Freakonomics

Toby Flenderson

Toby’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Eleven: Classy Christmas Part 1

When he rubs his neck, indicating to the office that the case he’s on is the Scranton Strangler.

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

The truth about the “Special Filing Cabinet” in New York. Dwight, and the Dwight v Jim feud may be annoying to deal with, but he wasn’t actually dealing with it and it was terrible as the HR rep and disrespectful to Dwight to not report the issues Dwight was having. Even though it wasn’t legal harassment, Toby still could and should have gotten in trouble for not taking the issue seriously.

Toby’s Best Line: Season Two, Episode Twenty-Two: Casino Night

“Actually I didn’t think it was appropriate to invite children since it’s, uh, you know, there’s gambling and alcohol and it’s in our dangerous warehouse, and, it’s a school night, and you know, hooters is catering, …..is that, is that enough, should I keep going?”

 Toby’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Four, Episode Fourteen: Goodbye Toby

Pam gifts Toby a picture of everyone in the office as his going away gift, but because she took the picture. As we know Toby is interested in Pam and while she agrees to take a picture with him neither of them have a camera so he screams “Does anyone have a camera”…..and then later in the episode gets a camera to get pictures taken with Pam

Best Couple Moments

1.      Season Five, Episode Two: Weightloss

When Jim proposes to Pam, it’s a lot of peoples favorites but what is truly perfect about it is how he acknowledges to Pam that they planned on waiting on getting engaged, but “I just—I couldn’t wait”

2.      Season Nine, Episode Twenty: Paper Airplane

First, Angela after hearing from Ester how they pity her tells Dwight “don’t you dare tank this”; and then he doesn’t after seeing how she is looking at him. It shows the respect they have for each other.

3.      Season Seven, Episode Four: Sex Ed

When Michael calls Holly to tell her about his possible herpes diagnosis, they’re able to joke with each other so easily, are so comfortable with each other, understand each other; Dwight loves Michael but does not understand what is going on with them

4.      Season Eight, Episode Sixteen: After Hours

After Val apologizes about how her boyfriend acted and brought up Val and Darryl seeing each other, Darryl lets Val know that he’s interested in her by saying so, but also as Kelly implied “ dot-dot-dot, dot-dot”

5.      Season Four, Episode Four: Money

After hearing how much debt Michael is in and how he runs away from the office Jan catches up to him and tells him she’ll stand by him

“What I want to say is, You Were There for me. By my side, without even a thought. That’s just who you are. I mean, no matter how badly I treat you, or what I’m going through. You just, you are there for me, and that’s a guy worth staying beside. So where’s this train taking us?”

6.      Season Nine, Episode Fifteen: Couple’s Contest

Erin comes out to tell Pete that she just couldn’t break up with Andy but he lets her off the hook “You don’t have to apologize, I just, I just want you to be happy, ok”

7.      Season Two, Episode Eleven: The Injury

When Dwight has his concussion, he’s friendlier with Pam but is more outgoing with Angela by flirting with her and complimenting her. First telling her she’s “sweeter than Candy” and then smacking her butt in full view of the documentary crew

8.      Season Nine, Episode Fifteen: Couple’s Discount

When after hearing about Brian and Alyssa breaking up, and how they are walking on egg shells with each other, Pam tells Jim she doesn’t want to just ignore their problems and she wants to fight.

 “Do you really want to fight on Valentine’s Day?”

“Yeah I do”

9.      Season Three, Episode Ten: A Benihana Christmas

Jim and Karen both getting each other Bridget Jones Diary for Christmas, because it was a terrible movie that they saw on one of their dates.  

10.  Season Five, Episode Six: Employee Transfer and  Season Nine, Episode Five: Here Comes Treble

The fact that Andy dresses up as a kitten (not a cat) and Erin dresses up as a puppy (not a dog)

Oscar Martinez

Oscar’s Best Moment: Season Four, Episode Thirteen: Job Fair

When after Michael says that he wouldn’t say it to her face but he thinks Pam is a wonderful person who is a gifted artist; Oscar responds “Why--why wouldn’t you say that to her face?”

