We Tell Ourselves Stories In Order To Live...we Look For The Sermon In The Suicide, For The Social Or

Unequal, Shattered, Abandoned

The United States is Big as FUCK. While not reaching the billions such as China or India, the US is the 3rd most populated country in the world being 25% larger than the next largest country (Indonesia) more than one and a half times the size of the 5th largest (Brazil) and two and a half times larger than the 10th most populated country (Mexico). (1) Unable to discuss US public libraries in their entirety and not an official determinant of success, I’ve looked at the libraries between the state with the highest life expectancy (Hawaii: 81.5), the average (North Dakota: 78.6) and the lowest (Mississippi: 74.5)

Not the best example, Hawaii only has one public library located on the island of Honolulu. This makes some sense as Hawaii is an island-based state with a smaller population; however, in comparison North Dakota only had 5 registered public library districts and Mississippi had 14. In this context, it would seem those who live longer either read less  or fared better without library access; but when compared to much larger states NY (132) and California (155) quantity of libraries is more determined on population than other things to some degree as Texas (97) and Florida (65) have less libraries than their population should. Regardless, library access is very much linked to community and wealth as rural communities and the poorer parts of urban communities having little or no access. (2)

In a country of such prosperity, equal access and opportunity should be considered and implemented at a Federal level and not center on the self-fulfilling prophecy of only those who can afford the best opportunities are able to provide the best opportunities and resources for themselves. An additional note of importance is that part of the official Library Servers website, there is “Books You Really Should Have Read” advertisement, of noteworthy books and how to get them on Amazon

(1)    https://www.census.gov/popclock/

(2)    http://www.lib-web.org/united-states/public-libraries/

Charlie Weasley

Whatever it is, do it. If you love it, if you want it, just DO IT

Lavender Brown

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

While some may adore this holiday, others find it grotesque, so to honour both the day and the feelings everyone relates to it (both good and bad) today is the perfect day to relate and explore Lavender Brown

Lavender Brown was just so god-damn annoying. I hated her, I still hate her, rewatching and rereading I still hate her and while for some it might be because she was “between Hermione and Ron getting together”--Lavender wasn’t, Ron was; there isn’t that level of dislike for Victor Krum, because he’s not a pain in the ass. In class we saw her barely paying attention or whining (you’re learning MAGIC girl, focus!), was very overdramatic, gullible and influenced (relationship with Trelawney), didn’t trust Harry or Dumbledore about Voldemort, infatuated with Lockhart (weird, that’s what they have in common) and Trelawny, had no independce or confidence and for us who had been growing up with Hermione, Lavender was always a contrast (and a bit of a bully to Hermione) and we just saw more of what we didn’t always like about her in Year Six. With Ron she’s in that (and from what we feel would always be) someone who is having their first boyfriend/girlfriend, OMG I totally love you even though it’s only been 3 days, we’re going to get married, live happily ever after, middle school romance...but at 16/17, and incredibly one-sided. Would they have lasted forever? No, from the beginning it was clear, to those he told, that Ron was more about being in a relationship than the relationship itself (yeah, asshole move). And, while Lavender was right that there was something going on between Ron and Hermione, it wasn’t right to act on it as 1) they weren’t acting any differently than they used to and 2) no romantic relationship should replace any friendships. Yes, over time people split up, but as an ultimatum, it’s the first step of the romantic relationships quick demise (and true with friendships where one tries to rid other friendships). She was just a whiny, petty, privileged American, ugh. 

Now, what did we learn? Regardless of her judgement and attitude she joined Dumbledore’s Army and fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, reminding us that everyone has layers. She also was a great friend to Seamus and Pavarti. Who knows, maybe had Harry, Ron and Hermione not been constantly busy saving the universe they would have all been friends, or at least friendlier and found they had more in common than we thought because we know a lot about Lavender’s annoying traits and her personality, but little else because it was easier to see her more dramatic side. So, Lavender Brown, you do remind us that not everyone is the same, not everyone will get along, not everyone is going to best your very best friend but that everyone still deserves respect, understanding and compassion

Deangelo

Deangelo’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Three: The Inner Circle

When he brings up positive changes as negative changes in his (first) conference room meeting post-Michael:

The he plans to leave the office at 5pm

That the company will send Darryl to business school, full ride

He’s getting Toby a new chair

Ice Cream Thursdays

Deangelo’s Second Worst Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Two: Goodbye, Michael

When he cuts out two huge corners of the cake, eats one with his hands, and then leans in close to yell “No!” at the cake.

Deangelo’s Best Line: Michael’s Last Dundies

When he see’s Meredith’s place and tells Michael “This reminds me of Katrina”

DeAngelo’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Three: The Inner Circle

His fake juggling routine

A Circle of Chaos

So, who puts in the effort to try and ban or challenge a book? I would think, and could agree to a certain extent, that parents are those who attempted to restrict their children’s access to books (thou I don’t know why they just don’t do it as parents instead of loophole out of their authority and try to use someone else’s) at their child’s school depending on their age (where some of their authority has temporarily been given over to the teacher or administration). However, while parents make up the second largest percent of challenges against books (32%) only 37% of all challenges occur at schools or school libraries with the majority happening at public libraries (59%) by other local library users (33%).

Books are also not the only things get challenged and for some, removal of the book includes vandalism, theft and destruction (burning books). In 2018 62% of all challenges or censorship actions in libraries were against books, but 15% of challenges were against meetings, 10% were against databases, films and games and 6% were about artwork. This scope of the challenges is the reason for the focus of censorship during banned books week as these challenges extend past the idea usually presented that books are banned because the material is “too mature” for the age group it was recommended too but has to do more with the prejudice behind those promoting the bans and can create an horrific self-fulfilling prophecy as those who were limited in the experiences and connections to these book will remain close-minded and become the passionate censorship leaders of our future.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/statistics

so metropolitan museum of art has a register of books they’ve published that are out of print and that you can download for free! they’re mostly books on art, archeology, architecture, fashion and history and i just think that’s super useful and interesting so i wanted to share! you can find all of the books available here!

Kevin Malone

Kevin’s Best Moment: Season Nine, Episode Fourteen: Vandalism When he stands up for Angela and Oscar to Senator Lipton. First, nicely thanking him for the food, then telling the Senator that he sucked, before complimenting him again on the food.

“You’re, like, a terrible person. These guys care about you, and you’re just using them.”

Kevin’s “Worst” Moment: Season Seven, Episode Nineteen: Garage Sale When he lets Darryl and Andy "play" him with his incomplete Dallas board game where they frustrate him by playing by whatever rules they want and he storms off. Only for us to see later that was all part of his plot to get the full $30 gamble.

Kevin’s Best Line: Season Six, Episode Five: Niagara Part 2. "The peeing is fast, Oscar. It's getting my tie back on."

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

Kevin runs over a turtle.

"Saves him" by gluing his shell back together with parts of his shell, part of a key chain, a spoon, bottle cap, yogurt lid, mini coffee creamer container.

Crushes him again by leaning on him with this knee.

Patches up the turtle again, mostly with a helmet.

Only to realize the turtle was probably dead the whole time.

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)

Time isn’t real.

A Ravenclaw who is somewhere between Christmas and New Years and keeps forgetting what day it is (via ravenclawravings)