NationStates Jolt Archive

88 hours and 25 minutes to go!

Cool.





What?

What's this 'HP'?

Harry Potter duh :p

87 hours 57 minutes to go!

reserved two copies, one for me and one for my sister. Barnes and Noble is throwing a night-before party with games and such for people. I just want to pick up my book.

I thought that those who are old enough here would not be intereted in children's literature.

Ever read HP, Sino?

And I've reserved my copy, with the adult cover... picking it up from Kinokuniya at 9:01am Saturday.

I enjoy reading them, they're good stories.

Ever read HP, Sino?

I was 12 when the series first came out. I was beyond children's literature by then. I'm not much of a fan for novels as I prefer works of non-fiction. I'm currently reading Beevor's Berlin: The Downfall 1945.

http://www.antonybeevor.com/pictures/berlinnewmenu.jpg

A mate of mine (who also plays NS) has a father who used to be a real WWII buff. Instead of bedtime stories as an infant, he was read specs. of WWII fighters and bombers. No wonder he knows more than me when it comes to aircraft designs.

-snip-

If you like WWII then I suggest picking up a copy of Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. Very interesting story about Yamashita's gold in the Phillipenes(sp?). Anyways I dont really like Harry Potter. I always thought of it as juvenile... but then again im not too big a fan of fantasy books. The Bas Lag universe books be China Mieville bing the exception.

If you like WWII then I suggest picking up a copy of Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. Very interesting story about Yamashita's gold in the Phillipenes(sp?). Anyways I dont really like Harry Potter. I always thought of it as juvenile... but then again im not too big a fan of fantasy books. The Bas Lag universe books be China Mieville bing the exception.

Is Cryptonomicon a work of fiction? I think Harry Potter books are juvenile too.

personally, I can't understand this fuss about Harry Potter books but I guess it's pretty harmless. There are worse things for kids (and adult, I might add) to do than reading.

Well, I'm in my mid-thirties and I enjoy the books. I'm not going to be breaking down the door to get the new one, mind you, and I'm not saying they're great literature, but they're pleasant enough to read. There's certainly far worse out there.

Although I've been wondering if I could get on the news if I popped in at one of these midnight magic parties that bookstores are throwing, dressed as Galdalf or some other completely inappropriate character, and then acted flustered and belliegerent when people started giving me crap for it. :D

Is Cryptonomicon a work of fiction? I think Harry Potter books are juvenile too.

Yes it is a work of fiction but I gaurantee you that if you decide to pick it up you will not be dissapointed. And im glad that theres at least one other person in the world who isnt consumed by all this Harry Potter hype... For children I guess its fine but to see adults praising the books seems quite absurd to me.

Ugh. I have to work a HP Midnight release party...that will be the worst day...ever...

And I know it won't go like tonight midnight release "party," which consisted of about 10 people buying NCAA Football 2006, although, I have heard good things about the game..

Yes it is a work of fiction but I gaurantee you that if you decide to pick it up you will not be dissapointed. And im glad that theres at least one other person in the world who isnt consumed by all this Harry Potter hype... For children I guess its fine but to see adults praising the books seems quite absurd to me.

I was disinterested in HP since I first heard the name. Couple of years back, a local comedian was doign stand up:

"It sucks c*ck how everyone's into Harry Potter. I ain't talking about just kids here, adults too! Not just your immature ones, but professional people as well, like lawyers, doctors and judges. It's like *Pretends to hammer the gavel* 'You get 5 years for bein' a Muggle!'"

I think it's also quite absurd that adults watch kids films like 'Shrek'.

Ever read HP, Sino?

And I've reserved my copy, with the adult cover... picking it up from Kinokuniya at 9:01am Saturday.

All this snobbery with regards Harry Potter really bugs me.
I like them, they're good stories. Sure, she's not the greatest writer in the
world, but I can enjoy the books and I don't care who knows it!
No 'adult' cover for me!

Got mine preordered on Amazon :)

Blessings
Cyber
25 in case you were wondering

I think it's also quite absurd that adults watch kids films like 'Shrek'.

