I’m Happy For Her An All, But Notably Sad For Myself. I Gasped When I Saw This On The News. Love Her,

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

Dolores Umbridge

I was wondering what I could write about what we learned from Umbridge, did I really need to write about all the characters, did I learn from them? How people in power can be corrupt and self-indulging, how people can use their greatest insecurities or fears and inner hate as a foundation against others, these are things we know already from life and can see from other characters so why write about her. Well, there are two things—one is just a quandary. It is interesting that as she became more and more in power, more absolute in her hatred of others that she also became more ‘polite’ (a false-politeness as most is) and more ‘girly’ focusing on a love of kittens, the color pink and attempts in being fragile. Why? She didn’t want to come across as fragile or dainty.

Secondly, there are many characters that are hated for the level of pain or evil they caused: the Dursleys, the Malfoys, Pettigrew, while Voldemort, Bellatrix and Umbridge are usually at the top and considered the worst, Voldemort has never been considered high above Umbridge in this aspect, and for many falls beneath her.  Here is the man who split his soul into seven pieces (then accidentally eight), had Cedric murdered just because he wasn’t useful (seriously, just knock him out), tried to kill a baby who might one day kill him (good job on that one), murdered his entire family (both sides), he’s just an evil guy. So how is he not automatically the big villain Umbridge is? Why is she even able to compete? It’s a personal opinion, and choice, and one that fluctuates for most. Umbridge is so hated I believe, because of how much power she was allowed to have, and how she was able to slip in, remain and grow within the Ministry and be seen as someone with intellect, someone who should be compassionate, engaging and encouraging was narrow-minded and without individuality. In comparison, Voldemort had to fight for his power and to promote his beliefs, and people fought against him and disrespected him for it. Being forced to respect either Umbridge or Voldemort will make them hated, but as Umbridge was considered by many adults as one of the ‘good guys’ or that her crimes and hatred against others weren’t important enough to be obliterated and that she was supported makes us hate her and the system more.

The respect, power and approval by the ‘good guys’ she was given is similar to my earlier point in how her affection for kittens and delicate things was in opposition, and a falsehood, of who she really was. I cannot speak for others, but I do feel that giving someone with the same hatred and cruelty in her as Voldemort, giving her the power and respect he wanted is what makes her so hated—what she does is approved and while teachers under Voldemort’s rule would torture students, they did it as it went against their beliefs and because that’s who they were. They didn’t pretend it was for the benefit of the other students or under the guise of someone else. With all her arrogance and self-importance, she really had no confidence or true pride.

"Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it."

JK Rowling

Words, like books, are everything. Every experience, almost every emotion that we experienced can be told to others with the use of words and we understand each other by reading and listening to the stories of others. The most beautiful love song, the worst phrases that turn a friend to an enemy.

Act with kindness, speak with compassion, and keep reading

Clark Green

Clark’s Best Moment: Season Nine, Episode

When Dwight tells him “ The bubble wrap is the only thing that is stopping his suit from getting wrinkled. These meetings are all about presentation”

And he responds “that’s actually really smart—God, if only there was any other use or situation for that kind of knowledge”

Clark’s Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Two: Roy’s Wedding

When he uses Erin’s gullibility to get her to his apartment alone for a “reporting job”

Clark’s Best Line: Season Nine, Episode Eleven: Suit Warehouse)

When describing Jan’s sexual appetite “Women reach their sexual peak at whatever age Jan as last week. I mean, if it was….like making love with a wild animal. But not like a cougar, like you might think.. It was…uh…like a swarm of bees. Bees that just find something wrong with every hotel room”

Clark’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Nine, Episode One: New Guys

When he walks right across the slack rope

Dreamed, Desired, Determined

Tripzilla, a Southeast Asia Travel-Media company, created a list of the 10 libraries you must visit around the world. (https://www.tripzilla.com/10-bucket-list-libraries-you-must-visit-once-in-your-lifetime/27470)

Stadtbibliothek in Stuttgart, Germany

With a bit of an Escher vibe, I love it, though I highly doubt it looks this way all the time. Everyone in Germany can’t be this neat.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos in Mexico City, Mexico

This one looks a little scary, both what I would imagine being stuck at a microscopic size in a large industrial machine but also in the engine room of the Titanic but I can see through walls. Looks nice, but I think I’d spend most of time fearing a book or something else was going to fall and kill me

Liyuan Library in Beijing, China

Well that was dumb, I didn’t even think about going to a library when I traveled and my guess is that for the most part I won’t be going back. I love the homey and natural feel of this mountain-nestled library.  It definitely looks like a place where you feel welcome to sit and read all day with some tea.

