I just had a chance to listen to the Portus Preview Podcast for the month of January. They interviewed Rachael from SnapeCast who will be hosting SnapeFest at Portus. I have to say I am not a HUGE Snape person. While I do agree that he is at the center of the Harry Potter Series, I pretty much contend that he is still a jerk who did some really heroic things (I am of the opinion that good people can act jerky). But Rachael talks about Snape with such enthusiasm and emotion that it is hard not to get carried away with the discussion.

Take a listen to this podcast which is a nice preview to some of the things that will be happening at Portus.

You can still register for Portus. We would love to see you there!!

Just Kidding.

But seriously, it is looking like we won’t be having a show this week. Things have been wonderful and busy and tiring at Disney this week and if we tried to do the show, we wouldn’t be doing you or ourselves any favors.

In the meantime, take a look at some of our pictures (you can do this even if you don’t have a facebook account):
Days 1 and 2: Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot

Day 3: Magic Kingdom

Also, now you have more time to participate in Part 1 of Patterns in Potter: Send your MP3 comments or written comments to harrypotterprogs at yahoo dot com so you can be included in the next episode.

See ya real soon!

It’s finally time.  It’s been several months since Deathly Hallows came out, we’ve discussed most of what there is to discuss relating to the characters, the themes, the news that came out after the book was released.  It’s time to move on.  But don’t worry, by move on, we don’t mean stop talking about Harry Potter!  No, it’s time to go back, back to the beginning…where it all…began.  It’s time to start talking about, what I humbly have dubbed (and have been hinting at for a while): Patterns in Potter (can you hear the echo of ominousness?).  In this episode, we introduce the Patterns in Potter theory, and give some examples.  For the next few weeks we’re going to be discussing the books, in order, using the Patterns in Potter pattern.  So make sure to listen, because this stuff will be on the final exam. 

If you want to cheat (or can’t listen to the show), check out the original blog post.

And: we want your help!  For each episode, we want your thoughts, comments and ideas.  Either email them to us (harrypotterprogs AT yahoo DOT com) or record your thoughts on an mp3 and email them to us.  We’ll incorporate them into the show.

In the News:

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix nominated for 2 BAFTA awards.
• Will Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie be split into 2?
• JK Rowling and WB have filed a full injunction against RDR Publishers and Steve Vander Ark to stop the HP-Lexicon from being published.
• First set of all seven signed Harry Potter books was auctioned off in Scotland to support a rugby club.
• The Vatican is stirring up the anti-Potter waters again.

You can listen to the podcast with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

We recorded Episode 66 this morning (and had a great time with it by the way) and have been trying all day to get it up so y’all can hear it. Unfortunately though, the service we use to upload the episode is giving us problems. We will get it up just as soon as humanly and computerly possible. Thanks for your patience.

Penny

Here is a little preview in case you were thinking about procreating with another “Potter Obsessed” person.

 This was on my night table this morning when I woke up (written by Ezra, age 8 1/2, spelling errors are included):

You love me.  I love you.

You are a witch to me, like Hermione. 

You are, motherly, considerate, caring, and a Slytheran (which has nothing to do with Hirmione).

You are sometimes like Harry, doing stuff without thinking

You are somewhat like Mogonigoll.

I love you with all my heart like hermione loves Victor

I hope you remember this card and I <3 you

 This is the one that was on Greg’s night table:

I love you.  You love me.

You are like luna sometimes smart, and sometimes good

you are in ravinclaw, and I love you for that

I know you are sometimes a Grifondor because you are brave and strong.

You allso jump headfirst into any situation.

You would be an amazing Quietege plaer.  I know it.

I love you. 

I thought this was the cutest most endearing thing ever.  Greg is wondering what Ezra did wrong that he is kissing up to us like this.

Rumors are circulating that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be made into not one, but two movies.  Sources say the reasons are artistic and practical, and not aimed at squeezing more money out of the franchise.

We’ll update with any new information, so stay tuned.

What makes a leader?  For centuries, philosophers have debated the essential qualities of a leader (the differences in what a culture values in it’s leaders is often a good indication of the values of said culture).  When looking at Harry Potter, what are the qualities that J.K. Rowling seems to show as making a good leader?  How do the characters in leadership roles respond to the power and authority they are given?  In this podcast, we discuss all these issues.  Many thanks to Greg from Toronto for joining us for this discussion.

Referenced in our discussion is the book Forty Ways to Look at Winston Chuchhill: A Breif Account of a Long Life.

In the News:

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been nominated for four awards from the Visual Effects Socity.
• Guillermo Del Toro hopes to direct Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie Drama
• Raincoast Books is shutting down its publishing division.

You can listen to the podcast with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

From the beginning, Ron has played second fiddle to Harry Potter…or has he? Perhaps Ron’s perception that he was simply there as Harry’s backup was just that: perception. Ron was, in fact, more of an individual and a complement to Harry than just a sidekick. Finally, in Book 7, Ron comes to realize this. In this week’s episode, we look back at Ron’s past and his coming-of-age/growing up in Book 7 and the Epilogue.

In the News:

• USA Today names Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the Book of the Year for 2007.
• Richard Griffiths and Julie Walters will receive distinguished awards.
• OoTP on long lists for the BAFTAS in six categories.
• Daniel Radcliffe has donated his glasses to a Holocaust exhibit.

You can listen to the episode with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

So things are a bit crazy around here and we will not be able to record until the weekend. We are looking to have the show up hopefully sometime Saturday night or Sunday.

As a preview: We will be discussing the transformation of Ron Weasley from a self-concious, goofy kid with a just a *small* chip on his shoulder to a confident mature adult who was able to help defeat not only Voldemort but some of his followers.

In the meantime, if you are bored- you can watch the ITV Documentary, “JK Rowling: A Year In the Life” online.

Also, in case you forgot, it is a new month (as well as a new year), so you can review and vote for us on Podcast Alley. We really do appreciate it!

We are assuming you will have tons of free time since you won’t be listening to HP Progs and commenting, so you can register for Portus 2008 as well!  The holiday discount registration rates will be ending soon.  We can’t wait to see you there.

Talk to you soon,

Penny:)