Why I'm not a Harry Potter Fan

I know I'm going to get some flak for this, but I have to vent. This is a re-post of one of James' posts from almost exactly 2 years ago. I share his sentiment on the Harry Potter movies, and and I couldn't say this better myself.

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The New Harry Potter Movie

I haven't seen the latest movie, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" yet, but I don't really need to. I already know what's going to happen.

1. Harry goes back to Hogwarts.
2. There's a new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher who seems suspicious.
3. Malfoy is stuck-up and arrogant towards Harry & Co.
4. The Old Witch Lady gives Harry & Co. explicit instructions NOT to do something.
5. Hermoine tells Harry not to do it.
6. Harry does it.
7. Hagrid helps out.
8. The aforementioned DADA teacher is either Harry & Co.'s greatest enemy or their greatest friend. Either way the audience will act surprised.
9. The Old Witch Lady is initially upset that Harry & Co. disobeyed her orders. But since everything worked out ok, she just grins and gives Harry a trophy.
10. Harry & Co. humiliate Malfoy without losing the audience's respect.
11. End Credits.

Oops, I just spoiled the movie for you. Sorry. -James

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I just don't understand the fascination with these movies, because the all have the same plot! I have continued to watch them - after they make it TV, I'm not going to pay for it - just to see if anything changes, but I am always left scratching my head wondering why these movies aren't so transparent to everyone else. I will admit that I have not read the books, and maybe I would appreciate the movie better if I had read them. The thing that puzzles me most regarding these movies is the number of Christian parents who let their kids watch these movies. There is always a terrible problem brewing that Harry and company know about, but the adults either are oblivious to it or think it doesn't matter. The adults tell Harry not to worry, & are impotent to solve the problem in Harry's eyes. The kids disobey the rules, but solve the problem, making their elders look like fools. That is just telling kids, "Your parents are really stupid and incapable of doing anything when you have a problem, so forget listening to their rules, instruction, and wisdom. Have your own adventure saving the day." And you wonder why your kids don't take what you say seriously. . .

Summer Rolls

A few weeks ago, I made my first attempt at making spring rolls. We first had these at a restaurant in Baton Rouge, and we love them. Here is the recipe that I used:

1 lb. cooked shrimp
cellophane noodles
1 Tbs. seasoned rice vinegar
Boston lettuce leaves, separated and dried
fresh mint, basil, and cilantro coarsely chopped (no quantity was given for the herbs in the original recipe that I had, so I just grabbed a handful of each our of my garden)
carrot, coarsely shredded
Rice paper rounds (8.5 inches in diameter)

To prepare the cellophane noodles, cover them with boiling water and let soak for 15 minutes. Drain well and pat dry between paper towels. Toss with Rice vinegar.

Fill a pie plate with lukewarm water. Immerse one rice paper round in warm water for a few seconds, just until it is flexible. Remove from pie plate & let rest on a kitchen towel for about 30 seconds until it is more pliable.

Arrange one piece of lettuce on bottom half of soaked rice parer, folding or tearing to fit. Leave a 1 inch boarder along edge. Top with shrimp, herbs, cellophane noodles, and carrot.

Pressing down on the filling with your fingers, fold the bottom end of the rice paper over the top of the fillings and roll into a cylindrical shape halfway. Fold the left and right sides inward and continue rolling.

This is served with peanut sauce, here's the recipe.

1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 Tbs. sesame oil
1/2 c soy sauce
3 Tbs. sugar
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbs. hot chili sauce
1 Tbs. rice vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth.