Sadako And The Thousand Paper Cranes

Cinderella--Grimm

There are a million different ways we can all go into the Disney manipulation, white-washing and ending the loss of the Grimm stories that managed to capture the ‘grandfather tales’ passed down thru generations, previously only spread by word-of-mouth. 

Rook di goo, rook di goo! There's blood in the shoe. The shoe is too tight, This bride is not right! 

But sometimes, the joy of truth is just that it’s funny

Draco Malfoy and Sirius Black

First, I know she has come to the understanding that people are more crushing on Tom Felton than Draco Malfoy, but I cannot understand why JK Rowling is so unnerved by it. Yes, Draco Malfoy is a shitty person, but it’s so typical that it really is quite a gift. Be glad we’re wasting our ‘fall for the bad guy’ on a literary character over an actual guy who smokes cigarettes in 2018.

There are a few core things we could learn about from Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter. Two of the main ones being how people change, and that the world isn’t black and white. But the biggest understanding I think can be gained is comparing his life and struggles with Sirius Black. Whether Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor first and then got a deeper understanding of how his beliefs and morals were different from the majority of his family or if he knew he had these beliefs before starting school, Sirius’ showed us the result fighting for what is right and against your family when your family doesn’t have the same moral standing you do. In comparison to when Percy either let himself be blinded or was just obsessed with power, his family continued to try and connect with him and love him, while Sirius’ family disowned him.

Both Draco and Sirius at points were bullies, but there is a huge difference between being a bully and being evil. When it came down to it, neither was evil, and at times I’m sure both were scared in trying to do what was right under extreme pressure and thru their stories we got to see both sides. While Sirius’ story focused on the results of his fight he was abandoned, depressed and obsessed with fighting against the Voldemort and the beliefs of those who abandoned him. During the struggle we see Draco, who once demanded and forced to do the wrong thing, couldn’t handle it as it wasn’t him. As Dumbledore remarked he cowardly tried to kill Dumbledore and even when push came to shove and his life depended on it, still couldn’t. He was frozen and like Sirius he overtime became depressed and alienated himself from all around him.  It’s tricky, but I don’t know if Draco would ever had been able to choose either side by himself, he seemed unable to go against his family and what was a burden on him to protect them; only ending up morally okay when his mother realized how the battle would end.

Thru their parallel struggles we see what happens when you are able to go against your family and when you cannot. While Draco was able to live a fuller life and Sirius had a truly supportive family in his friends, both suffered and arguments for both can be made for against when we remember these characters were children at the time of this crossroad. It’s hard, it’s heartbreaking, and there are so many people in the world who while they should be themselves and are accepted by others, we need to be reminded that since your family is supposed to love you unconditionally—you can turn yourself into a Horcrux with the pain and fear of what may happen if they don’t and be more open-minded with those struggles.

The King’s Speech

It has Colin Firth, it has some true-history, and it has a different type of diversity. Separate from The Big Sick and Menasche, The King’s Speech continues with the giving voices to those who are voiceless, different and put aside. Recently the film the Upside brought along the question of who should be asked, allowed or at least the ability to try for roles of those with disabilities—especially with films centered on the disability. It’s easy to say that those who have the disability should be given preference and not the role, but maybe there are parts of the role or the schedule that would put too much pressure—Jim Jefferies discussed this in regards to his show Legit—and there might be other obstacles not understood or, as is the case with most things, it’s too “difficult”. It’s a big topic to get into, but one that I couldn’t not flag as the point of this film and post is highlighting things that are difficult for some and confusing for others.

Physical disabilities are not discussed or addressed much in our world or in films and mental and non-physical disabilities are commonly ignored to the level of “they don’t exist”. While a unique situation, Colin’s character is thrust into a more public role where he must be eloquent and present. The Good Boy and frustrated he tries and eventually succeeds at lessening his speech impediments. This is a Hollywood film, with a Hollywood film ending but it still got across the point that he both (1) didn’t have to be perfect, and (2) the difficulties that come with trying to change something innate of your existence. This film does bring forward those with the more sidestepped disabilities that many overcome but are still nervous about, especially as the speech therapist in the film and real life (Lion Logue) remained with the King until he died. Imperfect, the film does stand-in for actors and actresses standing up and making political statements during award shows: they have these platforms, they have (temporarily and from a distance) experienced these journeys, and while it might not always be a true story of someone’s, anything that you can think of has having happened, has happened to someone, somewhere in the world

Best Friendship Moments

1. Season Two, Episode Twelve: The Injury

When Pam tells “Oscar” how Dwight’s doing in the hospital so that she can discreetly pass the information to Angela who was just eavesdropping on her phone call with Jim.