Why? What's wrong with that?
Shrek wasn't bad. However, Finding Nemo is a wonderful film!
I bought it at the same time as I bought Ringu, Dark Water and Audition-boy was the guy on the till confused!

Blessings
Lucrece

There's a big difference here between enjoying something and being obsessed with it. I too think the HP series has been and enjoyable read. It's also fun to share an interest with my kids. I'm not going to rush out and buy anything, but I'll pick it up as soon as it's available at the public library.

Incidentally, I'm 36 and I see nothing wrong with having a little bit of kid in me!

Why? What's wrong with that?
Shrek wasn't bad. However, Finding Nemo is a wonderful film!
I bought it at the same time as I bought Ringu, Dark Water and Audition-boy was the guy on the till confused!

Blessings
Lucrece

Whats wrong with that? Why fill your mind with garbage when you could be doing something worthwhile, like riding a bike, practicing coding (im currently learning Python, Perl, and C), or something that requires you to use your mind. That being said I do enjoy the random mindless entertainment like Family Guy, Monk, and House. :P

Whats wrong with that? Why fill your mind with garbage when you could be doing something worthwhile, like riding a bike, practicing coding (im currently learning Python, Perl, and C), or something that requires you to use your mind. That being said I do enjoy the random mindless entertainment like Family Guy, Monk, and House. :P

True, you could do all of those things, but 'all work and no play....'

Why? What's wrong with that?

I'm sure kids are fine by themselves in the theatre. They shouldn't be afraid of the dark.

The only animation I watch is 'South Park'.

Incidentally, I'm 36 and I see nothing wrong with having a little bit of kid in me!

I'm 18 but I want to be at least 30. I bet having a career, wife and house is absolutely wonderful.

True, you could do all of those things, but 'all work and no play....'

That is play for me...

I'm 18 but I want to be at least 30. I bet having a career, wife and house is absolutely wonderful.

They do sound nice, I'll let you know if I ever find out. :P
Actually divorce tends to have a negative impact on those things!

That is play for me...

Sorry, I'm not criticizing, I was merely pointing out that those things are work for some. I admire your choices, but I personally enjoy mindless from time to time.

Whats wrong with that? Why fill your mind with garbage when you could be doing something worthwhile, like riding a bike, practicing coding (im currently learning Python, Perl, and C), or something that requires you to use your mind. That being said I do enjoy the random mindless entertainment like Family Guy, Monk, and House. :P

And why does the fact that I enjoy Harry Potter and the occasional kids film mean I am not using my mind? That's a bit of a leap of logic, if you don't mind my saying.

Blessings
Cyber

Actually divorce tends to have a negative impact on those things!

Pity.

And why does the fact that I enjoy Harry Potter and the occasional kids film mean I am not using my mind? That's a bit of a leap of logic, if you don't mind my saying.

Blessings
Cyber

Are you going to argue that watching Shrek is a stimulating mental activity? They dont call televison an idiot box for nothing...

Thanks Sino, but it was years ago and I'm pretty happy with my life now. Besides, my ex and I came to be pretty good friends. That's a lot better than we had while we were married!

Are you going to argue that watching Shrek is a stimulating mental activity? They dont call televison an idiot box for nothing...
Does everything have to be mentally stimulating?

Does everything have to be mentally stimulating?

No but Cyber said since he/she watches kids movies and reads kids books does that mean he/she isnt using his/her mind. I replied that yes watching television is a mindless activity. Although not everything should be mentally stimulating. Happy?

Are you going to argue that watching Shrek is a stimulating mental activity? They dont call televison an idiot box for nothing...
Now, that's a little harsh. Television can be a stimulating mental activity.
...Just watch Shrek in a foreign language, for example :)

:) Relax. Again, I admire your choices of leisure activity, I just don't see that enjoying kids movies or books is the same as not using your brain. They can be diverting and I find that relaxing. I enjoy more challenging fiction and non-fiction as well. But I love a lot of the same things my children do. Right down to sitting on the front step dripping ice cream on my new shirt!

