Okay, I was v. v. amused by the number of readers who emailed me with this news as if I would have missed it. My RL el-jay is 95% HP fans (and a few legal-type stragglers like divisadero), so I sat down to entry after entry after entry discussing this new bit of info. But I guess you all are just dying to get Ruth's view on the matter.

So I'm sorry to have to disappoint you, because my views on this aren't that interesting. :(

The truth is, poor JKR can't seem to win no matter what she does. A number of people are all "Yay for gay!" and others think it's cowardly of her not to have explicitly said so in canon, and then there are those with their torches ready because they "told you Harry Potter was evil!" Then there are those who are saying she just pulled it out of her ass and that he wasn't really gay (because--you know--the author who created the character wouldn't know best or anything). Others still say that she's just looking for more publicity. Because she needs it to sell more HP books or something.

But me? I just enjoy getting more little tidbits of info about characters that I devoted a hefty amount of time to over the past six years (but mostly the past four). And because it doesn't strike me as out-of-character for ole' Albus, I can't seem to get worked up either way. I liked the idea of Dumbledore/Grindelwald when it was discussed right after DH, so JKR's mention of DD's unrequited love for him made sense to me too. Sure, I would have liked to see it made explicit in canon, but the series wasn't about who DD was (or in this case was not) getting it on with, so I can understand why she wouldn't have included it. I jumped on the Dumbledore/Grindelwald ship right away though, so I think perhaps it was still there between the lines. Looking back now, knowing what we know, it makes Dumbledore's hesitation to face him way more interesting (and angsty).

So in conclusion, I think the fact that Dumbledore was gay fits with his character and makes for even more interesting backstory. I'm not too pissy about the fact that it wasn't included in canon, and I certainly don't think she just made it up on the spot or that she's just looking for attention. But I may just be inspired enough to write some angsty, emo, 17-year-old Dumbledore fic about how Gellert is totally not into him, woe!!

Okay, yeah, I wouldn't write that (I prefer writing about the Malfoys). But I'd probably read it. /unrepentant geek


My apologies to those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about. To get up to speed, here's the Fandom Wank report.

Because today while grabbing a meal, I overheard two people talking about the latest HP book. Had I not already devoured it myself, I would have gone batshit. Instead, I merely snickered at their totally unsophisticated interpretations and my clear superiority when it comes to Harry Potter.

And then I was forced to realize my geekitude and get back to Procedure and Evidence. *sigh*

Things I'm Glad I Did Even if I Fail the Bar:

1. Studied in El Paso. So yes I was distracted by extended family, an ubercute (and walking!) 9-month old nephew, and an equally cute dog. Any day of the week, I'd rather be distracted by those things than by my friends freaking out and predicting doom for one and all. While it's nice to know that I'm not the only one scared shitless, it's quite the slippery slope. First you are comforted to know that you aren't alone, but then you start comparing level of freaked-outedness to amount of preparation. So if A studied more than B, but is also freaking out more than B, than B starts thinking that he's in denial and hasn't done enough and will clearly fail. But at the same time, A is thinking that if B didn't study as much as him and is calmer, than clearly B is better prepared and more comfortable and therefore more likely to pass than A. I caught just a glimpse of that mentality tonight after getting back into A-town, and there is no way I could have survived a whole summer of it.

2. Read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I loved it. Perhaps it was because it was the only reading I did that wasn't published by BAR/BRI or the El Paso Times and therefore I had no choice but to enjoy it, but I thought it was perfect. Now, few of my readers here are familiar with the years I was heavy in the Harry Potter fandom, but a lot of the stuff I'd said would happen happened, and things that I doubted would happen didn't. But aside from being pleased with how the series ended (Lemony Snicket could take a few notes from JKR), I felt happier while/after reading it than I had all summer, which led me to make this ( comparison to the story with spoiler ) It's just clear and convincing evidence that the Bar Exam has a bit of Voldemort's soul in it. ;)

3. Watched Smallville Seasons 1-5. Okay, I'm only half-glad. I'm glad because I really enjoyed it, and it was a nice way to end each day, which was always long, no matter how much study time I put in. But now I'm stuck waiting until September for Season 6. Hmph.