Oscar’s Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode 11: Suit Warehouse

When he just ‘assumes’ Meredith would mispronounce espresso

“Actually, it’s pronounced Espresso. Wait. That’s what you said. I apologize. I just assumed you would mispronounce it. So..”

Oscar’s Second-Best Line: Season Nine, Episode One: New Guys

After Angela tells him if “if you pray enough, you can change yourself into a cat person”

And he responds “those guys always turn back, Angela”

Oscar’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Three, Episode Thirteen: The Return

“Part of me wants the people in this office to have learned their lesson and just shut the hell up, and part of me thinks ‘You know what? Keep talking. I’d really love a home theatre’”

Nasjonal bibliotekdag

The population of the entire country of Norway (less than 5.5 million) is less than NYC (8.4 million), allowing for greater oversight of resources and focus on what these resources can do. First off, have a lot of resources. Following the insight of someone who has been to Norway; (1) their libraries focus on the community and this is first highlighted in their listed priorities (2):

To argue and emphasize the importance of libraries in the democratic process and promote freedom of information and speech

 To ensure the principle of the free lending right, independent of technological and political changes in society

To develop and strengthen libraries as promoters of knowledge, information and culture

To develop and strengthen libraries in building and supporting education, and as an arena for learning, research and innovation.

To promote an effective and robust library service of high quality.

To ensure development and innovation in the Norwegian library sector, amongst others promoting the realisation of a Norwegian digital library

To build alliances and co-operate with relevant national and international organisations within the fields of research, education and culture.

Their priorities are noted by strong examples of free access. While they close like all libraries, there are over 800 public libraries; therefore a minimum of one library per every 6,875 people. While that would be a lot of people to all be in one library at once, that is easily one library per small town not including University libraries that are open to the public. This access is increased as one library card gets you access to any and every library in the country including mobile libraries that increase access to those far away.

As of April 2019, the US is the highest GDP in the world, account for 23.6% of the global economy. Taking away the other top 9, the rest of the world still makes up less as 21.2% (3). While both countries have overall well educated and successful; Norway is getting a lot more bang for their buck and has tried to make sure all members of their country and communities are succeeding and have access to opportunities.

(1)    https://www.lifeinnorway.net/libraries-in-norway/

(2)    https://norskbibliotekforening.no/om-foreningen/about-norwegian-library-association/

(3)    https://www.investopedia.com/insights/worlds-top-economies/

Meredith Palmer

Meredith’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Four: Dwight K. Shrute, (Acting) Manager

After Dwight’s gun goes off she tells everyone to make a list of what’s lost for the insurance adding to her list of “a necklace, a ring, a painting—"

Meredith’s Worst Moment: Season Four, Episode Three: Launch Party)—

When she had Jim sign her Pelvic Cast and whispers to him “I’ll read this when I get home” clearly making him even more uncomfortable

Meredith’s Best Line: Season Six, Episode Twenty-Five: The Chump

“Hey, I have never cheated on, been cheated on, or been used to cheat with. “I ask…everyone in the room, ‘Are you in a relationship?’”

Meredith’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Three, Episode Seven: Branch Closing

After hearing the branch isn’t closing and therefore her pact to ‘hook up’ with someone if it does is no longer relevant, she pretends it’s still relevant when the other member of the pact Eric, a former warehouse worker, reaches out to her about it.

Best Advice

1. Season Nine, Episode Thirteen: Junior Salesman (Jim)

“No, it does matter who ends up sitting next to Pam when I’m gone. The people around you are basically who you end up spending your life with. I mean, because of where my desk was I spent all those years looking at Pam, and I fell in love. So, that stuff matters, definitely does.

 Choose wisely                        

 2. Season Seven, Episode Thirteen: Ultimatum (Pam)

“One of the hardest parts about making resolutions is keeping them—but that’s okay. Because it’s not about being perfect, it’s about trying.”

