Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing

I got this book at a thrift store–which is a great practice on its own, just got a school textbook for less than $5.00—I didn’t get it thinking it was about Hunting and Fishing, but as I believed that it would be about raising strong women; but that it wasn’t either and I’m not going to lie, the reviews are right, this book is a bit of a mess but overall it reminds me a bit of Freaks and Geeks where it’s messy and authentic.

First on the mess, it doesn’t help and is unnecessary, the majority of the story is believed to be from one person’s point of view, but two chapters (one told from a character connected to the “main character”, and one not) are told from different people’s points of view. As the “main character” who actually isn’t depicted as the main character or is always portrayed the same but has memories from the earlier chapters—it’s the best you can go. This is confusing, and when I read this book the second time it was early in the second chapter that I remembered—oh right, this is why this book was annoying and confusing. But while poorly formatted and executed, that’s not really all that important, overall the story is snippets of most girls struggles with her personal romantic relationships, navigating different adult relationship as she gets older and changes, figuring out what she wants with her relationships and her changing relationship with her family.

What’s also crucial, and does make it a good story for young adult women and older, is that the love stories aren’t fairy-tale, they’re realistic. Loving someone you broke up with, how much pain can one handle or one should handle in a relationship, the weirdness of not wanting what you know is probably best for you, breaking up with your best friend; it’s not some dramatics of other books: woman finds herself after divorce, found her fiancé cheating, just got a makeover and became the ‘hot girl’ in school. It’s all the other parts of love, the common and more dramatic, heartbreaking and confusing stuff that there is no right answer for.

I’ve read this story a few times—and I still don’t get the title (really, it does not come up in the book, I’ve checked) but what’s great about it is that it’s accurate, and how you do feel the mess you’re in, isn’t unique to you—you’re not alone in feeling alone, even if no situation matches yours.

Bibliothek

Switzerland isn’t as neutral as portrayed, ranking high in various records related to education, intelligence, happiness and diversity. While not definitive, the online access and draw of its libraries may symbolize how these institutions wish to encourage development in various education and entertainment avenues. Bibliothek Chur is extremely automated and while having strict rules and either monthly or yearly patronage costs is overall reasonable, especially considering the service and information provided. Similarly, Konzier bibliotheken has fewer hours but boasts an online presence and has events focused on individual community issues and larger intersectional issues.

The prime example of course is The Swiss National Library. With a newsletter release every four to six weeks, you may also take guided tours and speak with workers online or in person if you need help understanding or accessing the archives you are trying to work towards. Within the past ten years, they have even had a focus on both the “digital future” of libraries and books, while holding onto the history of printed bookts

Focused on more than just literary documentation, the Swiss National Library also promotes the importance images and sound documents as important artifacts of their shared history in addition to the smaller archives of each canton (individual states) and different exhibits that occur at the libraries.

Scooby-Doo where are you, and where did you come from?

Scooby Doo’s all-white cast would in no way be considered diverse in today’s demographics; however, 50 years ago and today it is important to note the diversity and confidence each character had. Shaggy and Daphne may have been considered less intelligent than the others, but they were not “stupid” or held the group back. Fred and Daphne were always a bit more superficial, pushed into romance and look-conscience but they were never shallow or consistently self-absorbed. Velma was within some episodes self-conscious about her looks compared to Daphne, but it never became a battle between them and Velma didn’t lose confidence in using her brain or intelligence and showed how being intelligent can be a superpower. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo, and the rest of the gang promoted healthy male and female friendships where even those who are different can get along.

There will never be a show so random to enter into my life, all because I was bored and could channel surf. Thank you to one of the original “squad goals” and all those meddling kids

Todd Packer

Packer's Best Moment: Season Eight, Episode Sixteen: After Hours When Dwight gets kicked by Jim after he gets the buttons from Cathy per "college rules" in 'The King and The Hunchback' and he comments with his double meaning statement.

“and he lost at his own lame game”

Packer's Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Seventeen; The Farm When he laced the cupcakes that he brought as 'apology cupcakes' to the office and the staff either got stoned or diarrhea

Packer's Best Line: Season Two, Episode Two

So a guy goes home, tell his wife, "Honey, pack your bags, I just wont the lottery" She goes "Oh, my god, that's incredible, where are we going? He goes "I don't know where you're going, just be out of here by five."