Things I Will Never Say to Someone Preparing for the Bar

1. Say, "Don't Worry, You'll Do Fine." Logically, I know that worrying is pointless, and honestly, it's not like I sit around and contemplate what I'll do if I fail the bar. But if one more person says to me, "You're a smart girl, I'm sure you'll pass," I might A. Be convicted of voluntary manslaughter rather than murder because this is adequate provocation. Seriously, smart people have failed this exam before. Yes, that doesn't mean I will, but their "assurances" do nothing but belittle everyone's hard work. It really makes me irrationally angry when they say it. I will tell people, "I have no words of comfort for you, but I've been there and I feel for you now." Or something a little less dorky sounding.

Things I'm Going to Do Tomorrow

1. Get My Oil Changed. Pretty self-explanatory. My "Maintenance Needed" thingie changed from green to yellow on the drive here. I don't want to take any chances.

2. Turn in Some Law School Keys. I think they're the reason I don't have my diploma yet.

3. Look at MPT Stuff for the First Time Ever. But seriously, how much can you really practice that? Follow the directions and be organized. If I managed an A- on my closed memo in LRW, I think I can snag a few points on the MPT. Right? Right? Anyone?

Things I'm Going to Do Right Now.

1. Sleep. Twelve hours in one spot yesterday while reading. Nine hours in one spot today while driving, and then an additional three in the library. Ruth is sore, and tired, and sore.

Dear Ruth,

When leaving a voicemail for an attorney regarding potential employment, try to keep the "ums" to a maximum of one total. Congrats on sounding like an idiot to someone you were hoping would give you a job.

No love,
Self


In other news, I'm super stressed out (raise your hand if you're surprised), and also on a substantial media hiatus. I'm afraid to even check my email for fear of Harry Potter spoilers. I ordered the book from Amazon and got the release-day shipping, so I should be able to study up until the time the book arrives and avoid any "Snape Kills Dumbeldore"-esque drive-by spoilers at the book store. Normally, I'm a spoiler whore, but in a sorry attempt to focus on my studies, I've kept all Harry Potter exposure to a minimum. Basically I read the crappy articles about the book release in the El Paso Times and that's about it. I also read something forwarded to me by a friend from Cracked.com, but it didn't say anything new to me. So for the first time since 2001, I'm going into an HP book completely unspoiled. Starting as soon as I post this entry, I will stay 20 paces away from any intrawebs connection. I'll report back after I've read consumed The Book.

Lastly, my post-bar drinking binge plans have been somewhat hampered by an interview. On the one hand, it's an interview that brings me one step closer to employment. On the other hand, it'll suck being the only sober one Thursday night. I suppose I can act as designated driver...

See you Sunday...

Amazon.com sent me an email today offering "Guaranteed Release Date Delivery" of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when I pre-order with them. "Guaranteed Release Date Delivery" means that it'll arrive at my place by 7:00 Saturday, July 21, or they'll refund the cost of the book.

Hmmmm...

It sounds good on its face, especially since I wouldn't have to leave the apartment. I could just study until the book arrives and then devour it.

On the other hand, what if it really doesn't arrive until the evening? Can I really wait that long for The Book? If it were guaranteed delivery by 10 am, I'd be all for it. But most of the excitement is getting The Book right away and reading it straight through in record time. I don't know if I can sit around and study (or sleep the night before) knowing that the entire English speaking world is reading it and I'm not. The likelihood that I'll break down and make an early morning drive to Walmart is too great. Might as well just plan to get it at midnight to begin with and save all the trouble.

Sorry, Amazon. But 7:00 pm just isn't good enough.

I promised myself that I wasn't going to be allowed to engage in any Harry Potter-related online activity until AFTER the bar exam. A night off for The Book is one thing, but the minute I let myself get wrapped up in all the online hype, I'm a goner.

That said, I couldn't resist this:

In other news... Ruth fails the bar exam.

Thank you, J.K. Rowling. Would it have killed you to push that date back two weeks?

*sobs*

EDIT: On second thought, Bar Bri should be over with by then, so I can easily take the night off, read it in one go, and get back to it. It can be done. It can be done.