So like, as you may have noticed, it took me about five extra days to get a blog post up last week. I've always been a chronic procrastinator, but that was a bit shameful, even for me.
This summer has been a really strange mix of brief periods of high-energy excitement, followed by weeks and weeks of monotony. I feel like I've pretty much exhausted the topic of LeakyCon on this blog, and although that weekend did spark a lot of ideas and creative energy for me, it's more of a "doing things" energy than a "writing things" energy. And unfortunately, none of that stuff is going to be done until I get back to school, back to friends who can help make this stuff happen, back to witches and wizards and magical beasts....
Which leaves me with a whole lot of nothing to write about. Actually, that's not quite true. All of this doing nothing has left me lots of time to think about things, so I'm sure I could craft an intelligent, meaningful post if I really sat down and tried. The problem, then, is the trying. Having the discipline to sit down and write, sometime before 11pm, and then forcing myself to re-read and polish my writing, would be a really great life choice on my part. As someone who hopes to one day be able to make a living writing things, you'd think I'd be a little bit more invested in this, right?
Well, I wish I was.
Something I'd never really considered until, like, just now, was how lucky I am to have this blog. Although I sometimes think of it as a chore, or worse, a pointless, self-indulgent waste of time, it really is a privilege.
In the first place, living in a part of the world where constant, (mostly) uncensored access to the internet is available is pretty freaking great. On top of that, being able to afford my own laptop and internet service. And finally, having a voice that is heard. Of course, my voice usually doesn't reach far beyond my (amazing, wonderful, beautiful) friends and my twitter and tumblr followers - and I'm perfectly okay with that! But statistically, across the world, the average young woman doesn't have the same chances as I do to make her voice heard. She may not have the unrestricted internet that I do, or a laptop, or the freedom, as a woman of a certain race, faith or political belief, to speak her mind without fear.
So does that mean that I should guilt myself into writing something "meaningful" every single week, or putting more time into my posts, so as not to abuse my privilege? I don't think so. I think that almost everything I write on here has some meaning - and after all, it is as much a personal journal as it is a public forum, and the decision about what is meaningful is solely up to me.
I do, however, think that taking a broader view of this whole blogging thing will do me good. No, I may not be the last surviving member of a doomed civilization, desperately documenting centuries of culture. And I may not be travelling hours and hours each week to get internet access and tell the world about the political violence in my remote region. But I think I do have some sort of a duty, as a person who dedicates quite a bit of their time to writing. However I stumbled upon it, I have discovered a voice, and I just really think I need to use it.
Goodnight, bloglings
Monday 29 July 2013
Thursday 25 July 2013
Week 29: Catching Up and Falling Down
Well internet, it has certainly been a week. I have been putting off this post for days because although I have a lot of things to reflect on, I don't have nearly enough energy to do them justice. I'm hoping that getting something up here will help quiet my mind a bit - one less expectation (even if it is just an expectation I created for myself) that I've left unfulfilled.
Although I'm sure you would only have to flip back a few months to find my blog full of school-induced stress and desperate longing for summer, it has come to my attention that I'm actually looking forward to getting back to school. A four-month summer break is great - if you have other things to fill it besides work, sleep, and tumblr. LeakyCon was a wonderful, magical escape from real life. But now that I'm home, in a lonely muggle town and quite without friends, fandom or otherwise, who I can physically hang out with, summer pretty much sucks.
Both my mind and my facebook inbox are abuzz with plans for the fall, and I can't decide if it's making all of this better or worse. Of course, the excitement leading up to fandom events and friend reunions is a lot of fun, and a great distraction - but the disconnect between the anticipated future and the actual present is this ocean that I run out of breath trying to cross.
Fortunately, there is another kind of escape. A world that, while fictional, is much easier to fall into than the plans for my own future. OotP has always been my favourite Harry Potter book - a preference, I have discovered, that is fairly uncommon. Although I first read it when I was far younger than 15 year-old Harry, his struggles always got to me in a way that those of 11 year-old or 17 year-old Harry's did not.
Now, of course, I am once again years apart from OotP Harry, but I don't think I've ever felt closer to him. I'm about to sound like a big ol' walking cliché, but I really identify with the boy who finds himself oppressed by the heat, his family, and the stifling suburban mindset of those around him. Despite the uncertain circumstances he finds himself in, Harry's delight upon being reunited with his friends comes across so clearly that my heart almost leapt out of my chest during my recent reading of it.
