Cedric Diggoy

Lavender Brown

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

While some may adore this holiday, others find it grotesque, so to honour both the day and the feelings everyone relates to it (both good and bad) today is the perfect day to relate and explore Lavender Brown

Lavender Brown was just so god-damn annoying. I hated her, I still hate her, rewatching and rereading I still hate her and while for some it might be because she was “between Hermione and Ron getting together”--Lavender wasn’t, Ron was; there isn’t that level of dislike for Victor Krum, because he’s not a pain in the ass. In class we saw her barely paying attention or whining (you’re learning MAGIC girl, focus!), was very overdramatic, gullible and influenced (relationship with Trelawney), didn’t trust Harry or Dumbledore about Voldemort, infatuated with Lockhart (weird, that’s what they have in common) and Trelawny, had no independce or confidence and for us who had been growing up with Hermione, Lavender was always a contrast (and a bit of a bully to Hermione) and we just saw more of what we didn’t always like about her in Year Six. With Ron she’s in that (and from what we feel would always be) someone who is having their first boyfriend/girlfriend, OMG I totally love you even though it’s only been 3 days, we’re going to get married, live happily ever after, middle school romance...but at 16/17, and incredibly one-sided. Would they have lasted forever? No, from the beginning it was clear, to those he told, that Ron was more about being in a relationship than the relationship itself (yeah, asshole move). And, while Lavender was right that there was something going on between Ron and Hermione, it wasn’t right to act on it as 1) they weren’t acting any differently than they used to and 2) no romantic relationship should replace any friendships. Yes, over time people split up, but as an ultimatum, it’s the first step of the romantic relationships quick demise (and true with friendships where one tries to rid other friendships). She was just a whiny, petty, privileged American, ugh. 

Now, what did we learn? Regardless of her judgement and attitude she joined Dumbledore’s Army and fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, reminding us that everyone has layers. She also was a great friend to Seamus and Pavarti. Who knows, maybe had Harry, Ron and Hermione not been constantly busy saving the universe they would have all been friends, or at least friendlier and found they had more in common than we thought because we know a lot about Lavender’s annoying traits and her personality, but little else because it was easier to see her more dramatic side. So, Lavender Brown, you do remind us that not everyone is the same, not everyone will get along, not everyone is going to best your very best friend but that everyone still deserves respect, understanding and compassion

So, because only about 0.05 of generation Z is actually eligible to vote...I can’t get those numbers. But, grouping together the younger half of millennials and those eligible with generation Z 

Official numbers still aren’t available, but multiple records have been stating that the turnout is already more than seen before--especially with early voting. While the youngest eligible voter turn-out was still lower when compared to most others (as it is with EVERY generation) I can’t imagine someone denying the use of social media, door-to-door outreach and campaign done by the youth--even those not eligible to vote for years to come contributed to the increase: by making sure people easily knew how to register, by the summer campaigns, by the advertisements on tv or by celebrities and those just opening discussions with those who had the ability to vote. 

So for the average 10,805 babies born yesterday, your generation is already making the world a better place for you

Basically every Millennial owes it to every underage Gen Z to get out there and vote. In the absence of voting power, we are seeing these incredible Gen Z activists advocating for their own safety. They shouldn’t have to. These are children being forced to fight for their lives, and we owe them so much better. 

Millennials have a huge amount of legislative power. Millennials make up more than 30% of those eligible for vote. 

Millennials own 30+% of national voting power.

We outnumber the boomers. 

Millennials outnumber boomers.

But traditionally we vote at lower rates. That statistic is changing, and it needs to change faster. 

At this point I think we can all agree, millennials are morally obligated to use their voting power to protect a younger generation that has, like us, been failed and abused by the boomers. Get out there, register, vote, speak. Do not fail Gen Z the way our elders failed us. 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix we are propelled more into the depths and darkness the war will bring out that we see grow throughout the remainder of the series with Molly’s boggart turning into finding out any and all of them have been killed, the picture of the original Order of the Phoenix (most of whom have been killed) and even with the song sung by the Sorting Hat.

There is also an additional level of maturity brought to the story, because while our three are becoming more into their own, they are learning more about the complexities of life and good verse evil. Previously even those who were evil but were masquerading as good, we saw as still just evil when revealed (Pettigrew, Quirrell, Barty Crouch Jr.); but now we have Fudge, Percy, and Umbridge who are supposed to be the good guys but are doing more harm than one could imagine, forcing Harry and the others to not just fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters, but also the Ministry acting out of fear and for power. Then, this complexity is heightened as we learn more about the relationship between James and Snape. In this context thou, the inclusion of Fred and George’s growing business and the boring task of OWLS, we are reminded that during our worst crisis’, funny or not, life goes on.

