harry potter

Interviewed in the Dayton Daily News

Posted in harry potter, in the news on September 21st, 2007 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – 2 Comments

I was recently interviewed for a piece in the Dayton Daily News about the Harry Potter series and faith. I just found out that the article is available online here and will be in the print edition either Saturday (9/22/2007) or Sunday (9/23/2007).

Related tags: journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind

What were people most looking forward to finding out in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

Posted in harry potter, podcast on July 29th, 2007 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

No spoilers here just yet. In case you haven’t already found it, for your consideration, I offer up JIMM 089 – Harry Potter and the Anticipation of the End (spoiler-free), containing the audio I mentioned here earlier.

Related tags: journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind

JIMM 89 – Harry Potter and the Anticipation of the End (Spoiler-Free)

Posted in harry potter, podcast, soundseeing on July 26th, 2007 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment
Play


Summary

Join us as we celebrate the arrival of the last book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7), at the bookstore. Spoiler-free discussions with other fans about what they’re looking forward to in the last book. Great music and promos; warm, juicy goodness all around. Stick this in your ear and press play!

Listening Options

Music from the Podsafe Music Network (PMN) and other places.

Title (with link to iTunes, if available) Artist (with link to the artists’ website, if available) Album (with link to CDBaby.com, if available)
The End Polaradio Polaradio (iTunes)
In the End The Bulldogs The Subsonic Reel

Other Link-Love

Daniel Johnson, Jr.
Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace
Follow me on twitter.com
Borders
Spy Riffs Radio
Electric Sky
This Week in London
Harry Potter Prognostications
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

Update: I corrected the Post time

Related tags: journeyinsidemymind journey+inside+my+mind

A Very Harry Potter Weekend (spoiler-free)

Posted in harry potter on July 23rd, 2007 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

It was a very Harry Potter weekend without a lot of sleep. Keisha and I went to Borders Friday night and waited with several hundred others to pick up our copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7). I read the entire book on Saturday, and yesterday, I started reading it to Keisha… in character.

Initial thoughts on the book… In two words: Oh my. In one word: Wow.

I captured some audio from the event, which will be on the next or a future episode of the Journey Inside My Mind Podcast. No spoilers will be revealed in that audio, which will be released in the next day or so.

If you’ve read the book and would like to join the conversation, you can do so over here, or you can go to one of my favorite Harry Potter podcasts, Harry Potter Prognostications. As of today, though, their site is no longer spoiler-free.

Related tags: journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind

Have a Harry Potter Day!

Posted in harry potter, pictures on July 11th, 2007 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

My scar is hurting. Could Voldemort be near?

(by the way, how do you like my wicked cool MS Paint skillz?)

Related tags: journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind

Dan and Keisha Talk Stuff (video)

Posted in harry potter, interview, music, parenting, video on June 23rd, 2007 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – 4 Comments

Mood: hilarious
Eating: chocolate chip cookies
Watching: the video you see on this post

In this video Keisha and I talk about what she did this morning at the YWCA, her upcoming birthday week (yes, I said week), and Harry Potter. Hilarity ensues. Click play to watch.

If you want to comment, you can leave it here, email it, or call it in to (206) 666-5466.

Related tags: journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind

From the My Dreams are Weirder Than Yours Dept…

Posted in dreams, harry potter on September 11th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood:
Listening to: Keisha sharing her “made-up” dreams
Reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) (Chapter 24: Occlumency)
Eating: donuts (hopefully?) and coffee

I had a really interesting dream last night.

I was standing in the open area in our apartment building. I had heard from some of the other people around that they and some other people were going to come attack our apartment some time later that night. As I stood there listening, I started to put a key in between each finger, to make some homemade brass knuckles.

Next scene… we’re inside our apartment. Jennie and Keisha are in the back rooms. Maybe with a baseball bat? Whatever… we’re ready for the home invasion.

Then it happens. Don’t remember specific details, except that I fought the invaders and protected my family, and won.

That’s an excellent way to end a dream.

Father and Daughter Share Interests

Posted in harry potter, library, movies, reading on September 6th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: sleepy
Listening to: fan in the window, crickets outside
Eating: Subway Italian BMT on wheat

How cool is it that Keisha and I are interested in the same sci-fi/fantasy stories? We both are really into Harry Potter, and tonight, we watched Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.

Several months ago, I started reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Book 1) to Keisha. After we finished that book, we saw the movie. Then we’d move on to the next book, and we’d watch the movie for that book afterward. Right now we’re reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5), and it looks like we’ll probably finish the book before the movie comes out next year. We may opt to read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) beforehand anyway.