Although I know the plot, all its twists and turns, by heart, this book remains a wonderful world to fall into. A world where I know that no matter how frustrating the Dursleys are, and no matter how hopeless the dementors make the world seem, the Order will come to the rescue, we'll go back to Hogwarts, and the adventures will continue.
Goodnight, bloglings
Although I'm sure you would only have to flip back a few months to find my blog full of school-induced stress and desperate longing for summer, it has come to my attention that I'm actually looking forward to getting back to school. A four-month summer break is great - if you have other things to fill it besides work, sleep, and tumblr. LeakyCon was a wonderful, magical escape from real life. But now that I'm home, in a lonely muggle town and quite without friends, fandom or otherwise, who I can physically hang out with, summer pretty much sucks.
Both my mind and my facebook inbox are abuzz with plans for the fall, and I can't decide if it's making all of this better or worse. Of course, the excitement leading up to fandom events and friend reunions is a lot of fun, and a great distraction - but the disconnect between the anticipated future and the actual present is this ocean that I run out of breath trying to cross.
Fortunately, there is another kind of escape. A world that, while fictional, is much easier to fall into than the plans for my own future. OotP has always been my favourite Harry Potter book - a preference, I have discovered, that is fairly uncommon. Although I first read it when I was far younger than 15 year-old Harry, his struggles always got to me in a way that those of 11 year-old or 17 year-old Harry's did not.
Now, of course, I am once again years apart from OotP Harry, but I don't think I've ever felt closer to him. I'm about to sound like a big ol' walking cliché, but I really identify with the boy who finds himself oppressed by the heat, his family, and the stifling suburban mindset of those around him. Despite the uncertain circumstances he finds himself in, Harry's delight upon being reunited with his friends comes across so clearly that my heart almost leapt out of my chest during my recent reading of it.
Although I know the plot, all its twists and turns, by heart, this book remains a wonderful world to fall into. A world where I know that no matter how frustrating the Dursleys are, and no matter how hopeless the dementors make the world seem, the Order will come to the rescue, we'll go back to Hogwarts, and the adventures will continue.
Goodnight, bloglings
Monday 22 July 2013
Week 28: The Fandom's Calling
This weekend, as the Harry Potter fandom continued to recover from LeakyCon Portland/ started getting excited about LeakyCon London/ continued to moan about not being able to attend a convention, something happened. It shook us all up, and ignited sparks we had long considered extinguished.
In case you somehow haven't heard, J.K. Rowling was revealed to be the author of a well-reviewed but not commercially successful crime novel, The Cuckoo's Calling. Writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith allowed her to explore a new genre and get honest feedback, without the pressure and insane hype that surrounds her every move.
Around 7pm I was in the middle of a casual Saturday night Disney movie, when I picked up my phone and lazily dragged my thumb down to refresh Twitter. And then I saw it. A tweet from the Leaky Cauldron account - which, to be honest, is not an account I expect breaking news from, simply because Potter news is hard to come by in 2013.
It said something along the lines of "This is not a drill. There is a new J.K. Rowling book out." Before I could catch my breath, my feed was flooded with the news. I paused my movie and dug into the story of how a linguistics professional used software that found extreme similarities between TCC and Harry Potter. (Which I'm still nerding out about, btw).
When I had finally assured myself that this wasn't, in fact, a dream, I was left wondering what to do. I couldn't simply go back to my lazy evening.
Of course, I wanted to get my hands on the book right away. My town's last bookshop closed years ago, leaving Walmart as my only option. I had no car, but a garage full of bicycles in various states of disrepair, and after all, it was only a few kilometers down the road. The fact that I hadn't ridden a bike in years barely entered into the mental calculations.
Fuelled by the pure energy that Harry Potter fans around the globe were radiating, I set off. After an exhausting, painful and slightly frightening journey (the shortcut through the woods behind the catholic school revealed some interesting artifacts) I arrived at the mothership of consumerism.
