Something that made me proud...

Last night, after seeing Morrissey at Chastain Park (Which was about 14 steps beyond excellent) I met up with some of my awesomely stellar friends at Borders to pick up the new Harry Potter book. At first glance one would just view the scene there as something to be avoided: a large room filled to the brim with small children overflowing with excitement, overly sarcastic pimply kids lacking in any kind of social experience, and groggy, less-than-enthralled parents all standing around in a high energy, highly unorganized fit of geekdom. Sadly, all of that holds true.

But, looking deeper, there's more to it.

First, there's the fact that the geeky kids, as socially inept as they may be, are really some of the most genuine people you're likely to ever meet. They pursue their interests wholeheartedly, unabashedly, and without any shame whatsoever, which I find simultaneously insanely charming and incredibly commendable. They're not there to impress anyone, they're there because they want that fucking book and they want it at midnight, hecklers be damned. They'd never go pick up an album after seeing it hocked and paraded on MTV, they'd instead remorselessy tear it apart to anyone that'd be willing to hear them do so. I like that about dorks, they're very real people.

Secondly, I can't even begin to say how proud I am of people sometimes. Here we all are on a Friday night, people of drinking age missing a good time at the bar, small children who probably want to be asleep (it is after 1:00 a.m. mind you), and just a whole mess of people who in all actuality probably have better shit to do, and we're all there for one reason and one reason only: To buy a book and fucking read it. A BOOK. Not a video game. Not an album. Not a dvd. A three pound stack of paper bound by glue. A fucking book. That, to me, is priceless. It shows that there are still people out there who don't need flashy Playstations or high dollar special effects, they just need some words to fuel their emotions and their sense of imagery. I mean, I saw ten year olds bickering and stating their opinion (and backing up their arguments in a graceful and well-thought out manner mind you) to people twice (or three) times their age. As someone who likes to feel smart and likes to think they're brainy, I find that compelling and I seriously can't help but smile when I think about it. Seriously, it really pushes my button.

Anyways, I just wanted to say to everyone who went out last night and picked up a copy of The Deathly Hallows that you inspired me and totally made my night a charmed and enjoyable experience. Now go read your book (because I know I am)!

- E.