More Ponderings on Potter

Okay, this may be getting old to some people, but I can't get it off my brain.
I'm still feeling a bit of a Pottermania vibe, and it's a habit I just can't kick. Eventually, I'll get to writing about my thoughts on the Harry Potter series from my viewpoint as a Christian. Right now, if you're really curious and just dying to read something on this particular topic, there are loads of articles out on the Internet, some praising the books, some condemning the books, and some taking the middle ground and saying that each individual is responsible for what they get out of the series. I hope to get back to this at some point, but for now, let me just say that I agree that each person will have a different perspective on the series, and that I personally love the books - and before anyone worries that this may becoming too much of an obsession, I went through a similar cycle with all of my favorite books - the one difference here is that this is the first time that a series ever finished within my lifetime, with a fan base to rival Trekkies and Ringers.

Meanwhile, I've discovered that there are two Harry Potter conferences taking place next year/summer: Portus and Terminus. I think I've made up my mind that I really want to attend one of these, but for various reasons, I'm finding it extremely difficult to make up my mind on which one I should attend, or if I should cave and do both.

Portus has its pluses in that it's close to home and I know of two friends from high school already planning to attend - which means rooming buddies and therefore shared hotel fees, and also the fact that I will actually KNOW someone before I set foot in the conference - which, as someone who only recently stuck her baby toe into the waters of fandom, is a welcome thought! They'd be my guides to a completely strange new universe.

Terminus, on the other hand, though taking place in a city much further from home (and one I've not visited outside of seeing the airport) seems to have a whole lot more going for it - which I've mainly noticed due to their great website and the loads of information they've been pouring out over the past month. So far, they seem to have the "feel" of the HP world down - by sorting attendees into houses (something Portus seems to be avoiding) and sharing weekly posts about the "history of the school" for the conference. And then, there's the fact that they've already penciled in a live PotterCast show in the schedule - something that Portus has not yet nailed down. To add another reason for me to be heading north to Chicago rather than south to Dallas, I saw this post today: Wrock Chicago. Wow. And just when I'm starting to get into the whole idea of Wrock or "Wizard Rock" as it's called (rock bands who incorporate themes/plotlines from the Harry Potter books into their music).

I'm in a pickle (no pun intended, for those of you who know the reference), and need some feedback. Thanks! - Em