Of course, they didn't have it. I would later learn that almost nobody had it - the book had not been successful enough to earn a place on the shelves of stores that also sold everything from fishing rods to fruit loops. So after consoling myself with some ice cream (because what retail experience is complete without McDonald's?) I headed home.
By this time, the news had reached nearly all of my fandom friends, and the freaking out commenced. I watched as friends in bigger cities dashed to their local bookstores and emerged victorious, clutching what we would all come to realize were now rare first editions.
Unable to wait until I could get myself to a bookstore, I made my first ever ebook purchase and started reading it on my iPhone. Although I tried to tune out the buzz, I couldn't fully tear myself away from twitter and tumblr and the full-on fandom freak out that was happening.
As a fandom, we have had plenty to get excited about lately. From the WWoHP expansion, to Leaky, to new book covers - not to mention the shiny new fandoms we have all welcomed into our hearts. The Harry Potter fandom hasn't felt absent or asleep - just spread thinner, with our energy being directed to SO MANY new things.
But this - this was different. This was everybody finding out at once. This was frantic tweets and texts in all caps. This was stop what you are doing right now sorta news. This was just like the good old days. With everyone caring, for at least a while, about the exact same thing. Which is really freaking cool.
In the big picture - like, the BIG picture - this book isn't all that important. And our community, although it has certainly grown, isn't too special either. But to me, and to a lot of you as well, that moment was really important. Because this thing was special to us. In that moment (.... I swear we were fandom) there were a bunch of other people who cared about the same thing as us. And their passion, their enthusiasm and uncontrollable excitement was enough that it didn't matter how inconsequential all of it really was. It didn't matter that this book won't be as good as Harry. It didn't matter that we might be teased by friends and family for our passion. It didn't matter that we are so spread out across the globe. It didn't matter that I suffered horrible scratches on my hands from prickly plants while trying to navigate the shortcut to Walmart.
All that mattered was our passion. And that it was still there - perhaps tucked away under a layer of Lizzie Bennet Diaries squeeing, or TFioS feels, or Sherlock shipping - but still, undeniably, there.
Goodnight, bloglings.
In case you somehow haven't heard, J.K. Rowling was revealed to be the author of a well-reviewed but not commercially successful crime novel, The Cuckoo's Calling. Writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith allowed her to explore a new genre and get honest feedback, without the pressure and insane hype that surrounds her every move.
Around 7pm I was in the middle of a casual Saturday night Disney movie, when I picked up my phone and lazily dragged my thumb down to refresh Twitter. And then I saw it. A tweet from the Leaky Cauldron account - which, to be honest, is not an account I expect breaking news from, simply because Potter news is hard to come by in 2013.
It said something along the lines of "This is not a drill. There is a new J.K. Rowling book out." Before I could catch my breath, my feed was flooded with the news. I paused my movie and dug into the story of how a linguistics professional used software that found extreme similarities between TCC and Harry Potter. (Which I'm still nerding out about, btw).
When I had finally assured myself that this wasn't, in fact, a dream, I was left wondering what to do. I couldn't simply go back to my lazy evening.
Of course, I wanted to get my hands on the book right away. My town's last bookshop closed years ago, leaving Walmart as my only option. I had no car, but a garage full of bicycles in various states of disrepair, and after all, it was only a few kilometers down the road. The fact that I hadn't ridden a bike in years barely entered into the mental calculations.
Fuelled by the pure energy that Harry Potter fans around the globe were radiating, I set off. After an exhausting, painful and slightly frightening journey (the shortcut through the woods behind the catholic school revealed some interesting artifacts) I arrived at the mothership of consumerism.
Of course, they didn't have it. I would later learn that almost nobody had it - the book had not been successful enough to earn a place on the shelves of stores that also sold everything from fishing rods to fruit loops. So after consoling myself with some ice cream (because what retail experience is complete without McDonald's?) I headed home.
By this time, the news had reached nearly all of my fandom friends, and the freaking out commenced. I watched as friends in bigger cities dashed to their local bookstores and emerged victorious, clutching what we would all come to realize were now rare first editions.
Unable to wait until I could get myself to a bookstore, I made my first ever ebook purchase and started reading it on my iPhone. Although I tried to tune out the buzz, I couldn't fully tear myself away from twitter and tumblr and the full-on fandom freak out that was happening.