Packer's Most Memorable Moment: Season Three, Episode Eleven: Back from Vacation When he gets Michael’s picture of Jan from their Sandals Jamaica trip “Wait. I just got it from somebody else. Wow, this is hot. Damn! How do I get you out of this picture? “

When you realize Emma probably can’t shoot a gun because Kieran taught her

Re-imagined, Reinstated, Regretted

Today many libraries are closed because of…..ahhh!

 For a few, today is Christopher Columbus day and with it being removed many have fought for it to remain as part of Italian’s contributions and mark on the U.S. But that’s stupid, whenever Christopher Columbus was celebrated or taught we learned about how he sailed for Spain and ate Turkey with Native Americans—not his Italian Heritage. Instead join in on the celebration and reflection of Indigenous people and the Native Americans slaughtered and create a separate day truly for Italian Americans as a whole or focused on the many Italian-American Nobel winners (six, who are literary focused and whose work is noted as different tones of their heritageà https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/six-italian-nobel-prize-winners-in-search-of-a-national-identity/) by dropping the loser who GOT LOST at best.

 So why is this being mentioned during National Book month or as part of this celebration and spotlight on libraries? I wasn’t taught this distinction in class, I learned it on my own. After being taught and performed a play about how Christopher Columbus discovered America it was mentioned quickly that the Vikings discovered America and questions about the contradictory lessons were ignored and I looked on my own where I could. So thank you books on shelves up high, heavy and beaten. Thank you for making HIStory not the only story left

Power Family: Stanley, Phyllis and Andy

Stanley’s Best Moment: Season Five, Episode Two: Weight Loss Part 2

When he takes off 5 extra days for vacation anyway as a reward to himself for losing seven pounds over the summer

 Stanley’s Worst Moment: Season Two, Episode Twenty-One: Conflict Resolution

After his complaint comes out that Phyllis cries too much and she says they’re close he replies “we sit close” when you can see she’s clearly upset and feels she’s getting ganged up on

 Stanley’s Best Line: Season Four, Episode Twelve: Did I Stutter?

Line: “It’s like I used to tell my wife, I do not apologize unless I think I’m wrong. And if you don’t like it you can leave. And I say the same thing to my current wife and I’ll say it to my next one too”

 Stanley’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Six, Episode Twenty-One: Happy Hour

After doing 26 pushups and getting to go home early he just says “excuse me” and just leaves for the day

Phyllis’ Best Moment: Season Six, Episode Ten: Murder

When she does well fooling everyone (but Dwight) that she was the murder as Beatrix Bourbon; and how upset she gets when she’s outed by Michael.

Phyllis’ Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Eighteen: Promos

When she makes everyone uncomfortable as she humps everything around her while listening to 50 Shades of Grey on tape.

 Phyllis’ Best Line: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Two: Goodbye Michael

“But, you can’t get them wet, and they can’t be dry cleaned either. You have to hand was without water, ring dry gently, and use a hair dryer on cool.”

Phyllis’ Most Memorable: Season Five, Episode Eleven: Moroccan Christmas

“Oh I don’t think its blackmail, Angela just does what I ask her to do so I won’t tell everyone that she’s cheating on Andy with Dwight. I think for it to be blackmail, it would have to be a formal letter”

Andy’s Best Moment: Season Eight, Episode One: The List

When he doesn’t accept Robert California’s bullshit explanation of why it’s okay he called people losers.

“But, you don’t know these people but I do and if I let you work with fault information than I’m not doing my job as regional manager”

Stanley, you may think he is a lazy grump but did you know he has the most consistently high sales numbers of anyone in this office

Meredith Palmer, supplier relations, the word no, not even in her vocabulary

Pam, easily the most creative and kind person I have ever worked with

Erin, the receptionist and my closest confidant, a winner if there ever was one 

Andy’s Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Sixteen: Moving On

When he hires Alice and Gabe, Pete’s and Erin’s exs, to “prove a point” about how working with an ex while they are in a new relationship at the office isn’t something you just “move on from”. Yes it’s rough but Erin and Pete weren’t obnoxious about their relationship, but also, Gabe could probably guess on some level why he was getting hired and at least knew Erin would be there. We have no idea what Alice left or why, it was really messed up and selfish.