3. Season Three, Episode Twenty-One: Women’s Appreciation (Phyllis)

 “I bet you know, don’t think just answer”

 4.  Season Three, Episode Fourteen: Ben Franklin (Elizabeth, the stripper)

 “Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone”

5.  Season Five, Episode Twenty-Two: Dream Team (Pam)

 “We need to come up with one realistic thing that we could do today”

 6.  Season Nine, Episode Twenty-One: Livin’ the Dream (Angela)

“You don’t have to leave because you said you would. Don’t let pride ruin your whole life. Okay? It’s not worth it.”

 7. Season Six, Episode Ten: Murder (Jim)

 “I think today was a good day to have two managers, cause, if you’re a family stuck on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean--one parent might want to just keep rowing. But, if the other parent wants to play a game, it’s not because they’re crazy, it’s because they’re doing it for the kids. And I get that now.”

 8. Season Six, Episode five: Niagara Part 2 (Pam)

 “This is supposed to be our wedding day, why did we invite all these people?”

  9. Season Seven, Episode Two: Counseling (Pam)

“The first lesson of watching World Poker Tour at 2:00AM. You play the opponent, not the cards”.

 10.   Season Nine, Episode Twenty-Three: Finale (Pam)

“But, when the documentary started airing, people on the street told me that I had this fairytale romance. But There were a lot of times last year when it did not feel like a fairytale”

Luna Lovegood

There are many, many, many reasons to love Luna Lovegood as well as lessons about how we should be:

she’s honest

she’s conscientious, and not the center of the universe

she’s confident in herself

she’s brave for herself and others

she’s supportive and understanding of her friends and others

she's not prejudiced and address’ it in others

this list can go on for pages and pages of a tumblr article. 

Along with all Luna (and Evanna Lynch) taught us, and was a role model for those who didn’t feel like they belonged or were considered less than, she taught us a lot with the unexpected relationships she had with two characters: Hermione and Harry

Hermione, seen as a brilliant, kind and caring Witch, was cruel to Luna at first as she was opposite, but not opposite, of Hermione. Luna showed us with her relationship with Hermione a few flaws of Hermione along with growth and with Luna, what it meant to be truly open and accepting. Both intelligent, heroic and compassionate, their core similarities ended there. While important, Hermione let the values of acceptance and appearance overshadow curiosity and open-mindedness; which are both very important and defining characteristics of any person. It is so, so, so important to not only be open-minded and interested in the world around you, people’s beliefs, but also people in general. Even the villains in Harry Potter weren’t all evil or heroes all good.

Harry, this is one of my biggest umphs, Luna was the best character we knew for Harry romantically, because of how natural they were together. Sure, like all relationships Luna had there was a bit of a warming up period, but once they met and interacted, she just got him. When he wanted to hide after the battle, she could recognize him even when disguised with Polyjoice Potion, how it felt to not know one’s parent(s), she just got him. It’s rare, and doesn’t have to be romantic, but is such a beautiful relationship and connection that some people have. That without words or  

Scrimgeour and Fudge

There are many different types of leaders in our world, teachers, pop stars, activists, CEOs and of course, actual political or governmental leaders. As within our daily world, the wizarding world showed Harry Potter and the rest of us that there are all types of leaders, even within the same field. Two of the biggest political leaders that would show different ends of the spectrum were Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour

Before we knew how bad things would get, we knew Fudge was an oaf. While some of his calls were good (increased efforts in protecting Harry Potter from Sirius Black), most of them were done out of self-preservation, for glory and prestige. Why he ever got involved in government, probably stems mostly from that wanting to see important as he portrayed no backbone, showed extreme jealousy and little critical skills. His role in the rise of Voldemort is not large, but important. As the spokesperson and leader of their world any small thing he did differently would have had a tremendous impact, but when the opportunity finally rose not only did he freeze at the challenge, he purposefully put everyone at greater risk just so he could keep his glory days. Seriously thou, what did he think was going to happen?