Benediktinerstift Admont in Admont Abbey, Austria

This one, for me, is just one to look around in. Along with the distraction of the ceilings and insane molding, I’d be too afraid to drop something and make a mess (after my Belle swing on a ladder and sing about books moment of course)

New York Public Library in New York, U.S.A

Ehh. I’ve been here but while it’s beautiful and I guess famous it’s also incredibly strict, convoluted to get through and the true library portion of it is a small floor in the basement

Musashino Art University Library in Tokyo, Japan

So, maybe it’s because it’s the Art University library and maybe this is for better planning but all I can think is, WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SPOTS WITHOUT BOOKS! Nope, not a fan.

Librije Zutphen in Gelderland, Netherlands

Okay, this is more for the historic obviously than for the actual bibliophile or community. But at the same time, maybe not the worst idea given the books, movies and other items that somehow never make it back

Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch in Taipei, Taiwan

Surrounded by just a bit of nature and peace, this library is a true haven for the local community who want to get an escape from the chaos of city and modern life. Not only made entirely of wood and glass, it is also a certified  green building with plenty of space and freedom to restore yourself

Villanueva Public Library in Casanare, Columbia and Min Buri Old Market Library in Bangkok, Thailand

These libraries are what it’s all about. Both intricate and developed by the community, for the community the Villanueva was designed and built my students and organizations in the community with locally-sourced materials and is meeting place for many of the community’s social events and activities.

The Min Buri Old Market Library was a small (3 by 9 meters) unoccupied space that residents spruced up into a library with local books, a small reading and garden space in the back and workstations “upstairs”.  

Whoops—

As we work to improve access, equality of access, and diversity some of us will get there faster than others as some have more pressing matters to focus on. For many young girls, their time is mainly taken up walking miles every day to bring clean water home to their families. For them, having a book that describes their personal story or an ancestral connection is first dependent on whether they were in school long enough to know how to read. Other challenges such as those taken on by Malala Yousafzai, deal with female suppression, war and tyranny and of course children who are currently walking hundreds of miles to escape violence, war and famine. 

Not all have the ability to begin to think about education, our stories and our futures as they can only think of reaching tomorrow. But for those that in the midst of this chaos, there is still hope and those who work to bring books to those who don’t have the ease of going whenever they can.

(1)    https://litreactor.com/columns/the-10-most-unusual-libraries-in-the-world

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’”

Curriculum is about preparing minds to think and reason, it's not about parental control and subordination. Banning books is small-minded.

Professor McGonagall

Today is the birthday of Professor McGonagall, our stern but motherly figure while attending Hogwarts, especially for those in her house, Gryffindor. While off topic, as JK Rowling stated she wanted English actors only to portray the Hogwarts students, she also stated that she always wanted Maggie Smith to portray Professor (Minerva) McGonagall who not only played the part but held it as dear to her heart as we do, as she continued to film both Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II. 

Professor McGonagall was always a great mother figure to me as she was clearly an independent woman; she was also strict and fair: important qualities for someone who is going to need to guide young wizards, teach, and be a guardian at a boarding school. She was also a role model, maybe not directly as Hermione Granger was, but she taught all of her students (readers included) to stand up for themselves, believe in themselves, and be honest and truthful about yourself, to yourself, and your surroundings. 

Some of my best moments with her will always be in regards to Neville, who throughout his years as a students at Hogwarts she repeatedly told him that all he needed was confidence. She further pushed this when after the O.W.L.S. she stood up for him to himself, reminding him that he should be proud of his accomplishments and not base his happiness on his grandmother. With these developments, and her change from guardian to friend as our Hogwarts friends grew older, there was much to admire and adore and want in a personal relationship with Professor McGonagall, all before getting to her history and heartbreak pre-Hogwarts years and her odd relationship with Dumbledore. She was force to be reckoned with, her and her Maggie Smith, and I encourage all to re-read the books and explore her history more to understand how truly Brave, Clever and Kind she was. 

OH MY GOODNESS and her AND her patronus was a Cat!!! <3

Karen Filippelli

Karen’s Best Moment: Season Three, Episode Six: Diwali

When she fakes taking the shots all night with Jim and Andy.

Karen’s Worst Moment: Season Four, Episode One: Fun Run

When we see in the flashback she screamed at Jim in the office kitchen in regards to their breakup.

Karen’s Best Line: Season Three, Episode Ten: A Benihana Christmas

“Are we taking this too far? You know what? I don’t think we’re taking this far enough”.

Most Memorable: Season Three, Episode Three: The Coup

When finding Jim struggling in Call of Duty first whispers to the camera crew 

“Look how cute he is. And he’s trying to shoot with a smoke grenade”.

And then when Jim hears her a bit tells him “Nothing, you just concentrate on turning around” instructs him how to turn around, and then asks him 

“Any last words? No?” before killing him.