Ennui

Hello all,
Today as with the past weekend we at the amused house are feeling a bit melancholic. Friday marked the end of an era for us and many around the world. I refer to the Harry Potter Phenomenon.
When these fantastic books came out, Grin and Smirk were 5 & 8. We did not start reading them until 1999 when they were 7 & 10. But wow are we glad we did. Ever since then they have been immersed in the wizarding world. I would read the books out loud to them and their friends using different accents for each voice. Before the movies we would frantically wait up for the book release parties at local Barnes and Nobles, then when the movies started coming we would wait and see them at the midnight showings. This final one was no different! Grin and Prince Ali camped out on Wed night as the line had been set up since SUNDAY! They stayed in a tent and Smirk and I joined them in the wait on Thursday afternoon. The line was crazy, people were dressed in costumes, but they were good natured and most were having an amazing time.
When the movie finally started, we were left breathless and most in the theater were crying. At one point Grin waved for a tissue, as did Grin's friend. Smirk had them on her lap and she kept handing them to me. And all of a sudden, someone tapped me on the shoulder and reached their hand down in the traditional wave and asked for a tissue... Total stranger, but did we say anything, nope... Just handed them up!

There is one thing to be said for this young generation... We have had Gen X, Gen Y, Baby Boomers and all have their trademark. This generation has got to be named Gen I. If there is one thing they all have in common is imagination. What other group of people could bond so adeptly with a book. These are fiercely loyal kids. They have embraced JK Rowlings vision of a fantasy world with vigor and complete abandon. Groups have started Quidditch as a sport in colleges and schools. People write fan fiction (actual website.. pretty amazing too... fanfiction.net) where these ingenious people write their own alternative stories to popular tv shows, books, etc. They do this because the either don't like the ending or have so much talent that they think of things that should have happened but did not get included in the book.

There is a new book, it wont have the same impact as Harry Potter, but it is very highly regarded. I have read it and it is very good. It is called the Hunger Games. It is a trilogy that will be made into a movie. It is about a girl who is reaped into the Hunger Games, a murderous sport that takes place in North America after it has crumbled. She prevails and shows the authority that the people are not going to go easy and just kill for their personal sport. It is a great message and fantastically written book. But yet again, the creative talent of Gen I have expanded on that. There is a web game, that is the Hunger Games. Those wishing to play put their names in to a random number generator. If they are chosen, they are give a district, then a mentor, then troll for sponsors, just like the books. Grin has been chosen and last night she had to make her first decision... Does she kill one person or two? Does she form an alliance and she should choose carefully...

While this does personify violence, so many things in our world to do, this also teaches them to show loyalty, and work for a common goal. Grin has formed an alliance with several people and they are working together to win... In short, teamwork and strategy...

I am very sad that Harry Potter has ended and thus symbolizing that my own brood are now entering adulthood, but at the same time, I cannot wait to see what the future can hold for these talented, creative and amazing people of the Generation Imagination.