak …
You must pray for me, 🙂
I’ve been a bad boy.
Bobby V
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Good for you, Bobby!
Dee
July 24th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Bobby,
You know that isn’t enough. Not by a far sight.
The next time you give the invitation, you need to turn yourself right around and sit down on that front pew. You need to confess your sin before the whole congregation and ask them to pray for your forgiveness and restoration. Only then will you have been accepted back into the community of true readers.
🙂
in HIS love,
Nick
July 26th, 2007 at 5:00 am
You are a cool daddy! Not into the Potter deal, simply b/c my kiddos are under 6 – but it sounds fun 🙂
I lost your e-mail addy, but thought you would enjoy this post.