awesomeness

Just watch. And don't read the description first! You'll spoil the fun.

It amuses me that on the same day we all learned that J. K. Rowling's handmade Tales of Beedle the Bard — one of seven copies — sold for nearly $4 million, I (assuming "we" for the major JKR news and "I" for the little nerdtastic stuff) also learned (via Pitchfolk, of course) about this awesome free compilation of Harry Potter-inspired bands rocking against media consolidation. Rocking Out Against Voldemedia is available as one massive zipped file — which, of course, I'm currently downloading. It's all about the free press, man. Voldemort wouldn't like that. (The website is considerably more eloquent about this than I.)

If you've not yet experienced a wizard rock band or twelve, go find yourself some Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, Parselmouths, Remus Lupins ... well, if it's a catchy name in the Potterverse, it's probably a band. For serious. And also it's probably kind of awesome.

If you don't read BoingBoing on a daily basis, you're missing out on all the best internet smartness and randomness. Politics, net stuff, geek stuff, LOLcats (love!), sarcasm, phallic street poles ... and wicked awesome shirts:

All sold out. But I am so getting one, if/when they come back. Threat Level: Doctorow. Yes, plz.

* From time to time, I will take it upon myself to edumacate you normal, non-internet addicted folks on internet grammar. Today's lesson: FTW. This means, in short, For The Win. As in, "Yes! The item/person/thought/theory/slashfic pairing in question has now ruled all others in a One Ring not-in-the-hands-of-evil kind of way!"

OK, I made that part of the definition up myself. Peruse Urban Dictionary for more, if you must. It really does mean for the win, though.