A month or so ago, I checked out some of the Star Wars movies from the library, and tonight we finished with the last movie in the saga (chronological). We probably could still watch Star Wars – Episode I, The Phantom Menace, since we hadn’t watched it yet. It’s interesting to have seen the original trilogy after just having seen the most recent trilogy.

Well, I’m pretty tired and need to go to bed.

First Official Day of Homeschooling

Posted in harry potter, homeschooling, library, movies, music on September 5th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: excited
Listening to: The Cheetah Girls 2 soundtrack (from Keisha’s bedroom)
Reading: still reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) (someone help Arthur Weasley! He’s just been bitten terribly by a snake!)
Eating: not yet, but it will be from Chez Johnson this morn
Watching: 2 nights ago we saw Taxi (Widescreen Edition), with Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon – very funny movie!

Today Keisha officially begins 3rd grade here at home. The plan is to do bible study, math, language arts, a trip to the library (not necessarily part of homeschool – but needed sometime today bcuz we’ve got items due), a field trip (to the Freedom Center?), a preliminary grocery list (for Jennie and me to do or Keisha? need to dbl chk), and daily chores.

And I’m on “vacation”. Whatever that’s supposed to mean. Seriously. Not used to having time off. I’m sure I’ll find something to do.

Recent IM Status Messages I’ve Had

Posted in cincinnati, computing, harry potter, sports on August 31st, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – 4 Comments

For some reason, I thought this was a good idea. Especially as I continue to add custom IM status messages over time. I’ve been using GoogleTalk and Windows Messenger as my IM clients over the past several months, and they provide the ability to use a “custom message”. Here are some that I’ve had recently, in no particular order:

Available
Face and turn the rain
Turn and face the rain
The Dream Police, they live inside of my head…
I Want You To Want Me
Library and hang time with the fam
“I LOVE getting up in the morning! I CLAP my hands together and say, ‘THIS is going to be a great day.”
Message in a Bottle, yeah
Do I have to tell the story of a thousand rainy days since we first met?
Loose talk in the classroom, to hurt they try and try
There has to be an Invisible Son, that gives hope to everyone
With one breath, with one blow, you will know synchronicity
Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes
Bring on the Night
It’s my destiny to be the King of Pain
The telephone is ringing, is that my mother on the phone?
Reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to Keisha
106 miles to Chicago, a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses.
Code Monkey drink big cup of coffee
Hot summer goodness and black coffee wishes
Go Bengals!

Overnight Power Outage – Again

Posted in harry potter, neighborhood, power, reading on August 27th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: sleepy
Listening to: Jennie and Keisha talking about Keisha’s dreams last night
Reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
Eating: nothing yet (but coffee’s brewing, yay)

Power went out again last night. This time to the whole complex, it seemed. I woke up at about 4:15 AM because it was feeling stuffy. I noticed everything was off. So I grabbed my cell phone and used the light from it as a flashlight, since one was not readily available.

I went to the kitchen and checked the circuit breakers, but they were okay. So I found our telephone book and called Duke Energy to report the power outage. Someone else had already called, so my report was maybe the 2nd one. I opened all the windows and went back to bed – or at least tried to fall back to sleep.

Then, at about 4:50 AM, the fans came back on, and I got up and closed the windows again and turned the air back on.

JIMM 62 – Caffeinated Clips

Posted in harry potter, podcast, reading on August 21st, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment
Play

Mood: caffeinated
Listening to: JIMM 62 – Caffeinated Clips
Reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
Eating: popcorn and Miller Lite

I really enjoyed making this show; hopefully you can tell. Here’s the summary:

Next week is the 1-year anniversary show (with a contest)! Get your audio comments in now! But first, on this show: PSA from Aslan Extermination, local deer crash begs questions, where are we and why’s it so noisy, strong enough to get ring around the collar and your whole wash clean, and the story of the blow-dry kid. Songs related to coffee, caffeine, and being awake. A couple of promos for other shows.

Go on over and listen!

Loving my wife

Posted in harry potter, health, marriage, reading on August 18th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: chilled
Listening to: Dave’s Lounge #56 – The Natalie Walker Special
Reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) (chapter 10 “Luna Lovegood”)
Eating: Wendy’s

Jennie seemed so different today. Out of sorts. Lethargic. I asked her this afternoon if she’d checked her blood sugar lately:

This evening I asked her what the reading was. She said it was above 400. Normal is less than 100. So she took some Amaryl. She took a nap before it was time for her to get up and get ready for work. When she got up it was under 200. She got ready for work and ate a salad for dinner.

I’ve got to be more on top of stuff like this.

Dust Art

Posted in car, harry potter, reading on August 1st, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: sleepy
Listening to: nothing
Reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
Eating: nothing yet
Watching: nothing

Some people just write “Wash Me” on the window of a dusty car. This guy does artwork. Very good artwork.

via Rocketboom

Welcome Bene Diction Blogs On Readers!

