Good ol' J.K.

Like any other self-respecting eight-year-old, I went through a pretty intense Nancy Drew phase in elementary school. Nancy was smart and nosy–and she never got in trouble for it. She always solved the mystery, oftentimes helping her father in the process who was somehow still an attorney despite the fact that he was 1) an idiot and 2) breached attorney-client privilege, like, every other day. Sure, her boyfriend Ned was super boring and they never even made out or anything, but otherwise Nancy was pretty cool. I rarely ever left my school library without one of those bright yellow books tucked under my arm.

So when I happened upon a couple of books with a dark-haired, bespectacled boy on the cover while browsing T.J.Maxx with my grandmother one summer afternoon in 2000, I assumed they were like Nancy Drew–a series, but not one with an overarching storyline. Certain that I could sweet-talk my grandmother into buying me one, I chose the one I thought looked the most interesting (with the boy holding onto the tail-feathers of a large, red bird) and ran to find her.

I was, of course, successful (how can you say no to a kid asking for a book?) and excitedly showed my grandfather my new book as soon as we got home. He recognized the author's name from an article he'd read in the local newspaper that morning and retrieved it from the kitchen table.

"J.K. Rowling, creator of the magical world of Harry Potter, received an honorary doctorate Thursday for helping millions of children discover 'the pure joy of reading,'" he read. "Well, Mags, this lady seems like a pretty big deal."

He cut out the article and taped it to the inside cover of my new book, which, you might have guessed, was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I realized that same night that it was the second of a series that, unlike Nancy Drew, needed to be read in order. I don't remember when I managed to get my hands on a copy of the first book, but I know I didn't start reading Chamber of Secrets until I did. Life has quite literally never been the same.

I would be a fundamentally different person had I not read Harry Potter. It has been a huge part of my life, a defining trait of my personality, and a constant source of comfort since I found it seventeen years ago. I cannot even imagine the person I would be had I not fallen into J.K. Rowling's world and, honestly, I don't want to know. The story she created and the community it inspired literally changed the world. It certainly changed mine.

Here's to twenty years of magic, Jo. Thank you for everything.

-Maggie

A Few Things

Let me tell you something–being sad is exhausting. Distracting yourself from being sad is exhausting. If there was ever a time to "fake it 'til you make it," it's during a break-up. It's been getting better, but my brain is still a little foggy. For example: I thought I had dropped my ring as I was walking out of my apartment the other morning. I found it later on my finger.

So it really goes without saying that I need a few good things to focus on. Today is Friday and it's my day off, so we're already off to a good start, but here are a few more.

→ I just discovered there is a Juiceland a block away from my work (even though I've been at this branch for over eight months), which means I am now spending, like, $20 a week on smoothies. Totally worth it though. Nothing more refreshing on these warmer days than a smoothie and Juiceland is the best. There are tons of locations all over Austin (and one in Houston and Brooklyn), so stop by and treat yourself!

→ If you haven't watched the newest Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trailer (though surely you have), it's very important that you do so. Try not to openly weep and/or yell during the revamped "Hedwig's Theme."

→ Save this one for when you need a good laugh.

→ I was finally able to download and listen to The Lumineers' new album Cleopatra today and it was so worth the four year wait. I bought tickets to see them in September and I'm even more excited now, which I didn't think was possible.

→ Augusten Burrough's Lust & Wonder was released about a month ago and I devoured it last week. He is one of my favorite writers and his newest memoir did not disappoint. Go snag a signed copy at BookPeople before they're all gone!

If you're going through a hard time and (mostly) faking it like I am, just keep in mind 1) you are never alone in this, and 2) we'll get there! Every day we're getting better at getting better. Have a great weekend, all!

-Maggie

Summer?

After raining for the entire month of May, Texas finally seemed to realize it's (basically) summertime and the temperature shot up into the nineties. For, like, a week. Now Tropical Storm Bill is working its way up from the Gulf Coast, so the past couple of days have seen overcast skies and random torrential downpours. I'm glad the clouds have come back for a few more days because I'd actually forgotten how bright the sun is (which sounds ridiculous, but when it peeked out from behind the clouds for the first time in thirty days, I legitimately nearly wrecked my car).

Aside from the weather, life hasn't been too crazy. Since we're short staffed at my branch and I work Sundays at BookPeople, I've been working seven days a week most weeks. Even though working at BookPeople doesn't really feel like work most of the time, I still miss having actual days off. I'm really looking forward to my vacation for this reason, and also because I desperately miss my Blogger Family.

I've gotten to work and attend a couple of really great author events in the past month or so. Melany and I decided at the last minute to see mustache-less Nick Offerman ("I've done you the disservice of appearing before you with just my face. I understand you feel slighted.") which was insane (865 PEOPLE) and wonderful. I worked the event for Melissa Cistaro's debut memoir Pieces of My Mother, and was able to talk with her and a writer for Kirkus reviews for awhile afterwards. A few weeks before that, I went for barbecue and beer in a seedy joint off I-35 with New York Times best-selling author Craig Johnson. This is my life now.