As a fandom, we have had plenty to get excited about lately. From the WWoHP expansion, to Leaky, to new book covers - not to mention the shiny new fandoms we have all welcomed into our hearts. The Harry Potter fandom hasn't felt absent or asleep - just spread thinner, with our energy being directed to SO MANY new things.
But this - this was different. This was everybody finding out at once. This was frantic tweets and texts in all caps. This was stop what you are doing right now sorta news. This was just like the good old days. With everyone caring, for at least a while, about the exact same thing. Which is really freaking cool.
In the big picture - like, the BIG picture - this book isn't all that important. And our community, although it has certainly grown, isn't too special either. But to me, and to a lot of you as well, that moment was really important. Because this thing was special to us. In that moment (.... I swear we were fandom) there were a bunch of other people who cared about the same thing as us. And their passion, their enthusiasm and uncontrollable excitement was enough that it didn't matter how inconsequential all of it really was. It didn't matter that this book won't be as good as Harry. It didn't matter that we might be teased by friends and family for our passion. It didn't matter that we are so spread out across the globe. It didn't matter that I suffered horrible scratches on my hands from prickly plants while trying to navigate the shortcut to Walmart.
All that mattered was our passion. And that it was still there - perhaps tucked away under a layer of Lizzie Bennet Diaries squeeing, or TFioS feels, or Sherlock shipping - but still, undeniably, there.
Goodnight, bloglings.
Monday 8 July 2013
Week 27: RealLifeCon 2013
After a week of moaning and missing LeakyCon Portland, one thing really stands out for me from that weekend: I thought about stuff.
Of course there was plenty of giggling, fangirling, dancing and miscellaneous shenanigans - as well there should be. But in between all that, I had a chance to go to some panels and programming that really made me think about the values and message of Leaky in relation to the real, actual world. The world that I am now stuck back in.
Within the Lit track, I got to listen to a ton of YA authors talk about being professional writers. Writing has always been something that I've always wanted to do. I love finding just the right combination of words to say something. But for as long as I have been able to write, I've struggled with letting my words go out into the world - it feels akin to letting strangers come and wander around my brain. While I'm not sure that my skills lie in the area of YA or even fiction at all, it was wonderful to hear from these writers who made the brave, scary decision to put their words out there.
And hearing them talk candidly reminded me that these are just people - not gods. As talented and internet-famous as our favourite authors are, I think it's really important to think of them as regular people - because if they are stuck up on a pedestal, then I have no chance of ever doing what they do. While I'm not sure I'll be sending out queries any time soon, the Lit programming has re-opened that closed door in my brain marked "Be a Writer" - and allowed me to consider, maybe for the first time, that I could actually go through it.
When I wasn't LitTrack-ing (PS: that should totally be a thing) I was going to quite a few of the Harry Potter Alliance's programs. The HPA has chapters at tons of universities - including mine - but a lot of their initiatives use the internet, and the worldwide communities of fandoms, to make change IRL. The chapter at my school unfortunately announced that it was closing a the end of this school year, and I had (sadly) accepted its fate. But then, LeakyCon happened.
Although I've heard it many times before, via videos and at Leaky '12, hearing people - directors, staff, volunteers - talk about the HPA and what they are doing sort of gives me chills, in the best way. A tiny part of me will never fully accept that there are people who are harnessing the incredible energy of fandoms and doing good. Not just raising money, or spreading awareness, although they do both. The real magic is that they are turning young people into informed, empowered, motivated and passionate citizens of the world. (I'm gushing. I'm sorry.)
(No I'm not)
ANYways. Being around this kind of energy sparked an idea in the wild-idea-factory that is my brain. I'm not sure if it will be a success, I'm not even sure if it will happen. I know it will take an enormous amount of work, and several dedicated people, in addition to me. But I think I'd like to give it a go. I think I'd like to try bringing back our HPA chapter from the dead. (Not in a voldey-fetus kinda way).
I'm sure I will be documenting this journey quite a bit on this blog. It's still a tiny spark of an idea, but now that I've told you guys, it already feels so real.
So many amazing things came out of panels and workshops I went to this year. But the fangirling, squeeing and dancing will never be lesser in importance to any of that. Without those things, without the uniqueness of the Leaky spirit, I would not feel the feel I'm currently feeling - and that feel is a strong desire to make Leaky IRL. To write things and do things and sing things and pour all of that wild, passionate energy into all of it.
