TMQ #128 - Vivis Exion

Discussion of The Magic Quill #128 (www.mugglenet.com/editorials/themagicquill/tmq128.shtml) by Robbie Fischer.

+++ DOUBLE CHALLENGE +++

SURVEY: Is Harvey really in the Lewis Ball Ward? (A) Yes, and he has been there all along. (B) Yes, but only after living backward through history and forward again. (C) No, it's somebody else claiming to be Harvey.

CONTEST: What kind of New Year's resolution might a witch or wizard make?

SURVEY: Is Harvey really in the Lewis Ball Ward?

Oops. I meant "Lewis Bell Ward." Another side-effect!

That Aunt Viv is one scary lady!!! Ooops, she's dead. More side effects...

I believe Harvey has only been in the ward after going back and forth through time. He's a bit confused right now, doesn't know where he is or when he is.

A New Year's resolution? Promising not to hex the cat with 'incendio' charms.

Survey:... C
Contest: Promise to practice their disapparating at least five times a week until it's perfect.

Thank you, Robbie, for Vivis Exion -- which is likely the only Christmas present I'll receive this year. You never cease to amaze me with your brilliant humor, particularly:

"...most spectators hit by bludger in a single game (17), season (124), and career (1,227)"
and...
""Hecate's boil!" the Healer swore as he read the coupon."
and...
""I'm touched," Spanky said, though this was less true than it had been a moment ago."

SURVEY: Is Harvey really in the Lewis Bell Ward?

Umm... (D) Harvey's there because he was hit with an Obliviate spell, and he's forgotten that he's living backwards. Since nothing he says makes sense to the healers, they think he's crazy, and have thus been treating him for the wrong spell damage.

CONTEST: What kind of New Year's resolution might a witch or wizard make?

To break their bad habit of carrying their wand in their back pocket.

Thanks again for a great chapter.

hmm... i would say that Harvey is there and he's not there... coz since he is living time backwards it is possible to be in two places at once the past self and the future self going backwards... i'm hope i'm making sense... thus well the Healers are probably quite confused.. they maybe healing the wrong Harvey... his past self...

hmm.. a new year's resolution... well for the mischief makers, it would be "I solemnly swear i'll be up to no good"
then those forgetful ones would promise not to forget where they place their Rememball
well a resolution that will be easy to keep would be not to tickle a sleeping dragon.

on the side note... i was wondering if Harvey was living backwards through time is he able to celebrate New Year's Day... well... if he's going backwards.. then it makes sense he'll be celebrating previous New Year's..

Good point, Zanaboo, 'Vivia Exion' is really a great Christmas present for all of us Magic Quillers! Thank you, Robbie! Hope you have a happy one too.

A New Year's resolution--no more jinxing people with their backs turned.

Thank you, Robbie, for Vivis Exion...You never cease to amaze me with your brilliant humor...

Aw, shucks. The first example is really down to greyniffler, but thanks tons!

Another New Year's resolution--promising to lay off firewhiskey

SURVEY: (B) Yes, but only after living backward through history and forward again.

CONTEST: What kind of New Year's resolution might a witch or wizard make?
to Stop turning all the Annoying muggles into frogs.

Is Harvey really there? Well, yes, but it's a bit confusing because they are trying to cure him of the living backward. So sometimes he's living backward, and sometimes not, and when he says that something didn't work, they don't know if it didn't work or if it won't work.

What sort of New Year's Resolutions?To stop waiting for someone to give him a time-turner, and to stop putting it on his Christmas list.
To properly dispose of those shrinking keys and other mugglebaiting toys.
To stop shopping as Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes!
To send Gringott's a Christmas card next year.
To not drink firewhiskey where muggles can see the steam.
To say "Merlin's beard!" instead of something about Faustus's anatomy.
To not make faces at Stan Shunpike behind his back.
To fix that dodgy latch on the bludger box.
To finally clean that cauldron out, just as soon as ...
... I pick up some Mrs. Skowers All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover.

Say Robbie, it's a shame that these threads go away. I know we can't add to them afterwards, but the old contest entries would be fun to read.

I rather liked the "I'm touched" remark, too! Bravo, Robbie.
Also liked G-n's idea here, "when he says that something didn't work, they don't know if it didn't work or if it won't work." Would modify to say that, because of the time ambivalence they have trouble knowing whether a thing really doesn't work, of if he just hasn't completed the treatment because of the time shift. Which takes me to the...

Survey: B. Harvey's been back and forth and is still in flux.
Resolution: Hard to get one better than not stashing wands in rump pockets, but let's try. How about:
A. I resolve not to "engorgio" my desert.
B. I resolve to lose enough weight to not have to "engorgio" my robes every time they come out of the wash.
C. I resolve to get more exercise, starting with walking to 1) the mailbox instead of apparating, 2) the kitchen from the TV, instead of summoning the chips and suds 3) the broom shed instead of trying to "accio" the broom without dinging up the outside of the prime door (and whacking the visitor on the stoop on the head -- Oh, well, he looks like he was selling cauldron warrantees, anyway.)
D. I resolve to use more natural and organic ingredients in my potions. (No more chemically preserved amphibians!)

Happy New Year to all!

Say Robbie, it's a shame that these threads go away. I know we can't add to them afterwards, but the old contest entries would be fun to read.

Actually, you can view the threads that "went away" by changing the "Display Options" where it says "From the."

UPDATE: I wrote TMQ #130 today. Huzzah! Please vote in the Survey & Contest for #129!