A Pen Of Chocolate And Exhaustion (not Bad)

February 14th, 2018

A year ago today, for the next few hours, Emma Gonzalez was giving out hugs and flowers, and love for Valentine’s Day; by the end of the day that would not be the case, by the end of the day a girl still full of love would also be filled (with what I presume) with fury. 

A year ago today 17 people lost their lives due to a domestic terror incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Parkland, Florida. Now, at 10:17 the students and local community are participating in a moment of silence for those lost and the country should be reflecting on how they are impacted by gun violence not just at schools but at home, in malls and out when you’re just trying to enjoy your day and your US Constitution idea of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

The end of the day, February 14th 2018, was very different than the MSD students and Parkland community expected when they woke up that morning, many who will never be waking up the same way again but that sentiment at the end of the day remains true. The students’ promised that they would be the end of gun violence and mass shootings and they are doing everything in their power to do so. Along with record-breaking youth voter turnout, the No Notoriety campaign, the Town Hall Project that encourages citizens to attend and meet with local politicians (and not vote for those who they can’t meet with) and the March for Our Lives walk that reminded many of the Vietnam War youth protests, over 100 new laws have been enacted related to gun violence where guns are limited to those who have shown a propensity of violence, a limit on assault rifles and bump stocks and many more. The students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas have made a great impact on gun violence in the US, even just by keeping us talking. But again, now at 10:17, we take a breath, a moment for those these actions were made for:

                                    Alyssa Alhadeff (14)                

                                      Scott Beigel (35)

                              Martin Duque Anguiano (14)

                                 Nicholas Dworet (17)

                                   Aaron Feis (37)

                               Jaime Guttenberg (14)

                                  Chris Hixon (49)

                                  Luke Hoyer (15)

                                Cara Loughran (14)

                                Gina Montalto (14)

                               Joaquin Oliver (17)

                                 Alaina Petty (14)

                             Meadow Pollack (18)

                                Helena Ramsay (17)

                                Alex Schachter (14)

                             Carmen Schentrup (16)

                                   Peter Wang (15)

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

Films that I shouldn’t be so bitter about

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Finding Nemo was so long ago that I can’t remember why I was so against it for so long. I’m not anti-children’s movies as anyone who knows me can confirm, but I was very much against Finding Nemo, I just didn’t understand the hype. I hold off on seeing for at least two years and either finally saw it when I was sick one day or when a friend forced it on me. And oh my did I LOVE IT!! One of my friends who pushed it on me probably highly regretted doing so as then I became slightly obsessed with it, it’s hysterical. I could say that part of why I love this film is all the little lessons peppered throughout with Marlin and Nemo (parents—chill), the sharks in rehab (you can always change, friendship), Marlin and Dory (don’t judge someone too quickly) and even just Dory herself (don’t limit yourself and always look on the bright side). These add to what makes the movie enjoyable, but the movie is just funny. My favorite scene that I will laugh-cry just in the beginning of trying to tell it to someone is when they follow the mask down into the darker level of the sea and Dory thinks Marlin is her conscious because she’s (1) forgotten he exists and (2) can’t see him. Whoops.

Life of Pi, I really-really only have myself to blame. Partially due to not learning my lesson from Finding Nemo, even though it wasn’t the same situation. The story of Life of Pi didn’t really capture me in general, about how a boy maybe a tiger and how they survive a shipwreck, even thou it usually would be at the top of my list. Maybe it’s because the ‘twist’ at the end is what they didn’t want to talk about in advertisement and focused on the visual effects which I agree with the acclaim and enjoyed, isn’t usually enough to get me to watch a film. I still enjoy the story and will definitely watch it again (except for the murderous island part, while enjoyable is something to learn about in the daytime), I watched the film immediately after hearing the ending from a friend, where we are left to wonder if the Tiger, Richard Parker, was real or just Pi just trying to survive. Of course, my knowing it’s coming it lost all of why I wanted to watch it, but it was still great and thought-provoking. Just wish I got to experience it for myself, not thru someone else

 PS—And Finding Dory, ugh, beautiful

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.

Get Art the Vote

Whether your focus is guns, the environment, big banks, the wall. 

You have the right to vote, VOTE!

You have the ability to vote, VOTE!

You have the most important thing needed to change and have the future you want, you have the power that comes from your vote, VOTE!

and if for some reason you don’t have an opinion, talk to your friends, talk to those who cannot vote, don’t take this for granted

1st book: HP

If I ever had to choose a favorite book, it would be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Bought by my mother because of it’s rampant success in England, it was and still is a very important book for me. The series was the first new-generations understanding of youth activism, feminism, equality and kindness. But the first book was, for lack of a better word as this word doesn’t seem to do it justice, home. I, like all great books, was taken out of my world to another place where I found friends and a family, and security. It gave me confidence, hope and connection while pushing me and allowing me to feel safe, all at the same time.

But Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is not my favorite books because of the story, a particular character or author, time period or residual feeling of inspiration. While it is one that continues to connect to me, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is my favorite book just because it is my home, my base and my beginning of reading. While I read before Harry Potter and surely would’ve read without it, the first chapter can always make me smile and bring me back to really beginning to love reading and experiencing that other world and how much books can bring joy, compassion and comfort. This book, that will always be my favorite book, represents more than even the world of Harry Potter represents to me with the characters and connections; it does in fact just represents me and my child hood and my love of reading and excitement to learn. 

