Being a Potterhead myself, I was among my own at the New York Comic Con this year. There were so many people dressed in their school robes, wands in hand ready for all kinds of mischief. There were more still, not in costume, like myself, sporting Harry Potter t-shirts, bags, hats or some other adornment to ensure every knew where their true allegiances lie.
On the Friday morning of the Con there was a calling of sorts, a gathering of all Potter fans to meet at the Hasbro stage. You see, at the Hasbro stage there was going to be a lesson on wand dueling! Muggles, wizards and witches gathered around the stage to learn the art of wand waving surely in the distinct hopes that we could all walk away just a tiny bit more magical for having done so.
The Group That Shall Not Be Named
As I sat waiting for the ceremony to begin, I watched as the fellow fans gathered. Suddenly, a small group arrived with costumes that were plainly more authentic than the rest. Not only did this group have richer looking materials, wands and gait they also happened to look like characters right out of the films! I was not surprised then that this group walked confidently to the stage.
This group is known as "The Group That Shall Not Be Named"and they were going to lead us in our lessons. The Group That Shall Not Be Named is the New York Harry Potter Meetup group (if you have not checked out meetup.com for finding cool people with cool things to do, then it's about time you check it out!). They have monthly meetings and play Quidditch in Riverside Park! They describe themselves as:
W e are THE Harry Potter fan group in the New York City and Tri-State area. Our activities cater to every aspect of fandom. From fan fic and fan art, to cosplay and Wizard Rock.
And I sat there wondering, "How the heck did I miss THIS Meetup group?"
(And now, as I am writing this post I am wondering, "Nicole WHY HAVEN'T YOU JOINED YET?!?!")
They are quite impressive in their fandom.
And in their wand skills.
Wand Dueling 101
Well, just your wands, really...
Since I thought it would be impossible for me to explain the intricacies of wand movement and instruction through my words alone, I went to the "class" armed and ready with my camera. So here is my not-so professional video of Wand Dueling by Bellatrix LeStrange of The Group That Shall Not Be Named at the New York Comic Con 2011.
Each week the Rivera Runs Through It blog presents a different "What If...?" question for you to explore. Some will be serious, some will be silly, some might be political, religious or historical.
At the bottom of this post is a place for you to link up your own post about this week's question. If you have arrived at this post and the inlinkz tool is closed, or you don't have a blog, then please leave your response (or link) in the comment section below using DISQUS.
Happy pondering to everyone...
What IF #12:
What if you came face to face with your idol?
Tonight my best friend is at a Smashing Pumpkins concert. It is in a small venue, she pulled in all kinds of babysitting favors and went through various ticketing agencies to ensure she got tickets. She worried over her outfit of choice and was getting increasingly nervous as the day went on. You see, she absolutely adores Billy Corgan, and this has been going on for about twenty years.
About two years ago, she arranged a trip up here to New York (she lives in Maryland these days) so that the both of us could go to an exhibition at the Rubin Museum of Art just because Billy Corgan was going to be there. It was a truly fascinating day, but what has stuck with the two of us more than anything what what happened when she was standing practically shoulder to shoulder with Billy Corgan himself in the exhibit after his talk: absolutely NOTHING!
I stepped out of the way so she would have a clear shot at him and then... nothing. She completely froze. She was star struck in a way I had never seen her before! While I argued that he was just another human being with whom she, a competent communicator who worked in marketing, advertising and promotion in New York City long before taking on another social role of mother of two very active children, could easily speak to, it seemed my message was lost. He was not human, at least not to her; he was Billy Corgan.
Most of us have someone who fits that role in some way - perhaps they're a rock star, an athlete, an actor, an author, a world leader or a religious one. Perhaps you think you will have a cooler head. Perhaps this is a meeting you have been planning for and have a script already written. Or, perhaps, like my friend Dawn, you know that you have built your someone up so high that your words will get lost on your chance meeting! Whatever the case may be - write about it!
Let us know who your idol is, maybe even why you regard him/her so highly, and then share your tale with us! What if YOU came face to face with your idol?
I can't wait to read the responses to this week's question (I know many people at New York Comic Con this weekend had this exact experience!).
P.S. - Hey Dawn!! If you are less than two feet from Billy Corgan tonight, I had better be getting some GOOD story tomorrow morning!!!
For a list of all of the What if questions asked so far,
I pester the same people week after week with these questions FORGETTING COMPLETELY THAT I HAVE A BLOG!
This week's episode, The God Complex, has raised a big question for me about the Doctor himself and I am wondering where Whovians stand on their interpretation of these events.
[SPOILER ALERT: If you have not seen the season 6, episode 11 entitled The God Complex and do not want any of it to be spoiled for you, then I advise you STOP READING THIS RIGHT NOW UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE EPISODE!]
My Big Question: What is the Doctor's motivation at the end of the episode?
The doctor decides, at the end of this episode, to bring his companion(s) home before it is necessary. Now, Amy (and Rory) have been through hell and back with the Doctor, so they definitely have reached what would be considered "the limit" for some, but they did not request an end to their adventures, the Doctor, uncharacteristically, volunteered it.
In the past (mind you I have only watched the re-boot of the Doctor Who series, as Netflix has yet to acquire the completed versions of the previous Doctors and I don't like watching things piece-meal), the Doctor has only ended his companion relationships when it was either beyond his control, or it is the literal last thing to be done in order to save their lives. He destroys people. He takes them on the adventure of a lifetime, of TWO lifetimes, even, and then returns them to their world as (in some way) broken human beings. No one really complains about it, they all come to the understanding that this is the cost of the travel, but it is what seems to transpire, nonetheless. Then, all of a sudden, on this weekend's episode of Doctor Who, the Doctor brings Amy and Rory home to a brand new home, a shiny new car and says, "Ta-ta! Didn't want to mess you up any worse off than I already did!"
So the optimist in me jumped on this - Wow! The Doctor is growing, and learning from all of his years of experience... so sad he has to suffer alone.
Then I mulled it over for a while. Amy had to abandon her faith in the Doctor in this episode. She had to convince herself finally that he could not fix everything. And obviously, she did or else the Minotaur monster would not have died.
Which brings me, finally, to my question:
Did the Doctor leave Amy to save her, or just because she finally understood that he is "just a madman in a box"? Does the Doctor need companions for companionship or some level of worship?
While I know the term "Lord" has a different meaning in the British vernacular, in my world (of a catholic school upbringing) it is a pretty lofty title, so is the need for some sort of worship embedded in the Time Lord being?
I have a feeling these things will all be revealed in time, but I was just wondering what others thought about them now based on what we know of the Doctor so far. (Perhaps those of you who have known the Doctor longer than I will have an even deeper insight).
So, Whovians - What do you think?! Of course, there is one other burning question from this weekends episode I'm sure everyone is salivating at:
WHO/WHAT DID THE DOCTOR SEE IN "HIS" ROOM?
I feel pretty confident that he saw himself, but I get surprised ALL THE TIME, so what do you think?
