As you may recall from way back yonder, I'm eagerly anticipating the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. So much, in fact, that I'll be going to a bookstore at midnight on Friday (or, technically, is it midnight Saturday morning?) to get a copy.
Picking a bookstore, though, has proven... difficult.
At first, it was easy.
Zach: "Jim, I'll go with you. So you won't be the only adult there. We'll get your book and we'll go. I haven't read 'em, but I'll even take you to an IHOP so can start reading and find out how many T.W.E.R.P.s Harry Potter got - "
Me: "O.W.L.s, dear. Not T.W.E.R.P.s! They're a test the Hogwarts students take at the end of - "
Zach: "Whatever. Just reserve a book before I change my mind."
So, I did. I chose a store near home, that'll begin selling books at midnight. It's a large, independent bookseller, and one of our favorite establishments for quick bookshopping trips.
But, last night, we visited another bookstore so I could pick up "yet another" book concerning my favorite period of history (Tudor England, if you must know). On the way out, Zach noticed an advertisement, and couldn't help but point it out to the attendant who was ringing me up.
Zach: "So, you guys are doing a Harry Potter release party thing?"
Attendant: "Oh, yes! We'll start selling books at midnight... and we'll have cupcakes and butterbeer and... oh, just a little party..."
Cupcakes?
And butterbeer?!
Would I really cancel my book reservation at the first, more convenient, bookstore for some cheap cupcakes and butterbeer knockoff at a smaller, less convenient locale that isn't even opening its doors until after midnight?!
A frustrated Zach posed that question to me last evening after we left the latter bookstore, my mouth spouting out childish questions such as, "What do you think butterbeer tastes like?"
So, again: would I really cancel my reservation at the first, more convenient, bookstore for some cheap cupcakes and butterbeer knockoff at a smaller, less convenient locale
Oh, you bet your ass I would.
Posted by James at July 13, 2005 03:45 PM