Best Man Down

Gutted, Gentrified and Gone

Libraries are great community spaces that should be free so local residents can learn, explore and expand their minds and creativity. But libraries like our schools, are generally paid for by the income of the local residents, therefore, poorer communities get less funding and therefore poorer quality libraries. Similar to the recent “Aunt Becky” college situation, this goes against the ideals behind libraries and in the US, our equality, and how knowledge, perseverance, education and will is supposed to allow us all to flourish.

A prime example of the differences in communities is nestled within San Francisco. Known for massive hills and hipsters, San Francisco’s Pacific Heights Presidio Branch Library is just six miles away from the Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch Library in Bayview-Hunters Point. There is nothing wrong with the Bayview Library; its open frequently, it’s clean and the local neighborhood seems to enjoy it but with comparison you can see a difference to the Presidio Branch Library. First, the Bayview Library is in an semi-industrial area and has classes geared to computer classes for Adults & Seniors including sales meetings and tax classes. The Presidio library is surrounded by open grass where you can comfortably read outside, has information available about it’s environmental LEED Green Report Card, highlights inter-library loan, foreign language staff and diverse classes of baby and toddler interaction, writing classes and Tai Chi. The Presidio Branch Library has the resources and access residents need to want to visit the library and develop new interests. This is not surprising as Pacific Heights is noted as a rich and thriving community (1) and Bayview has been graded one of the worst based on income and education opportunities (2) and has a history of gentrification and marginalization (3). Libraries don’t have to be pretty and I can understand how they’re not always the most updated but we cannot forget that “a rising tide lifts all boats” and that we are all equal.

(1)   https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-pacific-heights-san-francisco-billionaires-row-2014-3

(2)   https://www.roadsnacks.net/worst-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco-ca/

(3)   https://www.mccalman.co/portfolio/i-am-bayview/

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.”

Argo, Catch me if you can, Milk?

All stories, even documentaries, are subjected to interpretation and a point of view. We choose to dig deeper into a character, see past some flaws or ignore particular qualities because we all come from different perspectives that have been building over our entire lives. The ‘world of Hollywood’ is about dramatization, intrigue and even stories that are unbelievable all on their own get tweaked to be shown on the big screen not only because of time constraints or believability but because otherwise they’d be too hard to follow in the short run. 

While these stories based of true events should promote the idea that it is not 100% accurate, that shouldn’t give these film the license to completely discard the truth because for the stories that are based on actual events, their overall strength comes with their ability to inspire either by the actions that occur during the story and to not translate the truth would not only due a deserve to the real events and the viewers and the films potential, but also to the world that comes after this films release that could have been inspired. (shit sentence i know, I’m tired). Overall my point is that these and other stories while being entertaining and mostly meant to be entertaining and may not be accurate or may put a rosier picture on some truly horrible events or circumstances, if you feel inspired whether out of rage over an injustice or happiness by someone’s success--go with it, change the world, fight for a better society, better world, deeper understanding even in a small scope. Just dig deeper

Dorian

First, it’s amazing to me that I still don’t remember the TRUE title of this book. I always refer to it just as Dorian, then remember it’s Dorian Gray--completely forgetting it’s actually “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

I love this book so, so much. Forget the ridiculousness of homophobia in general and in the book, for Oscar Wilde to have written this book, have the visual degree he had, the understanding he had--it baffles and bothers me that people really considered anything else except for the pure genius that he was with this story and concerned themselves with other things. 

First, for the story, the use of the painting and Dorian as a split between him and his soul is amazing. While he begins his journey with a great lack of understanding, it brings about the idea that without consequences many will go astray--while also pointing out that those who choose to put their value in images or status instead of nature and character are going to be missing the truth about people--warned by Sybil, the painting and Bail’s disbelief of the rumours

Secondly, Dorian’s journey over the 18 years that were inspired by Basil’s painting and Lord Henry’s small chat, along with Dorian’s lack of follow thru to stay with Sybil both before and after her death--what concerns me with this is the reflection that that at that point his fate is sealed. While later true, Dorian and the other characters take the easy way out and similarly to my first point go towards the path of least resistance--in more ways than one, regardless of the logic or lack of behind it. 