Having been trained in library courses and having been obliged to take children's literature, as well as forcing myself through a welter of crap that passes for adult fiction these days, I can honestly say that HP is better than quite a bit of what's out there these days.

I haven't read Beevor yet, though I've been intending to do so one of these days, along with the broad host of other books I've been intending to read over the past five years (bloody thesis). Besides, there's always Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman (presently gathering dust on my shelves) for a fictionalised account of Stalingrad.

I bypassed much of children's literature when I was growing up, mostly because it had very little to do with planes, politics, or technology. To a certain extent, I lament that, and besides, limiting one's scope of literature can likewise limit one's general perspective of the world.

Very well said.

I'm 18 but I want to be at least 30. I bet having a career, wife and house is absolutely wonderful.
Trust me, you don't want to be thirty. Your knees start turning to shit, you have pains where you didn't before, and you suddenly crash into the painful realisation you're no longer eighteen anymore. Not fun, trust me. Live your life, don't waste it. Careers these days are hard to come by, as are houses, and many of the marriages and relationships these days are shaky as well. Play life by ear, enjoy what you can, and work hard to get what you want. Hopefully, by the time you hit thirty, you have all that you need.

Are you going to argue that watching Shrek is a stimulating mental activity? They dont call televison an idiot box for nothing...

Not exactly, but the scorn that is heaped upon adults who can enjoy a film like that seems to infer that they are somehow mentally deficient and either never do anything that others would consider to be 'mentally stimulating', or are somehow incapable of it. I go to the cinema on a very regular basis (usually once or twice a week) and unfortunately, the one I go to doesn't always have the more obscure films that I would like to see. As it happens, I am able to enjoy a variety of films, and even if I didn't like it, it generates some interesting discussions in my house. Shrek was viewed on a certain level for it's geek value (we stayed right to the end of the credits to check out what rendering software they used!)

Films and other media which stimulate you and make you think are wonderful. But there is nothing wrong with a nice story.

Blessings
Cyber

That being said I do enjoy the random mindless entertainment like Family Guy, Monk, and House. :P

House? Do you mean that one with the doctor?

House? Do you mean that one with the doctor?

Yes.

Trust me, you don't want to be thirty. Your knees start turning to shit, you have pains where you didn't before, and you suddenly crash into the painful realisation you're no longer eighteen anymore. Not fun, trust me. Live your life, don't waste it. Careers these days are hard to come by, as are houses, and many of the marriages and relationships these days are shaky as well. Play life by ear, enjoy what you can, and work hard to get what you want. Hopefully, by the time you hit thirty, you have all that you need.

I long to be twice my age. My life currently is already dull as I'm tied down by my studies, so hopefully my career as a civil engineer will be worth all this toil. (I don't know about the workload, but I'm sure the money will be worth it!) The only freedome I have for recreation is NS.

Considering that it'll still be years before I have sufficient facial hair for shaving, I don't think I'll succumb to ageing so quickly. Most of my family look a decade younger than they actually are.

I cannot wait to be able to enter the middle-class, own a gun, own a home, a Mercedes Benz car and maybe have a relationship.

I long to be twice my age. My life currently is already dull as I'm tied down by my studies, so hopefully my career as a civil engineer will be worth all this toil. (I don't know about the workload, but I'm sure the money will be worth it!) The only freedome I have for recreation is NS.

Considering that it'll still be years before I have sufficient facial hair for shaving, I don't think I'll succumb to ageing so quickly. Most of my family look a decade younger than they actually are.

I cannot wait to be able to enter the middle-class, own a gun, own a home, a Mercedes Benz car and maybe have a relationship.
I find it funny that you still don't need to shave, and yet you knock me for liking HP :p

Yes.
That show is great.

I find it funny that you still don't need to shave, and yet you knock me for liking HP :p

My father didn't shave regularly until 26. I might beat his record.

