Harry Potter and the Incredible Unrealistic Expectations of the Audience

I can't help but wonder how much JK Rowling's ideas for the ending of "the Deathly Hallows" were constrained by the percieved expectations of the fan-base. Especially the reality that there are two more movies to release, which maybe nobody will want to go to if they don't like the way the end of the last book turns out.

A book, the ultimate movie spoiler....

The first thing I look for when considering a new home is the existence of home owners associations and historic districts.

This is why.

My wife and I want to get out of the People's Republic of Kennedy-Kerry-Catsup.
Badly.
Communities that prevent me from doing reasonable improvements to a house WILL NOT GET MY TAX DOLLARS OR INVESTMENT.


Sorry to shout....

I grew up in a 250 year old post and beam New England farmhouse. In order to heat it (in the middle of the woods with no winter road access for at least a half a mile) my dad used coal and wood. I love old houses, and if I get to buy one, my hope is to return it to its original glory in as practical a manner as possible. 17th or 18th century drafts and entrances for mice and other vermin, as well as smoke and soot belching heating systems are right out.

I'm sorry. If you want to legislate moral behavior, you gotta choose between saving the world from pollution and anthropogenic global warming or keeping your neighborhood a perfect example of 18th century building techniques. You're not going to get both.

Many zoning regulations end up being anti-home owner. You add "historic preservation" and homeowners associations on top of that, and you have (a not very) soft totalitarianism.

No, I don't want a strip mall or a strip joint right next to my house. I don't blame anyone for fighting those in an established residential only neighborhood.

However, I don't want drafty windows and the constant smell of burning oil or sulfur either.



Somebody go out and slap these people, please!

Aaaauuuuugggggghhhhhh!

The external hard drive that was my primary repository for all my photos, my family's historic photos, iTunes and suddenly stopped recognizing its directory (or even that it had information written to it). Most stuff is backed up, but not all.

It's now in the hands of a data recovery shop in Boston. A friend recommended the place to me. I will post a review when all is said and done.


(quiet weeping...)

Happy4th

Go read the links, have a hotdog or burger, watch some fireworks....

If you're reading this in the USA, be thankful for your freedom.