She created the Potter universe, and it is hers to control. I think she was very generous in letting the fansite have as much latitude as it did.

The key point in your post, I think, was the part about the fans viewing Rowling as a rather amusing, and perhaps minor, player in their little universe. This is classic fandom. I have some experience with fandom like this. I once was part of a group that made a sci-fi related short film. It wasn't great, but it made the rounds at a few conventions. I was kind of amazed at how many people would see the film, approach me afterward, and then suddenly it was like they thought they were part of the inner circle; that we were somehow partners in the enterprise.

Not all of fandom is like that. In fact, fans helped us out a lot during the making of our film, and often went above and beyond what we could have expected. But there are those other kind of fans who need to have limits set for them clearly and early on because they will often not be able to tell the difference between something they created and something they have taken and internalized thus making it their own. The process can be one and the same to them.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to work on my Voldemort Vs. Buffy screenplay. I doubt either Rowling or Joss Whedon will mind in the slightest; after all, without me they would be just a couple of people typing away in a closet somewhere.

Drat. Another year passes and I'm still not on the list.

And now I am sad.

And now, being sad, I am also sexy! Could next year be the one?

Hope renewed, I am no longer sad... And am no longer sexy. Drat!

This is tougher than I thought.

Ahh, he's full of crap. Even if Clinton wins by a landslide, and Democrats kick ass for all available congressional seats, George Will will then begin writing editorials decrying the unfortunate lack of bipartisanship. He will talk about how one party rule was never what the founding fathers wanted. He will suddenly become all worried about the idea of a "unitary executive." Where are the checks and balances? will be his constant theme.

Did I say he's full of crap? Sorry. I meant to say he's full of shit.

I thought I was safe; I thought I was happy. Believe it or not, I had completely blanked "The Polar Express" from my mind.

Then you mentioned it in your review.

Neighbors and friends found me a half hour later, still screaming in some sort of blackout/fugue state. I had forgotten... I had... forgotten.

Lordy, that was a creepy movie.

I think you missed it. I think that disparity between what they say and what they do is the point of the cartoon, as evidenced by Opus trying to clarify the fine print, "Balanced budgets, right?" That's what he THINKS he is signing on for.

As to what he will GET, I refer everyone back to your original letter.

Okay, I'm going to risk sounding like a geek boy.

My favorite scene in LOTR is probably a good example of what you are describing. I had never read LOTR, so I came to the whole experience as a blank receptor. I was surprised and delighted throughout, but then the scene came where the fellowship enters the lands of humans. When I saw the giant statues of the kings, hands outthrust as a warning to invaders, I had chills run up my spine, actual goosebumps. It was instant recognition, total comprehension; I felt that I had seen them before, the scene was like a long suppressed memory suddenly restored. The connection was so powerful, but I am not sure why.

I haven't seen Beowulf, but I don't expect it will offer anything similar. For one thing, I don't expect to be able to view the plastic people I saw in the trailer as human beings.

Go get 'em, writers! And ignore all the idiots who make snide remarks like "they get PAID for that?" Anyone who is paying attention knows that some shows are offering some very sharp writing.

Tideswimmer is not sure what Facebook is.

Tideswimmer is out of touch, he guesses.

Tideswimmer is aware of what My Space was, or is it still is? Tideswimmer hated or hates My Space pages.

Tideswimmer is thinking that Facebook sounds like My Space, Grrrrr.

Tideswimmer is maintaining his policy of not following links to such places. Oh, today you met up with Denisa and Buffy at the mall. Tideswimmer not give a crap.

Tideswimmer is devolving into a caveman.

I watched the interview and had to leave the room. I can't stand it, watching the president of my country babbling like that. And to think of him sitting behind the desk, ready to make his predetermined "sound decision" based on a set of undeviating (or should that be deviant) principles that are so firmly in place that no amount of evidence, fact, truth, or resulting consequence will have any impact on the decision making process.

"I have my principles in place, and my decision is that we're going to get in the car and drive due west, and we're going to keep driving west, forever if we have to, until we reach the South Pole."

"But Mr. President—"

"Ha bup bup bup bup! What did I say?"

I saw the attackers. Last time I seen 'em, they were headin' thataway, over the border. But they'll be back, oh yes. They will be back.

Attacking marriage is what they do.

Thanks for the write up. Excellent as always, but I think I can save you some trouble.

Next time, the only question I really have is this: Did a meteor crash onto the stage, or not?