If there was ever a night for were-pigeons

This one's a hat tip to Weebat and to the people at Making Light who tried to figure out what the frilly-knickered hell is going on in the video for "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Is there a plot there, or are we looking at garden-variety repressed ninja prep schoolers? Who...do ballet in B&D gear? And fence in drenched whites? And then glare at their extravagantly coiffed and be-shoulderpadded teacher in a vaguely menacing manner, causing her to flee down hallways that are full of fluttering gauze one might not expect in an all-boys school run along traditional lines? We have no idea.

ANYway, the stars are aligned for big supernatural geek news for the weekend of July 21: Not only will the Buffy musical be in town, the pedestrian area near my place is being converted into Diagon Alley on Friday night, leading up to the midnight release of the last 'Arry Pottah book. Even the midblock pub will get into the act, so adults can steel themselves for the midnight shrieking (or get loosened up enough to enjoy the silliness) at a one-night-only Leaky Cauldron. And but of course I will be attending, although the question of a costume has arisen. Should I go as a disapproving member of the illiterate hyper-Christian right-wing book-banning crew (who as a group haven't yet noticed that Philip Pullman shot by under their radar with a hydrogen payload, and boy howdy will it be a hootenany if they ever do) or as a peevish writer disgruntled by her own lack of Rowling-esque success? Would either one hide the fact that I'm tickled pink by the idea of a must-be-there book cultural event?

One peculiar note about the whole thing is that the area was recently declared off-limits to private photographers; after quite a bit of negative publicity, the management rescinded its declaration. Pretty generous, considering that the mall is on a public street and that the development was supported by public funds. The company failed to explain what loss they would suffer if people took shots there, as far as I can see, so they come across as cowards hiding behind underpaid security guards. Not cool, Peterson Company. You got the fountain back in working order, you've gotten a funky mix of tenants (a ballet school, a pho place, a salon that offers drinks!), you host some fun events (although I am always tempted to edit the slogan "Silver Spring Swings!" by adding "not THAT way"); it would be stupid to blow your community credit by being ridiculous. And Lord Voldemort might snack on your sinews if you did, too, so, you know, don't mess about.