Harry Potter is worth not going to bed at a reasonable hour for

First off: saw the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince last night with my friends Tessa, Hunter, J-Babe (who went as "Fratty Potter," it was so funny) and his girl friend Kaitlin. We got to the theater a little before 10:30 (movie was supposed to start at 12:01) and the line was wrapped around the large block and up the side street. The amount of people there was ridiculous, yet awesome. I deal fine with crowds, I just prefer to not. Too many pushy and annoying people. Heather called me though to find out when I was going back to school so that we could move all our stuff (i.e. books and winter clothes, etc.) from Mac to Kappa together. It was so wonderful hearing her voice; the three hour time difference makes it a wee bit difficult to catch each other, but when we do, it is always glorious.

The movie was amazing. I would see it again today or tomorrow or the next day in a heartbeat. Even though I read all the Harry Potter books multiple times, I am embarrassed to say I have since forgotten many major components of the sixth, and that I yelped at a part involving something coming out of dark water rather suddenly (dark water is probably one of my biggest fears; there are just too many variables--also, the whole didn't know that was coming element: I can be a jumpy person in general, so that most likely contributed as well.) The plot was not disjointed, there was character development, actual funny parts (not just forced laughing between the three protagonists), as well as elements of sympathy, growing pains (Draco's angst was pretty classic), action and adventure, and great dialogue.

Today I edited the Sunday section (including my own review!) and am now taking a break from reading my second book. I'm also meeting with one of my favorite editorial writers later to go over and discuss the op-ed I wrote. I found a neat book on the give-away table by the Books office called "The Constitutional Presidency;" that would have been a neat senior thesis topic as well! I drank (am still drinking) coffee today but I didn't (don't) like it. I even made it myself and still didn't (don't) like it. I made Ben (an editor) coffee too and his was fine, so I know it is not just me botching up the brew.

Tonight I am meeting up with Matt, Will and Zach at the Press Club for drinks, and then heading over to Chinatown to have dinner with CNers. I think it shall be another lovely night. The weather continues charming.

In closing, I saw an interesting quote and wondered what y'all think about it: "Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." --Russel Baker.

I'm not sure what the context is or where it is even from, but it certainly made me think I haven't suffered too horribly this summer; in fact, I've kind of liked it!

turn it up, that's enough, so you know it's got soul --van morrison

Today I am wearing my black pencil skirt. I remember buying it for recruitment and thinking, I will never wear this (except for Kappa). Then, one day, I decided to try it with an oxford, and a few weeks after that with a ruffled blouse from J.Crew and now? Well today I am wearing it with a purple v-neck, green cardigan, and metallic flats. I would like to thank Heather for telling me to stop being a baby and wear the black skirt outside Kappa functions because it has become one of my favorite skirts to wear to the office. It is tres chic, and always in style.

Edited two book reviews, checked up on publishers, ordered a few more. I am looking around for books to review for the Collegian in the fall. I have all ready found two: Race and Liberty in America, edited by Jonathan Bean and The Duty of Delight: The diaries of Dorothy Day, edited by Robert Ellsberg. I also found a collection on T.S. Eliot and a fiction--Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. If anyone else has any other suggestions, I am very open to them.

Nice chats with the managing and letters editors this morning; they are definitely my two favorites in the office, outside my editor, who is just the sweetest.

I might be meeting up with Hillsdale pals for drinks tonight but am definitely seeing Harry Potter 6 at midnight. I am thus feeling motivated to be very productive today. I've finished all my work so far, so I think I'm going to read my second book! It seems so decadent to be reading a book in the middle of the day.

When in DC, my favorite tool to use is the DC Metro Trip Planner. For all those unawares, I tend to run on Julie time, which means I either over or under estimate how much time is needed (usually the latter) to get somewhere. This handy dandy contraption tell you either what time the trains will arrive if you get somewhere at this time, or what time you should leave if you want to get somewhere by a certain time (you can only imagine how much I love the second option). It has other dandy variables to play with too (like date and time), which makes traveling a little easier.

This was the reflection today; it is from Pope Paul VI and discusses the call of Christ. It is very, very good. Read here.

Rach passed along this article to me from G. It's called "The Audacity of the Pope" and was published in the New York Times. Very intriguing and a good read.

And finally: my friend Katie sent a mass e-mail with her contact information for the next year because she is going to be a FOCUS missionary at the University of Auburn in Alabama this fall. According to Katie,

"FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students) is a national outreach that sends teams of missionaries to college campuses to meet students where they are and invite them to examine the meaning and purpose of their lives. We host large-group outreach events such as conferences and retreats, as well as Bible Studies to build students up and encourage them in their faith. We also do one-on-one mentoring, investing our lives into the students we work with, just loving them and offering guidance as to how to live their faith in the midst of the demands and distractions of everyday life. "

Doesn't that sound great?! I wish Hillsdale had something like that. Anyways, this quote was at the bottom of her e-mail and I love it:

"The world promises you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." --Pope Benedict XVI

Happy Tuesday!!