Finally, and for me, the most awe-striking genius that I continue to be stunned by is the ending where Dorian meets his demise. While I know that our creativity comes from an inspiration within, the ending especially (along with the idea of the painting in general) was so ahead of its time. I am again in awe

Gilderoy Lockhart

Another Ravenclaw embarrassment, Gilderoy Lockhart’s biggets lessons to us were more lessons to Hermione: that crushes aren’t real, and that it’s important to look past the surface of people and how they aren’t always what they seem; while very similar these two lessons are two important and different beast life stories to learn.

Attractive and intelligent were two qualities Lockhart had but like anyone who has ever had a crush, Hermione filled in the gaps she didn’t know about Lockart’s personality with qualities and explanations that could fit, and ones she also admired.

Hermione thinks: Lockhart wants to get some hands on experience (when he released and then left them to ‘round up’ the Cornish Pixies

She fills this in because she likes to be independent and smart. This happens to everyone, and unfortunately for some more than once. Crushes are different than true relationships with depth. This is also why we should evaluate all of our relationships as time goes by. This is because people can grow distant and people change and just because we connected with someone once or had the same values doesn’t mean we do now. These are relationships that without pain or malice we can let go.

Similarly, certain things about Lockhart just didn’t add up. Yes, he wrote autobiographies, but not one other person from his cases or towns that he saved ever came forward, joined him on tour, or admitted to have been save by him and was a fan. Given his charm and ‘wanting to help others”, this doesn’t fit even the part of his personality he promoted: where he would have wanted to seem more accessible and like the “every-man”, and therefore better than the everyman. No one confirming his stories or telling his historic and impressive saves as a victim are two crucial clues that show have allowed even the distant observer insight into the fraud he was.

So Dumbledore is correct, “there is plenty to be learned even from a bad teacher: what not to do, how not to be” and I cannot help but feel this was especially true of a lesson to give to Harry Potter, probably more than any other lesson. That no one, for talent, intelligence, beauty or charm, is better than anyone else

The Power of Fear

In his inauguration speech, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. He followed this with gratitude, that the fears that were plaguing the nation at the time was not a disease, but financial constraint and that we as a nation could overcome if we worked together.  

Fear, is not all bad. In moments of danger, fear can kick start your reflexes allowing us a greater advantage and even in non-immediate danger fear can bring about clarity and a different way of thinking. But fear can also be blinding, and when left unchecked it can grow until it becomes all-consuming. It is important when dealing with one’s fear that you truly think about what you are fearing and where that fear comes from—choosing only to work with the fear of an actual threat.

Franklin D. Roosevelt explained in his speech that the fear people were feeling could paralyze them and make things worse if they let it, in these current times it is important to understand how these small fears can grow and manipulate and take over. There are the fears of many Americans are based in the unknown, fears of potential violence and financial loss. But those who are coming to this country have true fear, fear that powers them through hundreds of miles of desert, and starvation. Fear of starvation and violence, death and disease. They show how fear can produce action over insurmountable odds.

What we also must remember is again how this fear can grow and how it can be stopped. The United States entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but by then, fear of the unknown and fear of an uncertain future had killed hundreds, thousands and millions throughout the world due to famine, panic and genocide. While we all have our fears, we must also think about how we can act when that fear is small, easier to conquer and what it may mean for others who are living in more present danger than ourselves.  

 My family and I are alive today thanks to the countries that rose above their fear of the unknown to help those who were running for their lives, and the members of my family who were able to use that fear of death and persecution to empower them to walk at least 2,000 miles to start to a sanctuary, Tehran. We must not let our fear blind us to our potential and the true victims of hate and violence and the unknown.