What adds to this moment is that Pam went out of her way to allow Angela to continue to believe no one knew about their relationship and keep her privacy.

2. Season Two, Episode Fifteen: Boys and Girls

When Jim gets upset with Pam for not going for the Graphic Design internship in NY and telling her “You gotta take a chance on something sometime Pam” and asking if she really is ‘fine’ with her choices. While we feel it’s more related to her engagement to Roy and not just the job, in both instances it is truer friends who push you to do more and be better for yourself.

3. Season Two, Episode Eleven: Booze Cruise

When Jim tells Michael he “used” to have a thing for Pam and describes her as funny, and warm and Michael responds” BFD--engaged ain’t married. Never, ever, ever give up”.

4. Season Nine, Episode: Couple’s Discount

When Darryl tells the homophobic Nail Salon worker how Oscar and him work as a couple, grabs Oscar’s hand, and how “Him and me, all right, we are crazy in love. More in love than your small mind can comprehend. And we have two disposable incomes and no kids, and we’re taking our business elsewhere”.

5. Season Four, Episode Four: Money

Jim and Pam throughout the episode trying to help Dwight feel better in relation to his breakup with Angela; especially at the end when they smile to each other after Dwight uses his ruler to knocks anything of Jim’s hanging over his desk because to them it means ‘Dwight’s Back’.

Pam signing up for just about everything when staying at Beet Farms.

When she won’t help set up Andy with Angela because she doesn’t “see them together”.

Their detailed and positive but not too much review on TripAdvisor, following up with the fact that they really enjoyed their stay.

Jim goes and tries to talk to Dwight after Angela agrees to go out with Andy and tells him how he couldn’t sleep, couldn’t taste food and how it’s something “he wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy” and that includes Dwight.

6. Season Three, Episode Four: Grief Counseling

When Pam and Dwight both go out of their way to prep the bird funeral; Pam creating a decorated casket out of a tissue box and Dwight playing a song on his recorder.

7. Season Three, Episode Twelve: Traveling Salesman

When Angela asks Pam to go out for a coffee so she can gush about “Noelle and Kurt” aka her and Dwight. Even if Angela was unsure if Pam knew who they were really talking about, it doesn’t matter; Angela had great personal news and she wanted to share it with Pam.  

8. Season Seven, Episode Ten: China

When Dwight “lets” Pam win in regards to the standards of the building after he overheard Pam telling Him how she felt like a failure as she failed art school, and being a salesman.

9. Season Nine, Episode Sixteen: Moving On

While driving Toby home from the doctor after getting strangled by the Scranton Strangler, she calls him brave, twice.

“You offered your neck in search of the truth. The proud neck of justice—isn’t that the expression? Well, anyway, it was—it was very brave. It really was quite brave.”

10. Season Seven, Episode Twelve: Classy Christmas, Part 2

When after Michael storms away from Holly because he’s upset that Holly would have a long-distance relationship with AJ and not with him, Holly does to follow Michael but Erin blocks her.

Good friends know when you need your space and will help and protect you to get what you need.

The Magician’s Nephew

Not a fan of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardobe. It was ok, nothing as great as the first thou. Harry Potter is the book that I call home, but the first book that I became obsessed with, that I feel completely in love with, where the pages became warm, was the Magicians Nephew--and the beauty, intricacy and originality I felt for lost.

The Magician's Nephew was first great because it was real, it wasn't a story where they went on a grand adventure. These were two regular kids with regular lives that had death, greed and were just doing normal fun activities and were then forced on a "grand adventure".