At Leaky, I thought about stuff. Now, I'm going to go do stuff.
Goodnight, bloglings
Of course there was plenty of giggling, fangirling, dancing and miscellaneous shenanigans - as well there should be. But in between all that, I had a chance to go to some panels and programming that really made me think about the values and message of Leaky in relation to the real, actual world. The world that I am now stuck back in.
Within the Lit track, I got to listen to a ton of YA authors talk about being professional writers. Writing has always been something that I've always wanted to do. I love finding just the right combination of words to say something. But for as long as I have been able to write, I've struggled with letting my words go out into the world - it feels akin to letting strangers come and wander around my brain. While I'm not sure that my skills lie in the area of YA or even fiction at all, it was wonderful to hear from these writers who made the brave, scary decision to put their words out there.
And hearing them talk candidly reminded me that these are just people - not gods. As talented and internet-famous as our favourite authors are, I think it's really important to think of them as regular people - because if they are stuck up on a pedestal, then I have no chance of ever doing what they do. While I'm not sure I'll be sending out queries any time soon, the Lit programming has re-opened that closed door in my brain marked "Be a Writer" - and allowed me to consider, maybe for the first time, that I could actually go through it.
When I wasn't LitTrack-ing (PS: that should totally be a thing) I was going to quite a few of the Harry Potter Alliance's programs. The HPA has chapters at tons of universities - including mine - but a lot of their initiatives use the internet, and the worldwide communities of fandoms, to make change IRL. The chapter at my school unfortunately announced that it was closing a the end of this school year, and I had (sadly) accepted its fate. But then, LeakyCon happened.
Although I've heard it many times before, via videos and at Leaky '12, hearing people - directors, staff, volunteers - talk about the HPA and what they are doing sort of gives me chills, in the best way. A tiny part of me will never fully accept that there are people who are harnessing the incredible energy of fandoms and doing good. Not just raising money, or spreading awareness, although they do both. The real magic is that they are turning young people into informed, empowered, motivated and passionate citizens of the world. (I'm gushing. I'm sorry.)
(No I'm not)
ANYways. Being around this kind of energy sparked an idea in the wild-idea-factory that is my brain. I'm not sure if it will be a success, I'm not even sure if it will happen. I know it will take an enormous amount of work, and several dedicated people, in addition to me. But I think I'd like to give it a go. I think I'd like to try bringing back our HPA chapter from the dead. (Not in a voldey-fetus kinda way).
I'm sure I will be documenting this journey quite a bit on this blog. It's still a tiny spark of an idea, but now that I've told you guys, it already feels so real.
So many amazing things came out of panels and workshops I went to this year. But the fangirling, squeeing and dancing will never be lesser in importance to any of that. Without those things, without the uniqueness of the Leaky spirit, I would not feel the feel I'm currently feeling - and that feel is a strong desire to make Leaky IRL. To write things and do things and sing things and pour all of that wild, passionate energy into all of it.
At Leaky, I thought about stuff. Now, I'm going to go do stuff.
Goodnight, bloglings
Thursday 4 July 2013
Week 26: No Amount of Coffee, No Amount of Crying - LeakyCon Portland
As I sit here, still struggling to adapt to eastern time and the distinct lack of Starbucks in my town, writing about LeakyCon 2013 seems like such a daunting task. On one hand, I could go on for ages about what LC and the fandom means to me, my thoughts on the changes and directions they are taking, and the various panels that really made me think. But trying to succinctly describe this magical weekend in one post is going to require a bit more thought - so maybe we'll leave that for a week that was not largely spent in violent emotional withdrawal.
Instead, I am going to chronicle my favourite and not-so-favourite moments from the con. With no real analysis or effort. Just a list of Things That Happened Which I Do Not Want to Forget.
1. We arrived on Wednesday, and bummed around the convention centre until they let us register (therby avoiding LineCon 1.0)
2.I twisted my ankle on the convention centre steps. Trying to take them two at a time. Yep.
3. On our way to get food, we passed two prominent members of Team StarKid. I giggled. And then I remembered I don't really care.