Unbreakable

I wanted to do this one earlier, but given the trilogy has it’s final release today, I postponed

I love this movie. Another film that I can rewatch just after finishing it’s very, very high on my list. I even bought it as a download from iTunes to my iPod Classic–that’s an extremely old sentence (JM). I think one of the things that made this story unique was that it wasn’t a teenager having a coming-of-age superhero, complex story, it was an adult. An adult with a kid, problems at home and an entire life he really had to figure out along with the great story we are figuring out with him, how and to what level of a superhero he should be. Usually, our superheroes are more established when we meet them, in this case, we really went on the discovery journey with them as we can clearly see when David stands in the crowd and tries to figure out exactly who and how he will be a hero. 

The clincher, of course, is at the end (which if you haven’t seen is already spoiled by the rest of the trilogies release) when we discover that Mr. Glass wasn’t just interested in finding someone who was a superhero, but felt it was so important—that he create the disasters to expose him. He created his superhero, and was this a line worth crossing—he believes so, when did he realize he was the villain? At least he agrees that he is one--definitely, some time has passed, but why then, had he become that obsessed, more needs to be divulged here. 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The first thing I remember about this book is that I was wondering what could happen next in Harry’s, Ron’s and Hermione’s lives this year, without Voldemort. The return of Voldemort in Year One and Two was a fluke, a coincidence, surely he wouldn’t be returning a third year, and for the most part, he didn’t. Voldemort’s lack of presence is also why this book is one of the most fun books in the series. While we’ve gotten a bit more used to magic, we get to see our trio start become teenagers (sigh, Hermione and Ron) and are generally having fun and goofing around as for the most part, there isn’t anything hanging over their heads—at least not at the level of their first two years at Hogwarts.

Similarly to a lack of Voldemort, I had in my head the possibility that Professor Lupin would stick it out more; he knew what he was talking about and the students adored him, so why not? Then!! Hagrid as a teacher, marvellous. While I don’t understand why we never got confirmation of Hagrid being able to use magic, him getting some of his life back and getting to teach at Hogwarts greatly improved his life and was well deserved, he would never have everything he deserved (lack of bigotry, a family of his own), but this was a great step, a comfort, and something that I know made him really, really happy.

On the other hand, this year wasn’t all sunshine, we started to see more darkness. Expanding from Hermione being called a Mudblood, Hagrid was insulted as a teacher, Buckbeak was sentenced to be executed, Dementors existed, and we learned more in-depth about the Azkaban prison that Hagrid was sent to the year prior (possibly also a reason why he was permitted to be a teacher, an apology from a world that had done him so much wrong). But while this year wasn’t great, it wasn’t not-great because of Harry and so there was a bit of a sigh of relief, until that awful night that really changed everything even more than we realized at the time.

There is both good and bad during Year Three, at all different levels; the best? Harry finds an elder he can really see and count as family, whose only allegiance is to him; the worst? Harry doesn’t get to have him, share him, use him. There is also a lot of growth for the trio as they learn more about their friendship with each other (Ron and Harry v. Hermione) and themselves (Ron and Harry v. Hermione, Hermione and the time-turner and Hermione and Buckbeak--> how did Trelawney miss that future!?) along with the reminders to us that, life simply is not just or fair, but that we should try to do what we can to make it so.

Books for ourselves

It is important to remember that books are not always about just telling a story. Books can show us how others live--whether they be Stormtroopers, drug addicts, slaves or someone that has another different story from all the ones that are different from us. 

Yes, we learn about people from their stories, but it doesn’t have to stop there. In understanding one’s life and one’s struggles--we can choose to act, we can choose to push forward, we can choose to help, we can choose to learn more. 

In 15 days it’s Halloween, in 16 days it’s a day of really cheap candy and chocolate, and in 21 days you have the power to vote and make the world how you think it should be. But I hope that’s not your one day of using your voice, your power and the power of listening to someone else’s story. You may not have the best or easiest life, everyone struggles but “a rising tide lifts all boats”--be that tide, raise the condition for everyone