Me and my House

Things have been few and far between around here lately, to say nothing of grim. Just once, when I was in a good mood and had something good to report, I wanted to say 'hello.' For, as Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, "..whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Okay, it's a stretch, but it's one of my favorite verses, so I went with it. Shoot me.

I have spent the last 22 hours or so (okay, the conscious bits, anyway) recuperating from a bad cold. Far from being annoyed that I was spending one of my days off recuperating, I relished the chance to rest. I spent a little time resting and meditating, but the bulk was spent playing the new Legend of Zelda game and tinkering around on the newly-opened Pottermore site. It is about the latter that I wish to opine.

There's been a lot of griping — a bit of it even from me — about the inordinate amount of time it's taken for Pottermore to get out of beta. I don't know why it took so long, apart from the fact that creating anything for the sheer volume of users they must have been expecting can be no easy task.

Anyway, after several false starts, the site finally (and quietly) opened to everyone Saturday morning. Word began to spread like wildfire Saturday morning (or, if you like, fiendfyre), and by noon or so that day, our family had its very first Hufflepuff. Yvonne and I waited more or less patiently the rest of the day for our own "letters," which came late Saturday. Tired, but undaunted, we opted to plow ahead until we at least knew what house we belonged to. We'd gathered around my daughter as she had been joyfully sorted into Hufflepuff (which has long been 'her' house). Now, she returned the favor as first she, then my wife answered the questions that would determine our own houses.

Yvonne had registered before I had, so it was only fair that she got sorted first. She has long identified as either a Ravenclaw or a Slytherin, and so was more than a little surprised when she was sorted into Gryffindor (which she'd conceded as a remote third possibility a few hours before the sorting). She's, in the main, pleased, but she's still sorting it out, I think.

I had always sort of liked Gryffindor, but was often embarrassed to say so. Because the books focus on three young Gryffindors, who are, in the main, taught by Gryffindor teachers, the House of Godric Gryffindor is a popular choice among Potter fans. It seemed something of an unimaginative choice, and I am just vain enough to let such things as being thought unimaginative matter. But I couldn't argue the fact that I strongly identified with the principle virtues of Gryffindors, including loyalty, courage, and a love of justice. So when my family told me that I was definitely a Gryffindor, I didn't argue much.  Secretly, I really wanted to be one, but just didn't think I was in that class.

Whether I am actually in that class or not, I am pleased to report that the sorting hat also thinks I'm a Gryffindor. I would have actually been fine being a Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw — both noble Houses with fine qualities of their own. I would not have been happy as a Slytherin, which appear to value the self more than I'm comfortable with at this phase of my life. But, Gryffindor it is, and I am inclined to regard it as official. And, if I may say, quite pleased.

I have good words for the site itself. It isn't a video game or MMORPG, and that's a good thing. Nor is it about the movie versions — it's about the books, and the site takes none of its visual cues from the films. The illustrations are, as far as I can tell, original. The whole thing seems to be designed to compliment the books, but it very much feels like its own entity at the same time.  Books, movies...web site.

While it's free, the site also features plentiful opportunities to purchase digital eBooks or audio books — perhaps the reason the site exists, as far as the 'money' people are concerned. If so, then that, too, is a success — the cost of putting the entire Harry Potter on my iPad is a more-than-reasonable $60. And while my finances do not permit such extravagances at the moment, I feel certain that the next time I re-read the series — and there will be a next time — it will be done precisely this way.