Monday, July 23, 2007

Potter Mania.. is this the end?

Finished reading 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'!! Potter mania reached its peak on 21st, when the book was released worldwide at 12:01 am. (I myself was waiting for it since 3-4 months when the date was declared). Here in Pune, shops opened early (I was in a queue at about 6:40 AM, with about 60 more people already there, this considering that the book is a bit on expensive side). Many started reading it as soon as as they stepped outside. I also could not contain my curiosity, and kept aside all my other chores, until I had finished with the book. Now such hype surrounded every other Potter book as well, but more so with this, because this is (at least supposedly) the last book of 'Harry Potter' series and JKR herself was quoted as saying 'at least 2 important characters are gonna die' and 'For some people to like this book, others must loathe it'. And yes there are plenty of deaths on both good and bad side. The book is more brutal than earlier Potter books, with a lot of bloodshed. And here is the deal, no really central character dies although that was what many were lead to believe. The book really does not end the series, next part may be in the coming (though unlikely). Is this a common problem? The readers are so emotionally bound to a particular character that the author really can't get rid of it. I remember reading somewhere that when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed off his creation, 'Sherlock Holmes', there was such national dismay that he was forced to bring it back. Is something similar in works here? Does the author lose 'right' of the character this way?
Anyways I am more than happy with the book, filled with all-too-familiar JKR wit and some not-all-too-familiar twists. (though I was left with a couple of doubts). JKR as always, succeeds in keeping you on your toes. And if you are a Potter fan, no suggestions as you are gonna read it anyway. I would like to close with my favorite line from the book
'Wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure'

Thursday, July 19, 2007

About my first post

Wow, my own blog.. and my first post..
Now this was meant to be a grand event, to let the world know that 'I have arrived'. But because of a terrible miscalculation (or let me say overcalculation) of the importance of the first post, the first post itself was delayed too much and finally (that means 5 minutes ago) I just decided to write it once and for all and go home (happily)..
The talk of the first post and my mind is as full of ideas as the sky is full of clouds in April (OK.. terrible analogy.. forget it..).
So the point is I don't have any particular topic for this post.. lets see what comes out..
Maybe this is a good time to explain the somewhat cryptic name of the blog.. jitr4me
It stands for 'Journey Is The Reward For Me'. This phrase is generally attributed to Steve Jobs (except the 'for me' part) of whom I am a great admirer. Speculation on why I chose this particular name out of thousands that popped in my mind when I created this blog and interpretation of the phrase itself is left as an exercise to the reader..
Now something about myself.. I am Mohsin (you probably know that already). I like to read (you probably don't know that already). Currently I am reading 'The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams (and that book is amazing). I also like to talk (you might have guessed that by now..) and sleep (there is probably no way you can guess it, hehe).
OK enough for the first post..
gotta go home..
Chal bye..