Posted in harry potter, music, officials, reading on July 27th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: elated and slightly tired
Listening to: a program on PBS about Lucille Ball
Reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5), with Keisha – just finished ch. 3

Bene Diction, the Official Canuck of Journey Inside My Mind, writes (my links):

Journey Inside My Mind has found his niche. Dan – you are a natural at podcasting. And thanks for introducing us to Ganns Dean (Superblessed) music, which I think is very cool.

Ganns is the Official Superblessed Blogger of Journey Inside My Mind, you may recall.

I’ll be doing the 60th episode this coming weekend, and I realized a short while ago that I’ve almost been doing this for an entire year. Please check out the show, and leave feedback – good, bad, and ugly.

Update: It looks like Ganns is up at the Podsafe Music Network as of today. I think that’s supercool because he’s got the potential to get played by podcasters from all over the world now, not just my little show! ;)

Journey Inside My Mind on PodShow+

Posted in birthday, harry potter, music, podcast, reading on July 20th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: sleepy
Listening to: JIMM 58 – Happy Birthday Keisha!
Eating: fish and salad
Watching: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)

It looks like PodShow+ has recognized my podcast, probably since it’s registered with the Podsafe Music Network. I haven’t opted to migrate everything to the PodShow Delivery Network – still counting the cost on that.

Update: after looking at what else is in my collection now, I think my show arrived there because the OPML import finally worked.

This Week’s Show – Alternative or Funk?

Posted in harry potter, music, reading on June 29th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: hungry and tired
Listening to: KCRW’s Martini Shot
Reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) (reading “The Madness of Mr. Crouch”)
Eating: no breakfast yet

I am wavering between doing a music show this weekend with only Alternative music or only Funk music. I have a lot of both I could play. On one hand, I’ve been wanting to play this sweet collection of funk music I’ve had for months now. On the other, there’s some really nice alternative music that I’d love to play just to help promote the artists.

I may decide to do the alternative music this weekend and keep back the funk for a Super Funk Mix show next week.

I’m still not fully convinced which way to go. Any thoughts?

21 Year Old Swimming Memories

Posted in harry potter, music, reading on June 27th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood:sleepy
Listening to: the window fan in the living room
Reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) (just finished “The Second Task”)
Eating: haven’t had breakfast yet
Watching: the sunshine, and it’s only 7:37 in the morning!

We have a pool in our apartment complex, and we’re using it this summer. Last summer we didn’t use it that much. I think this summer it’s becoming the default activity.

When I was 12-15 years old, my sister Stephanie and I would spend summers with our Mom in Texas. That meant that we’d spend a lot of time at the pool. Almost every day. It was great.

There were diving boards in the deep end, and at least once every two hours, we’d ask the lifeguard on duty to “close the boards” so that we could swim in the deep end.

One of my favorite activities was to toss a quarter somewhere and then go find it, even at the bottom of the deep end. I got pretty good at holding my breath underwater, and I also became used to swimming with 9 feet of water on top of me. I felt like a fish. It was fun.

Another thing I’d like to do was create the biggest splash that I could. In fact, I and my friends would take turns doing cannonballs, can openers, and preacher seats to try to get the biggest splash.

I also remember the music of 1985. There was always music from the radio. That year Paul Hardcastle’s song “19″ was very popular.

Has it really been 21 years?

Broken Car with Hidden Blessing

Posted in car, harry potter, reading, tv on May 22nd, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: slightly surrenedered, tired, and still a bit congested
Listening to: 11 o’clock news
Reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
Eating: bbq turkey, dressing, carrots and broccoli – water to drink
Watching: season finale of Desperate Housewives – The Complete Second Season

Our car, the 1993 Saturn we bought back in January, is broken. Fortunately, it’s in front of our home. One of the fan belts has frayed and is broken, which explains why the car got overheated so quickly and the battery light was on.

So, Jennie’s got a cab ride to work tonight and probably home tomorrow morning. Her uncle is a mechanic, and he said he’d call us tomorrow morning. Hopefully he can diagnose what’s best for the car, and even more hopefully, it won’t cost a lot to get fixed.

Earlier today Jennie and Keisha were about to go to church, when Jennie decided to come back home, too tired to make the drive. I was in bed, still feeling ill. We see that as a blessing.

One of my Favorite Books of the Bible

Posted in Bible, harry potter, podcast, reading on May 6th, 2006 by Daniel Johnson, Jr. – Be the first to comment

Mood: waking up
Listening to: Daily Audio Bible for May 6
Reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
Eating: nothing yet
Watching: green leaves on trees, birds flying outside, blue skies

After hearing today’s episode of the Daily Audio Bible, I realize that I like the book of Ruth so much. It’s a quick read and has so many good lessons.


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