All of the Harry Potter books will always have a place with me, but Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the first and the strongest and the one that can always bring me back to the places I love. Happy National Book Month

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is probably my least favorite book of the series. It may be because I read it within 72 hours while flying all across the country, or because I spent the majority of that time trying to figure out whether I should trust Snape or not, Harry’s ridiculous trust in the book that I kept thinking could be Voldemort all over again (seriously!?), and of course all the Hermione and Ron drama; but either way, I don’t look back on it fondly (and this was before I knew the ending).

Similar to the Fourth book, the opening of the Half-Blood Prince was entertaining and created a picture outside our normal understanding of Harry Potter. It was also interesting to see Dumbledore’s interaction with the Dursleys, Professor Slughorn who seemed to be a combination of Draco and Gilderoy Lockhart, and of course, seeing the twins great success and finally their mother’s approval.

Another thing I enjoyed in this story is how we slowly learn more about Voldemort along with Harry, seeing how he grew up and how Dumbledore slowly deciphered who he was and what he was up to. But overall, the story for me focuses on whether Harry is right about Draco and Snape, and for both, I feel the results are mixed. In the very end Snape was technically doing everything for Harry’s mother Lily and for Dumbledore, but at the same time he was a ‘double-agent’ and working with the Death Eaters even though his true intentions were very well hidden. Two things: I’d like to know how he convinced Voldemort he was still a true Death Eater as Voldemort seemed to hold him in high regard, and, how did Harry eventually explain all the true intentions of Snape to the others, did they believe him? They trusted in Snape as long as Dumbledore was alive but after that, they believed he had been fooled. With Draco, yes he was trying to do all these secret things to try and murder Dumbledore, but only because he had to, he really didn’t want to and while Harry had mostly matured this was something he couldn’t get past, he couldn’t see that while Draco was a prick, he also could be a victim.

What I do really appreciate about this year that was enjoyable, is the solidification of Harry’s friends, whether part of the Slug Club, Quidditch team or not, this year showed that those involved in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries were Harry’s true friends and he knew that: Neville, Luna and Ginny, along with his core friends Hermione and Ron. Regardless of whatever anyone else thought of him. This is seen even more so when Dumbledore tells Harry to only tell Ron and Hermione about the Horcruxes

Also, there was some fun magic in here: Felix Felices, the Unbreakable Bow, anything the twins created

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

Bellatrix Lestrange

It is not needed to be said that one should not have Bellatrix as a role model in regards to her morality; however, unlike other characters, she was a force of nature, an exemplary, strong and unique female character full of traits to be honoured and contradictions worth exploring.

First, as one of the top three hated characters and one of the two most hated women in the series, I thought it would be important to note how Bellatrix is different, and much better, than Umbridge. On the surface they would seem very similar, both elitist and cruel, but in reality, Bellatrix was so much more. With no limit of her devotion to Voldemort or the cause, she consistently held him in high esteem and never denounced him, even once captured and in Azkaban. Umbridge, on the other hand, more was interested in the power and the ability to put other beneath her than the actual belief that they were less than her, as we see with her father who she was ashamed of even though he was a wizard because he didn’t have enough status in the wizarding world.

What’s also interesting about Bellatrix, is how much her life is based on emotions, and how with her it is a very weakening characteristic. She was definitely the only person he came closest to loving and respecting, and had he felt a need for an equal or partner it definitely would have been her, but while her emotions and darkness made her eviler, they also are part of what scared him. An example is how both Voldemort and Bellatrix torture Harry and Neville; Voldemort is trying to gain information, power, immortality, but what is Bellatrix gaining? She is just being cruel, trying to show off. She didn’t see Neville as an equal, so why bother trying to egg him on and best him. Unfortunately the emotions also hurt her relationship with him because she was just so desperate to be even more to him than she already was, she wanted to be the one to kill Harry, was ashamed and would agonize when Voldemort mentioned her blood traitor sister and half-breed niece (btw, how the heck did they know who got married to whom and had a kid, this is some fourth-wall BS), and he would dismiss her constantly—even if not as obnoxious as he did with Pettigrew or Malfoy and whether this helped drive her mad or just made her more sadistic, I don’t think it did anything for their bond except increase her usefulness to him.

While evil and repulsive, she was a very strong character with depth. As she explained with Harry and the Cruciatus Curse—you have to mean it. She was honourable in that she didn’t back down from her beliefs even when it came to turning on family (I wonder what she would have done if she lived in regards to Narcissa) and that she demanded your attention and respect as someone who was brilliant and talented

StellaLuna, Archie, and other picture books

Many "kids books" don't have pictures, many " adult books" do. While an overuse of pictures can dumb-down the story the final picture in A Picture of Dorian Gray and the pictures of some of the mountain climbers and map of Everest in Into Thin Air created emphasis and added to the story. It's important also to note that while not always, "kids books" or picture books aren't actually always just for children.

I was probably too young to read the Archie comic books when I read them, as with most things I did with my parents. But at 11 or later at night there was little else at the newsstand, that's what was available and it worked to keep me occupied at a time long before smartphones or portable DVD players. A few years later books were used again as part of a reward system: 100 books and I could get a pet. These were good moves, while there is a fine line between bribing and inspiring, in this case I was inspired with that list being one of the biggest factors into reading all the very adult books I read today, even thou most of those books were ones that I knew were kids books even then when it took me less than an hour to read some.

StellaLuna was a story about a bat, and long story short, it’s about how who you love determines your family, the harms of trying to fit into a mould and is a stuffed animal that remains on my bed to this day. So really, let's stop hating the picture books, stop thinking those that do are dumb or bland, let's just stop being book-snobs. Picture books aren't low brow, and Shakespeare isn't the holy grail.