Borders vs. Barnes & Noble -- Who Had the Better Potter Party?

Dada.net staff member Dadanewsie set out with some friends Friday night to see which of the mega bookstores proffered a more exciting, fun-filled release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

Borders presents the Grand Hallows Ball

I gotta say, the staff at Borders in the Time Warner Center (at Columbus Circle) really knows how to throw a classy affair. Sheaths of purple and orange fabric formed a tent-like ballroom, where they had food, an ice sculpture, and best of all, live bands -- including Lifehouse!

As we were walking around, I heard people saying, "Is that really them?" -- they thought, like me, that it was a cover band. Surely, Borders hadn't got the actual band, but oh yes, they did. 

the ice sculpture

People were having a grand old time, like this Professor McGonagall look-a-like, accompanied by a little witch in waiting.

The frustrating part about the Borders party was the limited access. Not all areas were accessible, so if you didn’t have a wristband, you couldn’t get in to the main tent and see the live music. But at least you could hear it …

Meanwhile, a hop, skip and a jump uptown …

Barnes & Noble – Midnight Magic Costume Party

 The line at 66th and Broadway B&N wrapped around the block, many times over. Many people were dressed in Potter garb, and there were painted faces and broomsticks made of balloons. Everybody was having a blast in line, getting to know those around them. My friends and I made nice with those in front of us, as we swapped stories and lore, such as news that the Scholastic store sold copies early, and theories about whether Dumbledore is really dead.

 Just moments before midnight, the boxes arrived.

The drawback at B&N was the lack of swag for latecomers. We saw people who were sporting the classic Potter spectacles, but alas, none for us, even though my friend had reserved her copy at that store.

The first person in line, a fan named Andrea, got there at 1:30 in the afternoon! She and her friend had blankets to sit on, and they had Domino’s deliver to them while they were in line.

People who had read the leaked copy online were respectful enough not to reveal anything to those who didn’t want to know.

 In this pic, the security guard explains to Andrea and her friend how they are going to move the line.  

Once the line finally moves, it takes us about an hour to get our copies, because we had to go around the block a few times.

My friend proudly holds up her copy!

At the Dada Conference in Florence, Italy, attendees got to participate in a human foosball match!

95-degree heat but I bet it was fun as hell!

-Tyler

So, if you’ve turned on the TV at all this week, you’ve seen the clips of diehards camping out all week at the various Apple stores.

But what about those more rational, clever peeps who thought to themselves, “Hey, that store’s gonna be crowded; I’ll seek out a small carrier store and make my own line” – those are the real geniuses in my book.

(Josh, far left)

One such smartman is Josh, who gathered this morning outside the AT&T store on 34th between Seventh and Eighth avenues. Josh works just two blocks away, and he talked with our Dada reporter, Dadanewsie, who used my Treo to take the pics and videos. Unfortunately, the wind was fierce, so the sound isn’t ideal, but we’ve provided transcripts below:

Dadanewsie: So we’re talking to Josh. What was your strategy here?

 and one in Williamsburg , Brooklyn , where I’m living now, and

nobody had a line last night, so I figured I’d come out this morning and sure enough … so instead of going to work, two blocks away, I popped a squat.

Dadanewsie: Nice!

Josh: People have been bringing me food and water, so it’s great.

Dadanewsie: That’s great.

 Dadanewsie: Who's the first person you're gonna call?

Josh: My fiancée.

Dadanewsie: Oh, how nice!

Josh: Yeah. Definitely. She’s a little mad that I’m here, actually …

Dadanewsie: So why do you think this line isn’t bigger?

Josh: I don’t know. I think it’s so hyped up or people just don’t know that you can go to the store or they think there’s gonna be like too many people so they don’t try. … I’m only two blocks from work … it’s a little early.

Dadanewsie: Yeah. No. 8 Josh. Have fun, man.

Josh: Thank you.

Rock on, Josh. You are the hope for us all. Enjoy your new toy.

- Tyler

Walking home on Broadway somewhere in the 80s, a sign in the window of Laytner's made me stop short. The home store actually had a window display of recliners with a sign that said:

"Give Dad The Chair."

Now, I could see if the word "the" was italicized or underlined, emphasizing that I could buy my dad THE chair, the chair of his dreams. Or if they had said "a chair," like give your dad a hand.

But I don't see how a sign that makes me think of the electric chair could make me more apt to purchase a recliner for my Pops for Father's Day.

Better luck next time, Laytner's. oh, & your ad agency has got to go. 

 

Living in a bachelor pad presents a challenge when it comes to impressing my girlfriend.

Tonight, we took advantage of the nice weather and my Manhattan rooftop for pre-dinner cocktails. I didn't have the fancy glasses or much in the way of presentation, but what matters is that i got all the right ingredients, thanks to the MacGyver in me.

What you'll need: whatever chairs you can muster, a 5-quart saucepan, a bag o' nice, Veuve Clicquot (or any old) Champagne, OJ, two glasses (in this case, a random mug & a highball glass) and a shortwave radio.

   Nice.

   Forgot to get the radio in the first pic. And our feet.