My father didn't shave regularly until 26. I might beat his record.

Uh... wow.

Harry Potter duh :p

87 hours 57 minutes to go!
Oh i thought it was something important like Home Purchase.



Me and Harry Potter just dont go together im more interested in real life things like Ents and Hobbits...

Although one guy at work looks like HP and so has been given the nick name Harry Potter and another looks like Dobby so he is Dobby-although not to his face. :D

Well, I'm in my mid-thirties and I enjoy the books. I'm not going to be breaking down the door to get the new one, mind you, and I'm not saying they're great literature, but they're pleasant enough to read. There's certainly far worse out there.


Entirely seconded (well, except for "thirties," which would have to be changed to "twenties").

Honestly, I don't understand the anti-kid-lit snobbery. A lot of children's fiction is as good as or genuinely better than much of the crap aimed at adults, especially when it comes to fantasy. The Sabriel series = kid lit. The Dark is Rising sequence = kid lit. Both of those = about 5000 times better written, more interesting philosophically, and more intelligent than The Da Vinci Code and its ilk. (Not to mention that their characters don't get stumped over riddles as stupid as [spoilers for Da Vinci] "what's a five-letter word that has something to do with a "rosy fruit," an orb or sphere, goddess worship, and Sir Isaac Newton? Hmm...five-letter red spherical fruit associated with Newton...how will we EVER figure this one out? Let's kill each other over it, because it's so incredibly confusing!" :headbang: )

Ah well. I suspect one of the hallmarks of real maturity is the confidence to know that watching Shrek won't magically send you back to training pants. I'll be buying a copy of HP sometime in the next week or two, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it, too. :D

Uh... wow.

My family have anti-ageing genes.

I rather read Dan Brown than JK Rowling. I don't feel as tuned in to characters being children.

Ill stick to my War History thanks
Damn Quiddich!

Do i care no, open your mind to WELL WRITTEN books.

More HP hype. Frankly, the only reason I'm going to read it is because nobody talks about anything else for the next five years. No doubt it'll be just as crap as 2, 3, 4 and 5. One was good, but after that I think she just ran out of ideas. Harry Potter will never be able to compare with the Edge Chronicles, His Dark Materials Trilogy, Discworld, Artemis Fowl, or anything else of that sort. The storyline is the same each time with minor differences, the books have reached encyclopedia brittanica size, and the only reason it sells so well is her good marketing team.
You want good books about magic then read Shadowmancer and Wormwood.

Indeed, it was HDM that open my eyes to how carp Potter is, I bet the storyline roughly-Harry has trouble in the holidays, something strange happens at the school, he fights Voldermort at the end.

(Well that was basically the plot of 1,2,3,4, and 5.)

1) Harry is ignored or pushed around during the holidays. He does something to get them to be afraid of him again.
2) He gets to school, and something strange happens.
3) He feels the need to stick his nose in where it doesn't belong, and finds some plot to kill him or Dumbledore or some other good person.
4) He fights whoever Voldemort sends as his servant in the school, doesn't kill him but gets him sent away, then fights Voldemort.
5) He wins and everyone loves him.
6) The defence against the dark arts teacher resigns for no good reason.

1) Harry is ignored or pushed around during the holidays. He does something to get them to be afraid of him again.
2) He gets to school, and something strange happens.
3) He feels the need to stick his nose in where it doesn't belong, and finds some plot to kill him or Dumbledore or some other good person.
4) He fights whoever Voldemort sends as his servant in the school, doesn't kill him but gets him sent away, then fights Voldemort.
5) He wins and everyone loves him.
6) The defence against the dark arts teacher resigns for no good reason.
:eek: spoiler!!

Indeed, it was HDM that open my eyes to how carp Potter is, I bet the storyline roughly-Harry has trouble in the holidays, something strange happens at the school, he fights Voldermort at the end.

(Well that was basically the plot of 1,2,3,4, and 5.)

Innacurate closed minded generalisations. Read HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban for supporting evidence.