Thursday
4. At the last second, I decided that I was going to run the 5K anyways, because GRYFFINDOR. With a little help from my friends Advil, tensor bandages and the hotel ice machine, I managed to not permanently cripple myself. (I think).
5. The Disney sing-a-long was just the best thing. So much passion and pure enjoyment of the songs.
6. Even from seats towards the back, we were blown away by the opening ceremonies. Although my little heart almost couldn't take the references to AVPM!Ron being left all alone. Sad Joey Richter is so gut-wrenching.
7. Alex started out his set by playing King's Cross...and then BAM, SURPRISE REMUS LUPINS REUNION BEFORE OUR VERY EYES. I have more thoughts on this. But for now: ASDDHDGJDJFFL. What a special moment.
8. Everyone thought Christian was gonna play a wrock song but SURPRISE #2, he proposed to his girlfriend instead. The cutest thing.
9. I think Luke tried to crowd-surf? Did that actually happen?
Friday
9. Presentation/lecture by Corey and Julia called Making Shit Happen was really good and made me want to make ALL the things happen.
10. The Cover Up panel needed to be so much longer and more in-depth. Heck, they could have a whole conference about that topic. #ideas
11. HPA workshop totally renewed my motivation to re-start the failed HPA chapter at my school.
12. LOUNGING with Robin and Maureen was the best way to wind down after a day chock-full of panels. So much WEIRDNESS. #itsbetterthisway
13. Wrock Concert 2.0. Performances of Draco and Harry (They can move to CALIFORNIA!) and The Weapon were things I felt so good about being a part of.
14. I hugged Andrew Slack and almost made him cry when I told him how much he inspires me. That sounds like the cheesiest line ever, but it's true - the guy is actually my Dumbledore.
Saturday
15. More gratuitous Andrew Slack appreciation: his workshop (and then chilling on the floor outside for another hour just talking with a bunch of like-minded people with really interesting things to say) was not the typical Leaky energy, but really fantastic.
16. Finding Hogwarts was great, and despite making me slightly nostalgic for the early days of fandom that I wasn't around for, it really brought home how important my fandom friends are to me.
17. At some point in here I ate actual, real food. (If Portland was your first Leaky, you know nothing of the usual con starvation).
18. The ball was quite possibly the most fun I've ever had in my life. It actually felt like a dance party, and not just a night of idolizing the BNFs on stage (well, until Total Eclipse. Again, more thoughts later).
19. I Love It was permanently established as the Call Me Maybe of Leaky 2013
20. I have literally no memories of what happened after we got back to the room that night. That sounds sorta ominous, but realistically I probably fell asleep in my dress.
Sunday
21. Spent an hour lying in bed, trying to persuade myself that the end of Leaky is not the end of thr ACTUAL world.
22. We wandered the vendor room and squandered the last of our monies on wizard rock merch. I got a Save Ginny shirt, which I have been coveting FOREVA.
23. Buffy and Dr. Horrible sing-a-longs were so much fun. On the way out, we narrowly avoided colliding with Anthony Rapp and his plate of salad.
24. Adding to the list of Reasons I Want to be Lauren Bachle When I Grow Up - she helped instigate a flash mob in front of the mainstage before Pottercast/closing.
25. And then Dumbledore married Remus and Sirius and they made out in front of thousands of people. (is a sentence I never thought I'd ever be writing)
26. Moved the party to #RedRobinCon. Plotting for Orlando commenced.
Monday
27. Woke up to a video in my sub box of Meghan Tonjes reading Alex/Jason fanfic. I promise this was a real thing that happened - I was exhausted, but not THAT exhausted. (I hope)
28. Continued #StarbucksCon in the Portland airport.
29. Goodbyes. SO EMOSH.
30. Spent three hours sitting in a stuffy plane on the tarmac in SanFran...and then flew to Winnipeg. Yep. Finally stumbled into Toronto around 5 hours late. Thank god for great playlists.
...and there are many more LeakyThoughts where those came from!
Goodnight, bloglings
Instead, I am going to chronicle my favourite and not-so-favourite moments from the con. With no real analysis or effort. Just a list of Things That Happened Which I Do Not Want to Forget.
