There's magic in the air. As I write this, I know lots of folks around the world are already reading the Deathly Hallows. Its still four hours left here in this part of the world. Here's a not so live blog...
8 PM, Friday: I only got the Silver! I went to Borders straight from work and guess what... fans have already lapped up the Orange wristbands! Well, fans get wristbands of six colors based on which they'll stand in the queue at midnight. I only got the second color. No matter!
For all those non-magical folks (Muggles) who are amused by all this, here's fews bits to kindle your intellectual curiosity.
1. The word 'Magic' comes from the Magis' - the Zoroastrian priests! Magis are similar to Rabbi's of Judaism and Brahmins of Vedic Hinduism (ala Brahmanism). Zoroaster, who may or may not have founded the said religion was a priest who used to render hymns from the Rig Veda.
There was a huge debate between Vedic scholars who took sides between Devas and Asuras. No, Asuras were not bad guys at that time. Zoroastrians celebrated Varuna Mithra, whom we now probably know as Ahura Mazda. (Ahura = Asura). Hinduism might have later demonised Asuras because of this fundamental divide.
2. For all we know Harry Potter may be a PIO - Person of Indian Origin! Afterall, the original witches and wizards are the Romani people whom we also know as Gypsies. Its suggested that, during the Islamic invasion, they migrated from Northwest India to Persia and eventually to Europe. The Romani flag now has the Ashoka Chakra to celebrate this bond! Romani history is a heart wrenching one. More on that may be on a later post.
3. Its one of my dreams to visit the Church of 'Sara Kali' (yes 'Kali') in Southern France. This amazing Goddess is a heady mixture of Christianity, Judaism and Romani Hinduism. Her black color and the name obviously derive from India. Christianity claims that she walked on the Mediterranean waters to welcome the early Christians from the Holy Land. And ofcourse we can also imagine her to be the daughter of Jesus Christ who escaped from the 'Christians' (Or someone related to that supposed event).
10 PM, Friday: I'm now leaving for the 'Grand Hallows Ball' at Borders. When I'm back I'll have the book.
1 AM, Saturday: I have it! It took about 45 mins on the queue. Not bad, was it? Now, I'll be back on planet Earth when I complete the book.
8 PM, Sunday: Done.
16 comments:
why do u want to visit churches or temples? isnt it against ur no-God thinking. ah, is it bcos of the architecture. sure it is :P
well, I obviously like religions and their histories. and as I said before religions make much more sense when you take God out of the picture.
wat does religions got to do with churches and temples? religion are a set of principles/guidlines for life.
ah?!! are you giving me a taste of my own medicine? churches and temples have everything to do with religions. they are part of the sugar coating that religions give to philosophy.
Did Harry Potter commit suicide to liberate himself from Ms.Rowling? I'm curious.
haha! but it took me nearly two days and 759 pages to find that out. i'm not giving it away that easily!!
I think Harry Potter is the best example of literature murdered by commercialism.
Maybe I am prejudiced but I don't want to argue with any HP fans on this.
Congratulations for getting your hands on the book. (I'd someday like to see people lining up at midnight for a Charles Dickens book).
-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs
I'm sure they did when Dicken's books reached the stands for the first time. Infact people once forced Doyle to bring Sherlock Holme's back alive!
I reached at 6,there wasn't much of a queue.I was actually disappointed!
This paranoia is madness. It frankly makes me sick. There is a lot better literature out there that needs more mention in the media.
I don't want to sound like a stupid snob and an authority simply because I am not either.
Congratulations to all HP fans and I am sure there are many others like me who are glad that the madness is finally over.
I just hope this Rowling woman has integrity like Bill Watterson and doesn't come up with any sequels/prequels/follow-ups to this series.
-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs
@Guns, I thought you didn't want to argue about this with HP fans. Integrity? JKR wasn't pulling off a stunt, she had intended to write 7 books, 10 years ago when she wrote the first one.'Better literature'? How can you say this is not good literature when you haven't even made an attempt to read it? And yes not all good books get the attention they deserve but that is true for everything...not all good movies do well!
Balaji, sorry for using your space!
yeah, why is this not good literature? (although I was surprised at 'Thank God' and a couple of b-words used in this book)
we shud give credit for her imagination rather than her writing. she liberally lifts from other works but has been candid to admit that. ("Dumbledore will not do a Gandalf!") i could see the Grail quest in this book and for a moment thought we might even see Ramayan when Harry goes after the doe!
I would rate HP no less than Oliver Twist or The Alchemist. Besides half the people who read this series would have read Dickens anyway. and the other half would not have read anything if not HP!
there's palpable jealousy towards JKR in the media. the NYT and Baltimore Suns pre-release reviews were simply appalling. and what can JKR do, if the media is not highlighting the so called 'good literature'.
You Kid!
@Balaji: You're right. I should shut up about Harry Potter and JK Rowling. I know nothing about either.
@Shradha: I'm sorry to hurt your feelings. I hope you will apologise me for this blunder. I promise I shall never commit this sin again.
Cheer up folks, I'm just a bloody old timer who is extremely prejudiced towards modern age architecture, literature and music. My thoughts don't seem to count a zilch amongst most people around me but I wouldn't care to change for them, would I?
-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs
@anonymous: Thanks! Now, there's atleast one person who understands me.
@GuNs: !!?????
lucky guy - i am still trying to get hold of it in the UK ASDA(walmart) and cant get it because of the 'floods'.
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