I was just on the Harry Potter Web site -- it's well done, although it should be harrypotter.sellout.com instead of harrypotter.warnerbros.com. I guess you can't blame old J.K. for wanting to make some (more and more and more) cash, and she definitely gets credit for sticking to her guns about casting little British actors instead of that kid from the Sixth Sense, but I don't think a Harry Potter movie is a great idea. And I definitely don't think manufacturing stomach-turning quantities of Harry Potter Warner Brothers merchandise is a good idea. The beauty of those books is that they're *so* in your head, and I don't want to see someone else's idea of what Harry Pottery looks like plastered all over mugs and t-shirts and toothbrushes and microwave popcorn and your mom. Unfortunately none of them consulted me. Chalk another victory up for the almighty dollar. Sigh.

Why did I start talking about this? Oh yeah -- when you first get on the site they have this nice little Flash intro that has this synthesized, creepy, howly mood music with wind and water in the back. It's a nice touch. But I left the site (and I only have this one browser running) and now I hear the shwooshy music behind my mp3 player. It's a really interesting result... Aimee Mann's singing "Cigarettes and red vines.... whhhoooooshshshhshhh... just close your eyes 'cause baby you never do now... hoot hoot whhhoooWHOOOshshhh..."