1. We arrived on Wednesday, and bummed around the convention centre until they let us register (therby avoiding LineCon 1.0)
2.I twisted my ankle on the convention centre steps. Trying to take them two at a time. Yep.
3. On our way to get food, we passed two prominent members of Team StarKid. I giggled. And then I remembered I don't really care.
Thursday
4. At the last second, I decided that I was going to run the 5K anyways, because GRYFFINDOR. With a little help from my friends Advil, tensor bandages and the hotel ice machine, I managed to not permanently cripple myself. (I think).
5. The Disney sing-a-long was just the best thing. So much passion and pure enjoyment of the songs.
6. Even from seats towards the back, we were blown away by the opening ceremonies. Although my little heart almost couldn't take the references to AVPM!Ron being left all alone. Sad Joey Richter is so gut-wrenching.
7. Alex started out his set by playing King's Cross...and then BAM, SURPRISE REMUS LUPINS REUNION BEFORE OUR VERY EYES. I have more thoughts on this. But for now: ASDDHDGJDJFFL. What a special moment.
8. Everyone thought Christian was gonna play a wrock song but SURPRISE #2, he proposed to his girlfriend instead. The cutest thing.
9. I think Luke tried to crowd-surf? Did that actually happen?
Friday
9. Presentation/lecture by Corey and Julia called Making Shit Happen was really good and made me want to make ALL the things happen.
10. The Cover Up panel needed to be so much longer and more in-depth. Heck, they could have a whole conference about that topic. #ideas
11. HPA workshop totally renewed my motivation to re-start the failed HPA chapter at my school.
12. LOUNGING with Robin and Maureen was the best way to wind down after a day chock-full of panels. So much WEIRDNESS. #itsbetterthisway
13. Wrock Concert 2.0. Performances of Draco and Harry (They can move to CALIFORNIA!) and The Weapon were things I felt so good about being a part of.
14. I hugged Andrew Slack and almost made him cry when I told him how much he inspires me. That sounds like the cheesiest line ever, but it's true - the guy is actually my Dumbledore.
Saturday
15. More gratuitous Andrew Slack appreciation: his workshop (and then chilling on the floor outside for another hour just talking with a bunch of like-minded people with really interesting things to say) was not the typical Leaky energy, but really fantastic.
16. Finding Hogwarts was great, and despite making me slightly nostalgic for the early days of fandom that I wasn't around for, it really brought home how important my fandom friends are to me.
17. At some point in here I ate actual, real food. (If Portland was your first Leaky, you know nothing of the usual con starvation).
18. The ball was quite possibly the most fun I've ever had in my life. It actually felt like a dance party, and not just a night of idolizing the BNFs on stage (well, until Total Eclipse. Again, more thoughts later).
19. I Love It was permanently established as the Call Me Maybe of Leaky 2013
20. I have literally no memories of what happened after we got back to the room that night. That sounds sorta ominous, but realistically I probably fell asleep in my dress.
Sunday
21. Spent an hour lying in bed, trying to persuade myself that the end of Leaky is not the end of thr ACTUAL world.
22. We wandered the vendor room and squandered the last of our monies on wizard rock merch. I got a Save Ginny shirt, which I have been coveting FOREVA.
23. Buffy and Dr. Horrible sing-a-longs were so much fun. On the way out, we narrowly avoided colliding with Anthony Rapp and his plate of salad.
24. Adding to the list of Reasons I Want to be Lauren Bachle When I Grow Up - she helped instigate a flash mob in front of the mainstage before Pottercast/closing.
25. And then Dumbledore married Remus and Sirius and they made out in front of thousands of people. (is a sentence I never thought I'd ever be writing)
26. Moved the party to #RedRobinCon. Plotting for Orlando commenced.
Monday
27. Woke up to a video in my sub box of Meghan Tonjes reading Alex/Jason fanfic. I promise this was a real thing that happened - I was exhausted, but not THAT exhausted. (I hope)
28. Continued #StarbucksCon in the Portland airport.
29. Goodbyes. SO EMOSH.
30. Spent three hours sitting in a stuffy plane on the tarmac in SanFran...and then flew to Winnipeg. Yep. Finally stumbled into Toronto around 5 hours late. Thank god for great playlists.
...and there are many more LeakyThoughts where those came from!
Goodnight, bloglings
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