Four Brothers

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

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is one of those books where I’m shocked there so much controversy with it and shows my how different people’s perspectives can be. Looking at the same situation people believe that The Giving Tree shows a selfish boy who just takes and takes and takes: promoting narcissism and selfishness. In this scenario, the tree may also represent unrealistic goals to new mothers who are supposed to give and give to their child and expect nothing in return or environmentalists who have the boy as a symbol for our destructive pillaging of the planet.

When I read I naturally and by force try to focus on the relationships between characters and how their wants and feelings dictate their actions (as is the case with most humans). I focus on the aspects of the story where the boy and tree are together and how the tree just wants to make the boy happy, and is always happy when he is happy. While I see it as a story of parental love, it really represents all true love, where you want the other person to be happy whether or not that happiness includes you—you want what’s best for them, even if it’s not what’s best for you.

My experiences with parenthood reflect those in the book but only in a simplified version. In the beginning, the boy loves the tree so much, yes he takes from her: her energy, her time, her snacks—but he’s also there with her sharing his time and his laughter and love. As a teen the boy just uses the tree and as a young adult, the boy creates a home, from the foundation of the tree and his own plans and efforts. The last two moments: where the boy is lost and tries to get away and the ending when he just wants to sit on the stump; these are the moments I don’t know we always get to see with our children, unfortunately. Even those who become parents while their own parents are around still say they didn’t appreciate or tell them enough how much they love them—things only realized after they’re gone. It’s sad, of course it’s sad. It’s depressing and shows that people can be too loving and too selfish. As with any book, you can take from it what you want to take from it, from the Giving Tree, I choose to see the relationship as a boy and his Momma, who in the end will be perfectly happy just spending time together; young or old.

Technology: Transcend and Transform

Technology has become a necessity in most of our society, even those with limited disposable income or countries with lower economies have updated how they function to include smart phones, computers and apps as part of daily or at least common function. 

I love libraries has been working on a local libraries ebook (Libraries Transform) where patrons can instantly (if connected to a local library) use their app to download the selected book to read and have the ability to discuss the books with other app users. Along with being a more universal book club that some communities might not have or certain age groups have easy access to, this allows individuals to have larger conversations and may allow for opinions more diverse than you would get to experience in a normal book club. And of course, this allows those who might not have a well equipped or have personal easy access to their library and issues with returning books on time or other barriers to be connected to reading and the reading community. 

For the release of this app, the Libraries Transform picked Kassandra Montag’s After the Flood; available Oct 7th - 21st through the Libby app and once you’re connected to your local library

Neville Longbottom

Oh my goodness Neville, while I connected with Hermione and Luna in love of books, wit, and oddities; my personal experiences always aligned more with Neville, which is why for the majority of the story I was disheartened to find him not having better luck. Regardless, Neville is the character that teaches us the most in the series showing us how words matter, you need to be your strongest supporter, you should do what’s right regardless of others, and how persistence can make all the difference.

“Stick and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”

False. The constant pressure and negativity from his grandmother, Snape and peers held Neville back. Confidence, kindness, respect for different people’s strengths can make all the difference for the individual and for the world. We know all the example I could go thru, but we see as Neville begins to ignore the taunts of others that he continues to improve.

“If You Judge a Fish by Its Ability to Climb a Tree, It Will Live Its Whole Life Believing that It is Stupid”

It took some time, but Neville eventually found himself. While he wasn’t good at potions and his fear of McGonagall held him back in Transfiguration, his love of Herbology eventually led him to a dream career as a Professor who will be the new generations Lupin I’m sure. While he felt down on himself, he didn’t feel bad about what or whom he liked and sought out relationships that he deemed worthy. This success also comes from his showing of persistence (slug club, defeating Voldemort), while not in a zealous way, he constantly tries to better himself and handles rejection well, he also doesn’t give up; even at the end of the first year when Harry, Ron and Hermione say they’re going out he doesn’t let them pass, but vows to stay there blocking them off.

While there is a lot we learn from Neville, what I love the most is how he’s a pure, true, good guy. He’s strong, the ultimate underdog and this is also one of the ways I find myself linked, he’s very moral—always trying to do the right and respectable thing. Even as “a nobody”, he would stand up for others and put others ahead of himself as he told Harry to let him be killed to make sure Voldemort and other’s didn’t get what they want, he also wouldn’t give in during the final battle and showed loyalty and trust in Harry beyond the end. Side point with this, his care with his mother and children who have parents are disabled or impaired, it was beautiful and to show how his grandmother was the opposite was very crucial, she might not have known who her son was, but she recognized this sweet boy and I love how he cherishes the wrappers she gives him.

Neville is the character I have the most “what/if” about

What/If he was in Hufflepuff (added points in letting us know a Hufflepuff so it doesn’t have the reputation it does); he also would have had a better connection with Professor Sprout (if that's possible)

What/If he had been closer to Harry, Ron and Hermione earlier on. I get that they were the core 3, but they didn’t even hang out with him as much as I feel they should have, and even when they did it became: Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville, Luna and Ginny.