Andy’s Best Line: Season Four, Episode Three: Launch Party

When he gets his acapella group to help him sing a song in asking Angela out

“If you change your mind, I’ll be first in line. 

Honey I‘m still free, take a chance on me.

If you need me, let me know, gonna be around.

If you got no place to go, if you’re feeling down.

If you’re all alone, when the pretty birds have flown. 

Honey I’m still free, take a chance on me.

Gonna do my very best, and that ain’t no lie.

If you put me to the test, if you let me try.

Take a chance on me”

 Most Memorable: Season Six, Episode Thirteen: Secret Santa

When he got Erin the 12 days of Christmas, even though he could have done the first days with just the birds differently, pushing to the 12 drummers drumming was perfect.

Bill Weasley

I went back and forth with doing a “what I learned from Bill Weasley” because I feel like I barely know Bill.This is especially apparent in comparison with the rest of the Weasleys (sorry Charlie--ha). I know he’s a good son and husband. A werewolf and a hard worker. But not so much of Bill, as Bill.

But, while we don’t learn much about Bill directly, he does remind us of some things quite prominently. From his relationship with Fleur, we are reminded that relationships are deeper than appearances, the importance of being a good person and son with his relationship with his parents (and especially his mother), and from his experiences with Goblins and at Gringotts the importance of deep respect and politeness. Finally, do not be a prat. as he was so excited to join his mother at Hogwarts to wish Harry good luck before the third task of the Triwizard tournament. 

So thank you Bill, we might barely know you, but you still have taught us well. 

Happy Birthday Harry

Harry Potter…..eh. No, I do love Harry, I do and there is a lot we can learn from him and a lot we can appreciate, it’s just odd as the central character of the story one of his best and most important qualities—is that he’s like everybody else. But that’s also so crucial, that he’s not special. Yes he’s got magic (but so does everyone), he’s skilled at Quidditch (but Voldemort could actually fly), he wasn’t particularly smart (Hermione) or charming (Cedric), but he also wasn’t a complete lost boy (Neville), he was average—and yet he changed and saved the world in ways big and small. So he’s a bit underwhelming, which made him so powerful.

While some of the biggest aspects of his life were not his choice, others were. One of the biggest and most crucial choices he made was his being kind and in his friendships with others. He didn’t like Draco early on, and liked Ron; he maintained a friendship with Hagrid once he was more settled into his Hogwarts life and while not particularly close, would hang out with Neville and didn’t lash out at Ginny or Colin (Colin!!) or Dobby, even competing against Fleur, Krum and Cedric (who he had a personal, one-sided rivalry against), he still was kind and friendly and always tried to do the right thing.

Harry was never perfect. He didn’t always listen, let his emotions get to him more times than there are pages in the series, he didn’t think things thru and he could be very close-minded. While he did not mature in all these accounts by the end of the series, overall he did mature and learn to see the world outside himself; being there for Hermione when Ron was with Lavender, sacrificing himself to save a world he would never get to be in. Over the series Harry grew and learned from (most of) his mistakes. This is crucial as it is important for us to know that one instance won’t ruin your life, and that people are always making mistakes and how to own up to them.

PS My favourite thing about Harry, and one of the things I love the most about the series, is how throughout it, even in his fifth year (as I remember it), every once in a while Harry would pause and meditate a bit on the world around him, how great and beautiful magic is. I love that so much

So Happy Birthday Harry Potter and Happy Birthday JK Rowling

Movies and Films

There are movies on here that are brilliant, movies on here that are “kids movies”, movies that are horrible and movies that I loved but left out. A lot of these I continue to enjoy and will enjoy over and over again, and some I could never see again and maybe movies referenced that I never even finished. But all for one reason or another have significance—think recent This is US scene of Randall’s school speech. 

These are the films that impact me or stick with me ro make me feel at home and the ones that make me dig down and think are at the same level as the ones that just comfort me. Separately, these are films that match the point or duty of acting, films and stories--to learn something, big or small, important or mediocre, about someone else