This also was my first adult book, while wrote for children the adults and characters who were the antagonists weren't just evil or villainous, they were just normal. Filled with selfishness and greed, they weren't one dimensional, they showed the real consequences of human actions and loss of moral. This was a great novel, a great children's novel and a great story about humans, kids and human nature

Cringiest Moments

1.      Season Four, Episode Eleven: Night Out

When after making a joke that Pam nudges Toby about and everyone laughs at, Toby puts his hand on Pam’s leg…for a few seconds..and the room goes quiet, everyone sees and Jim and Pam just stare at the floor while Toby tells everyone he’s moving to Costa Rica and then hops the parking lot fence to leave

 2. Season Five, Episode One: Weight Loss Part One

When Holly stops and yells at Angela for screaming at Kevin and calling him a dummy and then it comes out that Holly “thinks” Kevin is mentally challenged.

 3. Season Nine, Episode Ten: Lice

When Pam’s mom calls and you know it’s going to come out they all got Lice from Pam and not Meredith

 4. Season Five, Episode Twenty-Eight: Company Picnic

For starters, the sketch show just wasn’t good; but watching them go through the different branches that would soon be closed and then going with B…..for Buffalo.

5. Season Eight, Episode Twenty: Welcome Party

When Andy breaks up with Jessica during a bachelorette party, that he crashed.

 6. Season One, Episode Five: Basketball

 When Michael first “stops the game early” between the Warehouse and the Office and gives the win to them, but then changes it under pressure from the warehouse. All because he got tapped on the nose.

 7. Season Two, Episode Four: The Fire

 When a few of the women are playing desert island and with “who would you do” mention Jim, Oscar and Toby. But then the cameras show Kevin is just feet away, hears them, and he even clears his throat.

 8. Season Four, Episode One: Fun Run

 When Michael holds off on letting anyone know how he’s was able to “get to the scene” so fast when Meredith was hit by the car, and explains that he was “in the car” not specifically “the driver”.

 9. Season 2, Episode 2: Sexual Harassment

When Michael tries, and mostly succeeds, in making Phyllis feel better after Packer rips into her. But then goes to far

“You know what I’m afraid of—of getting a boner”

  10.   Season Two, Episode Nineteen: Michael’s Birthday

When Pam make announcements on the loud speaker at the Rite Aid; especially since they’re so bad

Luke this is your Father, come set the dinner table

Jim Halpert, Price check on fabric softener

Tonks!

Nymphadora Tonks (can definitely understand why we went with the later name). While Hermione and Luna are polar opposites each taught us how to accept ourselves for who we are, Tonks was just, different. Maybe it was because she was older and more established, maybe it was just because she was the epitome of cool, but she was always, from the moment we knew of her, knew she was cool and who she was. She didn’t care about her flaws because they were just part of who she was and she was awesome and continues to be the only person who wears their flaws with pride and confidence as how they are

While re-reading and knowing about her live and difficulties with Lupin, I get pissed of at him of course, but just want to tell her that I know she’s right and to just told on because it seemed for once she was afraid of not knowing, of not being that confident person and not because she might be wrong or lost or confused but because of living without love. And how horrible a life that would be

“Don’t pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love”

Oh, and what a true werewolf at HEART

Michael (Gary Scott)

Michael’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Four: Sex Ed

Earlier when Michael calls to tell Holly that he has herpes (he doesn’t) she tells him how he made them out to be more than they were. After he sees a lot of his ex’s and he tries to talk to her again explains how she’s  wrong because 1) he remembers every second of them, 2) his feelings for her were more than the others, 3) they joked together, 4) she was the only one happy to hear from him and how he didn’t make them up.

Michael’s Worst Moment: Season Two, Episode Ten: Christmas Party

Michael’s temper tantrum following getting Phyllis’ oven mitt when he bought Ryan an iPod and ends up ruining, or at least seriously dampening, the Christmas Party 1st, by changing Secret Santa into Yankee Swap, 2nd how he sarcastically compliments Phyllis’ oven mitt (especially in mentioning how you can tell how much she worked on it) then following it up with (3rd) calling a Meredith a sucker for taking it, and 4th, asking Dwight how the paintball gun and party is “better than an iPod”, 5th, blames Phyllis and then 6th getting pissed off at everyone for being upset with him with the final moment being when (7th) he tells everyone he got a bonus because he fired Devon.