Of course, the biggest, What/If is if Voldemort had chosen him instead of Harry, who would he have been? Harry would have been the same if he lived with his Aunt and Uncle, or just like James, if he ended up with Sirius (eck)

National Foster Care Month

Today is the last day of Foster Care Awareness month. As with all of these awareness days or months, Foster Care Awareness month is more about setting aside a specific time for agencies to learn more and focus promotion on a particular hardship or disease as these are ongoing issues that relate to hundreds to millions of people in the world every day

The US Foster Care system is rarely discussed, even during foster care awareness month as many don’t really understand the depths of its existence and may only know of its possible existence by what is shown on television. Due to the media being the main provider of introduction and information about foster care and the foster care system, Maia Mitchell and Zuri Adele from the current Freeform series Good Trouble (spin-off of The Fosters) discuss the disservice many of these introductions due to children in Foster Care (sorry, Tumblr wouldn’t link to it)

https://www.facebook.com/GoodTrouble/videos/316204539278544/

But social media and television isn’t all bad, depending on whose using it and how connected they are with the true foster care system. Meghan Walbert is an author that shares her family’s journey as a foster family, bringing to light the confusing pain and brightest joys brought by her foster children to her, her husband and their biological son (http://www.phasethreeoflife.com/). Earlier this month, the Comedy Central Show Jim Jefferies brought attention to Kids in the Spotlight with Modern Family’s Ty Burrell and reminded viewers that what you see in the media isn’t always true and how helping children and young adults in the foster care system can create on of the largest impacts not only in their individuals lives by bringing showing them visibility and care, but that those who do not receive the resources they need to grow are more likely to become homeless, be inducted into gangs and have long-term health problems.

The NBC show This Is US along with The Freeform series The Fosters has brought attention to not only the foster care system and the children in the foster care system, but also the older children in foster care—some of whom may never get adopted and lose what little government support they have once they age out of foster care at age 21.

Unfortunately, actions taken this month are both highlighting and increasing the chances of children who will age out of foster care. Earlier this week, the state of Oklahoma in a lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals reported that another outcome of the opioid epidemic was a dramatic increase in the need of their foster care system. Connecting to the research done by Freakonomics writers, not all children go into Foster Care but the new abortion restrictions will create some increase dependency on the foster care system, but increase crime rates as those who are not ready to have children or cannot provide the necessary resources will harm the individual, the family and the community for generations.

Back to Jim and Ty, research has shown that small actions such as Ty’s acting classes, donations, and most importantly visibility, respect and validation of existence can all create a positive impact and other ways to help children and parents in the foster care system

Bibliotheque

Canada is another nation at the top of lists that look at math and science, income, education and other levels of success. Noted as more progressive, neither their progressive stature nor education balance can be seen when looking at their libraries. As stated in an article from 1948 (1) and seen when going through the, easily accessible, list of Canadian libraries, there is a discrepancy and a distinction between more populated and less populated areas (2).

This is even more concerning considering that Canada does libraries right. Three of their libraries came in the top 10 (3) because Canada has expanded their library to be a true communal spot including movie nights, helping with job seekers, being a place for new residents, public spaces for meetings and places where local business people can expand (4).

When it comes to their libraries Canada is doing very well, but as with most movements forward it’s had a bit of difficulty makings sure they are not leaving anyone behind.

http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/LibrariesinCanada-CanadianLibraries-Canadianhistory.htm

https://www.lib-web.org/canada/

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/15/risotto-robotics-and-virtual-reality-how-canada-created-the-worlds-best-libraries

https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/reports/canadastackup/214109cef_how_libraries_stack_up.pdf

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

I have nothing more to add about the context of this film as this post accurately connected all the beautifully complexities of this film and what creates a new version of PTSD ( Complex PTSD) what I will add, is how I hate that I’ve been unable to secure this film and rewatch it

Bang Bang You’re Dead

I loved this film! It was very different to the other films, especially the ending which I thought was very satisfying. A very troubled and outcast teenager struggling to cope with high school after he is suspended for planting a fake bomb in the school. The best part of this film, by far, was an uncomfortable scene in which teachers, the principle and the teen’s parents were forced to watch a home video of all the bullying that goes on in the school. If I was at that school, I probably would have wanted to shoot them all too.

The film is based on the play of the same name , which I assume is just as good.

Brick Heck, The Middle

An odd guy, no doubt. But you know....he knew who he was...

...he didn’t play to anyone else...

...and he learned to appreciate what he had when he had it. 

Thank you Brick, for knowing what’s important and how to cherish it and where your home was

Road to Change

Today in Chicago, the two-month summer tour “Road to Change” by the March for our lives movement, begins. Along with open-discussion and proposals on how to make US citizens safer in the daily lives, the Road to Change is working to get the youth and others who are either generally ignored or kept out of the voting and political process active. 

Earlier this month, as part of NYC mandates, we had our semi-annual fire safety drill instructions: test if the door is hot, don’t take the elevator, call 911, etc.) but a new segment of this discussion was added, active shooter drills. We were told to turn our cell phones on silent (not vibrate), how a fire extinguisher is a good weapon is needed for the chemical can disarm the eyes and then you can knock the shooter out, how to barricade the door, and how to exit with your hands out and empty so you are not mistaken as the shooter. 

We were also told that the below video is good to watch, just about 6 minutes, that gives you additional tips on the three main ways to survive. First Run if you can and Hide if you can’t, and if left with no other options, Fight. 

Whether you agree with them or not, the activists related to March for Our Lives are keeping the discussion at the forefront and are doing everything they can so that everyone has a voice in not only this issue but all issues. Click on: Road to change tour dates, and you will be brought to their schedule for June on the March for Our Lives website where you can also find more information about how to register to vote, how to encourage others to vote, tips on how to become an activist yourself and other changes they are fighting for and how you can help.