Mugglefest in Portland

Last night my wife and I learned that Mugglefest, Portland, ME's Harry Potter celebration—complete with a recreation of Diagon Alley and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad pressed into service as the Hogwarts Express—was completely sold out. It was the end of the world.

This morning I showed up at the door of the organizers with my wife's fourth novel in hand, LibraryThing's NYT piece, and a memorized list of every local author, library or bookstore person we know. I hate begging, but my marriage was at stake!

Fortunately, they wouldn't listen to my spiel, but they were willing to let me work my way into some tickets. So, for four hours today I made (very rickety) windows for the wand and the Turkish delight shop, and drove errands for the Minister of Magic, Kirsten Cappy. Tonight I'll swing by with donuts. And tomorrow from 7am on I'm on parking duty. My marriage is safe. My 16 month-old will get to be the littlest Weasley.

Meanwhile, tickets are selling for $150 on Ebay and someone on Craigslist is offering $500. It might not be in the spirit of the event, but I smell an excellent arbitrage opporunity...