What Harry Potter Has In Common With The Olympics, The World Cup, And American Idol

I don't follow the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Cup, or American Idol, so I never realized how MUCH FUN it is to be swept up in a national frenzy of anticipation.

A friend and I went to stand in line outside the Barnes and Noble at Union Square, to pick up the wristbands that would give us a place in line to buy the books tonight after 12:01. The line wrapped around the block, and we waited for two hours to get number 348.

It was a pain, but it was also a lot of fun.

I've seen people all over the city carrying copies of various Harry Potter books under their arms. I saw a hip girl with a t-shirt that read, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." A guy on the subway saw our Barnes and Noble schedule and asked us about the countdown party.

It's thrilling to realize that so many strangers are as excited as I am. Being a participant in this mass enthusiasm is really making me happy. The whole city seems friendlier.

Maybe I'll start watching the Olympics.

If you'd like to read more about happiness, check out Gretchen's daily blog, The Happiness Project.