I spent the back half of June in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. This was the first trip I’ve taken since moving to Colorado a year ago in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Although the trip was for business, my family managed to join for part of it and the change of sceneryContinue reading “A Week And A Half In The Mountains”
Author Archives: Bryan Guido Hassin
Back To Basics
So, I’m recovering from massively invasive spinal surgery . . . Wait, wait, wait, OK, let’s back up! 2020-11 In November of last year, I woke up one morning with debilitating back pain. The pain level itself wasn’t incredibly high, but it was so uncomfortable that I basically couldn’t sleep for a week until IContinue reading “Back To Basics”
The Fall of a Titan
With a heavy heart I’m sharing that former Rice Owl, Courtney Hall, died unexpectedly Thursday, apparently of a heart condition. Graduating from high school as a National Merit semifinalist at age 16, Courtney was an all-conference center at Rice (starting every one of Rice’s 44 games during his four years). Drafted into the NFL atContinue reading “The Fall of a Titan”
Introducing Genève
Almost one year to the day since we lost our sweet Max, we are elated to have added Genève to our family! Genève is a Great Bernese, a Bernese Mountain Dog / Great Pyranees mix. Ever since we fell in love with Berners in Switzerland, we have wanted to bring one into our family butContinue reading “Introducing Genève”
I Don’t Say “Redskins” Anymore
Looking through my blog history, there are many references to the Washington Football Team, which was – until recently – called the Washington Redskins. I grew up in the DC metro area at a time when this was a magical team that frequently won the Super Bowl and I developed a strong affinity for theContinue reading “I Don’t Say “Redskins” Anymore”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 6
Having consumed the Harry Potter stories almost exclusively in audio fashion until recently, I always assumed that Fleur Delacour’s last name was a reference to “the heart.” It would seem to be in keeping with her portrayal as commanding the hearts of many would-be suitors at Hogwarts. Now that I have seen it in writing,Continue reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 6”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 5
I never thought about this before but we are told here that Moody placed enchantments at the Order HQ. Now that Moody is dead, should the enchantments persist? When Dumbledore died, the petrificus totalus (or similar) spell he had placed on Harry died with him. Perhaps there are some types of spells that persist afterContinue reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 5”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapters 3&4
Here we deal with Harry’s flight from Privet Drive and narrow escape from the Death Eaters. There are several head scratchers here: Why not sneak Harry out with the invisibility cloak? Why not have Hedwig fly to Burrow? Why not cast protego on the back of Hagrid’s motorbike? That said, if you can suspend disbelief,Continue reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapters 3&4”
Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Chapters 1 & 2
We have come to the final book in reading our nightly bedtime Harry Potter reading to our 2yo. Generally I love this book and think it ties things up nicely. However, there are also many instances in which JKR’s retcons fall pretty flat – get ready, because I have thoughts! Let’s start with the beginning,Continue reading “Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Chapters 1 & 2”
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Film Review
This is one of my least favorite Harry Potter films. I am generally less of a fan of the David Yates films, which seem more plot-paint-by-numbers and lose much of the magical whimsy that make the books and early films so fantastic. This movie is probably the greatest offender because it leans so hard intoContinue reading “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Film Review”