                                                  +++

Michael’s Best Line: Season Five, Episode Twenty-Five: Broke

As head of The Michael Scott Paper Company and in the meeting with David Wallace, in response to David low-balling the buy-out offers Michael replies:

“I’ll see your situation and I’ll raise you a situation. Your Company is losing clients left and right, you have a stock holder meeting coming up and you are going to have to explain to them why your most profitable branch, is bleeding. So they may be looking for a little change in CFO, so I don’t think I have to wait out Dunder Mifflin, I think I just have to wait out you” to David Wallace (Season Five, Episode Twenty-Five: Broke)

                                                    +++

Michael’s Most Memorable: Season Five, Episode Twelve: The Duel

A moment that truly describes Michael is his “improve conversation” line to David.

“David here it is, my philosophy, is basically this. And this is something that I live by, and I always have, and I always will. Don’t ever, for any reason, do anything, to anyone, for any reason, ever; no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with or, or where you are going or, or, where you’ve been. Ever, for any reason whatsoever--”

Librarius

The United Kingdom (UK) somewhat undeserving, and somewhat deserving, has a reputation and overall appearance of being sophisticated and intelligent, worldly and exquisite. Another one of the top countries overall in various global lists of the most educated and intelligent, the UK also presents itself these just by the beauty of its institutions and that are intertwined within their communities.

Separate into four countries, probably the most historic, paired and well-known institutes are the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge which have been promoted throughout media culture in classics such as A Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice and more contemporary stories as A Discovery of Witches and Wilde. Adding to the prominence placed on this type of institution, the Belfast Library in Northern Ireland is located on Royal Avenue, and has expanded the education selection to a well-equipped music section all by itself that contains the music along with books about music throughout history. The Newport Central Library is part art gallery, museum and library in Wales. Being a larger infrastructure this library is a successful tourism spot possibly because of the focus on local communities with a large emphasis on community activities for children, film screenings and local dialect and history. Unfortunately, sometimes the historic presence of libraries can get lost or drowned out by the prestige of the surrounding community. While the New York Public Library may not be anything grand, its architecture compared to the surrounding environment make it stand out. However, with its cobblestone roads, local castles and older feel many are likely to mistake the Library of Edinburgh as just another building, completely passing the opportunity to visit the reading room or art pieces placed throughout that connect locals to their history.

The UK puts library and education at the top of its priorities, so it’s place and presence as a world leader while smaller than in the past is still properly recognized and deserved.

Lessons to Learn (from Banned Books)

There are a few stories listed as classics, children’s books and young adult novels that are on the banned lists. Noting a few of my favorites on the classics list (1) and my #1, these are books that produce a unique view and with proper discussion can really influence and mold the individual.

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling is the obvious choice, not only did it play a large part in molding me but it was also a great comfort that others who were tormented or bullied were not alone in those feelings

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding was a funny and realistic story. If you don’t like the story, then really you don’t like humanity—there was even a US television series that had the same outcome, except this had boys and girls. (2) While it showed how people break down in survival settings and need guidance in someway, it also showed how some naturally lead in a positive way or negative way, the effects of propaganda and how others are natural protectors. The focus of the title and the non-titular character is all a warning about how we can all lose ourselves

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, similar to Lord of the Flies, people seem upset to know that they might not be perfect. One of my first experiences with now the common “near-future destroyed society” similar to The Outsiders you are introduced to a group of kids who start off as, not the best (these guys are worse than The Outsiders). Similar to The Lord of the Flies, instead of trying for a common good, cracks develop within a group of kids being the worst they can be. With two versions, there are two possible long-term endings to the story that nod to the readers belief about life’s outcomes are based on chance or choice

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is one of the most infamous, if not the most infamous, story about how depraved people can be. To the point and getting inside the mind of the criminals, unlike other stories such as A Clockwork Orange or Lord of the Flies where we may suspend our understanding or relationship to the criminals as they are fictitious, here they were real.

The reading of these stories when we are younger is not always best (Lolita) but discussion and true examination while you read can open your mind not just to different life experiences or difficulties you share with others but also common human struggles that have different levels and the different ends they may come to.

 (1) http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics

(2) https://www.flavorwire.com/474701/kid-nation-looking-back-on-tvs-most-disturbing-reality-show