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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Hmmmph! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>There were no Harry's Schoolbooks in
WH Smiths in Lewisham, so I spent a few minutes examining their HP
merchandise. I was very tempted by the Sorting Hat bookends at £28.00
(really heavy and well made and just 'right') and I saw the figurines, including
the Hedwig thing that Simon bought. I left empty-handed, but now I've seen
these things, I know I'll end up buying something at some
point.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>Poor baby! I drove 45 miles to see what one of our
bigger towns had to offer. Not a lot more than a closer town. I did put the two
books on reserve. They, of course, could not sell them early. They are having a
"Hogwarts University Springbreak Party there at Waldenbooks. Treats, games,
prizes. I think I will pass.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>I know some of you have been there,
done that, bought the t-shirt, but I've been trying to avoid buying spinoff
merchandise, knowing full well that if I saw it, I'd want it all.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT>;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG>Self control, Neil ... self control... keep going back
and looking at it all .. you will finally decide what things really mean the
most to you. I can't see just buying it all toown it. I did buy the pieces
which I just could NOT do without... yes, I got my Hagrid doll!!! He is just THE
most precious thing in the whole of Hogwarts and beyond! He has keys, and
Norbert, a string of sausages in one pocket, an owl in another, a hanky in
another which reads, Believe the magic with all your heart." I love his boots
... I love his scarf and his jacket.. and his belt.. and his hair... wow did I
mention his hair? He sits in the middle of my two sets of bookends ... all that
is missing is my British editions...</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>It felt funny: me, a grown man,
picking up themed pencil cases andtrinkets while thevoices of 7-9
year old children piped excitedly around me: "Look Mummy! Harry Potter
books!!"; "Daddy - *that's* the one I want -LOOK!!!"; "Nan - why is
thatfunny man looking at the pencil cases?"
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>
<DIV></FONT></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG>The saleslady asked me, "And where is this going?" AS
IF .... I told her, "Right on my computer desk, in the middle of my two sets of
bookends and Harry Potter books. Well!!! I wish I had a camera to catch the look
on her face! I guess adults are supposed to have some child in mind when they
purchase the HP stuff.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG>My inner child is an avid Harry Potter fan. As such, I
feel compelled to listen to her when I am dragged into a Hallmark Store by the
purse strings. I think I hear voices saying, "If you sell it, she will
come." Hallmark has really done an outstanding job with their merchandise.
None of it looks cheap and all of it looks adorable. The only other piece
that I lust after is the invisibility cloak figurine.... and maybe the
Kings Crossing bookends.... and the Quidditch lamp ..... *sigh* ... see
what you started? </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Okay, I made thatlast one
up. That was the little boy in my head.</FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Neil</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG>Awww... listen to your inner child.... before he stops
speaking to you and you grow old and fussy.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG>Doreen</STRONG> </FONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>