Though, I admit you've hit the nail on the head with the other 4. Although, considering the books are about the school where weird stuff happens, I think it'd be pretty hard to remove it from the stories. Could you imagine "The Amber Spyglass" with no reference to Dust?

Do i care no, open your mind to WELL WRITTEN books.
Yeah llisten to the man!
Everyone knows its just a ripoff of British History wrapped up in the drivvle of a single mother!

They are enjoyable books and she is a good storyteller. Its aimed at children, so of course its not going to be the best written books. But point is, those who can embrace their former childhood, enjoy the books.

Be careful not to grow up too quickly...

Innacurate closed minded generalisations. Read HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban for supporting evidence.

Though, I admit you've hit the nail on the head with the other 4. Although, considering the books are about the school where weird stuff happens, I think it'd be pretty hard to remove it from the stories. Could you imagine "The Amber Spyglass" with no reference to Dust?
No, to be honest, you have to admit it's the scale of Pullmans books that make them great, and the way that, despite all the tirmoil, he keeps the books focused.

And I've read POA, lets see-

Crinimal escapes.
Harry is attacked by Dethmators on the way to school
Harry pokes his nose where it dosn't belong
Harry tries to fight crinimal, but it turns out the crinimals his freind and his freind his enermy
Defeats his enermy

Like that has happened in several thousand other stroies,

Well, I've been re-reading a chapter a day for the past few months. So I'll finish OotP on friday, in readiness for saturday.

They are enjoyable books and she is a good storyteller. Its aimed at children, so of course its not going to be the best written books. But point is, those who can embrace their former childhood, enjoy the books.

Be careful not to grow up too quickly...
Why not? I'm enjoying growing up.

My boys are eagerly awaiting the release. I'll have them at the Barnes & Noble for the midnight Harry Potter party. My 11 yr old will read it till the wee hours of the morning. The Harry Potter series has been a good source of enjoyment for my kids for years now- the books ,the movies, the books on tape.

Like I said, despite my deep dislike for the books, I'll still read them, once I'm done with the Pratchett City Watch trilogy, and Heller's Catch-22, and maybe another Kellerman novel as well.

Why not? I'm enjoying growing up.
But the more your grow, the more sad it is you don't have a gf... :P

68 hours, 48 minutes to go!

But the more your grow, the more sad it is you don't have a gf... :P

68 hours, 48 minutes to go!68 hours, 42 minutes to go!

Sorry, had to do that.... lol

Ill stick to my War History thanks
Damn Quiddich!

Damn right!

Do i care no, open your mind to WELL WRITTEN books.
There's a time and a place for everything, Aust, a time for Rowling and a time for Faulkner, for Diamond, for Zinn, for Cormac Mccarthy, for Heather McHugh and for Thom Gunn. But there's never a time for Danielle Steel. Never. :D

I want a copy but I doubt anyoen will be restocked until a month after the damn release

But the more your grow, the more sad it is you don't have a gf... :P

68 hours, 48 minutes to go!
Ha Ha Aust!
Ill never grow up!
52Hrs 50mins

But the more your grow, the more sad it is you don't have a gf... :P

68 hours, 48 minutes to go!
But I do have a gf.

I already ordered my book... but I can't be bothered counting down...

I think it's also quite absurd that adults watch kids films like 'Shrek'.

Yes because Shrek was just made for kids...

...nope wrong...

Is it possible that you could possibly consider the fact that some of the jokes and more subtle elements were actually done for adults?

Yes because Shrek was just made for kids...

...nope wrong...

Is it possible that you could possibly consider the fact that some of the jokes and more subtle elements were actually done for adults?
What do you mean some the whole things littered with Adult humour just like the Simpsons-Which ive missed a few jokes about US Presidents but i think ive picked up on most.
Ah Walk in Microwaves genius....

What do you mean some the whole things littered with Adult humour just like the Simpsons-Which ive missed a few jokes about US Presidents but i think ive picked up on most.
Ah Walk in Microwaves genius....