As former Head of the Auror Office, Scrimgeour was more experienced with the current priorities the ministry faced and was expected to be better at handling the situation when compared to Fudge as a leader. However, in terms of leadership, they were unfortunately, very similar. Considering the threat everyone was under and previous year of administrative secrecy, Scrimgeour should have operated with as much transparency as possible for both the safety and trust of the wizarding and muggle world. Instead, he was very much like Fudge: temperamental, would push for ridiculous propaganda with Harry Potter and bogus arrests, and an illogical paranoia and hatred against Dumbledore. While his death and life focused on the greater good, one cannot help but wonder what would have happened, how many more lives would have been saved, if he were more like Potterwatch being honest, hopeful and encourages those to not only fight for themselves but for others. 

Mommas

They are two characters that couldn’t be more different, they are also two characters who couldn’t have more in common: Molly Weasley and Fleur Delacour. 

While Fleur started out (and on some level remained) snobby and shallow, even when knowing her as a Triwizard Champion there were glimpses into someone who was more than that. For starters, she was a Triwizard Champion and showed to be brave, intelligent and talented. She would loudly talk down about Hogwarts’ decoration and education, but I feel there were reasons underneath for that, while she held herself to high regard she also wasn’t arrogant as when she did poorly she didn’t blame others but herself, usually being a harsher critic of herself than anyone else. Long before Bill, she proved to be loyal to those she considered her friends in going what she could to help them and showing distraught when they were killed. A rarity, she was also able to separate competition from competitors, making life-long bonds with Victor Krum and Harry Potter, and probably Cedric had he lived. 

While always the parent to be afraid of, Molly Weasley was generally seen as this strict for fair Mom. She hadn’t had a professional career of her own, focused on having many children, and took pride in the domestic chores that allowed her children and husband to have as easy and comfortable lives as possible. Tere are many things to adore and look up to in regards to Molly Weasley, she was never ashamed of being poor, always tried her best to help her children while not allowing them to be snobs (I’m sure Draco would still be Draco even if they didn’t have a Knut to their name) and of course, was the one who wore the pants in the family and outside and inside the home made sure others knew it was a wizards talent, nature and heart that made them good or bad, not their bloodline. 

During the Second Wizarding War, Molly joined the Order of the Phoenix, but still in a way that stayed true to her nature of being the natural caregiver by taking care of things on the home front (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BTW--just a different type of person) instead of going out and battling. We all knew she was a badass, and not a woman to mess with but it is how she chose to use that badassery that blasted thru when she obliterated Bellatrix. Here, Ginny, Hermione and Luna, all (female--important) wizards who are noted at the top of their class and have fought in many battles before cannot destroy Bellatrix, but a mom? Momma Molly, easy. This was such an important element of her because for the most part it’s hidden and it is in this case that I connect her so much with Fleur. People have layers, they’re complex, they all react to things and show different aspects of themselves at different times. This is such an important thing to understand when it comes to being a human and connecting with others. 

Why We March

Today around the world we march again. We march for the women who give themselves, to allow us to come into the world. We walk for cisgender women, transwomen, black women, poor women, brilliant women, all women. 

We march because women who in 1920 were allowed to raise their voice and speak their mind in public to vote, but not at home. Until the 1990s, and even in many states today a women’s vocal pronouncement of “NO” when her husband wanted to have sex, was not an option. Even today, there are many states where it is only marital rape if there is proof of extreme threat of violence or violence. 

We march because women, who on average go for higher degrees and do better in the classroom, on average only make $0.79 for every dollar a man makes. An average, Black woman and Hispanic woman make less. 

We march because men have to do so little to be considered great leaders and parents, but one misstep and women are seen as being harmful and neglectful to their children. Those first nine months where women not only couldn’t eat, drink, smoke, exercise as well as were the incubators for their chidren, means nothing. Perfection is the bare minimum asked by society. 

We march because harassment, sexual violence and intimidation are not a rarity that women experience, but something that their whole lives are focused on, there is no day off. They know how many paces back the cute neighbor with the dog is, how long that car has been at the end of the block, where the bulbs are to replace the bulb in the entry way. Women know these things not because they’re mothers, or it’s part of their DNA, because they have to, TO SURVIVE. 

These are the shameful reasons why we march. We march because society has allowed these and other aspects of women lived to continue as second rate, as not good enough, when they are the ones dragging us ahead. This why we all march.