I just got back from the WalMart by our house where I picked up a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I figured that this is Syracuse so there won’t be a lot of people there. I was wrong. The parking lot looked like it was the day after Thanksgiving and there were people clad in black robes everywhere. Well, actually there was only one guy in a black robe but he was large. And he was by me so I saw him the whole time I was there.
When I walked into the store, I noticed that the line stretched all the way to the back. No big deal until I discovered that it was only the last half of the line. The first half was at a 90 degree angle and stretched the entire width of the store. I walked to the back and thought that I was insane. I could always come back tomorrow right? Yeah. So I left. I got to the doors and the line started moving. Tomorrow was here. The book was being distributed to the masses. I went back to the end of the line and waited.
While I was in line, I noticed a lot of different types of people. Everyone from moms and dads buying the books for themselves to a group of cheerleader-looking high school aged girls to little kids with their parents. There were very few people who looked like they spent too much time in their parents basements, lost in the pages of their fantasy novels and D&D maps, which I appreciated. They must be at one of the many bookstores having parties. I just wanted the book. I wasn’t in the mood to be surrounded by a bunch of people casting spells on me. The last thing I needed to come home with was a book and a pig tail.
After about 20 minutes in line, somebody behind me asked an employee if there was a special line for the people who had pre-ordered the book. To my amazement, there was no line. You just go to customer service, show them your receipt, and they give you the book. That would have been nice to know about 25 minutes earlier. I left the line and grabbed my copy of the book then went home.
So far I’ve only read the first chapter. I can’t wait to finish the rest. I’ve turned into such a fan of these books over the years. Holly is chomping at the bit to read it too so I’ve got a fight on my hands if I’m going to read it first. Better break out the boxing gloves. 