Ok, like the robin hood men in tights, blatently gay, but kids won't get that, reference to other movies such as Matrix, Wizard of Oz etc.

I'm not saying its a whole other intellectual level, but I am saying that its not just made for kids, its made for families to watch.

Ok, like the robin hood men in tights, blatently gay, but kids won't get that, reference to other movies such as Matrix, Wizard of Oz etc.

I'm not saying its a whole other intellectual level, but I am saying that its not just made for kids, its made for families to watch.
I agree.
But could you honestly expect kids to understand the Beverly Hills Cop stuff?

I agree.
But could you honestly expect kids to understand the Beverly Hills Cop stuff?

Exactly, thats what made it a good film to watch, sure its not going to challenge you, but as a remake and piss take of fairy tales etc, its a decent laugh :)

Oh, I read H P too, but guess what, its sits on my book shelf right next to Beevor's 'Stalingrad' as that was part of one of my History modules from last year, so its possible to enjoy both.

Ok, like the robin hood men in tights, blatently gay, but kids won't get that, reference to other movies such as Matrix, Wizard of Oz etc.

I'm not saying its a whole other intellectual level, but I am saying that its not just made for kids, its made for families to watch.
Indeed, like most of Pixars films it's designed to be watched by adults and kids-there mottos somthing like 'make the film for the adult inside the child.'

Watch The Incredables through, theres so many jokes that kids won't get.

Exactly, thats what made it a good film to watch, sure its not going to challenge you, but as a remake and piss take of fairy tales etc, its a decent laugh :)

Oh, I read H P too, but guess what, its sits on my book shelf right next to Beevor's 'Stalingrad' as that was part of one of my History modules from last year, so its possible to enjoy both.
All the Animi films are for Adults too you know why?
Because these movies come out in the Holidays and no Adult lets a primary school kid go to the movies alone so the Parental unit watches it to and so they need a Carrot to entice Adults.

I know hat you mean ive got Little Black Sambo Puss n Boots and A Biography of Rommel all together.
Plus History books for Kids are highly informative without going in to Real Life Problems like Logistics.

It makes you think is that what Hitler grew up reading Kids History books that purged all the neccesaties out?

Indeed, like most of Pixars films it's designed to be watched by adults and kids-there mottos somthing like 'make the film for the adult inside the child.'

Watch The Incredables through, theres so many jokes that kids won't get.

Yup, i didn't find it as outright funny as shrek, it was far more subtle, but the dress designer was great.

All the Animi films are for Adults too you know why?
Because these movies come out in the Holidays and no Adult lets a primary school kid go to the movies alone so the Parental unit watches it to and so they need a Carrot to entice Adults.

I know hat you mean ive got Little Black Sambo Puss n Boots and A Biography of Rommel all together.
Plus History books for Kids are highly informative without going in to Real Life Problems like Logistics.

It makes you think is that what Hitler grew up reading Kids History books that purged all the neccesaties out?

Yup, I only got started in history due to a little childrens history book by Osbourne (UK people might know the publisher as they do tonnes of kids books) about ancient cilivlisations, whilst reading Paddington Bear lol :D


Speaking of Anime though, anyone know when Ghost in the Shell 2 is going to be available on DVD?

Yup, i didn't find it as outright funny as shrek, it was far more subtle, but the dress designer was great.
It was far more adultly funny, you have to watch it 3 or 4 times to get them all. The joke on Americas compensation cultures great and it's got jokes on porn, tarzan....

It was far more adultly funny, you have to watch it 3 or 4 times to get them all. The joke on Americas compensation cultures great and it's got jokes on porn, tarzan....

I've only ever seen it once on a slightly less than kosher dvd...so i didn't really watch it with too much concentration shall we say...

I've only ever seen it once on a slightly less than kosher dvd...so i didn't really watch it with too much concentration shall we say...
Ah right, see if you can rent it.

11 Hours 18 mins

16 minutes

I got mine 2 minutes after the store opened...

What? There was a line! :D