We found a new apartment. It's (way) south and really nice. It's also super close to a great coffee shop and an awesome bar, but we've only been to each a couple of times since they are so far away from where we currently live. Only a few months left with this view though.

On a sad note, Britny moved away from us this past weekend (but only for a little while). For our last hurrah, her, Melany, and I went to a free Quiet Company show on Thursday night where they shot their video for "Seven Hells." Then on Friday night, despite my extreme exhaustion, Britny and I somehow talked for literally six hours about Harry Potter, books, and TV shows. (These extremely long talks always start with Harry Potter.) See you soon, Britny!

-Maggie

Monday, A List

● I'm currently in the library trying to check off a few things on my to-do list, like order my last two textbooks from Chegg, while I wait for my night class. Unfortunately, TTU's Internet is being fickle today and refuses to load certain websites.

● Fortunately, Blogger is loading just fine.

● Listen to this song.

● Thanks to an exhausting eleven-hour shift at work, I fell asleep at eight last night. I didn't get any homework finished, but I did get twelve hours of sleep.

● My bangs are much too long at the moment, but I haven't been able to find time to run to my hairdresser and certainly do not trust myself to trim them. It's a struggle.

● I made an A on my first two quizzes of the semester. *high fives self*

● In my History of Sexuality textbook (a.k.a. the most interesting textbook ever), I read about Thomas/Thomasine Hall, a resident of seventeenth century Virginia, who told his fellow townspeople he was "both man and woman."

● KaCee just called me sobbing. I couldn't understand most of what she was saying, but did hear "I'm so sad" and something about someone getting shot. Then I realized she was talking about Breaking Bad.

● (I should've known. It was just like the time she called me crying about Mr. Rogers.)

● If you're in search of the next great Pandora station, look no further than Sean Hayes.

● To no one's surprise, I made it about a day before I broke and bought Scholastic's fifteenth anniversary editions of the Harry Potter books. (My resolution is shaky at best.) In my defense, they were on sale and I had a coupon.

● Speaking of Harry Potter, I'm currently on the sixth one in my reread. Unfortunately, with the start of school, I have much less time to read for fun. (Read: I have no time to read for fun.)

● Yesterday, I found out there are grapes that taste like cotton candy in the world. What a time to be alive.

● Today is Britny's 21st birthday, and I'll be driving to Austin this weekend to celebrate. Holla at yo' girl.

● Have a good week, all!

-Maggie

Quick Update

Well, it is officially July, which means you only have two more weeks of listening to me say, "IT'S ONLY [insert time frame here] UNTIL THE BLOGGER FAMILY COMES." I cannot believe it is already July, honestly. These last few months of planning have flown by. Luckily, after this week, everything will be officially set–hotel rooms booked, t-shirts ordered, plans finalized. Then all I have to worry about is packing (which will be a sight to see, I'm sure, as I'll be gone for two weeks and I always overpack).

My sister was in town last week. One of the nights we went out shopping, to dinner, and saw Monsters University—A+, by the way. It was great to spend time with her. We've become great pals over the past couple of years, and I'm really glad we finally reached that place my mom always talked about (you know, where you actually appreciate your siblings and want to be around them sometimes). It took us a long time to get there (like, a really long time), but we eventually made it.

Lately I have been reading Harry Potter (but that's nothing new), textbooking, and watching ten episodes of Lizzie McGuire in one sitting. It's been nice to have days that I can stay in my room and do those things without having to worry about homework or class.

In other, more depressing news, I was in a wreck a few days ago. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but unfortunately my car took most of the damage. Poor Stinson. We're not sure what will happen with it yet, but in the mean time I've been given the smallest rental car in the world. (I should not complain about this. I should be just thankful that I was not injured and have means of transportation—and I am. But I feel like I'm driving a clown car.)

I hope you all have a great Fourth of July! And to my Blogger Family—see you very soon.

-Maggie

Give it a shake

Somehow, we are in the last week of June already. I don't know how these things happen. I guess what they say is true–time flies when you're having fun and school is not slowly draining you of your will to live.

With the first full month of summer coming to a close, I felt an Instagram Recap was in order (something I apparently only do during the summer). My summer has been great so far–filled with trips home, meet-up planning, seeing movies,* hanging out with best friends and new friends, pranks on coworkers, rereading Harry Potter, and a few margaritas here and there.

In a few short weeks, I will be shepherding twelve bloggers around Austin. It's going to be an adventure, to say the least. It has been quite the undertaking, planning this meet-up, but everything is pretty much set now. Just a few minor details to iron out, and it will all be good to go! I can't wait to see everyone again (and a few for the first time).

How's your summer going?

-Maggie

* Go see This Is the End. It's ridiculous and inappropriate, but so hilarious. The ending of the movie alone is worth the price of admission.