As Harry Potter progressed thru out the years, he went from fighting with his friends, fighting on his own, and in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we see him progress to the next level; trying to navigate being a leader of more than just him, Hermione and Ron. Unfortunately this isn’t a lesson he masters by the end of this year or book and is given a painful lesson in the consequences of his actions and thinking things thru. But he does make some strides, in one of my favourite moments in the series of the films, is when Voldemort possesses Harry Potter and in return Harry chooses to think about choosing love over hate, choosing his friends, and decency and fights off Voldemort.

I haven’t seen this episode yet but oh my, it’s glorious

Deangelo

Deangelo’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Three: The Inner Circle

When he brings up positive changes as negative changes in his (first) conference room meeting post-Michael:

The he plans to leave the office at 5pm

That the company will send Darryl to business school, full ride

He’s getting Toby a new chair

Ice Cream Thursdays

Deangelo’s Second Worst Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Two: Goodbye, Michael

When he cuts out two huge corners of the cake, eats one with his hands, and then leans in close to yell “No!” at the cake.

Deangelo’s Best Line: Michael’s Last Dundies

When he see’s Meredith’s place and tells Michael “This reminds me of Katrina”

DeAngelo’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Three: The Inner Circle

His fake juggling routine

Who framed Roger Rabbit

And believe me when I say all I hope for is that you’re okay

Because there are some things we never get over,

some things we can never live without,

some things that are more of who we are that make sense--and you are one of them. 

Creed Bratton

Creed’s Best Moment: Season Three, Episode Thirteen: The Return

When he answers Oscar’s question to Jim about where Dwight is with “You didn’t hear? Decapitated. A whole big thing. We had a funeral for a bird”  

Considering Jim was in Stanford and Oscar is just returning from his corporate apology vacation; they both think Creed is being nuts. When really, he just confused Dwight with Ed Truck.

Creed’s Worst Moment: Season Five, Episode Two: Weight Loss Part Two

Whatever he gave to Kelly that wasn’t a tapeworm.

Creed’s Best Line: Season Eight, Episode Three: The Lotto

When they have the different interviews of what everyone would do if they won the lotto

“I already won the lottery. I was born in the U.S. of A., baby. And as backup, I have a swiss passport.

Creed’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Four, Episode Four: Money

“You don’t go by Monopoly, man. That game is nuts. Nobody just picks up “get out of jail” of free cards. Those things cost thousands.”

The Presitge

I was originally going to highlight Unbreakable (2000) today, but given the ending of the trilogy is getting released on Friday, I postponed. The Prestige (2006) will always be a film marked as one of my favorites as it’s a suspense film I can handle and I love when there is a bit of thinking and question as opposed to pure terror (see Cape Fear—the most frightening moments of the film being when literally NOTHING happens but it’s 5 straight, pure minutes of agony).

I like this film because it taps into a lot, struggling for success, secrets, devotion, mystery and it’s related suspense. While we mostly follow Angier and root for him to succeed for his redemption against Borden, we also delve a bit more into Borden and want to root for him sometimes as well. It shows and tests the very complex journey of our aspirations and what may happen when things get out of hand. The fake and true deaths of Angier and Borden show both the worst that comes in us destroying ourselves and how when we lose track of ourselves we can lead others to destroy us.

PS—plus the Borden switch—damn

Darryl Philbin

Darryl’s Best Moment: Season Four, Episode Four: Money

When Kelly tells him “you’re going to have to make a choice. It’s either your daughter or me”

And without looking back at her, taking a moment, or even consider anything, just says “my daughter”.

Darryl’s Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Twenty-Two: A.A.R.M.

When he sneaks out of Dunder Mifflin, and doesn’t say goodbye to anyone.

Darryl’s Best line: Season Seven, Episode Thirteen: Ultimatum

“I’m telling you, don’t do it. I got nothing against strip clubs; but I do have something against them at noon, on a Monday. The day shift, at a strip club? You can’t unsee that”.

Darry’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Eight, Episode Three: Lotto

When he decided “My future isn’t going to be determined by seven little white lotto balls, it’s gonna be determined by two big black balls”.

Dementors

"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them....get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory, will be sucked out of you...you'll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life.’

It is with our introduction to Dementors that we really feel inside JK Rowling, even for those who dealt with depression, the aspect of it being temporary and out of ones control made the connection difficult--but is becoming more accepted overtime. While some stories show us new worlds, and other stories draw connections from different worlds to our own, others open our eyes to living a better life and all the different ways stories and books and conversations, sometimes we read to find ourselves as we look for ourselves in others. This is one of the best examples, of how JK connected us and brought us forward within ourselves as those right next to us. Her ability to openly and honestly portray pain, loneliness and loss are some of the most crucial elements that people needed to feel connected with in order to survive.

"You do care" said Dumbledore "You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it"--and we did, we have survived