MWA: Muggles With Attitude

This is a quick note to announce our new podcast: Living Dead in Austin. We're (re)reading the Southern Vampire Mysteries, aka the Sookie Stackhouse books, by Charlaine Harris! Check us out at livingdeadinaustin.com

We watched the 8th movie of the 7-part series, the epic conclusion to the unepic story. Our verdict: suprisingly not good. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

The the seventh movie of the series, or the first movie of the two-movie series makes up the final entry of the series. However you want to look at it. Our verdict: surprisingly not bad! We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry finally arrives at his long-prophesied confrontation with Voldemort. To succeed, he'll need bravery, trickery, and a really good wand. His specialties! Then we flash forward and find out who impregnated whom. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

The battle is joined between the students and faculty of Hogwarts on one side and the Death Eaters with their various horrible allies on the other. In the middle of it, Harry learns even more dark secrets about his past. He just can't get enough dark secrets. Note: there appears to be a cat meowing in the background of this episode. It's just an mp3 artifact. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry leads one of his signature chaos attacks on Gringott's bank. It starts when they sneak in using the old invisibility cloak, then ends with a blind dragon dumping them in a lake. Then it's back to Hogwarts via Hogsmeade, with a quick stop on memory lane, courtesy of Dumbledore's shady brother. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry's wander-around-in-the-woods plan finally pays off when he finds the sword of Godric Gryffindor in a pond. Then they engage in rapid, violent visits to the Lovegood home and Malfoy Manor. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

After their ministry mission, Harry and friends are forced to flee their Grimmauld sanctuary. They spend some time camping and bickering, then fall for the oldest trick in the book: a giant snake hidden inside a historian. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry and friends stage a desperate mission to the Ministry of Magic to acquire the locket horcrux. In the process they run into some old enemies and make some new ones. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry and his friends celebrate first his birthday then a Weasley wedding. The latter is crashed by a passel of Death Eaters looking for some death to eat. Luckily Harry, Ron, and Hermione escape to his recently inherited unfindable house. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

As Voldemort's dark influence spreads across Britain, Harry leaves the shelter of the Dursleys' house for good. He escapes a Death Eater ambush, though not without loss. Things are looking grim for the boy wizard, and in a few days his 17th birthday will make him a man wizard. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the 2009 movie. It is not our favorite entry. But we have a good time with it anyway! We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry goes on fun adventure with Dumbledore, complete with a lake full of corpses and a belly full of poison. Then Draco Malfoy finally executes his sinister plan, with tragic success. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry gets lucky. Really, really lucky. Chemically lucky. He uses a luck potion to finally uncover the memory that Dumbledore needs, and in the process triggers a storm of snogging. Note: there are some cat noises included in this recording. The feline responsible has been sacked. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry survives a disastrous Quidditch match, but makes some progress uncovering whatever Malfoy is up to. Then he is treated to a memory of young Voldemort completely flubbing a job interview with Dumbledore. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry learns more of Lord Voldemort née Tom Riddle's sinister past. Meanwhile love blossoms in the cold halls of Hogwarts. There's just something irresistible about Weasleys. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

At Hogwarts, Harry has to balance his new Sluggy social responsibilities with advanced classes in sinister history from Dumbledore himself. He also has to discover and foil whatever Malfoy's evil scheme is. It'll be a full year. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Amid ominous events in the world, Harry returns to Hogwarts for his 6th year. He strikes up his old rivalry with Malfoy, who has progressed well beyond just being a jerk. Then the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor turns out to be not so new. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! We talk about how they crammed this huge book into a fleet two hours of film. Also, Harry's new haircut constitutes a major glow-up. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry and his squad of (Defense against the) Dark Arts masters are ambushed by Death Eaters. Wizardly combat ensues. Then Dumbledore finishes off this book with twin doses of whoop ass and exposition.  We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry and his friends faced standardized wizard tests, before a vision of danger forces them to confront Umbridge. Then Harry decides that the best way to deal with an obvious trap is to charge in immediately. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry's little army is finally discovered by Umbridge and her goons, which leads to Dumbledore paying the price. Ron and Ginny win the Quidditch Cup and Fred and George win wide admiration by showing up Umbridge with a campaign of disruption. Everything's coming up Weasley. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry goes on a date with his crush. It goes badly. Then he dreams he turned into a snake and mortally wounded Ron's dad. That goes pretty well, all things considered. Meanwhile Umbridge and Hermione escalate their war over the hearts and minds of Hogwarts' students. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Hagrid is finally back and he has a giant story to tell. Then Harry has a dream about being a deadly snake and biting Mr. Weasley. Meanwhile, Mr. Weasley is bitten by a deadly snake. It's probably a coincidence. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