High Fives and Hugs, or That Time I Got a Tattoo and Went to a Rock Concert

I'm such a rebel, guys.

Last Friday I drove to Albany to drop off Husmann (who, thanks to an ill-timed hailstorm, could not come with us to Austin and instead had to spend the weekend in search of a new car) and attend my little sister's dance recital (which we won't talk about because my hometown's dance company is not to be taken seriously).

Britny and I drove to Austin the next morning and talked about Harry Potter most of the way there, which was fitting since that evening we got our Harry Potter tattoos. I hadn't planned on getting any of my tattoos until I moved to Austin, but that changed a few of weeks ago during a rewatch of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

There is something about the first book and movie–okay, that's a lie. There is just something about Harry Potter in general that makes me emotional. (I guess these things happen when you've been invested in something for thirteen years.) So somewhere between the Mirror of Erised and detention in the Forbidden Forest, I decided I didn't want to wait another year for my Harry Potter tattoo. I texted Britny and all of two minutes later we'd made plans to get our tattoos the next time we went to Austin.

Being our first tattoos, we had no idea what to do, so we asked my friend Alissa for help. She referred us to Golden Age Tattoos, but they didn't have time to see us, so one of the artists was incredibly cool and called her old shop, Atomic Tattoo on Burnet. I am incredibly pleased with my lightning bolt and Britny with her stars. I would recommend both of these shops if you're in the area and in need of a tattoo!

On Sunday, we got to Stubb's at about three to wait in line for FALL OUT BOY. I had been checking the weather all week to see how miserable it would be waiting in line, but luckily the high was only 93º and it was cloudy for most of the time. Melany, naturally, had a pack of cards in her purse, so we played a few rounds of BS and Dirty Jack while we waited, and spent the rest of the time saying, "Guys, we're about to see Fall Out Boy. In concert. Like, in an hour. Fall Out Boy."

We were fairly close to the beginning of the line (I mean, compared to where the line ended, we were definitely in the front), so once we made it inside we made a beeline for the merch table and then to the concession stand where we bought BBQ sandwiches and a lot of water. Whitney and Hope, two of my friends from church camp, found me and insisted they both buy my a drink, so I walked away with two rum and Cokes in hand. True friends, I tell ya.

The opener was a band called New Politics and they were great. (It helped that their drummer was incredibly sexy and had a huge smile that was blinding even ten rows back.) At one point, the lead singer stood on the crowd (see above), which requires more trust than I'd ever give to a bunch of teenagers and twenty-somethings suffering from heat exhaustion, but I digress.

Then Fall Out Boy came out and it was PERFECTION. They played songs from all of their albums and mixed it all up and it was BEAUTIFUL. There were several times Melany had to catch my swooning self (see: when Patrick sings "baby" in "Death Valley"). It was everything little junior high Maggie had been hoping for and more. I'm still pretty emotional about it, in case you couldn't tell.

-Maggie

Ten Reasons I'm Happy Even Though School Starts Tomorrow and I'm Probably Going to Fail Everything

1. Since I make so many midnight runs to the 24-hour Starbucks on 82nd and Quaker, the barista who works the graveyard shift remembers me. We're basically best friends now. 'Sup, Thomas.
2. I've been rereading Magical Thinking because it's on my list and I'm falling in love all over again. It's my favorite book (that's not Harry Potter) and stories like "Beating Raoul" and "Mark the Shrink" are reminding me why that is.
3. I just bought this hoodie and this shirt for less than what the hoodie costs by itself thanks to a ballin' coupon I got when I was at Gap a couple of weeks ago. Constantly meandering through the mall has its perks.
4. Switched shifts with a girl at work so I can actually make it to volleyball this week! And we're playing two games! Yay volleyball!
5. I bought Two Door Cinema Club's album Beacon a couple of days ago, and let's talk about true love.
6. Denny and D-Dad treated my aunts, uncle, and I to dinner at Rosa's tonight. It was nice to sit and talk with them as I am generally too busy to see them ever.
7. Literally just got a free coffee. Like, as I was typing number five he was asking me if I wanted another white chocolate mocha and who am I to turn down a free latte? Honestly, this Starbucks has the best staff ever.
8. This is legitimately the best nonfat, no whip white chocolate mocha I've ever had. I told Ralph this and he said, "That's why I'm the master!"
9. A Very Potter Senior Year was FINALLY released on YouTube. I'm not finished watching it yet (as it's, like, five hours long), but it's so, so great.
10. This tweet.

-Maggie

April 14: Finally

The day has finally come. Pottermore has finally opened, and the existential crisis I have been going through since its announcement last June is finally over. I have been sorted, and I am in Ravenclaw. My life is not a lie.

I was genuinely nervous going into the Sorting Hat quiz, and may have almost cried when the result came up. This is very telling of the kind of person I am.

Anyway, it is late, so I am going to go brew some potions and watch Holy Musical B@man! again... and then go to bed. Priorities, you know?

I apologize for the lame post.

-Maggie