Wasney's Blog

First off, what is Pottermore? It’s what I would call an interactive companion to the books of the Harry Potter series. There are two ways to go about using the website. You can read along in the books, while going through the sections of the website, getting addition content added to your reading experience. The other way, which is the way I use it, is to go through, reliving your past experience. I can remember reading my first book, and being hooked on it from day one…I think ever book that came out that I read I read in 1-2 days, and even would reread them when it was close to the release date of the next book. Pottermore follows through the story, but in some sections you get added information and activities to participate in. There is a lot of content added from J.K. Rowling from just added back stories on characters, to ideas that she decided not to include into the book, even some side stories and such.
As you go through this, you get to participate in some of the bigger events that happened to Harry, and all wizards and witched. For example, you will be assigned a wand, get sorted into a house, and even get to make some potions. They use questions you answer honestly about yourself to put you into a house, or decide a wand. And once your given your answer, its done.

You can interact with other users on the site as well, kind of like a basic comment page from a blog. Every user is given a random name, so its actually very private. If you decide to add someone as a friend, once they accept you, you are able to assign a nick name to them, so it’s easier to tell who is who. I like this concept a lot after putting thought and finding you can add nick names to your friends. At first I was dissapointed that I couldn’t create my own user name, but you must realize, people of all ages will be using this, from someone just getting into HP at the ripe age of 8, or someone like me, reliving their childhood at 23.
So far they have only put out the first book, so members can only do the activities that the young wizards and witches did then. Potions, Wizard duals, and a few small others. One of the other activities is that while going through the sections you are able to collect items, very similar to a hide and seek game. These items can then me used in several ways, for example given to friends as gifts, or used to make potions.

To make it a little more competitive between the houses you have points awarded to each house for many of the things they do, from winning duals to completing chapters. Just like in the stories it self.
So, at this point, your probably wondering how do I get into such a amazing site? They opened registration to a select few last month, and those people had to figure out a riddle to get in. If you weren’t one of those people don’t worry, they plan on opening to everyone some time in October.

I wish the food at home was as amazing as it was here…Yesterday I had some amazing bbq, and today Chinese delivery. And guess what! It came it the little generic delivery boxes. You know, the folded ones with the metal handle…I have been hunting for those at home and never got any. If anything else, this trip was made worthwhile because I got to experience that.

Other than that, today was a very chill day. After the training, which I really liked today since it was more active for use employees, I decided to take a quick nap in my room, since I was up really late last night. Forgot to set a alarm…3.5 hours later I am all alone in the hotel, everyone else had went downtown. Sucked…I wanted to go out with them tonight really bad. But then again…if I had went out I wouldn’t have gotten any Chinese…

Through the roleplays we did in class I learned a lot about my other classmates, and its cool to find how diverse our group is. A majority is from Michigan, but even then the people themselves are very different. It was also cool to learn that some of the more local others know some of the people I know. Never would have thought that would happen.

I did some studying tonight as well, since we had a quiz today I I only got 5 out of ten. That was about the average for the class, since we really didn’t know what to expect. After studying I feel really confident about tomorrows quiz. They aren’t graded or anything, just to get us ready for the actual test at the end, which we need to pass.

Well, off to bed. Even though I napped I am still tired…Hope I don’t do that again tomorrow…I really enjoying going out with everyone.

I am hungry for some Doritos…That is the main thing going through my mind.

Today was the first day of my Induction training for Best Buy Mobile and I have to say I am enjoying myself very much. I learned quite a bit, not just about Mobile, but about Best Buys history in general. I had a feeling that this week would just be a bunch of information that I knew already, as I have been working for Best Buy for almost 3 years now, and in the Mobile dept for the last month+, but I have learned a lot. The history is pretty cool, as well as the info on how we do things differently from the other departments in the store, and why they work better for us.

After class a large portion of the group hung out, and it was really cool to get to know the people better. We talked about a ton of stuff, from work issues to bbq. Very happy to be here.

I am going to keep this short, since I need to be up in 6 hours for class. May add some more to it later.

Today I arrived in Nashville for my induction training for Best Buy Mobile. Had to ride two planes in order to get here, and I have a room all to myself. Pretty cool. I met a few of the other people going through the training, and spent a bit in the pool. Forgot my trunks, so had to wear a pair of shorts. Eh, whatever. Maybe I will hit up a store tomorrow and buy a pair.

Ordering pizza right now, since I have the $25 to spend a day. Hell, why not.

Tomorrow the classes actually start. I have to get up around 7:30 am to eat breakfast, the classes start at 9. Pretty excited. The group I have met so far seem pretty fun, and I look forward to treating the time not in class like a vacation.

I have a friend who recently wrote a post where he just wrote. Whatever came to mind. After reading the post it gave me a feeling of release, and I feel that the exercise would be something nice for me to do. So, here goes.

What do you mean I need to have another morning available? I made this class schedule over half a year ago…you decide to change you policy now? Sure, I was able to find a change that may (if I am able to get one of the 2 available seats open) work, but still, you cant be even a little lenient? For being a place that is suppose to focus on the knowledge of its employees you really don’t seem to give a damn about mine. I understand that I am just a part timer, and plenty of people would love to have the hours I get, but still, I have been there for almost 3 years of my life, I quit my other job for you…I do plenty of extra work that really isn’t needed. I made more at the other job to, did you know that? But I would prefer to work at a place where I can share my knowledge, a place that I thought cared for that. And now I get to go on a plane by myself…two actually, hell, 4, since I have to come home to. How will this work out? And not only that, but I will be at a location hours away, with no person that I know. This will be a new experience to say the least. I think it will be good for me, asides from going through the whole plane ride alone…Maybe I will just drink myself into a stupor. Sure, a hangover prob wont look good for the 8 hour class I get the next day…and the next, for 5 days total. But that will be one kick ass paycheck for that…Hell, approx 60 hours on the check…Will be more then double any check that I have gotten in the last year. Will be nice to go one month without having to touch my savings. Oh, savings…I am not doing so good with that term. Sure, I do have a lot more left then I thought I would at this point…but with that idea I am constantly using that money for temporary self satisfaction. Really, $70 in a night, wasted on alcohol and food…Not really needed, at all. But I continue to do it…Once school starts back up, fuck, in 2 weeks, I won’t have time for anything really. Even though I am only taking 3 classes, for a total of 12 credits, it is costing me the same amount as the other semesters…What the hell…and $200 for books…and still need to get the req book list for my 3rd class. Kind of ridiculous. I mean, who sets these damn prices? Specially for books that are replaced every year, when no real new information is put in…So damn dumb. I tried to find downloads of the ebooks online, but had no such luck. At least last semester I was able to get about 4 books online. Saved me around $50. Pretty nice. I would really like to take this “vacation” I have been trying to take for over a year now. I really would like to visit my friend in person. Maybe its good that I am doing this work thing by myself now. It will kind of prepare me to be alone in a strange place, since I can’t expect my friend to keep me company for the whole time, 24/7. I love my friends. I realized just how important they are to me the other day. They truly do care about me, and I truly care about them. Sure, family is there for you no matter what, but you choose your friends, and you have to earn the right to be your friend. If you don’t deserve them then you will definitely loose them. But even with my awesome friends, and yes, my awesome family (for the most part) I would like to have someone more then that in my life. Its been almost 2 years from when I had a meaningful relationship, and I would really like to have someone in my life that I can share anything with, and have them feel that they can share anything with me. I really do take after my Dad in that sense…I feel best when I have others around be, and even more so when I am in a working relationship…And like him, even if it isn’t so great for me.

I can’t think of much more to write at this point, but I do feel a lot better just getting these things down on digital paper.