As Umbridge continues her bureaucratic assault on Hogwarts faculty, Harry and Hermione (but mostly Hermione) start a clandestine club to teach other students how to fight Wizards. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry gets fully acquainted with Delores Umbridge. She gives him detention for telling the truth, and her detentions involve significantly more blood magic than he's accustomed to. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

At Harry's trial, Cornelius Fudge tries (and fails) to railroad him to prison. Then the Hogwarts Express tries (and succeeds) to railroad him to school. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry's unpleasant vacation is cut short by an unseasonal Dementor attack. Then he joins Dumbledore's loyalists at Sirius's creepy house. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We sat down and watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the movie, which is (once again) a big change from the style of the previous movies. We talk about how the filmmakers fared trying to translate this packed book to the screen. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry finds out that Mad-Eye Moody isn't the friend Harry thought he was, but Dumbledore is a good friend indeed. Then the news of V-mort's return shakes Hogwarts. It looks like Harry's familiarity with danger will prove quite helpful in the future. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry faces the third Triwizard Tournament Task: a hedge maze. He and Cedric Diggory win the real first prize: friendship. Oh, did I say friendship? I meant death. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry faces the second Task of the Triwizard Tournament: to rescue his Wheezy from the bottom of the lake. He also reunites with Sirius, who is living in a cave and eating garbage, so he's much improved. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry faces his first task: a heist of the horde of a hostile Hungarian Horntail! Then something even more serious: he needs a date for the dance and he doesn't know any girls! We also find out what wise readers already knew, that Hermione is All That. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Mad-Eye Moody has graduated from showing Harry's class illegal curses to casting illegal curses on the students. Harry has bigger problems though, because somehow his name got into the Goblet of Fire and he's in deadly peril. Again. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry and his friends head back to Hogwarts for another school year. It's an unusual year, because Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament! Luckily they've hired a gruff, scarred battle wizard to keep a mad eye on things. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We start on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! The story broadens and darkens as Harry attends the Quidditch World Cup while sinister forces (some new, some familiar) gather to plot against him. Also, we learn that Mr. Weasley can get anything he wants... except a Muggle's friendship. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We watched the Prisoner of Azkaban movie! Basically everything has changed except the actors (mostly). Our favorite part is Gary Oldman screaming at the camera over and over. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry finally gets to the showdown with Sirius Black, Professor Lupin, and... Peter Pettigrew? He also discovers his patronus, travels through time, and rescues a hippogryph. Not such a dull semester after all. Note: there are some audible children crying in the background of this episode. There will be no extra charge for this bonus content. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry gets an education in terror from Lupin and an unfriendly Boggart. Harry needs to work on his Patronus but he has too few happy memories to draw from. Then, sadly, Buckbeak gets a new name: Headless Buckbeak. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry obtains the awesome power of the Marauder's Map and uses it to play hooky from school. He also learns why everybody thinks he'll go after Sirius Black. Which, let's face it, he will. We are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry Potter heads back to school! Not too soon either, since the murderous Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban and Hogwarts is the safest place to be. Now if only Harry could ignore the many omens of his own death... Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We watch the Chamber of Secrets movie! We see how our young actors handle the themes of fame and wizard racism. They do OK! Too bad about the rest of the movie. Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Even while petrified Hermione is still the brains of this operation. Her research helps Harry and Ron find the Chamber of Secrets and confront the Heir of Slytherin. Harry manages to avoid killing any teachers this time, so he's improving! Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry and friends finally get to use the Polyjuice potion and things go... ok. They get some info, but not what they were expecting. Then Harry takes a trip down somebody else's memory lane and Dumbledore gets fired! Better call his wizard union rep. Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Terror stalks the halls of Hogwarts! A mysterious killer (well, petrifier) is on the prowl and nobody knows who it will strike next. Some think it's Draco, others think it's... Harry? Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We start in on Harry Potter 2! Harry escapes his brutal home situation with the help of the Weasely crime family. Back at Hogwarts Harry and friends hang out with a few dead people and begin uncovering an ancient secret that may lead to a lot more! Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Support us on Patreon! Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

After reading the book, we watched the movie! We discuss what part of the adaptation worked, what didn't, and why does Seamus Finnegan keep blowing up? Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Here's a special bonus episode! We interview real-life Quidditch player, Lyz Renshaw. Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

We finish up Harry P and the S. Stone with a whole mess of wizard challenges, an unexpected betrayal as well as some unexpected loyalty. Also, the Slytherins were right all along: the system is rigged. Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

From cupboard-dweller to wizard athlete! Harry finds his calling as a high-flying star. He also gets a cloak of invisibility and uses it to sneak into... the library. To read some books. Nerd. Relevant comic. Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Harry makes some friends, sees some ghosts, makes some enemies, gets his head tasted by a hat, and learns to fly! Your hosts are Alice Sullivan (@alicemsullivan), Micah Sparkman, and Jeff Lake (@jeff_lake). Music: Backyard Adventure by Hans Hylkema, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.