Harry Potter complete...
...Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, that is. I realized that I hadn't read any HP since book 6's release, and furthermore, I'd only read Half-Blood Prince once, while the others I'd read at least twice each. So, that was my weekend reading project instead; best way to remind me of what's going on and getting back in the swing of things. The shift in focus from "random school matters and points and nonsense" to "the plot" is even more noticeable upon a re-read; sure, book 5 opened up the plot a lot, but it still kept up with a lot of school politics trifles too, which are largely dispensed with in this one. I'll explore some Deathly Hallows Monday, I suppose.
Speaking of exploring, I visited Coney Island on Saturday, which was surprisingly disappointing. I was going mostly because they're doing major renovations this winter, so this was the last chance to see the rusting hulk of 1920's nostalgia in all its glory. Well, I can see why they're upgrading it; it was pretty much a grimier and smaller version of the Atlantic City / Ocean City NJ boardwalk. There was a day-long concert being sponsored by the Village Voice; one of the acts was pretty cool (involving a cello, trombone, and electric guitar), while another act was at least laughable (Hugs & Sunshine the singer. Infernally cheerful; imagine an earnest Nebraskan 60's liberal who isn't actually that good a singer anyway.) I then randomly found the New York Aquarium, also at the site. I'd been to the Bronx Zoo a few weekends back, which was pretty good, and knew this was run by the same people; sure, why not, I'll give it a shot on a whim. Well... this was also a little disappointing. I looked at my phone, saw it was 5:15 and that the park closed at 7, and figured I'd have a somewhat rushed tour. But... not really. That place was tiny; not nearly as large as (my young mind remembers) Camden or Baltimore's aquarium. I was done in only 45 minutes or so. At least their section on jellies, anemones, and corals was pretty cool. Nice to be reminded that washing your injury will only fire off more stingers, and they had a "pain-o-meter" for each jelly. Handy.
Pretty much self-explanatory. This was being completely ignored, by the way.
They were keeping a bunch of sharks in one water area. I guess they don't like to eat each other.
The coolest of the three bands I saw.
Shot from a pier of the beach.
Lastly, quick, go vote for Oberlin! I don't think the writer realizes that half of Oberlin enjoys mocking the other half, too... well, only one way to tell 'em. (Though I hear that Hampshire college is pretty bad in this department.)
Speaking of exploring, I visited Coney Island on Saturday, which was surprisingly disappointing. I was going mostly because they're doing major renovations this winter, so this was the last chance to see the rusting hulk of 1920's nostalgia in all its glory. Well, I can see why they're upgrading it; it was pretty much a grimier and smaller version of the Atlantic City / Ocean City NJ boardwalk. There was a day-long concert being sponsored by the Village Voice; one of the acts was pretty cool (involving a cello, trombone, and electric guitar), while another act was at least laughable (Hugs & Sunshine the singer. Infernally cheerful; imagine an earnest Nebraskan 60's liberal who isn't actually that good a singer anyway.) I then randomly found the New York Aquarium, also at the site. I'd been to the Bronx Zoo a few weekends back, which was pretty good, and knew this was run by the same people; sure, why not, I'll give it a shot on a whim. Well... this was also a little disappointing. I looked at my phone, saw it was 5:15 and that the park closed at 7, and figured I'd have a somewhat rushed tour. But... not really. That place was tiny; not nearly as large as (my young mind remembers) Camden or Baltimore's aquarium. I was done in only 45 minutes or so. At least their section on jellies, anemones, and corals was pretty cool. Nice to be reminded that washing your injury will only fire off more stingers, and they had a "pain-o-meter" for each jelly. Handy.
Pretty much self-explanatory. This was being completely ignored, by the way.
They were keeping a bunch of sharks in one water area. I guess they don't like to eat each other.
The coolest of the three bands I saw.
Shot from a pier of the beach.
Lastly, quick, go vote for Oberlin! I don't think the writer realizes that half of Oberlin enjoys mocking the other half, too... well, only one way to tell 'em. (Though I hear that Hampshire college is pretty bad in this department.)